The Reader's Adviser: A Layman's Guide to Literature : The Best in General Reference Literature, the Social Sciences, History, and the Arts

The latest, thoroughly revised edition of this well-established "best books" bibliography has doubled in size over its immediate predecessor. The first three volumes appear now; volumes 4, 5, and 6 are scheduled for 1988. In most respects, the current edition follows the organization and arrangement of the 12th edition, though chronological lists of authors replace the chronological arrangement of the major (bio-bibliographical) section of each volume, which is now presented in alphabetical order. Criteria for inclusion are importance of the author/work and availability through libraries and book trade outlets; out of print titles are listed for significant books. A sampling of the entries shows considerable updating, as the editors claim. William Katz's Magazines for Libraries , 5th ed. (Bowker, 1985), and Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (Merriam-Webster, 1985) are listed, as are Nobel Prize winner Claude Simon and Canadian authors Margaret Atwood and Roberston Davies. However, the youngest film director listed is the late Francois Truffaut (1932-1984), the most recent "French" author Hungarian-born Elie Wiesel, (1928-). Marie-Claire Blais, noted French-Canadian novelist, was included in the 12th edition but is absent from the 13th. The travel section (volume 3) has three works by Paul Theroux but none by John McPhee. Still, considering the limitations imposed by the unending print explosion and the task confronting the compilers, the publisher is to be commended for this latest edition. Recommended for larger public libraries and most academic libraries. Harry E. Whitmore, Maine State Lib., Augusta
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