History of the World Map by Map. DK. Oct. 2018. 440p. ed. by DK Eds. illus. maps. index. ISBN 9781465475855. $50. HIST
This accessible, comprehensive reference tells the story of world history, up to the present, through more than 140 full-color maps. Using the Smithsonian’s world-renowned resources, the volume provides meticulous detail on everything from the first human migrations out of Africa to the definitive battles of World War II to the Iran and Gulf Wars. The maps contain panels of descriptive text and graphics that highlight key figures. Color photographs and images offer context. A time-line section succinctly summarizes the contents of the maps. Readers will emerge with an understanding that a country’s history is shaped as much by its geography as its population.
VERDICT For anyone interested in world history.—Gary Medina, El Camino Coll., Torrance, CA

King, Ian. Appetite for Definition: An A–Z Guide to Rock Genres. Harper. Nov. 2018. 528p. notes. bibliog. ISBN 9780062688880. pap. $15.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062688897. MUSIC
Fans of rock music who engage in long conversations about the relative merits of bands may find this slim volume from rock journalist King the resource they didn’t know they needed. Each of the genre entries begins with a brief description of the origins and history of the music type. Short lists such as “pioneer tracks,” “other key players,” and “crossover tracks” provide eager readers with a music finding aid, listing key tracks in each genre, the names of other important rock acts, and relevant songs from other music styles.
VERDICT Recommended to all interested in the history of rock music, those looking for new music recommendations, and anyone who wants to improve their rock and roll vocabulary.—Todd Spires, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, IL

Money in American Politics. ABC-CLIO. Jun. 2018. 398p. ed. by David Schultz. index. ISBN 9781440851766. $94; ebk. ISBN 9781440851773. POL SCI
Editor Schultz (Univ. of Minnesota Law Sch.; political science, Hamline Univ.) addresses the central role of money in U.S. politics. In the preface, he writes that many see money as a corrupting tool of leverage by special interests while others perceive it as a form of free speech in need of constitutional protection. This book debates those divergent perspectives and provides answers to two core questions: Does money influence the legislative process? Are the United States’ patterns of wealth distribution beneficial for the nation’s democracy? With contributors who include academics, attorneys, researchers, and students of law, political science, and public administration and policy, the work consists of a chronology, general index, and 155 entries. The articles on Federal Contribution Limits, Political Action Committees, and State Legislative Races also contain figures and tables. The primary focus is on court cases, individuals, groups, organizations, and events since the 1972 presidential election and the Watergate break-in. According to Schultz, that is when campaign donations, legislation, and litigation began shaping the effect of money.
VERDICT General readers will find this a fair-minded, clear, and informative foundation for examining the influence of money on the legislative process.—Rob Tench, Old Dominion Univ. Libs., Norfolk, VA

Ramge, Thomas & Jan Schwochow. The Global Economy as You’ve Never Seen It: 99 Ingenious Infographics That Put It All Together. Experiment. Oct. 2018. 216p. maps. index. ISBN 35. ECON
Journalist Ramge (the Economist) and graphic designer Schwochow (founder, CEO, Infographics Group; Understanding Germany) have produced an incredible, atlas-like work on a topic many find daunting. Using infographics to outstanding effect, they explore the global economy and discuss how economics connect everyone around the globe. The volume is divided into seven sections: “The Individual,” “The Company,” “The National Economy,” “The Global Economy,” “Theory,” “Environment & Resources,” and “The Future.” Almost 100 vibrant visuals on 49 topics are accompanied by accurate text. The section on the future is especially compelling, covering megatrends, innovation, digitization, automation, and more. The appendix of websites, organizations, reports, bureaus, and other sources the creators used for their data is meticulous. The comprehensive index is more helpful than most for finding terms and topics in the richly detailed contents.
VERDICT Patrons of all levels, particularly students doing reports, could spend hours browsing this superb title. —Rob Tench, Old Dominion Univ. Libs., Norfolk, VA

Shaping North America: From Exploration to the American Revolution. 3 vols. ABC-CLIO. Aug. 2018. 1150p. ed. by James E. Seelye & Shawn Selby. illus. index. ISBN 9781440836688. $309; ebk. ISBN 9781440836695. HIST
Seelye (history, Kent State at Stark; coeditor, Voices of the American Indian Experience) and Selby (history, Kent State at Stark) have compiled 300 articles by 56 contributors describing North American history from 1492 to 1789. The signed entries discuss events, people, social ­conditions, and institutions (slavery, the Sons of Liberty, the Declaration of Independence) in sufficient detail for undergraduate majors and nonmajors to begin research on a variety of topics. Entries end with further reading, and some offer relevant primary documents. Although the writing is not elegant, it is clear and direct. All three volumes contain an alphabetical list of all entries and a list of entries grouped by 11 broad topics to facilitate further exploration. Volume 1 further includes a chronology and an introduction that gives an overview of the period. A separate listing of primary documents would be of great interest, and some may wish that the publisher had featured the index in all volumes. The sparse illustrations add little. However, such minor deficiencies do not detract from the overall value of the work.
VERDICT Highly recommended for undergraduate and general adult audiences.—Rosanne Cordell, formerly of Northern Illinois Univ., DeKalb