Encyclopedia of the Incas /

Among recent works in Inca studies, there is nothing quite comparable to this reference work designed for the curious to follow cross-references and seek out both the classic and current sources mentioned in bibliographies accompanying each of its 130-plus brief topical and biographical entries. Editors Urton (Harvard Univ.) and von Hagen (Museo Leymebamba, Peru) contribute about half of the entries, while the remainder are by 33 specialists in disciplines spanning archaeology, anthropology, ethnohistory, art, architecture, materials science, linguistics, history, bioanthropology, ethnomusicology, and museology. Illustrations are limited to line drawings and black-and-white photo reproductions, but some, unfortunately, are muddy. Those in search of color or rich grey scale images may be better served by The Incas, by Craig Morris and Adriana von Hagen (CH, Dec'11, 49-2247). Similar content can also be found in some contributors' other works, for example, Terence D'Altroy's original The Incas (CH, Nov'02, 40-1746) and a new revised edition (2014), from which his list of labor service from Chupachu is reproduced in the volume under review. For those with more background in the subject, new specialist treatments include The Inka Empire: A Multidisciplinary Approach, ed. by Izumi Shimada (CH, Aug'15, 52-6551). The Rowman and Littlefield encyclopedia is well structured for its purpose, however, with a table of contents of entries arranged A-Z, another divided into historic personages and thematic topics, and a list of contributors with affiliations. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All libraries. All levels. --Kathryn Cleland-Sipfle, Southern Oregon University