African American almanac

VOYA - Paula J. Lacey

This almanac is unique, but serves a rather narrow purpose. Significant events in African-American history are arranged by day of the year and then chronologically under each day. The events vary in significance from birthdays of lesser-known entertainers to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Major events are explained in several paragraphs and minor ones in one sentence. A useful appendix of African-American inventors and their patents concludes this book. The thorough index broadens the reference capabilities of this very specialized work. Ross writes that the almanac may be used as a standard reference or a calendar. School and public libraries that often need to locate significant events by day of the year may want to purchase this. However, most libraries probably have this information in other sources, such as Gale's African American Almanac or Facts on File's new Encyclopedia of African American Heritage. Index. Biblio. Appendix.

Library Journal

Another generalist title among the plethora of recent works about African American history, this volume arranges events by day of the year, without regard to the year itself. The format is not readily useful to reference librarians, with the possible exception of the classic "what happened on this day in history" assignments. A brief section covers "Significant Events Not Associated with a Single Day, by Year," but it is unclear why an event like Gwendolyn Brooks's winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1950 is cited here in a single sentence without noting the date. Furthermore, the sparse paragraphs for each subject leave one in want of more detail. Better choices are The Negro Almanac (Gale, 1989. 5th ed.) and Deborah G. Straub's African American Voices (Gale, 1996. 2 vols.), both of which include chronologies in addition to more in-depth biographical and historical sketches. Librarians seeking a reference work that "record[s] events initiated by or associated with African American persons"an aim of this volume, according to the authorswould be better served by Joan Potter and Constance Claytor's African American Firsts (Pinto, 1994). Purchase only for larger libraries with extensive African American history collections.Lisa Powell Williams, Moline P.L., Ill.

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up--The preface of this problematic compendium of facts promises a list of "significant events in African American history." Arranged chronologically by day of the year, entries are brief, ranging from a few sentences to a few paragraphs. Events listed under a particular day represent different years and are not necessarily interrelated. For example, browsing reveals that the NAACP was founded exactly 100 years after the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, cross-references to related dates are provided only sporadically. Curiously, the introduction of "the Flo-Jo fashion doll" on February 13, 1989, (with a brief mention of her Olympic medals) is the only reference to the accomplished athlete, Florence Griffith-Joyner. Dominique Dawes, the first black female gymnast to be included on a U.S. Olympic team is absent. Compare that to five entries for Mike Tyson. Also, be aware that the index provides eight references to Marion Barry, the mayor of the District of Columbia, but no entry for Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. More comprehensive, objective, and authoritative tools, such as The African American Almanac (Gale, 1996) and Sharon Harley's Timetables of African-American History (S & S, 1995), make this slim volume supplementary at best.--Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools

Booknews

Describes political, social, artistic, athletic, religious, and other events concerning African Americans on each calendar day as far back as the 15th century. Also includes a section of significant events not associated with a particular day, presented by year. An appendix identifies inventors and their patents. Well cross-referenced. The bibliography is not entry- specific. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.