Great Lives from History

The latest offering in the publisher's "Great Lives" series comprises profiles of 841 individuals and is presented in five volumes. Essays range from two to four pages in length and are assembled according to a consistent format that includes basic biographical date, a synopsis of achievements, and an essay on the subject's, life, work, and significance. The essays are signed and contain references and cross references; many include a b&w photo. Most of the people have not been covered in other volumes in the series, they represent all fields of endeavor, and more than one-half are contemporary figures. Appendices in the fifth volume offer a chronological list of entries, a mediagraphy, a literary bibliography, listings of organizations and societies and research centers and libraries, a bibliography, and a website directory. Indexing is by category (of work), people, and subject. Online access to the contents is included with purchase of the print version. Bankston (Tulane U.) has gathered work from several hundred contributors affiliated with academic institutions in the US. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)