Historical Dictionary of Benin

This title is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries country studies collections. It provides a one-volume reference book on this seldom-studied African nation. * American Reference Books Annual *
The fourth edition reflects the addition of coauthor Houngnikpo (National Defense Univ.) to a dictionary (3rd ed., 1995; 2nd ed., CH, Sep'88, 26-0017) previously written by Decalo (Univ. of Natal, Durban). This new edition evidences significant editorial changes, including new entries, along with the expansion of some entries and the omission of others. The foreword indicates that this fourth edition is the work of Houngnikpo, but that it "rests on the first three editions." It appears that the coauthors differ in their views of which people, places, and events are worthy of entries. For this reason, libraries that purchase the fourth edition might consider retaining at least the third edition as opposed to viewing this new edition as a replacement. This work is important from many standpoints, but being an English reference work on a Francophone country is probably its most outstanding characteristic. Former French colonies can be elusive to the English reader, and this volume supplies fine details about Benin. The extensive bibliography is also beneficial, even though a large portion is devoted to French works. Summing Up: Recommended. * CHOICE *