Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450. Edited by Thomas Benjamin. Detroit, Mich.: Macmillan Reference USA Thomson Gale, 2007. 3 vols. 1315 p. $395.00. ISBN 0-02-865843-4.

Students today who are trying to analyze the world situation need the perspectives found here. The colonization of the world by the Western colonial powers during the period of 1450 to mid-to-late 20th century explains the spread of Christianity, language, laws, and values throughout the world. While these European colonists represented only 2% of the population of the world, they claimed possession of almost all its regions and, in spite of the controversy surrounding the "invaders," they shaped most of today's politics and economics while impacting the culture. Vol. 1 begins with a list of maps, a list of articles, and the thematic outline. The list of contributors of the signed articles shows a number of authors from around the world. Articles have "See also" references and a brief bibliography. Most of the more than 400 articles have a black and white photograph or other illustration. Vol. 3 has an 8-page glossary and 62 pages of primary documents. Many are easily available elsewhere such as the Northwest Ordinance, the Stamp Act, 1765 and the Treaty of Utrecht, but having them here helps define colonialism. World history teachers will find this most useful and literature teachers can use them to set the stage for fiction, historical fiction or non-fiction taking place in this era. Because the articles are short, students will have a good beginning to find further research on any topic of interest to them.