Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

The 20th Century: 1901-1940. Edited by Robert F. Goran. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press, 2007. 6 vols. 3453 p. $495.00. ISBN 978-1-58765-324-7.

Those students needing information on topics in the first half of the 20th century will find it here. The facts will be found in articles that are shorter than a nonfiction book but longer than an encyclopedia article. Because entries are in chronological order, they will be able to review what happened just before and what will happen just after the event. Included are curriculum oriented geopolitical events, social and cultural developments in daily life, major literary movements, immigration trends, art and music, changing political divisions, the labor movement, and the global impact of the Great Depression. Each volume begins with a keyword list of contents; a list of maps, tables and sidebars; and five outline maps of the world in 1914. The map of Africa shows the European holdings. Individual articles begin with the date, a sentence about the development, its locale, categories, and key factors. The signed essay includes a summary of the event and its significance with an annotated bibliography for Further Reading and "see also" references. Black and white photographs and line maps are found in the text. Inset boxes offer additional information such as the words of Rose Schneiderman after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. An extensive bibliography of book resources is divided by topics as is the electronic resources. Other resources listed include both free and subscription web sites and electronic databases. The chronological list of entries provides a quick look at what is covered in each year and will help with the review of what happened just before and after. Three indexes are provided: geographical, personages, and subject. Your history teachers should find it on their own, and your literature, art and music teachers will enjoy learning about it because it helps place their particular interests in the historical context of the time they are being created. Recommended.