The Solar System

Library Journal

In 1989, Salem Press launched the "Magill Survey of Science," a series of extremely well-written (and well-received) multivolume reference sets dealing with various aspects of science. This three-volume set is part of a new series, "Magill's Choice," and consists of 131 articles dealing specifically with the solar system that are reprinted from the first three entries in the earlier series (Space Exploration, 1989, Earth Science, LJ 9/15/90, and Physical Sciences, 1992). The text of the articles is unchanged, while the "basic" bibliographies at the end of each article have been updated with brief "current" bibliographies. In addition, the volumes now include illustrations, whose absence was a minor shortcoming of the earlier sets. Also unchanged are the excellent glossary and the subject and category indexes that added to the series' quality and usefulness. Despite these assets, this book cannot be given an unqualified recommendation. Libraries holding the earlier sets would actually be paying a rather hefty price for little more than updated bibliographies. But any academic or public library lacking the earlier and more costly volumes would find this very appropriate for their undergraduate and public patrons.--Donald J. Marion, Univ. of Minnesota Science & Engineering Lib., Minneapolis

Booknews

This three-volume set presents 131 selected essays from three previously published Salem reference works in the Survey of Science series, plus nine new essays that round out the contents and bring it up to date. The entries are alphabetically arranged and include topics on both solar system and deep-space astronomy. Each volume has a separate ISBN. Each entry begins with an overview and includes sections on methods of study and context, and both basic and current bibliographies. Volume I (960-7) covers Antimatter through Infrared Astronomy; Volume II (961-5), Interstellar Clouds and the Interstellar Medium through Pulsars; and Volume III (962-3), Quantum Cosmology through X-ray and Gamma-ray Astronomy. The index is in Volume III. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.