ABC-CLIO
Ancient astronomy; an encyclopedia of cosmologies and myth.
Ruggles (archaeoastronomy, U. of Leicester, England) assembles information from around the world about the beliefs and practices concerning the sky in the past, especially in prehistory, and the uses to which people put their knowledge of the sky. The topics range broadly, for example altitude, Celtic calendar, medicine wheels, pyramids of Gaza, statistical analysis, and Alexander Thom (1894-1985). Each entry is cross-reference to others, and cites mostly tertiary sources for further reading. Indexes are topical, geographical, chronological, and cultural. The glossary does not indicate pronunciation. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Historic cities of the Americas; an illustrated encyclopedia; 2v.
In contrast to most urban histories that focus on the modern era as decisive for shaping great cities, this encyclopedia shows how the events of 500 years ago — battles, natural disasters, and patterns of trade — contributed to the evolution or devolution of cities in the western hemisphere. Aimed at a population of readers ranging from high school students to urban study specialists, the reference contains studies of 70 cities in the New World, covering their earliest years and subsequent struggles to survive. The text is supplemented with over 600 maps, illustrations, and photographs. Volume I covers the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America and discusses cities such as Havana, Oaxaca, Nassau, and Fort-de-France. Volume II describes cities in North and South America, including Halifax, Quebec City, Pensacola, La Paz and Paramaribo. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Iberia and the Americas; culture, politics, and history; a multidisciplinary encyclopedia; 3v.
Written for high school and undergraduate students and general reader, this encyclopedia forms part of the transatlantic series, which highlight various aspects of history, commerce, politics, and culture that unify rather than divide the countries on both side of the Atlantic, thus providing a globalizing point of view. Employing a thematic approach, entries are included on broad topics — including architecture, armies, art and artists, fiction, and women — for three divisions: colonial Spanish America, modern Spanish America, and Brazil. More extensive national treatment is featured in entries on slavery, Native Americans, independence, conquest, and colonists and settlers. Other entries are on specific topics, such as political events or treaties. In the interest of providing a broad overview, no biographical entries are included. Introductory essays describe the history and features of Old and New World contacts. Francis teaches Latin American colonial history at the U. of North Florida in Jacksonville. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Incas; new perspectives.
This volume introduces students and general readers to the study of the ancient Inca civilization. McEwan (Wagner College) draws upon the work of archaeologists, anthropologists, and ethnohistorians — as well as his own field research in Peru — to describe how the Incas created a vast empire despite a harsh environment and technological limitations. Accompanying the text are b&w photographs and drawings of Inca architecture and artifacts. A chronology and glossary are found at the back of the volume. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The peoples of the Caribbean; an encyclopedia of archaeology and traditional culture.
Since the advent of jet travel and the rise of the cruise ship industry, millions have seen a sanitized version of the Caribbean: Carnival revelry, steel-drum beats, and white sand beaches. In this encyclopedia, Saunders (anthropology, University College, London) attempts to get beneath the veneer to show this modern African-based culture's origin in slavery, from the seven-millennium pre-Columbus history through the brief, cataclysmic destruction of the indigenous people, to the present realities of these tropical islands. Includes extensive reference list. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
