Encyclopedia of New Jersey (Hardcover)

~ Maxine N. Lurie (Editor), Marc Mappen (Editor), Michael Siegel (Cartographer) "Abbett, Leon (b. Oct. 8, 1836; d. Dec. 4, 1894), Governor, politician, lawyer, and jurist. Leon Abbett was one of the ablest and most intriguing..." (more)
Key Phrases: complete census figures, freeholder board, township historian, New York, New Brunswick, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Few entities have endured a negative reputation to the extent that the state of New Jersey has. Because of its association with toxic waste and organized crime, many neglect to give the state the regard that its early and recent history and accomplishments would warrant. Mappen, a former vice chairman of the Task Force on New Jersey History and executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, was inspired by the Encyclopedia of New York City (Yale Univ., 1995) to produce a similar work that would define and illuminate what New Jersey is. His coeditor, Lurie, is chair of the history department of Seton Hall University.

In size and appearance, this volume closely resembles the Encyclopedia of New York City. According to the preface, it contains 2,900 entries written by more than 600 authors. Biographies of the contributors are given at the end of the volume. Among the areas covered are architecture, folklore, geography, literature, and transportation. The length and depth of the entries varies from a short paragraph to two-plus pages. All are signed, and many contain bibliographies, though much of the cited material would be difficult to obtain outside of the area. Although some of this information is likely to be duplicated in sources specific to single disciplines, there is nothing else that offers the expansive coverage of this state. Information on small geographic areas and minor political and historical figures might not easily be found anywhere else. The black-and-white illustrations enhance the text, as does the midvolume section of colored plates.

The front matter begins with a list of donors who helped defray the cost of production and development, leaving this sizable volume with a bargain price. Certainly all New Jersey libraries would need to buy this work, as should most libraries in the Northeast. Academic and large public libraries everywhere should find it useful. Danise Hoover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

A new book detailing all the little nuances and outright quirks of the Garden State is finally complete. -- Home News Tribune

Although the book is big and comprehensive, it is quite readable. -- Rutgers Focus

New Jersey has always had attitude. Now it has heft. . . . Covers everything you've ever wanted to know. -- The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)

Six and a half pounds of pure Jerseyana. -- New York Times, NJ Section

The Encyclopedia should please state freaks as well as random explorers. . . . This is truly an embarassment of riches. -- Town Topics (Princeton, NJ)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 958 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; 1 edition (March 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813533252
• ISBN-13: 978-0813533254
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #726,288 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Massive, attractively priced, and a bit disappointing, June 11, 2004

By	John P. (Kennett Square, PA USA) - See all my reviews

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First, the good points: this work is huge, well illustrated, and priced at about one third of what a commercial publisher would have to charge for something comparable. Probably no resource has treated the Garden State so thoroughly since the WPA guide was published about 65 years ago.

The downside, unfortunately, is that the contents are disappointing. Since the book has no index, or even a classified list of "essay" entries, there's no way to locate a topic unless you're able to hit upon the precise title under which it's discussed (assuming it's in there somewhere). The scope of coverage is quirky: it seems that every hamlet in the state has its own entry, yet there is no general treatment of, for example, industry or commerce or dairying or corporations (all things that are or have been highly important to New Jersey). Several of the general entries I have read so far are not exactly packed with information; the entries on industrial architecture and law, for instance, are as much about trends that apply to the whole nation as about anything specific to New Jersey.

Still, this work is certainly worth having, and Rutgers should be praised for making it possible. At present, no other reference work comes close.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing guide to everything New Jersey!, June 4, 2004

By	Alice (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

I received this as a gift and haven't been able to stop reading it. It makes the most wonderful gift--it must weigh ten pounds! It's a massive guide to everything you'd ever want to know about New Jersey. When you read one entry it leads you to another, and so on, which makes for compulsive reading. There is even an entry for the small town where I grew up, South River, New Jersey. I don't think any family in New Jersey should be withtout this book - it's also great for research papers for school. This encyclopedia should make all New Jerseyans proud of our great state!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed book for New Jersey!, June 6, 2004

By	Victory Gold Levi (new york, ny USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you live in New Jersey, or just want to know about the Garden State, this book was a long time in coming and a very welcomed addition to any library. It is amazing how many interesting facts and stories there are about NJ, and all are found in this compact and easy to read book. It is also bursting with interesting photos, facts and figures. Written by many different experts on their own domains of the state, it brings together varied writers and writing styles. It's both a respected academic addition, while being well written and stimulating to just pick up and pick a county!