Encyclopedia of American Biography: In-Depth Profiles of Over 1,000 Prominent Americans [2nd Edition] [Hardcover]

John A. Garraty (Editor), Jerome L. Sternstein (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 1996

Completely updated, this reference work examines over 1000 great Americans who have contributed to the historical and cultural reaches of the American scene, from Christopher Columbus to Newt Gingrich. Each entry contains a historical overview, outlining notable achievements, and contextualizes the figure's contribution to American life and thinking. Cross-references and suggested biographies are also included.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This revised version of an encyclopedia first published in 1974 documents over 1000 individuals who contributed, for better or worse, to the development of American culture. Updated to cover the last 20 years, the work offers 93 new entries, including those on Presidents Ford, Carter, Bush, and Clinton; Gloria Steinem; Lee Harvey Oswald; and Steve Jobs (but, interestingly, not Bill Gates). Though weighted toward political, business, and military figures, the book includes individuals involved in medicine, social movements, the arts, entertainment, and athletics. Following the format established in the first edition, each entry appears in two parts. The first part presents a factual overview of the individual's life and work, while the second part evaluates the subject's impact on American society. Many entries from the first edition are updated to reflect new scholarship or the subject's activities since the original volume. Garraty (emeritus, Columbia) and Sternstein (history, Brooklyn Coll.) are widely published authors whose new work nicely complements recently published biographical works such as The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography (LJ 4/1/95). Recommended for all libraries.?Stephen L. Hupp, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib. at Johnston, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Thorough, but by necessity, selective, this revision of the 1974 edition includes entries for 1,000 Americans who have made significant historical or cultural contributions to American life. Most of the subjects are deceased, but there are entries for living presidents, writers, Supreme Court justices, and others. More than 80 biographies have been added to this edition and hundreds revised to make this the most current, comprehensive, one-volume dictionary of American biography in print.

Each entry is divided into two parts. The first is a chronological, objective description of the person's life, providing facts and dates. The second part is an essay written by a prominent scholar who specializes in the period or subject. This second part of the entry is what makes the Encyclopedia of American Biography unique compared with the Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography (1995) or The Concise DAB (1990). The in-depth analysis provides a context in which to evaluate the subject's place in American history. Each essay is completed with a citation to a book that the author thinks is the best to consult for more information on the subject. Several small annoyances with the work exist: there is no single list of the contributors, and there is no other means of access to the main entries--it would have been helpful to have an occupation index.

With its reasonable price and the evaluative nature of the entries, the Encyclopedia of American Biography should provide for every library a nice bridge between the short, fact-based biographical dictionary and the longer monograph.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1263 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 2nd edition (October 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062700170
• ISBN-13: 978-0062700179
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,264,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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