General encyclopaedias Books

Book SynopsisA collectible hardcover edition of the landmark book about being black in America, featuring an introduction by Ibram X. Kendi, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an AntiracistA Penguin Vitae Edition When The Souls of Black Folk was first published in 1903, it had a galvanizing effect on the conversation about race in America--and it remains both a touchstone in the literature of African America and a beacon in the fight for civil rights. Believing that one can know the soul of a race by knowing the souls of individuals, W. E. B. Du Bois combines history and stirring autobiography to reflect on the magnitude of American racism and to chart a path forward against oppression, and introduces the now-famous concepts of the color line, the veil, and double-consciousness.Penguin Vitae--loosely translated as “Penguin of one’s life”--is a deluxe hardcover series from Penguin Classics celebrating a

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis A-to-Z encyclopedia offers students and non-specialist readers a broad introduction to the fascinating civilization of the Incas. Brief narrative entries, based on archaeological research and historical records, explore Inca settlements, culture, society, celebrations, and achievements—the texture and scope of the Inca Empire.Trade ReviewAmong recent works in Inca studies, there is nothing quite comparable to this reference work designed for the curious to follow cross-references and seek out both the classic and current sources mentioned in bibliographies accompanying each of its 130-plus brief topical and biographical entries. Editors Urton and von Hagen contribute about half of the entries, while the remainder are by 33 specialists in disciplines spanning archaeology, anthropology, ethnohistory, art, architecture, materials science, linguistics, history, bioanthropology, ethnomusicology, and museology. . . .The Rowman and Littlefield encyclopedia is well structured for its purpose...with a table of contents of entries arranged A-Z, another divided into historic personages and thematic topics, and a list of contributors with affiliations. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All libraries. All levels. * CHOICE *While the Inca Empire was the largest in the pre-Columbian New World, until recent decades it had drawn less scholarly attention than the Maya and Aztecs. Editors Urton (pre-Columbian Studies, Harvard Univ.) and Peruvian archaeologist von Hagen have gathered 35 Inca specialists to describe key elements of an empire that extended from Colombia to Chile and encompassed coastal plains, mountains, and tropical forests. The Incas did not invent a writing system but used quipus (knotted string devices) for record keeping. There are fascinating entries on fortifications, and their extraordinary road and bridge network, which was some 25,000 miles long, linked Cuzco to the rest of the empire and featured roadside lodgings called tambos every ten to 15 miles. Specialists and students alike will reap the benefits of this helpful reference. * Library Journal *Urton and von Hagen present an encyclopedia that has a broad introduction outlining the main themes of their volume before presenting material in an accessible format that can be considered current, accurate and comprehensive. Encyclopedia of the Incas at once presents its reader with a fascinating array of information but leaves them with many questions. For scholars, this will be ideal, leading to new branches of knowledge and research. For amateurs, it provides a further investigation into a fascinating culture with an emphasis not only on the people but also on their invaders. Fascinating, unique and important, this is a well-presented and important work. * s *Thirty-five specialists from varied disciplines and with distinct points of view contributed to this Encyclopedia of the Incas, the first of its kind. The challenge of the editors, Gary Urton and Adriana von Hagen, was to assemble an organic array of authors and entries that would result in a work capable of synthesizing the vast body of knowledge on the Incas in a comprehensive, detailed and authoritative fashion. At the same time, the volume is accessible to a non-specialist, English speaking audience; which, for historical and geopolitical reasons, is not very familiar with the world created by the lords of Cuzco. Through a careful selection that does not omit a single central aspect of Inca civilization and that also includes specific features of the most diverse nature, the editors have minimized the potential randomness implicit in any selection of this type while at the same time skirting the restrictions proper to the academic genre to which the work belongs. -- José Carlos de la Puente * Revista Andina *This comprehensive book features an expert cast of authors and a rich narrative that illuminates the Inca. Sections combining ethnographic, ethnohistoric, and archaeological data are particularly well-written. It is a valuable reference in general, but also (and surprisingly for an encyclopedia) a solid resource for scholars who will benefit from its interpretive strengths and bibliographic references. -- Ryan Williams, The Field Museum

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis indispensable resource provides an illustrated introduction to and overview of the archaeological study of food and foodways today.Trade ReviewFood has always been an essential part of human life and culture; food is not just what provides humans sustenance but is used to celebrate, communicate, and innovate. This set delves into these diverse aspects of the archaeological history of food through more than 240 entries covering various time periods, theories, foodstuffs, and locations and cultures worldwide. Entries with a broad focus, such as Agriculture and Food and capitalism, are longer than most entries and include research from different places, eras, and cultures to provide a wide-ranging context. Entries on specific locations, food items, techniques, and concepts, such as RNA analysis, Fishing, and Jamestown, Virginia, are more narrowly focused and provide great detail on the topic. Each entry includes a see also section to direct readers to related entries and a 'Further Reading' list of important publications on the topic. The two-volume set is easy to navigate, with a thematic table of contents to help readers locate related topics and a detailed index with cross-referencing. Although the archaeology of food is a very specific topic, this encyclopedia is interdisciplinary in order to provide context and comprehensiveness. Therefore, it would serve as a great resource for college-age students in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, food studies, history, sociology, and other related disciplines. * Booklist *Devoted to ‘the fundamental connection between food and archaeology,’ this two-volume set contains 284 entries written by 236 archaeologists and scholars from around the globe. One of the book’s major strengths is that it includes recent discoveries and current scientific methods and technologies alongside the older research. The contributors, especially those who wrote the longer, broader topics, effectively explain how new techniques have changed the thinking on certain topics. For instance, the entry on ‘bioarchaeological analysis’ spans 11 pages, beginning with the first use of the phrase in 1972. This work is interdisciplinary, joining science with the humanities to illustrate how food affects every aspect of life, from nutrition to sense of self, with such entries as ‘food and gender,’ ‘food and power,’ and ‘food and status.’ The topics are arranged alphabetically, and a useful thematic table of contents is also included, which helps readers get a sense of related subjects. There are also numerous tables and figures peppered throughout. Each entry contains its own further reading list. Editors Metheny and Beaudry and contributors have done an admirable job of bringing the science and art of archaeology to food. Verdict: This is a solid introduction with broad appeal for public libraries and undergraduate colleges and universities. * Library Journal *General awareness of food, cuisines, and food culture has become an integral part of contemporary life, demonstrated by the growing number of podcasts and reality shows dedicated to food, and the popularity of farmers markets and eating local. Archaeologists Metheny and Beaudry invited 236 international scholars to contribute more than 280 entries to this two-volume work. In addition to individual entries on specific foods (coffee, bread, bottle gourd, etc.), readers may investigate techniques (isotope or DNA analysis, infrared spectroscopy, paleofecal analysis), particular sites (Jamestown, Virginia, Franchthi Cave in Greece, Quseir al-Qadim in Egypt), and theoretical approaches to understanding the acquisition, consumption, and role of food in ancient cultures. Arranged alphabetically by topic, essayists emphasize archaeological theory related to social impacts of food, food culture, and agriculture, identifying a solid range of techniques for studying the physical remains of food production and collection in different societies. . . .The new compilation is…designed to serve the current crop of university courses devoted to the archaeological and anthropological study of foodways by offering snapshots—many entries occupying fewer than two pages—on selective topics (e.g., Neanderthal diet, trade routes). Indexes in both volumes facilitate cross-referencing, and limited bibliographies complete each entry. There is a single map of archaeological sites accompanied by 71 figures, mostly black-and-white (but some color) photos, and line drawings. These illustrations range over a diversity of topics of archaeological interest (aurochs' bones, excavated living floors, ancient cooking techniques, and much more). The work will help students writing papers begin to understand the complexity of what may first appear to be a simple subject—the food eaten by peoples of the past. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Students at all levels; general readers. * CHOICE *This two-volume set provides 284 articles on a wide range of information on topics 'including eras, places, cultural groups, specific foodstuffs, landmark sites, analytical techniques, methodology, pioneers in the field, innovations, theories, issues, controversies, and more.' Scholars from around the world explore the history of food over the last 40,000 years. Whether discussing sweet potatoes or rye, explaining the significance of a Mesolithic site in England, or describing the value of scanning electron microscopy, the entries provide a rich introduction to the archaeological history of food. . . .For students and faculty, or anyone interested in the history of our food, these volumes will provide useful, and often fascinating, information. One nice feature: the contents and index are included in both volumes. * American Reference Books Annual *This book is an encyclopedia/dictionary with around 250 entries. It takes a broad approach to the subject of archaeology. . . .This book is rich on the interpretation of the finds and goes further in looking at social and economic systems that are affected by food. . . .There is much in this book that will interest the ethnobotanist and the social historian. The book is aimed at the research community, but it is also of general interest. When I did my first degree we had a course on the major agricultural crops that was taught to all the agricultural first years. In the final year those of us doing agricultural botany had a course on tropical crops. Information from this book could have added to those courses. * s *A useful encyclopedia for anyone interested in how humans used to eat and how ancient food choices have shaped today’s dietary preferences and cultural practices. Entries by eminent scholars cross the globe and span millennia to reveal the reciprocal evolution of humankind and the plants and animals we eat. A stand-out feature is the inclusion of several long entries explaining the history and current thinking about important topics such as the origins of agriculture, the utility of bioarchaeological analysis, and the relevance of past diseases to our understanding of foodways in history. Both the encyclopedia as a whole and the synoptic entries are truly multidisciplinary, integrating archaeological, historical, linguistic, and biological data to ground the reader in the latest research from the field of ancient food studies. -- Kristina Killgrove, University of West Florida

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation is a comprehensive global study of the life and work of Martin Luther and the movements that followed himin history and through today. Organized by a stellar advisory board of Luther and Reformation scholars, the encyclopedia features nearly five hundred entries that examine Luther's life and impact worldwide. The two-volume set provides overviews of basics such as the 95 Theses as well as more complex topics such as reformational distinctions. Entries explore Luther's contributions to theology, sacraments, his influence on the church and contemporaries, his character, and more. The work also discusses Luther's controversies and topics such as gender, sexuality, and race. Publishing at the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation, this is an essential reference work for understanding the Reformation and its legacy today.Trade ReviewPublished on the occasion of the quincentenary of the Reformation, this encyclopedia extends beyond the Reformation to include the Reformed tradition, more radical movements (e.g., Anabaptists), the Counter-Reformation, and the history and present state of Lutheranism. In addition to the alphabetical entries—most brief but informative, each concluding with a brief bibliography—there is substantial scholarly apparatus, including appendixes that outline Luther’s paradoxical doctrine of the Two Kingdoms and details about Lutheran bodies in North America. The 475 entries include doctrines and controversial topics (e.g., Sabbatarianism), religious phenomena (e.g., Marian piety), events (Marburg Colloquy), places (Slovakia, Wittenberg), and persons (Hieronymus Emser, Huldrych Zwingli). Also covered are subjects like printing, hymns, music, and family life. Luther’s teachings are examined in articles ranging from "Views of Women" to "Self-Love." A series of articles address why the Reformation mattered, in its time and in various religious traditions since. Among the most interesting entries are "Legends Regarding Luther" and "Postcolonial Luther."…. [T]his is a worthwhile set. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. * CHOICE *To commemorate what has been known since then as the Protestant Reformation, publishers Rowman & Littlefield and editor Mark A. Lamport has masterfully selected and arranged a 941-page encyclopedia with articles informed by deep expertise on the life and work of Martin Luther and the Reformation…. The authors communicate their expertise with precise, succinct language, producing easily digestible essays that offer on average five references and resources for additional study…. [T]his new reference work is a must have resource for all seminaries and for most universities and colleges. * American Reference Books Annual *There is nothing quite like this volume. Besides the A-list contributors, it explores aspects of Luther and the Reformation that are sometimes left out, and it especially displays the relevance of Luther for a world in which his spiritual heirs are predominantly in the Global South. While an encyclopedia, this work is also a page-turner for anyone interested in knowing more about why the Reformation happened, what its emphases are, and what it means for us today as we celebrate its five hundredth anniversary. -- Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary CaliforniaThis encyclopedia provides clear and valuable information for the Reformation anniversary and beyond. It gives a comprehensive overview from the Middle Ages to modern Lutheranism, from history to theology, with entries written by experts in their fields. Anyone looking for better and deeper knowledge of the Reformation will find it here. -- Volker Leppin, Institute of Late Middle Ages and Reformation, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, GermanyMartin Luther ranks with Augustine as a man whose legacy in the Christian world is both vast and enduring. Adored by many and reviled by some, Luther leaves no one indifferent, and his ideas continue to bear fruit in the church today. An encyclopedia is just what is needed to guide us through this dense forest of tall trees and thick undergrowth, and this volume fits the bill admirably. It will be a standard reference work for years to come and help the next generation shape its own approach to a man whose life and work changed the course of history. -- Gerald Bray, Beeson Divinity School, Samford UniversityToday we have the good fortune of welcoming an encyclopedia that uses the tools of modern critical scholarship to search for the real historical Luther and to recount the complexities of world history that followed up to the present time. The multitudes of scholars assembled to work on this project are all experts in their fields, ecumenically representative, and have no axe to grind. This encyclopedia will prove to be an invaluable resource in theological education not only in Europe and America where the heirs of the Reformation are decreasing but also in the Anglophone countries of Africa and Asia where they are numerically on the increase. -- Carl E. Braaten, Lutheran School of Theology at ChicagoThe Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation is a remarkable reference work. It introduces and makes an important contribution to the study of Martin Luther's life and theology. With its distinctive emphasis on the variegated breadth of Luther's influence, it also provides a unique vantage point from which to assess the significance of the Lutheran Reformation in global and ecumenical terms. This encyclopedia will be an indispensable resource for scholars and students alike. -- David J. Luy, Trinity International UniversityThis is an astonishingly thorough and authoritative reference tool that will be indispensable to any Reformation scholar for many years to come. -- Joel F. Harrington, Vanderbilt UniversityWhy does the Reformation matter? If you have wondered why we still pay attention to Martin Luther, then this magisterial, creative, and comprehensive resource will help you think in new ways about the ongoing influence of this Reformer. This resource brings the scholarship of leading global theologians, musicians, and historians into juxtaposition, which offers fresh insight both into Luther and the Reformation. It calls people to the urgent task of reimagining the wisdom Lutheran theology can offer a world in the midst of seismic shifts. -- Robin J. Steinke, president, Luther SeminaryThese volumes, at once compact and compendious, will be a welcome port of call for all students of the Reformation. The sheer range of Luther's and Lutheranism's influence, down centuries and across continents, is exceptionally well represented in these pages. -- Peter Marshall, University of Warwick, EnglandMark Lamport has brought together an international group of scholars in Luther and Reformation studies for this volume. They have translated their expert knowledge for a broader readership, while at the same time providing an excellent starting point for students and other professionals. The result is an important contribution to the global and comparative understanding of Martin Luther and the history of Lutheranism. -- Sabine Hiebsch, Theological University Kampen, NetherlandsAn impressive number of scholars from a wide range of perspectives offer their insights into both the topics one expects in a reference on Luther and many issues seldom treated in such works. Readers will profit from the variety of viewpoints and methods employed to explore the main avenues of Luther’s thought and career and to evaluate his significance for the twenty-first century. -- Robert Kolb, Concordia Seminary, Saint LouisThis volume provides the non-specialist with an excellent and sweeping view of Luther and Lutheranism that is both accessible and connected by bibliographies to the most important works of Luther scholarship, past and present. It also therefore provides the specialist with a useful reference tool. The scope of the articles, covering not only Luther but post-Reformation Lutheranism, and the quality of the team involved make this a delightful addition to the world of Luther studies. -- Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological SeminaryThe epoch-making movement that split the western Church and the Christian societies of late medieval Europe began five hundred years ago, in 1517, with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. The Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation appears now at a crucial moment, offering a rich feast of concise and informative articles on the Great Reformer and the Reformation he began. Please, resist the urge to “Google it,” and turn to this superb resource instead. -- Mickey L. Mattox, Marquette UniversityThis book offers a wide range of relevant topics. In these articles readers will find reliable information and much that will stimulate their thinking about Luther and Lutheranism in a worldwide context. A fine encyclopedic piece of work. -- Hans-Martin Kirn, Protestant Theological University Amsterdam-Groningen, Netherlands

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe must-have guide to pop culture, history, and world-changing ideas that started in New York City, from the magazine at the center of it all. Since its founding in 1624, New York City has been a place that creates things. What began as a trading post for beaver pelts soon transformed into a hub of technological, social, and cultural innovation—but beyond fostering literal inventions like the elevator (inside Cooper Union in 1853), Q-tips (by Polish immigrant Leo Gerstenzang in 1923), General Tso’s chicken (reimagined for American tastes in the 1970s by one of its Hunanese creators), the singles bar (1965 on the Upper East Side), and Scrabble (1931 in Jackson Heights), the city has given birth to or perfected idioms, forms, and ways of thinking that have changed the world, from Abstract Expressionism to Broadway, baseball to hip-hop, news blogs to neoconservatism to the concept of “downtown.” Those creations and more are all collected in Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NEW YORK “Fans of the Big Apple will delight in this well-written, abundant and justly prideful collection… The editors convincingly argue that everything from abstract expressionism and the auteur theory to punk rock, Q-Tips, the teddy bear, toilet paper (and the urinal), and zoning regulations owes its origins to the five boroughs.” —Kirkus Reviews “The depth and variety of images, including cartoons, iconic pictures, magazine covers, and newspaper headlines, capture the city’s character and make the book a standout… A must purchase; those who love New York will adore it, and those less enamored with the Big Apple will still find this fun and informative encyclopedia a fascinating portrait of the metropolitan area.” —Library Journal (starred review) “The Encyclopedia of New York ("City" is implied) has the charm and wry wit readers associate with New York magazine, combined with great illustrations and up-to-the-minute currency… The reasonable price makes it a worthy addition to a public library with patrons who enjoy lighthearted, browsable reference resources.” —BooklistPRAISE FOR HIGHBROW, LOWBROW, BRILLIANT, DESPICABLE: 50 YEARS OF NEW YORK MAGAZINE “With irreverence and spunk, New York magazine has been around for half a century now. This very big book includes an oral history of the publication and a wide look at its greatest moments.” —New York Times Book Review “When New York magazine began in 1968, it was unique: a brash conglomeration of ingenious writers, editors, and graphic designers who generated narrative journalism that was so classic it became new again. . . . Highbrow, Lowbrow, Brilliant, Despicable: 50 Years of New York encapsulates those five convulsive decades in lavish illustrations, vivid oral histories, and evocative recreations by, among others, Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, Nora Ephron, Nicholas Pileggi, Julie Baumgold and Gael Greene from the magazine’s more than 2,300 issues.” —Sam Roberts, The New York Times “A delicious compendium of the magazine’s coverage from the half-century of its existence, this is the kind of book that incites nostalgia even for the moments you didn’t live though (there’s the original Tom Wolfe “Radical Chic” cover!) and reminds us of the things that haven’t changed (an essay by a wife titled “I Need a Wife,” timely now and forever).” —Vogue “Oversized, overstuffed . . . A great magazine is commemorated with an equally top-flight anthology. . . . The editors reproduce material that speaks not just to passing moments and fashions, but also to constant editorial emphases, such as high-quality artwork and portraiture. . . . History, local and global, unfolds in this fine gathering that represents a half-century and more than 2,300 issues.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “We tend to fetishize The New Yorker, but New York magazine has always been the publication that saw the city for what it is: big, brazen, and blustery. This oversized, beautifully-designed, 420-page book is barely big enough to contain its subject.” —Design Observer

Read more less

Book SynopsisHere is a completely revised, full-color second edition of the established go-to source for equestrian information. This comprehensive A-to-Z guide covers “everything horse” and bridges gaps in the equestrian universe between English and Western styles. More than 1,700 entries explain wide-ranging topics such as breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, and much more. Whether you’re a rodeo hand, thoroughbred racer, seasoned professional, or armchair admirer, you’ll get everything you need from noted equestrian author Jessie Haas’ clear and thorough descriptions. American Horse Publications Association's Equine Media Awards Winner

Read more less

Book SynopsisIslamic law (the Shari'a) and its application is a central issue in contemporary Islamic politics and culture. Starting from modern concerns, this book examines the origins and evolution of the Shari'a and the corpus of texts, concepts and practices in which it has been enshrined. Sami Zubaida here considers key historical episodes of political accommodations and contests between scholars and sultans. Drawing on modern examples, mainly from Egypt and Iran, Zubaida explores how the Shari'a has evolved and mutated to accommodate the workings of a modern state. Law and Power in the Islamic World is an original and significant contribution to the debates surrounding Islam and ideas of modernity. As such its appeal and importance range across a wide spectrum of readers.Trade ReviewAbrar, 16th - 31st May 2005: 'A fascinating politico-social history of the relations between Islamic law and the procession of political masters which have ruled the Middle East since the Prophet's death.'

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis work represents, in many ways, the French Enlightenment. It traces the history of intellectual progress from the Renaissance to 1751 and includes a revision of Diderot's Prospectus, and an introduction to the philosophes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe picture encyclopaedia in question was a popular work invented by preacher-turned-publisher Johann Siegmund Stoy in 18th century Germany. This study of individual objects provides an unusual perspective on the German bourgeois enlightenmentTrade Review"This is a truly magnificent book - the most impressive histoire totale of an object that I have read. te Heesen provides a fascinating series of perspectives on the German bourgeois Enlightenment through minute study of the production, physical make-up, marketing, reviewing, and educational uses of Stoy's world in a box." - Nicholas Jardine, University of Cambridge

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sixth edition of Chinese History: A New Manual, revised and expanded to two volumes, includes the latest developments in digital tools and the ancillary disciplines essential for work on Chinese history. Volume 1 covers topics ranging from Language to Technology. Volume 2 presents primary and secondary sources chronologically by period.Trade ReviewA monument of scholarship, one of the great works on China published in English (or any other language) in the last hundred years. -- Lee Moore * China Books Review *Already the size of a telephone directory by the time of its fifth edition, in 2018, Wilkinson’s perennially popular Chinese History: A New Manual has now expanded still further into two volumes, with newly written introductions to each section, additions throughout, links to much recent scholarship, and new chapters that bring its account forward to the end of the Maoist era…An essential reference for even the most casual sinologist, with its pithy explanations of key historical and cultural issues, and extensive bibliographies for those who want to delve deeper. -- Peter Neville-Hadley * South China Morning Post *A magnificent achievement; the most valuable English-language reference book on China anywhere. -- Richard J. SmithWilkinson displays a mastery of a vast array of topics and subfields… No one undertaking serious research about Chinese history…should be without it. -- Bruce Rusk (reviewing the 2017 edition) * Journal of Asian Studies *A mighty book…magnificent. -- Jonathan Mirsky (reviewing the 2015 edition) * New York Review of Books blog *The book is in every way absolutely indispensable to work in Chinese history. -- Carla Nappi (reviewing the 2013 edition) * New Books in East Asian Studies *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less