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Library Journal Review

Kurian, who has edited several statistical and encyclopedic works, presents the first two volumes of a projected six-volume set covering major cities of the world together with a gazetter. Included here are eight- to 15-page descriptions of 136 cities from all states, the District of Columbia, and eight Canadian provinces. Cities are listed alphabetically, with narrative information obtained from a variety of secondary sources on topical categories like climate, history, landmarks, population, ethnic composition, government, economy, education, health, crime, and religion. Current statistical data, when available, were obtained from standard reference sources listed in the preface and highlighted in boxes under appropriate categories. The full-page maps provided for each city vary from detailed street maps not necessarily corresponding with city boundaries to the illustration of major arteries only, together with surrounding towns. Although selection was based on population and economic/social significance to the region, there is a New England bias. It is odd that New Hampshire and Maine are represented by four and three cities, respectively, while Columbia, South Carolina, and Raleigh, North Carolina (both state capitals with populations equal to or larger than those of the New England cities), are overlooked. In the end, Kurian's work presents about 200 fewer cities than Allan Carpenter's Facts About the Cities ( LJ 8/92), but it gives much more information (especially historical) for similar topical categories. A casual reading will reveal minor inconsistencies about familiar cities, but overall this set provides a convenient assemblage of well-formatted information for travelers, librarians, and researchers.-- Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.