ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


March 1996/165

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A ll M u sic G u id e  to 
Rock, ed ited  by M ichael 
Erlewine, Vladimir B ogda­
nov, and Chris W oodstra 
(973 p a g e s , N o v e m b e r  
1995), is an expanded and N
updated version o f the rock, 
pop, and soul chapter o f 
Erlewine’s All-Music Guide 

Publi
(2d ed., 1994). B rief b io ­
graphical profiles o f 2,500 
artists and musical groups 

George are p ro v id e d , w ith  each 
performer’s top CDs and al­
bums listed chronologically 
and rated by noted music critics and journal­
ists. It also offers “Music Maps” and essays chart­
ing the developm ent o f heavy metal, surf mu­
sic, Motown, and other subgenres. An excellent 
collection developm ent tool for rock record­
ings from Abba to Zappa. $24.95. Miller Free­
man Books, 6600 Silacci Way, Gilroy, CA 95020. 
ISBN 0-87930-376-X.

The American Heritage Stedman’s Medi­
cal Dictionary (924 pages, Novem ber 1995) 
defines 45,000 medical terms in a clear, non­
technical style for its intended general audi­
ence. A  casual comparison with the 1986 edi­
tion o f  Webster’s Medical Desk Dictionary 
reveals that each dictionary contains many en­
tries that the other omits. Stedman’s also fea­
tures 100 line drawings, charts, and tables. 
$24.95. Houghton Mifflin, 215 Park Ave. South, 
N ew  York, N Y  10003. ISBN 0-395-69955-X.

Biographical D ictionary of A m erican 
Newspaper Columnists, by Sam G. Riley (411 
pages, Novem ber 1995), reviews the lives o f 
600 columnists, both living and dead, whose 
writings covered such general topics as poli­
tics and humor. A  short bibliography o f  works 
by and about each columnist accompanies most 
entries. Some individuals known for achieve­
ments other than newspaper columns are pro­
filed here, among them James Thurber, Carl 
Sandburg, W. E. B. Dubois, and O liver North. 
$79.50. G reenw ood Press, 88 Post Road West, 
Westport, CT 06881. ISBN 0-313-29192-6.

Biological Anom alies: M am m als I, com ­
piled by William R. Corliss (286 pages, N ovem ­
ber 1995), is the 15th volume in Corliss’s “Cata­

log o f Anomalies” and the 
first o f tw o devoted to mam­
mals. This book focuses on 

w
an om alies in m ammalian 
appearance and m orph ol­
ogy, behavior, and faculties 

ations
and talents. Each anomaly is 
rated in terms o f the quality 
o f the reported data and the 
degree from which it devi­
ates from accepted scientific 
norms. The vast majority o f 

. Eberha rt examples are taken from sci­
entific journals and books. 
Corliss examines such phe­

nomena as zebra stripe reversals, microwave 
emissions from mammals, inheritance o f eye 
injuries, handedness, flavor aversion, radial for­
mations or “kings,” long-range navigation in 
the absence o f recognized cues, and unusual 
vocalizations. $21.95. The Sourcebook Project, 
P.O. Box 107, Glen Arm, MD 21057. ISBN 0- 
915554-30-5.

The Cam bridge Dictionary of Philoso­
phy, edited by Robert Audi (882 pages, Octo­
ber 1995), elucidates the terms, concepts, and 
schools o f thought that are essential for under­
standing logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, 
and metaphysics that form the basis o f philo­
sophical inquiry. There are also entries for great 
philosophers, a list o f thinkers w ho did not 
warrant a major heading (with clues on where 
to find them by subject), and a compendium o f 
special symbols and logical notations. The en­
tries are o f sufficient length to explain each 
term clearly, but shorter than the essays found 
in an encyclopedia o f philosophy. $89 95. Cam­
bridge University Press, 40 W. 20th St., N ew  
York, N Y  10011-4211. ISBN 0-521-40224-7.

The Christm as Carol Reader, by William 
Studwell (221 pages, October 1995), brings to­
gether information on 140 carols, both sacred 
and secular. Not a thorough study, but suitable 
for curious carolers during the holidays. $12.95. 
Harrington Park Press, 10 Alice St., Bingham­
ton, N Y  13904-1580. ISBN 1-56023-872-0. ■

George Eberhαrt is editor and compiler o f The 
Whole Library Handbooks fo r  ALA Editions (1991, 
1995). He served as editor o f C&RL News from 1980 
to 1990.