From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up. Updating a 20-volume set for a 5-year revision of Science & Technology is a difficult task. When original articles are written by experts in their fields, basic information may remain the same, but it is hoped that some "recent developments" would be added. Updated materials are evidenced in entries such as Asia, climate modeling, geologic thermometry, and global positioning systems. In some sections, such as compact disc, computer graphics, electric-power generation, gravitation, nuclear engineering, and production of human insulin, there are no changes to the text, but the bibliographies have been updated. Entries on acquired immunological tolerance, aircraft design, fingerprinting, industrial trucks, and narcotics have not been updated. There are new entries in this revision, such as climate history, clinical immunology, fullerene, global warming, geographic information systems, object-oriented programming, and nuclear medicine. Some of the entries have been completely rewritten by new authors, such as those on acquired immune deficiency syndrome, aircraft-collision avoidance system, breast disorders, geological time scale, North America, nuclear magnetic resonance, and radiation chemistry. Topics from 1994-1997 yearbooks, such as hanta viruses, are not included in this revision. According to the publishers, 23% of 7100 entries are new or totally revised, 1750 of 13,000 illustrations are entirely new, and 6 color plates are new. This encyclopedia set is recommended for high schools that do not have the 1992 edition. Note: be sure to keep the 1994-1997 yearbooks.?P. A. Dolan, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
This work continues to be the premier encyclopedia in science and engineering, covering every major discipline. Written by more than 3500 experts from universities, business, research centers, and government institutions worldwide, the articles have decreased from 7500 in the previous edition to 7100, with 1600 of them being new or revised. New topics discussed include the human-computer interaction, mad cow disease, paleoseismology, and Tourette's syndrome. The bibliographies cite mostly monographic sources, with publication dates ranging from the 1960s to 1996. More than 13,000 superb illustrations (1750 are new) help clarify and add to the information given in the text, although a few of the color plates are slightly blurry. Other features include a new 25-page "Activities Guide" with 20 suggested activities, which is not very substantial but which high school teachers may find useful. The index volume includes an analytical index with 170,000 terms, a topical index, study guides for six broad subject areas, and a section on scientific notation. This work has been compared to Academic Press's Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology (LJ 4/15/93), and the two sources are complementary. Academic's articles are longer and broader, making it an easier source for self-study. But it does not have the scope of McGraw-Hill, which remains essential for academic and large public science reference collections that can afford it. [A print/electronic combination?ISBN 0-07-052418-1?is available at the special price of $2400.?Ed.]?Teresa Berry, Univ. of Tennessee Lib., Knoxvill.
-?Teresa Berry, Univ. of Tennessee Lib., Knoxville
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