Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. 2nd ed. Ed. By Philip Mattar. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2004. 4 vols. 2,936 p. $425.00. ISBN 0-02-865769-1.

With the world's focus currently on the Middle East, this reference tool is a great resource to find up-to-date, timely information about the Middle East and North Africa from 1800 to the present. The editor states that half of the 3,000 signed articles in this second edition are either new or partly or substantially updated. Individual articles range from 200 to 5,000 words. Articles begin with a short definition or title of the person with birth and death dates, and end with see-also references. Longer articles have a selective bibliography; shorter articles have a single source. Black-and-white photographs illustrate some of the text. The appendix includes a synoptic outline of entries, a list of entries and the list of contributors. Your world history and current events teachers will be able to use these to prepare lectures and to suggest to students that these are good sources to begin research assignments. Recommended.