Latin America and the Caribbean: A Critical Guide to Research Sources

"This guide to the growing field of Latin American studies provides essays on research trends, lists over 6,000 reference sources, and identifies specialized collections in U.S. research libraries. Given its multidisciplinary focus and easy-to-use format, it will be of value to a variety of users, including not only students, librarians, and scholars in Latin American studies, but also those seeking important sources in areas beyond their specialization and non-Latin Americanists engaged in comparative studies. The book is divided into 15 chapters, beginning with a general bibliography of interdisciplinary sources, followed by chapters covering broad disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities, such as sociology and literature. Some chapters are divided into subfields (e.g. "Performing Arts" into "Dance" and "Theater"), regions ("Caribbean Literature"), or different time periods ("History"). Each chapter has an introductory essay highlighting the state of research within the discipline and its subfields, one or more sections listing reference sources for scholarly research, and a section describing relevant special collections, such as clipping files, primary-source material, and film resources. Almost all entries have annotations that are evaluative as well as descriptive, which should help users identify those works most useful in their fields of interest. Materials in Spanish and Portuguese are listed, but the majority of the works cited are in English. Generally, the scholarly essays are well written and well documented. The essay on the history of Brazil, for example, contains footnotes citing 250 books and articles. Author, title, and subject indexes complete the volume.One of the book's most interesting features is a chapter on databases, which will appeal to researchers seeking sophisticated access to the most current information. The chapter describes the five databases established in the past decade that are specifically tailored for Latin American studies, reports on the fledging electronic information industry in Latin America, and speculates on the impact of technology on Latin American scholarship. The book's 51 contributors come from a broad range of specialties and include bibliographers, curators, librarians, and faculty members. Editor Covington is Latin American and Iberian bibliographer at Vanderbilt University. Used with other specialized sources like the annual Handbook of Latin American Studies, this timely guide will provide improved access for those interested in this part of the world."-Booklist
"This excellent guide is highly recommended for all academic and public libraries with substantial Latin American collections."-ARBA
"One advantage of this guide is its subject-oriented approach. For students and scholars, a subject approach is preferred because it is easier to use. The book includes author, title, and subject indexes."-College & Research Libraries
." . . this outstanding reference source is edited by Vanderbuilt bibliographer Covington and written by 49 leading scholars and noted bibliographers. . . . Listing more than 6000 sources, this guide will be indispensable for students, librarians, and scholars of Latin America studies."-Library Journal
"This indispensable tool for the Latin Americanist or Caribbean scholar is well made and beautifully printed.... One particularly valuable element is the listing "Resources," under which heading important special collections are identified.... Essential for any strong Latin American or Caribbean reference collection."-Choice
?This excellent guide is highly recommended for all academic and public libraries with substantial Latin American collections.?-ARBA
?One advantage of this guide is its subject-oriented approach. For students and scholars, a subject approach is preferred because it is easier to use. The book includes author, title, and subject indexes.?-College & Research Libraries
?. . . this outstanding reference source is edited by Vanderbuilt bibliographer Covington and written by 49 leading scholars and noted bibliographers. . . . Listing more than 6000 sources, this guide will be indispensable for students, librarians, and scholars of Latin America studies.?-Library Journal
?This indispensable tool for the Latin Americanist or Caribbean scholar is well made and beautifully printed.... One particularly valuable element is the listing "Resources," under which heading important special collections are identified.... Essential for any strong Latin American or Caribbean reference collection.?-Choice
?This guide to the growing field of Latin American studies provides essays on research trends, lists over 6,000 reference sources, and identifies specialized collections in U.S. research libraries. Given its multidisciplinary focus and easy-to-use format, it will be of value to a variety of users, including not only students, librarians, and scholars in Latin American studies, but also those seeking important sources in areas beyond their specialization and non-Latin Americanists engaged in comparative studies. The book is divided into 15 chapters, beginning with a general bibliography of interdisciplinary sources, followed by chapters covering broad disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities, such as sociology and literature. Some chapters are divided into subfields (e.g. "Performing Arts" into "Dance" and "Theater"), regions ("Caribbean Literature"), or different time periods ("History"). Each chapter has an introductory essay highlighting the state of research within the discipline and its subfields, one or more sections listing reference sources for scholarly research, and a section describing relevant special collections, such as clipping files, primary-source material, and film resources. Almost all entries have annotations that are evaluative as well as descriptive, which should help users identify those works most useful in their fields of interest. Materials in Spanish and Portuguese are listed, but the majority of the works cited are in English. Generally, the scholarly essays are well written and well documented. The essay on the history of Brazil, for example, contains footnotes citing 250 books and articles. Author, title, and subject indexes complete the volume.One of the book's most interesting features is a chapter on databases, which will appeal to researchers seeking sophisticated access to the most current information. The chapter describes the five databases established in the past decade that are specifically tailored for Latin American studies, reports on the fledging electronic information industry in Latin America, and speculates on the impact of technology on Latin American scholarship. The book's 51 contributors come from a broad range of specialties and include bibliographers, curators, librarians, and faculty members. Editor Covington is Latin American and Iberian bibliographer at Vanderbilt University. Used with other specialized sources like the annual Handbook of Latin American Studies, this timely guide will provide improved access for those interested in this part of the world.?-Booklist
?This work will become the standard bibliographic tool for most students and researchers investigating topics related to Latin America and the Caribbean in the disciplines included. All libraries with patrons interested in the geographic areas covered will be well served by acquiring this masterful volume.?-Revista Interamericana de Bibliografica
"This work will become the standard bibliographic tool for most students and researchers investigating topics related to Latin America and the Caribbean in the disciplines included. All libraries with patrons interested in the geographic areas covered will be well served by acquiring this masterful volume."-Revista Interamericana de Bibliografica