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Library Journal Review
In a library world changing at the speed of electrons, it's comforting to find that some things never change. The World Book Encyclopedia is still a great read. Even if it feels a bit stodgy compared with the ever-expanding world of hip wikis, it's well written and engaging, with generous illustrations and an appealing format. This is a true collaborative effort, with an impressive roster of nearly 4000 contributors and signed articles, so it's easy to see whose credentials you're relying on. Rigorous updating turns over up to a third of the content in each edition, and this makes the encyclopedia reliably current. Articles on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, for example, note their entry into the 2008 presidential campaign, and there are new entries on Google as well as a map of Beijing showing locations for the 2008 Olympic Games. Still, while it excels at providing facts and dates, the encyclopedia reflects a particular mainstream ideology that serves well for some topics but not for others. The article on milk, for example, asserts that it is "the most nourishing of all foods" and continues with a paean to cow's milk in the human diet, omitting scientific studies implicating it in a range of diseases or the controversy swirling around the use of bovine growth hormones. An encyclopedia has the impossible task of carving out truth in a world where knowledge is continuing to evolve. Created to meet the needs of school curriculums and home users, the World Book offers simplistic answers to complex topics, steering clear of controversial statements. This approach allows for the needs of student assignments, but it does little to aid critical thinking. BOTTOM LINE As long as the venerated print edition exists, libraries of all types and sizes will continue to purchase the World Book as a core reference resource for young adults and adults, and it will continue to be a solid starting point for inquiry. [Electronic versions are available as the World Book Online Reference Center and as targeted databases for specific groups; for more information, go to www.worldbookonline.com.]--Kelli Perkins, Herrick Dist. Lib., Holland, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-The standards of readability and vocabulary analysis, curricular relevancy, and integrated visual aids remain consistent in this revision of the 2009 resource. Unchanged is a format that, for the most part, provides a volume for each letter of the alphabet with the last volume consisting of a research guide and a thoroughly cross-referenced index. The set features an attractive biographical spinescape and an opening page for the featured letter that now uses a map, rather than a chart, to illustrate the evolution of the letter over time and place. New entries include "Sonia Sotomayor," "Project Green," "Swine flu," "Kanye West," "Binge eating," "Michelle Obama," and "Emmet Till." Information has been added or revisions made to entries such as "Barack Obama," "Automobile Industry," "Television," "Malaysia," "Agriculture," "Shakespeare," and "Mythology." Often taken for granted are the more than 27,500 visual aids, such as the transparent color overlays in the "Human Body" article; or the charts, color-coded tables, and museum-quality illustrations in the "Insects," "American Indians," and "Brain" pieces. Contributors are noted at the end of entries, which will satisfy teachers' requirements for secondary, rather than tertiary, source material. Population figures still, unavoidably, reflect the 2000 census data, but that alone should not deter a decision to purchase this fine edition that is unsurpassed for the audience.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia Jr. Sr. High School, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
World Book continues to be a first choice for libraries, schools, and homes. It is easy to use, well illustrated, and reasonably current. The 2009 edition includes coverage of Afghanistan through 2006-2007, covering the opium trade and the engagement of troops from the U.S. November election coverage includes biographies of Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Sarah Palin. The article on the Olympic Games includes coverage of the Beijing game results, Michael Phelps, the steroid scandals, and information about the new Youth Olympics for athletes aged 14 to 18 years, scheduled to begin in 2010. The article on U.S. history includes Obama's election, the Iraq War, and the economic crisis. There are new and expanded articles on Blog, Bono, Darfur, Global warming, Organic food, and Sudoku, to name a few. World Book seems to be concentrating on its online edition. Although the print volumes remain accessible and attractive, revisions appear to be less extensive than those in previous editions. It is still an excellent print encyclopedia option for most libraries.--Bibel, Barbara Copyright 2009 Booklist
