Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Encyclopedia of Body Adornment, edited by Margo DeMello. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2007. 1 vol. 326 pp. ISBN 978-0-313-33695-9. $79.95.

Despite the disapproval of many teachers, employers and parents, the interest in and practice of body adornment and modification continues to grow. And while scholars in the social sciences and humanities have studied the topic over the last 20 years, this encyclopedia is among the first reference books to take a comprehensive look at body adornment and modification. The engaging preface and introduction provide some concise historical context, as well a as a framework for the volume which consists of 207 alphabetically arranged entries written in a style accessible to most high school students. The cross-references in bold type help readers make connections among topics; each entry concludes with a list of related subjects and often recommendations for further reading. The book examines historical and cross-cultural groups associated with body adornment and modification, presents background information on some central figures that have popularized the practice in contemporary society, and presents some of the major theoretical issues surrounding the laws, customs, and social movements that have influenced body modification and adornment. While the volume covers societies around the world, it emphasizes the North American individuals and groups involved with the practice. The interspersed photos and quotes add interest, while a simple perusal of the List of Entries and Guide to Related Topics at the beginning of the book will at once inspire a closer look and help teachers plan units and research assignments. The set concludes with a resource guide that includes magazines, organizations, Web sites and museums devoted to body modification, followed by an extensive bibliography. Highly recommended for high school and public libraries.
—Doug Achterman