American Military History: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources, 2nd Edition

(Hardback, 2nd Revised edition)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

In this companion volume to his 1995 bibliography of the same title, Daniel Blewett continues his foray into the vast literature of military studies. As did its predecessor, it covers land, air, and naval forces, primarily but not exclusively from a U.S. perspective, with the welcome emergence of small wars from publishing obscurity. In addition to identifying relevant organizations and associations, Blewett has gathered together the very best in chronologies, bibliographies, biographical dictionaries, indexes, journals abstracts, glossaries, and encyclopedias, each accompanied by a brief descriptive annotation. This work remains a pertinent addition to the general reference collections of public and academic libraries as well as special libraries, government documents collections, military and intelligence agency libraries, and historical societies and museums.

Reviews

Reference librarian Blewett (DuPage Coll.) compiles a valuable bibliography of American military reference guides, focusing not on subject-specific books, military biographies, and subject monographs, but on general resources like almanacs, chronologies, and encyclopedias. The bibliographic listings are extremely practical for researchers, as are the single-paragraph exegeses, which permit rapid culling of irrelevant material. Bibliographic information is divided into 23 thematically focused, chronologically organized chapters.' * Library Journal *
Bearing the same title as the earlier work and also arranged largely chronologically by war and postwar interregnums, the volume's stated emphasis is on the numerous materials appearing since it last went to print. But since it includes many essential earlier items as well, libraries may choose to purchase this edition, which is appreciably longer, as a competent stand-alone volume. Annotations to the sources, while generally brief, are considerable in number. The text is basic, often evaluative as well as descriptive. It addresses best the needs of beginning researchers at the undergraduate level, although others can use this book profitably. * Choice *
Blewett (reference librarian, College of DuPage) offers a second edition of his extensive reference on American military history, primarily from a U.S. perspective. In addition to general reference sources, the author also provides specific sources for major American military engagements and activities, from the Colonial period and the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War and the Post-Cold War era. Sources also are provided for a range of related topics, such as arms control and disarmament and terrorism. The references listed include bibliographies, chronologies, biographical dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and journals. * Reference & Research Book News *
Overall, this work is simply superb and is highly recommended, especially for libraries with large military affairs collections. * ARBA *
a very good source for American military researchRecommended for all libraries. * Reference & User Services Quarterly *

Author Bio

Daniel K. Blewett is a Reference Librarian at the College of DuPage Library, Glen Ellyn IL.