REVIEW: Encyclopedia of American Public Policy

[Peter Milbury <pmilbury@CUSD.CHICO.K12.CA.US>]

Dear M_NET Colleages,

I am happy to be able to offer this review for a new reference book by a
Chico State University political science professor. Dr. Jackson has been
on our library advisory committee and has also given many excellent
presentations to our students.

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Encyclopedia of American Public Policy, by Byron M. Jackson. ABC-CLIO,
Santa Barbara, CA. 1999. 230p. $55.00 ISBN 1-57607-023-9.

        Mark Twain once said that the "trouble with the world is not that
people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so."
As most librarians know, this fact is revealed, and then fortunately
addressed, each and every day in the reference sections of America's
libraries. Good reference books are therefore one of the bulwarks against
misinformation and ignorance. A good reference book is an asset to the
library collection.
        The Encyclopedia of American Public Policy is a valuable
reference book for both  college and high school libraries. It serves as
a highly competent and authoritative resource that will answer a wide
variety of questions that are regularly asked by students studying
history, government, economics and other classes in the social sciences.
        The Encyclopedia of American Public Policy is more than just a
good reference book-- it is an invaluable new reference work that fills a
current gap in the reference section. There are several other reasons why
this is so. First and foremost is the depth and high quality of the
information. Next is the excellent, easily accessible organization of the
material, along with its readability. Also important is the very helpful
author's introduction, which provides a quick, easily understood overview
of both the book and the field of American public policy. Dr. Jackson's
extensive background in both research and teaching have surely
contributed to the several reasons why the work is so successful.
        Dr. Jackson did his doctoral research at the University of
California, Berkeley during a time (1969-74) when important public policy
shifts were occurring. He focused his research on police services in the
major metropolitan city of Oakland, California. This provided him with a
valuable, first-hand view of the relationship of a necessary and highly
visible government service to its citizens. This perspective on the
relationship of the government to its citizens is a vital, beneficial
component of this book. Each topic and area of focus is explained in a
manner which helps the user grasp not only the answer to the question at
hand, but also to gain a helpful understanding of the various functions
of public policy.
        Dr. Jackson's extensive teaching experience, spread over several
decades at California State University, Chico, has given him the
understanding of the information needs and intellectual development of
both the recent high school graduate as well as the college student.
Having taught undergraduates for much of his career has allowed him to
plan Encyclopedia of American Public Policy for a wide variety of
research and informational needs, including considerations for
readability by high school students.
        The design of the Encyclopedia of American Public Policy
accommodates the need for easy access and quick understanding of complex
issues. This is achieved by its sensible, practical organization of this
very broad, complex and changing field of study. It breaks that knowledge
and information into manageable, understandable chapters and brief
articles, each focusing on important events and legislation in the area
of public policy (e.g., agriculture, civil rights, communications, crime,
environment, labor, etc.)  There is extensive cross referencing and
documentation, which serves to both spark the imagination and lead the
reader into related areas of interest within and without the book.
                Both the librarian and the reader have much to gain from
using the Encyclopedia of American Public Policy. It can be used to
answer a particular question about American public policy, or browsed to
help one become acquainted with narrow or broad issues or interest areas
of this important field of study. It may also serve as a supplemental
text or readings for classes in the social sciences. The Encyclopedia of
American Public Policy is a welcome addition to the library's reference
collection, filling a gap that has existed far too long.

Reviewed by:

Peter Milbury                          pmilbury@cusd.chico.k12.ca.us

Librarian-Mentor Teacher      http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~pmilbury
American Memory Fellow:  Library Of Congress - National Digital Library
Chico High School, Chico, CA 95926     http://dewey.chs.chico.k12.ca.us
A National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School 530-891-3036
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