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The international relations dictionary
149
Book reviews
gramme, Guide to the Archives of International Organizations, Part I: The United Nations System, Preliminary Version (Paris, 1979). PETER I. HAJNAL Head, Government Toronto,
Publications Section University Toronto Library Ontario, Canada M5S IA1
The International Relations Dictionary. 3rd edition. By Jack C. Plano and Roy Olton. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1982. 488 pp. $19.75. ISBN O-87436-332-2. According to the authors, The International Relations Dictionary grew out of years of classroom instructional experience during which they perceived a need for more precision in the basic language of foreign affairs. Indeed the Dictionary includes terms, concepts, and phrases arranged alphabetically within twelve subject chapters (economics, ideology, war, diplomacy, etc.) which roughly parallel chapters in major international relations textbooks. As a reference tool, the Dictionary benefits from a superb series of indexes. A general alphabetical index in the back of the work provides access to the subject arrangement in the main text. Within this index, the page location of the definition of a term is noted in bold-faced type. Other definitions in which the term is used are noted in regular type. Cross-references at the end of many entries also refer users to related terms. Finally, an alphabetical country index in the front of the work notes terms which have special significance to individual nations. The definition of each entry is clearly and concisely presented in a single paragraph. A second paragraph points out the significance of the term and generally includes an explanation of its historical background. Government publications librarians may recognize the title of this work as being the same as a reference tool published on a periodic basis by the U.S. Department of State. Although the title is the same, the publication under review is not a commercial reprint of an uncopyrighted government publication. In fact, it is many times larger, has a much more sophisticated means of indexing, and its first edition predates the State Department’s publication. This third edition of The Dictionary of International Relations updates and expands its coverage over the two earlier editions, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston (1969) and New Issues Press of Western Michigan University (1979), respectively. It also now is one of the first volumes in a new ABCClio series of dictionaries under the general editorship of Jack C. Plano. Although pertinent references to further reading on each term would be useful, the sensible arrangement, excellent indexing, generous cross-references, and clearly written annotations make this dictionary a valuable reference tool for students of international relations. Reference librarians will also find this dictionary a useful addition to their shelves.
Head,
Government University
STEVEN D. ZINK Publications Dept. of Nevada Library Reno, NV 89557 U.S.A.
Microforms and Government Information. By Peter Hernon. Westport, Connecticut, Microform Review, 1981. 287 pp. $28.95. ISBN O-913672-12-2. LC 81-4393.
and London:
Issued as the sixth in Microform Review’s Series in Library Micrographics Management, Hernon’s latest work represents recommended reading, particularly for any newcomer facing management of a dual format documents collection. And, while much of the material may sound familiar to dedicated followers of Government Publications Review, Documents to the People, and Depository Library Council proceedings, the messages which Hernon conveys merit close attention lest government depositories yield their supposed role to other purveyors whose packaging and dissemination of government information increase its attractiveness and convenience of access. Of the eleven chapters which form the core of this volume, seven are by Hernon; the remainder were contributed by other librarians in the field. Several chapters, e.g., Hernon’s “The GPO Micropublishing
Book reviews
gramme, Guide to the Archives of International Organizations, Part I: The United Nations System, Preliminary Version (Paris, 1979). PETER I. HAJNAL Head, Government Toronto,
Publications Section University Toronto Library Ontario, Canada M5S IA1
The International Relations Dictionary. 3rd edition. By Jack C. Plano and Roy Olton. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1982. 488 pp. $19.75. ISBN O-87436-332-2. According to the authors, The International Relations Dictionary grew out of years of classroom instructional experience during which they perceived a need for more precision in the basic language of foreign affairs. Indeed the Dictionary includes terms, concepts, and phrases arranged alphabetically within twelve subject chapters (economics, ideology, war, diplomacy, etc.) which roughly parallel chapters in major international relations textbooks. As a reference tool, the Dictionary benefits from a superb series of indexes. A general alphabetical index in the back of the work provides access to the subject arrangement in the main text. Within this index, the page location of the definition of a term is noted in bold-faced type. Other definitions in which the term is used are noted in regular type. Cross-references at the end of many entries also refer users to related terms. Finally, an alphabetical country index in the front of the work notes terms which have special significance to individual nations. The definition of each entry is clearly and concisely presented in a single paragraph. A second paragraph points out the significance of the term and generally includes an explanation of its historical background. Government publications librarians may recognize the title of this work as being the same as a reference tool published on a periodic basis by the U.S. Department of State. Although the title is the same, the publication under review is not a commercial reprint of an uncopyrighted government publication. In fact, it is many times larger, has a much more sophisticated means of indexing, and its first edition predates the State Department’s publication. This third edition of The Dictionary of International Relations updates and expands its coverage over the two earlier editions, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston (1969) and New Issues Press of Western Michigan University (1979), respectively. It also now is one of the first volumes in a new ABCClio series of dictionaries under the general editorship of Jack C. Plano. Although pertinent references to further reading on each term would be useful, the sensible arrangement, excellent indexing, generous cross-references, and clearly written annotations make this dictionary a valuable reference tool for students of international relations. Reference librarians will also find this dictionary a useful addition to their shelves.
Head,
Government University
STEVEN D. ZINK Publications Dept. of Nevada Library Reno, NV 89557 U.S.A.
Microforms and Government Information. By Peter Hernon. Westport, Connecticut, Microform Review, 1981. 287 pp. $28.95. ISBN O-913672-12-2. LC 81-4393.
and London:
Issued as the sixth in Microform Review’s Series in Library Micrographics Management, Hernon’s latest work represents recommended reading, particularly for any newcomer facing management of a dual format documents collection. And, while much of the material may sound familiar to dedicated followers of Government Publications Review, Documents to the People, and Depository Library Council proceedings, the messages which Hernon conveys merit close attention lest government depositories yield their supposed role to other purveyors whose packaging and dissemination of government information increase its attractiveness and convenience of access. Of the eleven chapters which form the core of this volume, seven are by Hernon; the remainder were contributed by other librarians in the field. Several chapters, e.g., Hernon’s “The GPO Micropublishing