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Library Journal Review

The Gale Environmental Almanac is a combination encyclopedia, biographical dictionary, essay collection, and directory in one volume. It is divided into 13 chapters on subjects such as the history of the American conservation movement, environmental regulation, environmental science, and environmental business. Each chapter contains a well-written essay (30 to 80 pages long) by a journalist or academic in environmental studies, a bibliography, and numerous excellent photographs. Also included in some chapters are useful directory lists identifying federal and state agencies, environmentally responsible companies, colleges offering environmental programs, environmental organizations, and so forth. This source also features statistics on such items as Congressional voting records, plus a glossary and an extensive index. Gale plans to update this resource every three years. Published with the full endorsement and support of the National Audubon Society and written by a senior staff member and science writer (with contributions from Audubon editors and scientists as well as other environmental writers), The National Audubon Society Almanac of the Environment aims to show how every aspect of daily life--from the wearing of denim blue jeans to the way we dispose of our household waste--affects the ecosystem. This reference is divided into five parts: ``Body Ecology,'' ``Home Ecology,'' ``Community Ecology,'' ``Land and Ocean Ecology,'' and ``Cultural Ecology.'' Within each section is one long essay accompanied by shorter essays, quotations, ``eco quizzes,'' interesting sidebars, entertaining illustrations, and a few statistical charts. A glossary and a bibliography are included; the index was not seen. Neither of these references is truly an almanac, which connotes more statistical, tabular, and comparative analysis than they deliver. The Gale work would be useful in academic and public libraries. Not really a reference book, the Audubon title is more appropriate for the browsing sections of public libraries. Both sources are recommended but are not necessary purchases.-- Eva Lautemann, DeKalb Coll. Lib., Clarkston, Ga. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

School Library Journal Review

YA-A wonderful resource that examines the interconnections and consequences of humanity's daily interactions with the environment. The content is logically arranged, beginning with the focus on the individual and expanding gradually to home, community, and finally global ecology. A preface addresses the immediate need to take action through population control. Harms often mentions only the harmful effect of technology and suggests ways to change old habits. However, some of the nutritional substitutes, such as a ``feast of honey pot ants'' or ``meal-worm dip,'' go a bit overboard. Recommendations as to how individuals can get political attention are accompanied by House and Senate committees that are set up to work on environmental issues. Teachers will find this text to be a good source for project ideas. An excellent volume for a wide range of readers.-Donna West, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Though it lacks weather forecasts and charts of the moon's phases, this ecological almanac from the National Audubon Society contains plenty of helpful hints and words to live by for farmers and families and all who want to protect the planet. NAS staffers supply most of the words and charts and pictures, with sidebars and long excerpts from scientists such as Edward O. Wilson and Loren Eisley, and writers such as Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, and Terry Tempest Williams. The Almanac moves from the personal to the abstract, from the ecology of the body (food; sex, birth, death, and health; clothing) and the home (housing and furniture; appli~ances and toys; yards) to community ecology (garbage; office buildings; transportation; recreation and tourism), land and ocean ecology (public lands; wildlife; oceans and marine life), and the profound complexities of "cultural ecology" (politics and media; business and money; biodiversity; and art and spirit). Inclusive and eclectic in approach and more respectful than most such books of alternate tendences within the environmental movement, this volume will not be popular with advocates of "wise use" policies. ~--Mary Carroll