From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–A standard resource takes on a fresh face and shape. Dow retains the basic structure and content of Mercatante's splendid first edition (Facts On File, 1988). While there are now two volumes and the scope, number, and wording of the entries are essentially the same, there are some notable differences. Translations of some of the names have been changed to reflect recent scholarship. Some articles are enhanced with additional pertinent information and nearly every one has see-also notes. New entries include: "Cardiff Giant," a quasi-legendary hoax; "Urban Legends"; and "Work Projects Administration," which encompasses the American folklore collecting activities of the Federal Writers Project. Both editions define "Myth," "Legend," "Folktale," and "Fable" in their introductions. Mercatante's discussion of these terms leads to his own succinct definitions, while Dow provides extended definitions. Line drawing reproductions of classical subjects are nearly identical but the new edition's reduced size has led to smaller illustrations. In some cases this results in sharper contrast; in others, details are muddied. A few are exquisite drawings by Aubrey Beardsley. Dow has added more than 50 items published since 1988 to the extensive annotated bibliographies. Libraries owning the earlier edition may well make do with it if current scholarship is not a priority, but those who can afford the new one would do well to acquire it.
–Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dow, a German professor and linguistics chair at Iowa State, has done a substantial revision of the first, 1988 edition, compiled by Mercatante, now deceased. Entries have been added, as have cross-references at the ends of most entries. Entries are in alphabetical order and numbered, and the general index and cultural and ethnic indexes refer to the entry numbers. There is an annotated, updated bibliography.
Most of the entries are related to Europe, but there is a substantial number of entries from Asia, Australasia, South^B and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Each entry has a headword, variant spellings of the word, translation, definition, and cross-references. The writing is formal but clear. A pronunciation guide would have been useful. Illustrations are small black-and-white line drawings and reproductions of woodcuts.
Some omissions are curious--there is no article on Mordred, one of the central characters of the Arthurian mythos, although many other Arthurian characters, even Lancelot's sword, have entries. The entry on the Great Stone Face mentions that it is part of American folklore but not where the face was located in the Americas. There are also some errors. The entry on Aaron mentions his "flowing wand," which should probably be "flowering wand." The Appomattox Apple Tree entry mentions the "tree under which General Lee surrounded to General Grant."
Academic and larger public libraries with the first edition should consider replacing it with this edition. It is an optional purchase for most other folklore collections. RBB
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