US Government Leaders, Vol. 3

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-A biographical encyclopedia composed of 124 essays primarily drawn from two of Magill's "Great Lives from History" series, the "American" series (1987) and the "American Women" series (1995, both Salem), along with a few new entries. Presidents, colonial leaders, founders of the republic, frontier leaders, important representatives and senators, cabinet members, political party leaders, diplomats, and military leaders are included, as well as some figures who have not held governmental office but exercise influence through social or moral leadership. Varying ethnic backgrounds, and both genders, are represented. New essays cover Madeleine Albright, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Alan Greenspan, Jesse Jackson, Ross Perot, Colin Powell, and George Wallace. The alphabetically arranged biographies contain a brief introduction with basic facts and major achievements, the subject's early life and career, a summary, a bibliography, and a picture. A name index is redundant since the entries are already in alphabetical order, and the index entries refer only to the article on the person in question (e.g., the citation for John Kennedy does not refer to the mention of him in the Tip O'Neill article). The indexing provides no organization by content. The readable text focuses on each person's contributions; while it mentions shortcomings and errors, it does not dwell on them, choosing, instead, to highlight strengths and accomplishments. Because of the limited amount of new information, libraries that have the first two sets will have to decide whether the additional essays, or the convenience of having American politicians gathered together, is worth the additional cost.-Jeffrey A. French, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH

Booknews

Surveys 124 of the most important government and political leaders in U.S. history. Most of the essays were selected from two of Magill's sets: the (5 vols., 1987) and the (5 vols., 1995). New essays cover Madeleine Albright, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Robert Dole, Alan Greenspan, Jesse Jackson, Jr, Tip O'Neill, H. Ross Perot, Colin Powell, and George Wallace. Entries include name, birth date and place, death date and place when appropriate, a summary of major achievements, and brief descriptions of each leader's early life, life's work, and significance and long-term impact. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.