The Oxford companion to American Literature.
Who: Middle school to adult learners
What: The Oxford companion to American Literature 7 out of 10
ISBN-10: 0195065484
Where: purchase from online/bookstores
Why: provide resources to great writers
This resource was started in 1941 and has been used as a dependable reference source for years. This 6th edition has been revised to include many contemporary writers from 1982, with 181 new entries and many revisions. This companion is useful for general students and avid literature readers. While it does exclude cookbooks and comic books it still is a great resource for someone just getting interested in literature. The books layout is in alphabetical order with background information of American authors. A short biography, brief bibliographies and insight into the authors’ writing styles and subject matter is given. This companion also summarizes over 1,100 important American novels, poems, essays, plays etc. The summary gives the reader enough information as related to the authors’ original written work, as if you read the original.
I like the timeline provided for literary history on the left and social history on the right. Gives a reader a great comparison of what was written during the social happenings of those times. Overall this companion book would be a great addition to the history buffs collection or to a new literary reader.
Hart, J. D., & Leininger, P. (1995). The Oxford companion to American literature. New York: Oxford University Press.
What: The Oxford companion to American Literature 7 out of 10
ISBN-10: 0195065484
Where: purchase from online/bookstores
Why: provide resources to great writers
This resource was started in 1941 and has been used as a dependable reference source for years. This 6th edition has been revised to include many contemporary writers from 1982, with 181 new entries and many revisions. This companion is useful for general students and avid literature readers. While it does exclude cookbooks and comic books it still is a great resource for someone just getting interested in literature. The books layout is in alphabetical order with background information of American authors. A short biography, brief bibliographies and insight into the authors’ writing styles and subject matter is given. This companion also summarizes over 1,100 important American novels, poems, essays, plays etc. The summary gives the reader enough information as related to the authors’ original written work, as if you read the original.
I like the timeline provided for literary history on the left and social history on the right. Gives a reader a great comparison of what was written during the social happenings of those times. Overall this companion book would be a great addition to the history buffs collection or to a new literary reader.
Hart, J. D., & Leininger, P. (1995). The Oxford companion to American literature. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Hutchinson Guide To The World.
Who: Middle school to adult learners
What: The Hutchinson Guide To The World: 3rd Edition 8 out of 10
ISBN-10: 1573562203
Where: purchase from online/bookstores
Why: Gain quick access to world facts & figures
The Hutchinson Guide To The World: 3rd Edition contains 736 pages. The content provided gives great detail of worlds facts and figures. This new addition expands coverage of the North American and European areas. It also includes visa requirements and countries banking hours for travellers. The book cover is colorful and states that it covers countries, places, geography and population. Broken up into 3 sections, countries of the world, world gazetteer, and appendices. Countries of the world are in alphabetical order from all 192 sovereign nations according to the preface. As stated in the preface government, economy, resources, population, transport, history and practical information groups the information of each country. Over 6,500 articles are included in the gazetteer sections. All tables on the world’s population, geography etc. is in the appendices.
The information is easy to read and locate. Under each entry there may be a small map, national name, capital, major towns/cities and the physical looks of the country. There is also a practical information area that lists the Visa requirements, all embassies, banking hours, time difference, tourist attractions and major holidays. From beginner to a serious student would benefit from the reference resource.
The Hutchinson guide to the world. (1998). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
What: The Hutchinson Guide To The World: 3rd Edition 8 out of 10
ISBN-10: 1573562203
Where: purchase from online/bookstores
Why: Gain quick access to world facts & figures
The Hutchinson Guide To The World: 3rd Edition contains 736 pages. The content provided gives great detail of worlds facts and figures. This new addition expands coverage of the North American and European areas. It also includes visa requirements and countries banking hours for travellers. The book cover is colorful and states that it covers countries, places, geography and population. Broken up into 3 sections, countries of the world, world gazetteer, and appendices. Countries of the world are in alphabetical order from all 192 sovereign nations according to the preface. As stated in the preface government, economy, resources, population, transport, history and practical information groups the information of each country. Over 6,500 articles are included in the gazetteer sections. All tables on the world’s population, geography etc. is in the appendices.
The information is easy to read and locate. Under each entry there may be a small map, national name, capital, major towns/cities and the physical looks of the country. There is also a practical information area that lists the Visa requirements, all embassies, banking hours, time difference, tourist attractions and major holidays. From beginner to a serious student would benefit from the reference resource.
The Hutchinson guide to the world. (1998). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
Holidays and Anniversaries of the World.
Who: Middle school to adult learners
What: Holidays and Anniversaries of the World 7 out of 10
ISBN 13: 9780810354777
ISBN 10: 0810354772
Where: purchase from the GALE leaning center for $222.00
Why: to gain insight into international and national holidays and anniversaries
This handbook provides a guide to use it and information on the development of the modern calendar and projection of moveable holidays. The holidays and anniversaries are broken down by each day of the month of the calendar year January through December. Each day of the year has holidays, religious calendar, birthdates and historical events in order by the year in the sections. In addition to that there’s a continuous calendar over years 1753 through 2100. Educators and students could use this handbook to support research or just to learn more about holidays and anniversaries.
Baker, B. A. (1998). Holidays and anniversaries of the world: A comprehensive catalogue containing detailed information on every month and day of the year. Detroit, MI: Gale Research.
What: Holidays and Anniversaries of the World 7 out of 10
ISBN 13: 9780810354777
ISBN 10: 0810354772
Where: purchase from the GALE leaning center for $222.00
Why: to gain insight into international and national holidays and anniversaries
This handbook provides a guide to use it and information on the development of the modern calendar and projection of moveable holidays. The holidays and anniversaries are broken down by each day of the month of the calendar year January through December. Each day of the year has holidays, religious calendar, birthdates and historical events in order by the year in the sections. In addition to that there’s a continuous calendar over years 1753 through 2100. Educators and students could use this handbook to support research or just to learn more about holidays and anniversaries.
Baker, B. A. (1998). Holidays and anniversaries of the world: A comprehensive catalogue containing detailed information on every month and day of the year. Detroit, MI: Gale Research.
Guinness World Records 2013 Edition.
Who: Learners of all ages
What: Guinness World Records 2013 Edition 10 out of 10
Where: bookstores and via app http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/GWR-2013/
Why: to gain unusual facts about people or things in the world
The Guinness World Records book is one of my favorite handbooks. I love reading and seeing new information about record holders or breakers. This edition holds over 1,000 photos, 3,000 new entries and a new section called infographics which a strip of information located along the side of the edge of the page in the book. There’s an app for everything right? Now you can get up close and personal by using a 3D augmented reality app for free. Patrons just visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/seeit3d to download the app. Then when you see an AR logo anywhere in your book point your digital device at that page and watch 3D happen. Everyone from adults to children will get a kick out of this augmented reality experience. Now you can not only receive the information by reading and looking at the book you can almost feel like you are a part of the world record process.
Guinness World Records 2013 Edition | Guinness World Records. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/GWR-2013/
What: Guinness World Records 2013 Edition 10 out of 10
Where: bookstores and via app http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/GWR-2013/
Why: to gain unusual facts about people or things in the world
The Guinness World Records book is one of my favorite handbooks. I love reading and seeing new information about record holders or breakers. This edition holds over 1,000 photos, 3,000 new entries and a new section called infographics which a strip of information located along the side of the edge of the page in the book. There’s an app for everything right? Now you can get up close and personal by using a 3D augmented reality app for free. Patrons just visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/seeit3d to download the app. Then when you see an AR logo anywhere in your book point your digital device at that page and watch 3D happen. Everyone from adults to children will get a kick out of this augmented reality experience. Now you can not only receive the information by reading and looking at the book you can almost feel like you are a part of the world record process.
Guinness World Records 2013 Edition | Guinness World Records. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/GWR-2013/
Famous first facts.
Who: Middle school to adult learners
What: Famous first facts
ISBN-10: 0824206614
ISBN-13: 978-0824206611
Where: purchase in bookstores or online
Why: to know who accomplished it first
This fourth edition of Famous first facts provides records of the happenings, discoveries and inventions in American history as stated on the book cover. I find that this is a great resource to have in your house, school, or office. This handbook is not only a great historic information resources but it can be a coffee table book that will start many conversations. This handbook focuses on American history firsts but there are books that contain World history first as well. I don’t think you can go wrong with a book that provides insight into our American history. Knowing where something was started or came from can and will support future history makers.
Kane, J. N. (1981). Famous first facts: A record of first happenings, discoveries, and inventions in American history. New York: H.W. Wilson.
What: Famous first facts
ISBN-10: 0824206614
ISBN-13: 978-0824206611
Where: purchase in bookstores or online
Why: to know who accomplished it first
This fourth edition of Famous first facts provides records of the happenings, discoveries and inventions in American history as stated on the book cover. I find that this is a great resource to have in your house, school, or office. This handbook is not only a great historic information resources but it can be a coffee table book that will start many conversations. This handbook focuses on American history firsts but there are books that contain World history first as well. I don’t think you can go wrong with a book that provides insight into our American history. Knowing where something was started or came from can and will support future history makers.
Kane, J. N. (1981). Famous first facts: A record of first happenings, discoveries, and inventions in American history. New York: H.W. Wilson.