ABC-CLIO

Cities of the Middle East and North Africa; a historical encyclopedia.

Covering 5,000 years of history, this reference for students and general readers contains alphabetically arranged entries on 100 ancient and modern cities in the Middle East and North Africa. Each entry offers a thorough overview of a particular city's history and discusses its ties with other cities in the region. Most are accompanied by a b&w photo or drawing. Supplemental materials include regional and sub-regional maps, a glossary, and several timelines. The editors are affiliated with the U. of Exeter, UK. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of American Indian history; 4v.

The editors of this 4-volume encyclopedia address the often profoundly tragic history of Native Americans with a careful focus on the viewpoint of Native Americans and attention to the issues that concern them today. Rather than organizing the material into A-Z entries, the material is grouped into six initial chronological essays, followed by groups of essays (arranged alphabetically) and organized by themes. The themes are issues, events, culture, governments, and people and groups. A sampling of individual topics includes Bering Strait Theory, education, genocide, Spanish influence, and the Red Power movement. The final volume contains descriptions of the culture, traditions, and history of the individual Indian nations, grouped into major geographical region. A section of primary source documents concludes the essays and a substantial list of resources is provided. This is a thoughtfully prepared resource that will compel students to read beyond their initial topic of interest. Johansen is at the U. of Nebraska, Omaha; Pritzker is at Skidmore College. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Milestones in archaeology; a chronological encyclopedia.

In this extension of his five-volume Encyclopedia of Archeology (1999-2001, ABC-CLIO), Murray (archeology, La Trobe U., Melbourne, Australia) introduces a new approach to the upsurge in the historiography of archeology and the field's relationships with contemporary anthropology and history. Representing "a middle ground between a straightforward work of reference...and an extended narrative of the history of archeology," this work seeks to communicate with both specialists and nonspecialists. Interpretive entries surveying the field follow a chronology of archaeological milestones before 1800 and by century since then. Cross-referenced entries include further reading, several maps and b&w illustrations. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Pop culture China!; media, arts, and lifestyle.

For students, travelers, and other readers, this volume introduces the different aspects of Chinese popular culture, with a focus on trends that have occurred mostly since the 1970s. Latham (anthropology and sociology, U. of London, UK) provides historical and cultural background and discusses contemporary practices in mass media, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, film, the internet and telecommunications, leisure time, sports and martial arts, theatre, and popular music. These chapters are preceded by discussion of Chinese history, its political territories, and language. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Pop culture Germany!; media, arts, and lifestyle.

For students, travelers, and general readers, this volume introduces modern German culture, including lifestyle, art, entertainment, television, music, and film. Not only focusing on pop culture, Fraser (German, Indiana U., Bloomington) and Hoffmann (German studies, Colgate U.) discuss the ambivalent attitude Germans have toward their country and past; idiosyncrasies in language, gestures, stereotypes, symbols, and sexuality; political, legal, and social structures; and social aspects such as lifestyle, fashion, youth culture, gender equality, multiculturalism, and food. Leisure activities are described, followed by media, performing arts, visual arts and architecture, and production and consumption information. Coverage spans the postwar years, time of rebellion, and the present post- unification era, but is supplemented by information on history. The authors include impressions and attitudes from magazines, papers, and individuals, as well as facts, which are related through alphabetical listings of terms in the "From A to Z" sections at the end of each chapter. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)