Synopsis
Like others in the series "Routledge [formerly Garland] Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages," the 11th volume calls on high-level scholars as editors and authors to prepare entries that are both up-to-date and accessible to non-specialists, making this an excellent reference for college libraries. The entries address subjects pertaining to technology (including apparatus, equipment, implements, and techniques); biography; the disciplines; geographical places; institutions; and scientific genres, theories, texts, and traditions. A sampling of topics: includes agriculture, communication, computus, Al-Farabi, gunpowder, technological diffusion, and women in science. The fruitful reception of knowledge from the east to the west—specifically from China, Central Asia, India, and the Islamic world to Europe—is a repeated theme. The authors are 148 academics, with half or more of them based in Europe and the rest in North America, thus ensuring the international point of view essential in medieval studies. Glick (Boston U.), a specialist in the technology of medieval Spain, co-edited the volume with Steven J. Livesey (U. of Oklahoma) and Faith Wallis (McGill U., Montreal, Canada). Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Library Journal
The editors of this series, which began in 1993 with Medieval Scandinavia, have gathered together 130 well-versed scholars to address the breadth of science, technology, and medicine in the Middle Ages. With approximately 275 articles ranging from 500 to 3000 words each, this 11th volume serves as an easy-to-use starting point for research in the area. So-called platform entries-e.g., "Medicine, practical," "Medicine, theoretical," "Scientia," "Technological diffusion," "Women in science" and "Religion and science" (which does imply that science is superior to religion)-are launching points for more specific entries in the volume. Topical categories include "Apparatus, Equipment, Implements, Techniques"; "Biography"; "Disciples"; and "Scientific Genres, Theories, Texts, and Traditions." Each of the finely written entries, intended for the lay reader, is followed by a bibliography and a list of secondary sources for further reading. Bottom Line This is a single work and so can only touch select topics, but the topics included are well chosen. It will serve well in college and public libraries where students and those with general interest can get introductory information and citations on where and how to find additional works.-Eric D. Albright, Tufts Univ. Health Sciences Lib., Boston Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.