Encyclopedia of New Jersey
Few entities have endured a negative reputation to the extent that the state of New Jersey has. Because of its association with toxic waste and organized crime, many neglect to give the state the regard that its early and recent history and accomplishments would warrant. Mappen, a former vice chairman of the Task Force on New Jersey History and executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, was inspired by theEncyclopedia of New York City(Yale Univ., 1995) to produce a similar work that would define and illuminate what New Jersey is. His coeditor, Lurie, is chair of the history department of Seton Hall University.In size and appearance, this volume closely resembles theEncyclopedia of New York City. According to the preface, it contains 2,900 entries written by more than 600 authors. Biographies of the contributors are given at the end of the volume. Among the areas covered are architecture, folklore, geography, literature, and transportation. The length and depth of the entries varies from a short paragraph to two-plus pages. All are signed, and many contain bibliographies, though much of the cited material would be difficult to obtain outside of the area. Although some of this information is likely to be duplicated in sources specific to single disciplines, there is nothing else that offers the expansive coverage of this state. Information on small geographic areas and minor political and historical figures might not easily be found anywhere else. The black-and-white illustrations enhance the text, as does the midvolume section of colored plates.The front matter begins with a list of donors who helped defray the cost of production and development, leaving this sizable volume with a bargain price. Certainly all New Jersey libraries would need to buy this work, as should most libraries in the Northeast. Academic and large public libraries everywhere should find it useful.Danise HooverCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved