Grade 7 Up-While obviously British in origin, this attractive set features well-illustrated articles about cars from around the world. Arranged alphabetically by make, rather than manufacturer, the entries include varying models. For example, Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln are separate entries, with Taurus, Escort, and Mustang included under Ford. Entries discuss the origin of the make, the people and companies involved in launching it, acquisitions by competitors, technical innovations, styling evolution, the changing model line, and, when appropriate, the final demise of the car. Some of the information may answer biographical questions, especially in the case of cars named after their creators, e.g., Ferrari and Ford. The index helps with people whose names do not coincide with their cars, e.g., William Durant. The writing is somewhat dull, sometimes slipping into a simple enumeration of model names and numbers. Sometimes models are mentioned but not pictured, an awkward tendency when styling is discussed. The British terminology will be unfamiliar to many readers. Given the broad scope and number of obsolete makes included, there are a few surprising omissions, such as the Hupmobile, Maxwell, Tucker, and Yugo. The illustrations are spectacular, though, and will steal the show for real auto fans. Although many are black-and-white, and often small, the large, full-color photos more than compensate. While not a comprehensive record of every make, or every model, and without the technical detail of John A. Gunnel's Standard Catalog of American Cars (1982) or James M. Flammang's Standard Catalog of Imported Cars (1992, both Krause), this set does give a good feel for the wide variety of wheels available.
Jeffrey A. French, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.
From Booklist
By definition, an encyclopedia should be more comprehensive than this. It ought to include information on every aspect of a particular field, but in this case, that hardly matters. This is an alphabetically arranged overview of more than 200 international car companies and makes. Included is something for the car enthusiast as well as for anyone who has ever owned a car or even admired a particular one on the road or in a movie.
The company histories are informative, describing lots of the personalities and events that led to the development of various models and names. Engines, designs, world events, and family rivalries are intertwined in articles ranging from one page to more than a dozen for well-known makes such as Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Citroen, M. G., and Volkswagen. This set is popular rather than scholarly--no sources are credited, not even for photos--and readable, despite the British spellings and usage ("marque," "programme," "tyre"). It is immensely attractive, with clear photographs and drawings (many in color) on quality, high-gloss paper. It is so up to date that brand-new Mercedes and Volkswagen models are pictured, even though they are just now available in the U.S. in early 1998. All the facts checked by the Board were verified.
The foreword doesn't really introduce the work; it just describes how many models or companies have been named for their creators. Each volume has an adequate index, but there is no cumulative index or cross-referencing. Though its reference value is limited, the set should have great popular appeal, which may make the price more palatable. Without a comparable title available, patrons will zoom to this resource like car shoppers at an auto show. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.
