Ran Hse Ency.3ed

Except for a fair amount of updating and additional biographies, this third edition of the well-known Random House Encyclopedia remains the same as the 1983 second edition ( LJ 4/1/84). Changes are heaviest in articles on politically volatile areas such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Most of the revision is in the "Alphapedia" section (short alphabetically arranged entries) in the various country articles. There are three new "Colorpedia" (two-page topically arranged articles) entries: on the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and Canada. First published in 1977, the one-volume encyclopedia contains some three million words augmented by 13,500 illustrations, most in color. Its contemporary spirit and innovative use of visuals set the book apart from competing works, such as the new Cambridge Encyclopedia ( LJ 9/1/90) and the older New Columbia Encyclopedia ( LJ 7/75; it is currently being revised). However, its basic organization--"Colorpedia" and "Alphapedia"--makes the encyclopedia difficult to use for quick reference. Better for home than library.-Kenneth F. Kister, Tampa, Fla.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.