The Encyclopedia of New Jersey
- Book Review,
by Maxine N. Lurie (Editor)
From Booklist
Few entities have endured a negative reputation to the extent that the state of New Jersey has. Because of its association with toxic waste and organized crime, many neglect to give the state the regard that its early and recent history and accomplishments would warrant. Mappen, a former vice chairman of the Task Force on New Jersey History and executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, was inspired by the Encyclopedia of New York City (Yale Univ., 1995) to produce a similar work that would define and illuminate what New Jersey is. His coeditor, Lurie, is chair of the history department of Seton Hall University.In size and appearance, this volume closely resembles the Encyclopedia of New York City. According to the preface, it contains 2,900 entries written by more than 600 authors. Biographies of the contributors are given at the end of the volume. Among the areas covered are architecture, folklore, geography, literature, and transportation. The length and depth of the entries varies from a short paragraph to two-plus pages. All are signed, and many contain bibliographies, though much of the cited material would be difficult to obtain outside of the area. Although some of this information is likely to be duplicated in sources specific to single disciplines, there is nothing else that offers the expansive coverage of this state. Information on small geographic areas and minor political and historical figures might not easily be found anywhere else. The black-and-white illustrations enhance the text, as does the midvolume section of colored plates.The front matter begins with a list of donors who helped defray the cost of production and development, leaving this sizable volume with a bargain price. Certainly all New Jersey libraries would need to buy this work, as should most libraries in the Northeast. Academic and large public libraries everywhere should find it useful. Danise Hoover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Home News Tribune
A new book detailing all the little nuances and outright quirks of the Garden State is finally complete.
Town Topics (Princeton, NJ)
The Encyclopedia should please state freaks as well as random explorers. . . . This is truly an embarassment of riches.
Rutgers Focus
Although the book is big and comprehensive, it is quite readable.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
New Jersey has always had attitude. Now it has heft. . . . Covers everything you've ever wanted to know.
New York Times, NJ Section
Six and a half pounds of pure Jerseyana.
Book Description
The Encyclopedia of New Jersey is the most extensive reference work ever published on the Garden State. The Encyclopedia contains nearly 3,000 original articles, along with 585 illustrations and 130 maps, collecting a wealth of information about the state in one volume. The Encyclopedia is filled with fascinating and interesting entries ranging from New Jersey's earliest history to the present. For example-Did you know that New Jersey was once divided into two parts-East Jersey and West Jersey? That streptomycin was first isolated at Rutgers University? Or that the first vote cast by an African American under the Fifteenth Amendment was in Perth Amboy? How about that New Jersey was the site of the first intercollegiate football game? These facts, and thousands more, can be found in the pages of the Encyclopedia of New Jersey. This volume will provide the answers to questions about New Jersey that you never even knew you had! Whether you are merely perusing the pages or are researching a particular subject, the Encyclopedia of New Jersey is your definitive source for information on the Garden State, covering a broad range of subject areas, including: * Architecture, decorative arts, painting, and sculpture * Biographies * Business and economics * Communications and media * Education * Ethnicity * Folklore, museums, and theater * Geography * History * Government, law, politics, and public policy * Literature * Medicine and health * Municipalities and counties * Recreation and sports * Religion * Science and technology * Transportation * and many more subjects
From the Inside Flap
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Garden State can now be found in one place: the Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Nearly 3,000 original entries, along with 585 illustrations and 130 maps, catalog a wealth of information on the state from its earliest history to the present. Topics covered include architecture, arts and entertainment, biographies of famous New Jerseyans, business and industry, ethnic groups, geography, history, municipalities and counties, science and technology, sports and recreation, and much more. Every New Jersey county and town has its own entry. Native Americans and ethnic groups are explored, as are religious, political, historical, and cultural organizations. Comprehensive lists range from historic sites to hospitals, from nature centers to missile sites. You can find profiles of poets and painters, athletes and astronauts, governors and generals from. Historic triumphs like the Revolutionary War's Battle of Trenton and tragedies like the Hindenberg explosion are chronicled. Encyclopedia articles examine the role of past and present-day commerce, from glassmaking and mining to pharmaceuticals and high-tech industries. Roads and rivers, tunnels and bridges¾if they get you from here to there, you'll find them in this volume. The book charts demographic shifts, voter turnout, and suburban sprawl. Landmark legal cases, such as Megan's Law and the Mount Laurel decisions, are also covered. Readers will find entries on native plants and animals, water resources and soil types. And, of course, this is the place to find the state bird, insect, flag, flower, seal, and tree, just in case you need a refresher. Overseen by an editorial board composed of distinguished experts in a variety of fields and edited by two leading specialists in New Jersey history, the Encyclopedia of New Jersey is an indispensable resource for both the scholar and the general reader. Anyone interested in the history, culture, and diverse life of New Jersey should own this book. It is the most definitive reference work ever published on the state.
About the Author
Maxine N. Lurie is an associate professor and chair of the history department at Seton Hall University. She is the editor of A New Jersey Anthology. Marc Mappen is the executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission and author of Jerseyana: The Underside of New Jersey History.
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