The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales /

This genuinely encyclopedic work covers people, places, things, events, politics, the economy, and more. Very fully illustrated, it features many full-color plates. Entries on people are limited to dead Welsh, although the volume refers to many living Welsh people within appropriate articles or in photographs. Some non-Welsh, e.g., George Borrow, have entries when their association with Wales is strong enough. One problem that confronted the editors is that many Welsh, especially literary figures, are better known by nicknames or bardic names. Entries are cited by what one might call baptismal names, but a very thorough index allows readers to track down individuals; e.g., those who do not remember the poet Hedd Wyn's real name will find a cross-reference to Evans, Ellis Humphrey. This first-rate encyclopedia offers superlative coverage of places, even very small places, when the compilers could offer at least a sentence about them. Nercwys in Flintshire has a population of 566 but gets four very informative sentences. Additionally, the range of places discussed is very impressive.All of the entries are authoritative, accurate, and written in a clear, concise style, sometimes with a touch of sly humor. The volume handles differing opinions on controversial topics judiciously. The roster is impressive, and the editors maintain a consistent house style throughout. A companion Welsh-language version of this encyclopedia is available, but all Welsh language terms have been translated in this edition. This reviewer's only slight criticism is the lack of any bibliographic references for further reading. The editors explain the lack of space and refer readers in their introduction to Gwilym Huws and D. H. E. Roberts's bibliography Wales (1991) and to the National Library of Wales online catalogs . Nonetheless, this reviewer missed the references, even while sympathizing with the decision. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. E. M. Slotkin University of Cincinnati