American Folklore: An Encyclopedia (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities)
Within limits carefully delineated in the preface (e.g., "American" is to be understood as North American but not, except for select articles, as Native American), editor and folklorist Brunvand, best known for his collections of urban legends (The Baby Train, LJ 2/1/93), has produced an excellent and understandable reference on American folklore. Brunvand asserts that his is the first attempt at an encyclopedia of American folklore from a serious academic slant, and from this reviewer's searches, he may be correct. Each article is signed, and the contributors' credentials are clearly stated at the beginning of the volume. All but a few entries are followed by cross references and a bibliography. Articles cover holidays, festivals, and rituals from Ground Hog Day to Passover; geographic areas; ethnic groups; types of folklore (from Jack tales to jazz); theories of folklore; folklore scholars; folklore characters from Jesse James to the Tooth Fairy; folk crafts, music, and dance; and the folklore of historical events as diverse as Juneteenth (the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation) and the Gulf War. Highly recommended for all high school, public, and academic libraries.?Katherine K. Koenig, Ellis Sch., PittsburghCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.