ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

New Publications

George M. Eberhart

Biological Anomalies: Birds, compiled by William R. Corliss (480 pages, September 1998), categorizes and evaluates all observed avian behavior, morphology, and biochemistry that does not seem to fit into known scientific paradigms. This book is the 17th volume in Corliss’s “Catalog of Anomalies” series, which so far has examined human and mammalian mysteries as well as geophysical, geological, and astronomical curiosities. Each anomaly is given two ratings—the quality of substantiating data that supports it, and the seriousness of the challenge it poses to prevailing scientific theories. Some of the phenomena described in this volume are luminous birds, complexity and sophistication in avian mental processes, discontinuous bird populations, late survival of moas and passenger pigeons, unresolved questions about Archaeopteryx fossils, deepdiving capabilities, tool use, and unusual attacks on humans. $27.50. Sourcebook Project, P.O. Box 107, Glen Arm, MD 21057. ISBN 0915554-32-1.

General George E. Pickett in Life and Legend, by Lesley J. Gordon (269 pages, December 1998), explores the discrepancies between the real life and character of Pickett (primarily known for his role in Longstreet’s assault at the Battle of Gettysburg) and how his image was glorified by his wife in her books, articles, and short stories. Gordon contrasts documentary sources with Sallie Pickett’s memoirs, which account for much of the romance of “Pickett’s Charge” and the tragic nobility of the South’s

George M. Eberhart is associate editor of American Libraries; e-mail: geberhart@ala.org

Lost Cause. $29.95. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-2450-X.

Historical Dictionary of Poland, 1945-1996, by Piotr Wróbel (423 pages, August 1998), includes the most important events, individuals, and organizations in 51 years of Polish history from Communism to democracy. It is a sequel to Greenwood’s 1996 Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945, by George Lerski. Each entry has a short bibliography of English-language works. $85.00. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313-29772-X.

Hurricane! Surviving the Big One: A Primer for Libraries, Museums, and Archives, by

Michael Trinkley (102 pages, 2d ed., 1998), details how to safeguard staff, collections, and buildings before the storm and what to do during the recovery phase. Sections include hurricane-resistant building design, retrofitting existing structures, and salvaging damaged materials. The emphasis is on long-term preparation. $15.00. Solinet, 1438 W. Peachtree St., N.W., Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30309-2955. ISBN 158317-000-6.

Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers: The Best Resources to Help You Parent, edited by Julie Soto (390 pages, September 1998), is one of several new annotated topical guides to print, video, audio, and Internet resources from Resource Pathways. Each entry is rated for quality and ease of use, and described and evaluated informatively. Other titles include Graduate School, Divorce, Anxiety and Depression, and Having Children. $24.95. Resource Pathways, 22525 S.E. 64th Place, Suite 253, Issaquah, WA 98027-5387. ISBN 0-9653424-8-4.

The Internet-Plus Directory of Express Library Services: Research and Document Delivery for Hire, edited by Steve Coffman, Cynthia A. Kehoe, and Pat Wiedensohler (200 pages, 1998), lists more than 5,000 academic, public, and special libraries worldwide that have made some of their resources and information services available on the Internet. At the very least, the international list of Web addresses for research libraries will prove useful. The indexes of subject specialties and services pinpoint collections and features, while halfpage profiles of each facility provide phone numbers, prices, and other essential information. $55.00 (ALA members, $49.50). ALA Editions, 155 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 606061719. ISBN 0-8389-0688-5.

The Mirage of Continuity: Reconfiguring Academic Information Resources for the 21st Century, edited by Brian L. Hawkins and Patricia Battin (301 pages, September 1998), addresses the emergence of the global digital society and what it will mean for academic institutions and their libraries. Of particular interest are essays on quality control (Douglas Greenberg), the future of scholarly communication (Peter Lyman and Stanley Chodorow), digital preservation (Donald J. Waters), and why the Web is not a library (José-Marie Griffiths). The authors contend that academia must undergo a fundamental restructuring if it is to survive in the 21st century. Faculty, librarians, information scientists, and administrators must adapt traditional values and missions to a digital environment. Hawkins and Battin write: “Despite our enthusiasm for the potential of technology to eliminate the burdens of business as usual, it is also clear that there are serious obstacles, at least in the short run, to a smooth and affordable transition.” $25.00. Council on Library and Information Resources, 1755 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036-2188. ISBN 1-887334-59-9.

Mushrooms, by Thomas Læssøe and Gary Lincoff (304 pages, August 1998), is another in the excellent Eyewitness nature recognition guides published by DK. Like the others, this one is worldwide in scope, abundantly illustrated, and sketchily but vividly informative. Don’t go into the woods without it. $29.95. DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-3286-2.

If you’re in the woods at night, bring along DK’s Stars and Planets, by renowned British astronomer Ian Ridpath (224 pages, September 1998), for monthly sky charts, constellation maps and photos, and up-to-date information on the planets. $29.95. ISBN 0-78943560-8.

The Search for the Giant Squid, by Richard Ellis (322 pages, 1998), summarizes everything that is known about the biology and natural history of the giant squid (Architeuthis), the 60-foot deep-water cephalopod that weighs over a ton and has been responsible for much maritime myth and speculation. These squids retain a certain amount of mystery because they have only been observed at the surface in a dead or dying condition or in the stomach contents of sperm whales, their mortal enemies. In addition to scientific commentary, Ellis covers the squid’s image in novels and movies, and the numerous models made for museums. An appendix lists all known Architeuthis strandings and sightings from 1545 to 1996. $35.00. Lyons Press, 31 W. 21st St., New York, NY 10010. ISBN 1-55821-689-8.

The Vampire Gallery: A Who's Who of the Undead, by J. Gordon Melton (500 pages, September 1998), contains biographies of nearly 350 vampire characters featured in fiction and film. A companion to his Vampire Book: Encyclopedia of the Undead (2d ed., November 1998), Vampire Gallery examines the physical and metaphysical characteristics of literary vamps from the writings of Sheridan Le Fanu, Bram Stoker, and Anne Rice, as well as such lesser-known authors as Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Michael Romkey, Tanith Lee, and Nancy A. Collins. Melton sinks his teeth into every conceivable film genre in his quest for completeness, including made-for-TV movies, adult films, and low-budget comedies. Characters in comics and graphic novels are also given their fair share of the credit for the undead revival of the 1990s. The far fewer number of vampire hunters, from Dr. Van Helsing to Buffy Summers, are showcased in a separate section. A well-written and informative reference source. $19.95. Visible Ink, 835 Penobscot Bldg., 645 Griswold St., Detroit, MI 48226. ISBN 1-57859-053-1. ■