[reference] History The Mongol Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia. 2 vols. ABC-CLIO. Nov. 2016. 636p. ed. by Timothy May. maps. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781610693394. $198; ebk. ISBN 9781610693400. REF May (history, Univ. of North Georgia; The Mongol Conquest in World History) tackles the Mongols, writing the majority of entries on the four empires. A succinct chronology covers 1125 to 1480; most articles focus on the period 1206–1405. Captions to the black-and-white illustrations are usually informative, but some readers may wish more maps and especially genealogical trees and pronunciation for the many non-European terms had been included. Subject areas span government and politics; the military; notable individuals, groups, and organizations; significant events; and important places— an organization style that forces readers to search several entries for a complete picture. Overview essays at the start of each section provide structure. The further reading section, the inclusion of fascinating primary document excerpts, and the lengthy bibliography add value. The index is helpful but presumes a knowledgeable user relying on the sometimes incomplete “see also” lists following entries (e.g., the “religion” index entry omits specific faiths, such as Shamanism, Buddhism). Inadequate copyediting results in errors and confusion. Christopher Atwood’s Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire has a much broader scope. VERDICT The density of reference and wealth of information point to readers more well versed in the subject (who will also note the serious editorial deficiencies).—Patricia D. Lothrop, ­formerly of St. George’s Sch., Newport, RI Political Science Covering American Politics in the 21st Century: An Encyclopedia of News Media Titans, Trends, and Controversies. 2 vols. ABC-CLIO. Dec. 2016. 752p. ed. by Lee Banville. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781440835520. $189; ebk. ISBN 9781440835537. REF Banville’s (journalism, Univ. of Montana) goal in this two-volume set is to explain the changing nature and scope of the shifting intersection between media and American politics. To this purpose, he contextualizes issues and players shaping the modern politi- ciology, St. Mary’s Coll. of Maryland; Systems of War and Peace), psychologist and social worker Eugenia L. Weiss (Handbook of Military Social Work), and Jose E. Coll (director, Sch. of Social Work, Texas State Univ.; Supporting Veterans in Higher Education) raise more questions than they answer in this collection of 30 essays. Beginning with an overview of veterans’ studies, the pieces cover the portrayal of veterans in the media, challenges faced by immigrant and Solutions for veterans reentering civilian life; female veterans, assistance programs, family the U.S. criminal justice system life, health care, housing, homelessness, religion, social attitudes, and more. Resources cal process by offering a look at new devel- include gray literature from think tanks and opments, especially those fueled by tech- various government departments. Each esnology, and where they fit into the current say is comprised of an introduction, discusU.S. political landscape. Topics range from sion, conclusion, and lengthy bibliography. the most inf luential media organizations A detailed index offers quick access to mateand pundits shaping modern-day journal- rial scattered throughout the two-volume ism to the controversies and practices that set. Tables and charts provide data in an easbest capture our attention. The approxi- ily digested format. The contributors are mately 200 entries, all running between one primarily academics—some with personal and four pages, are organized around eight military experience, some with indirect categories: biographies, campaign organiza- military experience; others include students tion and structure, interest groups and po- pursuing advanced degrees or those who are litical organizations, journalism ethics and employed in veteran-related research or by issues, media organizations, media trends, a veterans’ services department. Unlike the media types, and political trends. Summa- myriad books on how veterans can access ries feature “see-also” references and ad- their military benefits, successfully reenter ditional print and electronic resources for the civilian college or workforce, redeploy, further reading. In particular, the insightful or cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, articles on trends are critical to the author this work takes a research-based approach identifying and explaining factors shaping that sociologists, social scientists, and sothe relationship and interchange between cial policy makers will greatly appreciate. journalism and politics. Written primarily Rather than supplying quick fixes, the edifor high school students, college undergrad- tors have chosen to identify the difficulties uates, and interested nonspecialist readers, faced by veterans and let readers search for this work astutely and impartially details solutions at a higher policy level. VERDICT the people, movements, organizations, and Academic libraries and collections supportissues of contemporary media and its role ing veterans’ services will find this a superb in the political process. VERDICT A well-­ addition.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson written primer that captures the prominence Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX and importance of media in modern-day ­American politics.—Rob Tench, Old Dominion Crime and Punishment in America: An Univ. Lib., Norfolk, VA Social Sciences .The Civilian Lives of U.S. Veterans: Issues and Identities. 2 vols. Praeger: ABCCLIO. Dec. 2016. 793p. ed. by Louis Hicks & others. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781440842788. $164; ebk. ISBN 9781440842795. REF Acknowledging that many veterans need help readapting to civilian life, Hicks (so- Encyclopedia of Trends and Controversies in the Justice System. 2 vols. ABC-CLIO. Dec. 2016. 743p. ed. by Laura L. Finley. photos. index. ISBN 9781610699273. $189; ebk. ISBN 9781610699280. REF With 185 entries spread over two volumes, this set, edited by Finley (sociology & criminology, Barry Univ., FL), is a quick beginning reference on the scope and extent of crime in the United States. 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