Review by Choice Review
Tong's bibliography joins several other recent titles on gypsies. It closely resembles Gabrielle Tyrnauer's Gypsies and the Holocaust: A Bibliography and Introductory Essay (2nd ed., 1991) in its passionate advocacy of political activism. Its geographic coverage is Eurocentric, since Tong perceives European scholars to be "more engaged" than most American ones. In range, it is akin to Pieter and Jeanne Hovens's Zigeuners, woonwagenbewoners en reizenden: ein bibliografie (Rijkswijk, 1982), which it updates. Tong's book is valuable for its inclusion of much current research not readily available elsewhere, its focus on English-language sources, and its coverage of some subjects often omitted from topical bibliographies, (e.g., bibliographies, autobiographies, and children's and adults' fiction). Its evaluative annotations, however, are highly problematic. Although many are erudite and make interesting connections between various authors, others are unfair and dismissive of solid and generally well-respected scholarship. An implicit antiacademic bias is often evident in Tong's description of works as "glib," "airless," "somewhat stuffy," or "jargon-laden," often quoting authors out of context. This sniping quality mars the work, limiting its value for novice researchers. It will be most useful to graduate students and faculty already familiar with the relevant literature. C. Hendershott; New School for Social Research
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
