Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2017 -

This unique reference tool by Pfitzinger (Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse) consists entirely of an alphabetical list of more than 17,300 composers' teachers and notable students, giving dates and country of origin (and for some, primary countries of association). The entry for American composer John Knowles Paine (1839-1906), for example, lists three teachers and 16 students; one can readily discover here that his teachers were German and his students mostly American--some of whom achieved modest renown. Other composers' entries show more teachers and, in many cases, dozens more students; those for Aaron Copland and Howard Hanson feature extensive listings of students. These social network and genealogical connections are important insofar as they trace the special influence composers can have on their students through time. Coverage is limited to composers of classical works (or in some cases, stretching the definition to include "cross-over" composers such as Herbie Hancock). Some known primarily for their stature in performance rather than composition also appear in these pages. The internationally known Austrian pianist Artur Schnabel (1884-1951), for instance, is shown to have had two teachers and no fewer than 20 students in composition, some of whom were also performers. An essential addition for all libraries maintaining comprehensive music collections.Summing Up: Essential. Undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers.

The subtitle of this book perfectly encapsulates its nature as a useful guide to fonts as a key facet within the study of typography. Seddon (a UK-based designer) uses color--in the visual table of contents and the chapters themselves--to make navigation easy. Bringing his own freelance and art-direction experience to the book, the author covers the anatomy of type, terminology, and fundamental typefaces, carefully distilling the information to assure a go-to handbook unencumbered by excess. Be they students or practitioners, readers will find the book easy to use. Jim Krause's Lessons in Typography: Must-Know Typographic Principles Presented through Lessons, Exercises, and Examples (2016) and Ellen Lupton's Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students (2004) are equally useful, but they are more textbook than reference resource. Those seeking to master typography will find Seddon's book invaluable.Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduates, including students in technical programs; professionals.

This detailed historical account of the Oxford English Dictionary is written by a long-time OED staff member and lexicographer who made extensive use of the holdings of the Oxford University Press archives as well as other archival and library holdings at Oxford and elsewhere in the world. The result is an encyclopedic treatment not only of the project's history and the lives and careers of its editors but also of the compositorial methodology involved in putting such an enormous product together--from the earliest slips of definitions on paper contributed by readers of early English texts to the modern mining of online resources, Twitter included. The volume includes many photographs of staff and locations, reproductions of the slips, edited page proofs, and other items illustrating the process of editorial work and printing. The volume explains editorial policies and shows the lengths to which the editors often went in seeking information on specific words, writing to people such as Alfred Lord Tennyson or the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, to elucidate something. The information in this volume, much of it gleaned through careful analysis of written correspondence and annotations on the primary archival material, makes this history definitive.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.

This exceptional collection contains 125 long-form articles featuring topics on Luther's life, theology, historical and philosophical context, and his influence around the world. Seven entries deal with Luther in Europe, but only one treats North America, and another singleton Latin America. Editors Nelson (Wabash College) and Hinlicky (Roanoke College) have assembled contributors who provide a range of expected articles, and also some that address less-expected themes: "Bonhoeffer, Luther, and Political Theologies," "Luther in Marx," "Magic and the Occult," "Body, Desire, and Sexuality." Articles are listed alphabetically, and a topical outline is included. The authors were drawn from an array of academic disciplines and represent both young and established scholars. The scholarship is first-rate.

In a much-expanded update to the first edition of The Typographic Desk Reference (CH, Nov'09, 47-1189), graphic designer Rosendorf has compiled research on the tools and machines used in 500 years of typographic history. Typographer Erik Spiekermann notes in the foreword that "a renewed interest in all things handmade" makes this research ever more relevant. The book concisely defines and illustrates terms used in typography, glyphs from Latin-based languages around the world, and the terminology for type layout. Fonts are classified and displayed with informative, concise descriptions and history. Rosendorf says his book is meant to be browsed. Curiosities, such as the history of the font used in Barack Obama's campaign, the "operational signs" used by proofreaders, and the glyphs used by the International Phonetic Association, make it an interesting excursion. Wide margins, clear black-and-white figures, and a fine, durable Arrestox Gunny Sak binding make it beautiful. The book also features an expansive index. While Typography Referenced: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to the Language, History, and Practice of Typography (CH, Aug'12, 49-6614) and The Complete Manual of Typography: A Guide to Setting Perfect Type (CH, Jan'12, 49-2404) serve other purposes in the study of typography, this is another fine addition to any reference collection on the written word.Summing Up: Essential. All readership levels.