Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

An encyclopedic guide to all aspects of the American theatre from its earliest history to the present, with over 2,300 cross-referenced entries on people, venues, plays, and other theatrical phenomena. There are over 100 topical entries covering theatre in several major US cities and such disparate subjects as African-American, Asian and Hispanic theatre, theatre architecture, scenic design, gay and lesbian theatre, magic, unions, puppetry, and alternative, popular forms (such as circus, vaudeville, burlesque, tent shows). Arranged alphabetically, the entries help to redefine the domain of the American theatre. The Guide is supplemented with an extensive bibliography and biographical index, the latter covering over 3,000 individual entries. This revised edition, building on the work of over 80 expert contributors and including numerous corrections, updates and over 40 new entries reinforces its reputation as the most up-to-date guide to American theatre available.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction
• 1 Policing in a multicultural society
• 2 Discrimination and police work
• 3 Strategies for change
• 4 Re-examining police culture
• 5 Police and minorities in New South Wales
• 6 Under new management
• 7 The Ethnic Affairs Policy Statement: the paper chase
• 8 Cop it Sweet: reform by media
• 9 Processes and outcomes of change
• 10 Changing police culture

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

This basic reference work begins with a historical introduction keyed to the guide's entries, then offers brief, alphabetically arranged essays on American theatrical figures--actors, playwrights, producers, directors, designers--as well as plays and major theaters from the art form's origins in Native American rituals to the present. In addition, more than 90 topical entries cover theatrical development in significant cities, ethnic and feminist theater, the history of theatrical nudity, stock companies, and vaudeville. A healthy bibliography and biographical index add to the volume's usefulness for the student and researcher. Wonderfully compact, well written, and generously illustrated, this is recommended for most libraries.-- Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

This second edition, edited by Wilmeth (emer., Brown Univ.), builds on the first (CH, Jun'93, 30-5324), ed. by Wilmeth and T. L. Miller, and improves it somewhat. Adding 340 main entries and 200 biographical index entries, the guide focuses more on contemporary theater than the earlier edition did, with over 200 additional pages, although it deletes 52 entries (listed in the front matter) and reduces the number of illustrations. Sadly, space limitations also forced the omission of resources previously listed at the end of many entries. However, the volume does include a bibliography (none of the resources listed in the first edition recur), and the entire book is cross-referenced. This work features 109 contributors and more than 2,700 signed entries that try to cover American theater as broadly as possible in a single volume. Entries discuss individuals, shows, venues, organizations, places, and concepts (almost 100 longer "topical entries" ranging from fires, medicine shows, and Off-Broadway to Hispanic theater, summer stock, and censorship; also listed in the front matter). A 46-page history of American theater, more than double that of the first edition, provides a well-grounded starting point for interested researchers or fans. Well written and concise, this work will be useful for all collections. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. C. S. Dunham Fairfield University

Booklist Review

Following in the tradition of the Cambridge Guide to World Theatre (1989), this work offers a "comprehensive view of the history and present practice of the theatre in the United States" that is appropriate for scholars, students, and general readers. Coverage is current through early 1992. The editors, university professors of theater, have made a special effort to cover contemporary theater. The nucleus for this book was the U.S. entries from the Cambridge Guide to World Theatre, which were revised and updated. The editors have attempted to view American theater in the broadest possible terms, and to this end they include such topics as circus, magic, vaudeville, burlesque, and folk festivals. There are also entries on the theater of often-neglected groups, such as gay and lesbian, African American, Asian American, Chicano, and Yiddish. Also included are entries on theater in various U.S. cities and such topical entries as Children's Theatre, Frontier Theatre, Mime/Pantomime, Scenic Design, and Shakespeare in the American Theatre. A 20-page survey article on the history of American theater is very helpful, as are the extensive bibliography and the biographical index giving brief information about 3,000 individuals mentioned only within other entries. The alphabetically arranged entries on individuals, theater companies, theaters, and individual plays are long enough to adequately cover the topics. Many entries have suggestions for further reading at the end. Entries are signed with the initials of the contributor; these 80 experts are listed in the book. About 170 black-and-white illustrations add greatly to the portrayal of the world of American theater. This guide is an excellent resource and will be welcome in all types of libraries. Librarians who enjoy using the Cambridge Guide to World Theatre can order this work with confidence. It is an excellent update to The Oxford Companion to American Theatre by Gerald Bordman (Oxford, 1984) and a fine work in its own right. (Reviewed Oct. 15, 1993)