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Reviews
Grade 5 Up–A look through the Research Guide/Index in Volume 22 will assure readers that the content of this annually updated encyclopedia continues to reflect contemporary concerns and interests. In all, this edition contains 85 new articles and revisions to about 2300 other entries. Of the latter, 185 were "extensively revised" or expanded, including the articles on "Government," "Celiac Disease," and "Terrorism" (numerous related articles include "Hezbollah," "Hamas," "Patriot Act," and "Abu Ghraib"). In addition, there are a number of new entries on people in the fields of politics, entertainment, and children's literature (Walter Dean Myers, Gary Paulsen, Phillip Pullman, Lemony Snicket). Readers of the older editions will find the format comfortably familiar. Subjects addressed in depth are followed up with a list of related articles, an outline, and study questions. Several volumes highlight special topics with fold-out pages such as those on "Endangered Animals," "U.S.: The growth of a nation," and "Canada: The growth of a nation." The "Human Body" overlays remain attractive and informative. Myriad visuals include full-color and black-and-white photographs, charts, graphs, diagrams, and maps. The 2005 edition, while keeping many of the 2004 graphics, has also added some new ones. The quality of the illustrative material is generally good, though occasionally unnatural in tone. While struggling upper elementary and middle school students may find The New Book of Knowledge(Scholastic, 2005) easier to use,World Book remains a reliable, straightforward, and up-to-date reference resource.–Tina Hudak, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Riverdale Park, MD
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The World Book continues to be current, accessible, easy to use, and well illustrated. The 2005 print edition has 77 new articles. They include Broadband communication, Geothermal energy, Hamas, Hybrid car, Patriot Act, and Trans fats. J. M. Coetzee, Hamid Karzai, Condoleeza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lemony Snickett are a few of the people covered in new biographical entries. More than 230 articles have been extensively revised or rewritten. These include Bankruptcy, Kwanzaa, Great Barrier Reef, Government, and Mass spectrometry. More than 440 maps have been added or revised, and 350 new photographs have been added. The editors have revised 300 bibliographies.
Although it has an earlier revision deadline than other encyclopedias, The World Book generally does an excellent job of staying up-to-date. The new Afghan constitution and government, new members of NATO, and the terrorist attacks in Beslan and Moscow are covered. The article on Space exploration includes information about the Mars rovers. Articles on marriage and homosexuality mention the controversy over same-sex marriage. The article on U.S. history notes the sinking popularity of the war in Iraq and the fact that no weapons of mass destruction were found there. The index is detailed and easy to use, including page numbers for illustrations and maps. The "Research Guide" is useful for students who need help organizing a project.
Offering high-quality information in an attractive package, The World Book is a first choice for libraries, schools, and homes. Barbara Bibel
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