Encyclopedia of air /

Newton's serious work on an evanescent subject considers air from a wide variety of disciplines and perspectives. The author (recognized as an educator and writer of science and social science literature for school- and college-age students as well as for general readers) states in the introduction that air "is much too broad and varied to be covered in a single volume" and that his intention is merely to "provide a general introduction to many important themes related to air." The entries are clearly written and include occasional tables and black-and-white photographs. Entries discuss the science of air (biology, chemistry, meteorology, physics), its technology (air bag, airbrush, air conditioner), and even its social, mythological, and cultural aspects. Newton also includes biographical entries and descriptions of related organizations and associations. "Guide to Selected Topics" categorizes main entries for a quick view of the contents. Students seeking introductory information about a research topic will find the readings at the end of each entry a good stepping-stone. The volume concludes with a bibliography of the readings and a good index. Useful and entertaining. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Secondary and undergraduate readers. C. Hebblethwaite SUNY Oswego

A worthy complement to its two companions-- Encyclopedia of Water 0 RBB S 15 03 and Encyclopedia of Fire0 (Oryx, 2002)--this work continues to blend factual and whimsical information about its subject. With his usual offbeat touch, Newton includes a list of musical references to air and a selection of aphorisms and sayings involving air along with the fundamental information about air. More than 160 alphabetically arranged entries cover the science of air as well as related chemical and biological science and scientific concepts; devices such as air bags, wind tunnels, and zeppelins; mythology; recreation; and transportation. Biographical entries cover such individuals as Archimedes, Robert Boyle, and Amelia Earhart. Most entries have short bibliographies that include Web sites, and there is a general bibliography before the index. The index facilitates specific searching, but this is also a wonderful browsing book. There is a smattering of black-and-white images. The thematic "Guide to Selected Topics," which precedes the entries, offers a snapshot of the diversity of content, which is also demonstrated by adjoining entries: Airbrush0 followed by Air cavalry;0 Clear the Air0 (a national education program) and Coriolis, Gaspard Gustave 0 (a mathematician whose theory explaining curved paths is applied to air and ocean currents); and National Wind Technology Cen0 ter and Nitrogen.0 One criticism is that the book is much shorter than its companion titles but also more costly. Nevertheless, high-school, public, and academic libraries will find it a useful addition, especially if they have acquired the volumes on water and fire. -- RBB Copyright 2004 Booklist