Hispanic American Biographies - Hardcover

Grolier, Inc.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0717261247 ISBN 13: 9780717261246

Publisher: Grolier, Inc., 2006

Synopsis

An alphabetically arranged collection of biographies about famous Hispanic Americans.

About this title

From Booklist

This set chronicles "the lives of Hispanic Americans who have helped shape the history of the United States." More than 750 individuals and 30 topics are included, ranging from sixteenth-century explorers through twenty-first-century movie stars. Arrangement is alphabetical by surname or stage name, fromAcevedo-Vila, Anibal to Zuniga, Martha. Entries are one to two pages (Alberto GonzalesandJennifer Lopez each have two pages), with "guidepost" articles on topics such as Bilingualism, Music and Hispanic Americans, and Tex-Mex culture running two to six pages. Familiar names are here, but there is also treatment of less-famous but notable people, such as pianist Gerardo Teissonniere, New York judge Edwin Torres, and writer Luis Alberto Urrea. No inclusion criteria are provided to explain why big-business notables Jeff Bezos and Carlos Gutierrez are not covered, but rapper Big Pun is.

Each biographical entry includes early life and significant contributions, a box listing key dates, a list of further reading (books and Web sites), and see also references. One usually also finds a color photo of the subject or his or her work. A few individuals, among them Henry Cisneros and Mario Bauza, also rate a section on "Influences and Inspiration."

A set index and photo credits are found at the end of each volume. However, an index by subject (politicians, writers, etc.) would have been very helpful. Information isn't particularly up to date. The Agriculture and migrant labor article says, "since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been renewed suspicion of immigrant workers," but it does not mention more recent debates about illegal immigration. The entry for Ruben Blades notes that he ran for president of Panama in 1994 but doesn't mention that he was appointed its minister of tourism in 2004.

There is some overlap in content and audience with UXL Hispanic American Biography (2002), but that title only includes 100 biographies in one volume. Students researching diversity issues and heritage from middle school up will find this new set inspirational and useful. Susan Gooden
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up—This comprehensive set features more than 750 clearly written biographical entries of one or two pages each, covering figures who were born in, or immigrated to, the United States. Historical figures date as far back as Ponce de León, but nearly all of those profiled achieved prominence within the past century. Coverage is broad, ranging from popular entertainers and athletes to business leaders and politicians. Each article starts with a brief summary of the subject's importance, then proceeds chronologically. There is enough information to provide a strong sense of the person's place in history, without giving an overwhelming parade of facts. Key dates are highlighted in an inset, and most two-page entries include further background in an "Influences and Inspiration" box. Nearly all of the profiles include a photograph or painting of the subject, and the majority of them are full color. The viewpoint is balanced, with negative aspects, such as Rafael Palmeiro's steroids controversy, included alongside notable achievements. Several multipage topical entries such as "Civil Rights" and "Bilingualism" provide historical context and current developments. Each volume ends with a set index, though subject access points are limited. There is no easy way for users to identify all musicians or explorers, for instance. Most readers will find the set easy to use, though, and the format, reading level, and broad coverage are right on target for middle and high school students.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Grolier, Inc.
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0717261247
• ISBN 13: 9780717261246
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 8