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Provides over 200 entries which discuss food, legends, folklore, theories, explorers, visitors, immigrants, places, events, and concepts.

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CHOICE Review

A late but welcome addition to the Columbus Quincentennial publishing lists, Fritze's book offers those interested in fact, rumor, myth, and mystery concerning the origins of native Americans before 1492 what they have not had previously--a reference book dedicated to the subject. In 278 pages, Fritze adresses the myriad theories that have been put forth in the past 500 years--some verifiable, some reasonable, some debatable, some bizarre. Atlanteans, Chinese, Egyptians, Irish, Japanese, Nephites, Phoenicians, Polynesians, Sumerians, the Ten Lost Tribes, Welsh--all have had their vigorous promoters, and all are covered in this useful book along with many others. The author evaluates each in the light of present archaeological/linguistic/ethnographical knowledge. Arrangement is alphabetical; cross-references within each article are in boldface, making it easy to follow connecting trails. Entries range from short paragraphs to multi-page articles, nearly all accompanied by brief bibliographical references. Following the text a 23-page comprehensive bibliography includes complete citations to the brief bibliographies and many references not cited in the text. The few illustrations add little and seem randomly chosen, but that is a small distraction from this nicely printed book, sure to become a well-thumbed addition to many libraries. General and undergraduate readers. B. McCorkle; emeritus, Yale University

Booklist Review

The Norse are the only Old World people who have been proven to have visited the Americas before Columbus, but there are many legends about other visitors prior to 1492. For example, Harold Gladwin thought a lost fleet of Alexander the Great traveled to Peru, and Barry Fell has written that Libyans reached North America sometime after 400 B.C. This book deals with these theories about America by such writers as Francis Bacon and the Mormons. Controversial legends about Canaanites, Mandingos, Phoenicians, and Egyptians coming to America are expounded--and generally refuted. The encyclopedia has 216 entries, ranging from a few lines to several pages. Boldface cross-references show the reader related entries. A few black-and-white illustrations, including imaginative maps, complement the text. A brief bibliography follows most entries, and a master bibliography and detailed index conclude the volume. Writing is accessible and interesting. This reference book offers a fascinating look at stories about pre-Columbian America. It might be more useful for browsing than as a serious research tool. Recommended for libraries, high school and up. (Reviewed Nov. 1, 1993)