The Essential Researcher - Hardcover

This uneven volume gives the impression that it was begun as a handbook for journalists and then developed into a work for the general reference marketplace. The core of the book, material of concern to the professional writer, is structured and useful, covering such topics as freedom of information laws, libel guidelines, government-agency contacts, and international travel information. Added to this, however, is an odd mixture of miscellaneous lists and chronologies meant to aid writers in their research. Although compiled under 15 general subject headings, these sections evince little cohesiveness as they chronicle items such as selected presidential campaign slogans, winners of the Miss America contest, and how to calculate compound interest. Emphasis is decidedly contemporary; a history of the world from 10,000 B.C. to 1 A.D. contains just 15 brief entries, while the extensive Popular Culture section lists four Elvis sightings among its highlights. The cutoff date for most sections is mid-1992. Some topics, such as street drugs and disasters, are handled thoroughly and effectively. Others, such as political and legal terminology, are almost superfluous in their brevity. While this work has much to offer, in its attempt to be a handbook, almanac, chronology, and dictionary it does not do as satisfying a job as would a more focused volume. Smaller libraries may like the amount of information they will get for the price. An optional purchase for public and academic libraries.
- James Moffet, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, Mich.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.