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Reference Reviews
Lawrence Looks at Books
Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity and Society, edited by Richard T. Schaefer. 3 vols. 1,622p.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Reference, 2008. 978-1-4129-2694-2; 2007-42741. $495.
This new encyclopedia explores the sociology of race, ethnic identity and race relations in the United States. Where the latter was once presented as a two-dimensional conflict between black and white, the editors of this tool embrace a multicultural approach that encourages the recognition of the contributions of distinct racial, ethnic and cultural traditions. Hence, a large number of the nearly 600 entries in this encyclopedia focus on the historical experiences of various immigrant groups, from the early European and African settlers to the latest Thai, Ukrainian or Iraqi newcomers. Additional articles feature specific Native American peoples from all regions of the continent. However, the bulk of the essays examine issues of historical importance in American race relations, from broken Indian treaties and Jim Crow to white flight and border patrols. Discrimination, prejudice, social stratification, immigration law, and ethnic conflict are just a few of the themes explored. So too are differences between ethnic groups in health, education and economic situation. Cross-cultural comparisons to the American experience are provided in essays on ethnic makeup of dozens of countries as well as transnational minority groups. Other essays describe the theories and concepts used by sociologists to explain and study social phenomena. This scholarly aspect is supported by selected biographical entries that focus not so much on the lives but the written work of those who have contributed to the understanding of race relations in America. Supplemental materials include current and historical population statistics as well as selected population projections. A brief appendix notes internet resources for ethnic and migration studies. The detailed index breaks out not only related entries but also the outline of topics covered in each entry. As an introductory guide to issues of ethnic identity in the United States, this set is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.
—John R.M. Lawrence