Quench your thirst for knowledge

Want to know something about just about everything? Head for the

Newport Beach Central Library’s upstairs reference section, where

you’ll find some of the best reference sources published in the last

year, including many cited as “print favorites” by Library Journal

(April 15, 2003).

Covering history, criminology, gerontology, literature,

psychology, religion and even fashion, “Best Reference Sources 2002”

provides ample testimony that online databases are not likely to

supplant print reference.

On this year’s list are such timely volumes as “Encyclopedia of

Terrorism” by Harvey Kushner, one of the nation’s leading experts on

the subject. Following commentary that traces terrorism from

first-century Judea to today’s Osama bin Laden era, Kushner targets

terrorist groups, key events, people, terms and statistics in over

300 in-depth articles.

Criminal activity also is the focus of the four-volume

“Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment.” With no apologies to Fyodor

Dostoyevsky, editor David Levinson offers insight into topics varying

from the social, ethical and legal implications of DNA testing to

identity theft and crimes in cyberspace.

On a tamer note, the best reference of 2002 list includes the

four-volume “Encyclopedia of Aging,” aimed at educating readers about

the most recent findings in gerontology. Of David Ekerdt’s

compilation, Library Journal notes, “No other source covers this

field with such scope or authority.” Included are 400-plus concise

entries about such issues as nursing homes, animal models of aging,

the visual arts, mental health, community services, disorders of

later life, sensory changes, housing, benefit programs, research

techniques, genetics, careers in aging, and retirement.

A different consequence of the aging process is covered in

“Encyclopedia of Evolution.” With over 350 original articles by

scientists, biologists and ecologists (including authorities like

Stephen Jay Gould and Jane Goodall), Mark Pagel presents a two-volume

overview covering life forms, developmental and population biology,

social behavior, consciousness, evolution of disease and even art in

prehistory.

For those more interested in flora than fauna, Michael Dirr plants

botanic, cultural and landscaping details on over 400 species into

“Dirr’s Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates.” After earning acclaim

for “Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs,” the respected garden authority

digs out data about plants that thrive where winter temperatures

rarely dip below freezing in his newest illustrated encyclopedia.

Turning to people and what they’ve worn from the late nineteenth

century to the present, Ann T. Kellogg unveils designers who’ve

transformed contemporary dress in “In an Influential Fashion.” In 164

listings covering such trend-setters as Giorgio Armani, Christian

Dior, Gucci, Halston and even Frederick’s of Hollywood, find details

about those who have most influenced American fashion sense, and how

their concepts have reflected societal, political and economic

change.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

www.newportbeachlibrary.org.