From School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up-The ambitious undertaking of capturing within the covers of even two large volumes, the story of human slavery through the ages, is creditably achieved in this publication. At first glance, the alphabetical arrangement seems haphazard. Spartacus, the Roman gladiator, is followed by Kenneth Stampp, American historian. Cicero shares a page with Cinque, of Amistad fame. However, the surface fragmentation masks a complete network of cross-references and suggested readings, leading readers to new names and headings and an ever-widening area of study. Each essay carries the byline of one of the more than 100 academic contributors. An extensive bibliography and index are appended to the second volume, along with the sources of numerous black-and-white prints and reproductions that accompany the text. Rodriguez's introduction ties together the wide-ranging topics with a useful overview of slavery from the earliest times, pointing, for example, to the existence of the first true slave societies in the classical world and the emergence of racial slavery after the establishment of the African trade in the 1450s. All eras have seen the enslavement of human beings in some form or another, a fact that explains the interest and purpose that lie behind this undertaking. With entries for well-known persons, places, and historical events, this resource is certainly useful as a reference work, but it also invites browsing. The coverage is both cross-cultural and interdisciplinary. A useful addition to any reference collection.-Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This encyclopedia, edited by Rodriguez (history, Eureka Coll.) and an editorial board of eminent scholars, is the first landmark work on the perplexing issue of world slavery. The 203 contributors (including 37 of diverse nationalities) present a formidable, objective, and complete encyclopedic account of slavery, placed in historical, worldwide perspective, as too few people know it. It covers, in alphabetical order, topics such as "Amerindian Slavery," "Asian/Buddhist Monastic Slavery," "Black Slaveowners," "Sambo Thesis," "Sexual Enslavement by Japanese Military," "Irish Slaves in the Caribbean," "Judaism and the Ante-bellum South," and "Muslim Slaves in the Americas." It offers an impressive array of detailed information in a concise format and provides illustrations, excellent cross-references, and maps to accompany the signed entries, most with excellent suggestions for further reading. An extensive and universal bibliography and an index that provides easy access to the materials conclude the book. Enthusiastically recommended for both academic and public libraries. [Also watch for A Historical Guide to World Slavery from Oxford University and Paul Finkelman's Encyclopedia of Slavery, Prentice-Hall, both forthcoming.?Ed.]?Edward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Lib., Long Beac.
-?Edward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Lib., Long BeachCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
