Gr 6 Up-A comprehensive, up-to-date encyclopedia. After a fine overview, extensive space is devoted to ethnic groups: when they came, where they settled, what they did, organizations they formed, important individuals, and statistics through 1996. Other alphabetical entries discuss major immigration legislation; key terms and concepts, such as "green card" and "nativism"; the differing categories of immigrants, such as "indentured servants" and "refugees"; and various religious groups and churches. The entries are followed by numerous cross-references and short bibliographies. Carefully chosen black-and-white illustrations, including photographs, cartoons, engravings, and maps, add interest. The valuable appendixes include a chronology; an annotated listing of immigration, ethnic, and refugee organizations; and a guide suggesting further reading, museums, and Web sites. A minor quibble is the lack of separate entries for various Arab nationalities, like "Lebanese" or "Iraqis"; instead, all are treated under the umbrella term "Arabs." This invaluable resource should be in every basic immigration collection.

Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

American Immigration surveys its subject from the sixteenth century to the present, with entries covering topics such as Artists, immigrant; Ellis Island; Hinduism; Naturalization policy; Nicaraguans; Picture brides; and Slave trade. Entries for most ethnic groups include data on numbers of U.S. citizens claiming ancestry in each group (according to 1990 Census figures), the numbers who arrived during the period from 1986 to 1996, the major periods of immigration, and the major areas of settlement. Examples of entries in The Civil War and Reconstruction include Confederate policies; Desertion; Election of 1876; Impressment Act of 1863; Ku Klux Klan; McClellan, George B.; and Railroads. Biographies begin with fact summaries that provide birth and death dates and places, political affiliation, and details about education and career. In both volumes, most entries range in length from one-half to three pages in length and are accompanied by excellent cross-references and further readings, as well as period illustrations, photographs, and maps with informative captions. Laws and legislation are well covered. Chronologies, bibliographies, and lists of museums and Web sites conclude each volume. Indexing is thorough.

For general information as well as background reading, these two titles will find readers and researchers within high-school and public libraries and are recommended for these audiences. The variety of topics that are covered surpasses many other single volumes on similar subjects. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved