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American Reference Books Annual 2004
Reference Reviews (UK), October 2003
Reference Reviews, October 2003
Lawrence Looks at Books, April 2003

Review from: American Reference Books Annual 2004 

In an era dominated by an emphasis on computer products, H. W. Wilson has introduced a new print annual focusing on people "making history and headlines outside the U.S." (only two persons from the United States are listed). In style, approach, and appearance this product is an extension of the more than 60-year-old H. W. Wilson title Current Biography. It is to be issued each January, with approximately 200 profiles ranging from 2 to 6 pages. Details of the individual's life and career are provided, along with quotations and notes from journalists and those who know the person. A short bibliography concludes each entry. Usually a photograph is included….

Indexing is by name entry, and separately by profession category. Oddly, no index by country is included; the "List of Biographical Sketches" as part of the front matter usually lists the country with which the person is associated, but sometimes only lists the organization. An analysis of the countries listed by this reviewer (and a check of the entries for those listed by organization) shows that 69 countries are represented. The following 8 countries had more than 5 entries each: Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom had the most entries, with 16 in total….

Quoting H. W. Wilson literature, the entries are written in a "lively, entertaining style" (entries are written by staff writers whose initials appear at the end of entries). Entries are both useful for reference, as well as being rich in various details, and are presented in an easy-to-read style. Each profile has been "written specifically" for this new product, so none have previously appeared in Current Biography. Listings are for living persons. At $115 this title costs no more than many large monographic reference titles, and provides access to information not easily found elsewhere. Should locations that already subscribe to Current Biography purchase this new title? Clearly the International volume greatly expands the world scope of the original set. No other product provides the level of detail for such a range of personalities; many cover similar territory, but in significantly abbreviated formats. This resource is highly recommended for large and small academic and public libraries.

Review from: Reference Reviews (UK), Volume 17(7), October 2003

The well-known firm of H.W. Wilson has for many years published the annual Current Biography (to be reviewed in the next issue of Reference Reviews) which is now complemented by the first issue of a companion series that will include people living outside the U.S.A., thus allowing the original to concentrate on American personalities. Although it is not stated in so many words, the series appears to differ from most other biographical compilations in featuring new subjects every year, rather than repeating the same entries with updates. This system permits much longer entries than are usual: the 200 subjects in this volume enjoy an average of 2,500 words each, the shortest entries being of 1,500 words, the longest of 9,000. Each entry has a photograph (though Subcomandante Marcos of the Zapatistas feels it prudent to pose in a balaclava), and, where possible, a reading list of books or articles extending, in appropriate cases, to films or records.

The entries appear to have been largely compiled from newspaper or magazine articles or their online equivalents. Very occasionally the subject has been contacted directly by the editors for further information. This method appears generally reliable, but poses problems when the sources disagree, in which case the editors sometimes resort to quoting more than one version. An extreme example is that of King Jong I, where a straightforward, but unverified account from Western sources is accompanied by the official one from North Korea, in which the birth is attended by miracles. The American editors occasionally betray unfamiliarity with the culture of other countries. Thus Denis Skinner MIP is described as "a liberal" (which they consider synonymous with "a socialist") and the Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata "might transfer to the Manchester Arsenal" (sic.).

The selection of subjects is impressive. They are in general chosen for having made news in the year in question, though on that basis it is difficult to justify the inclusion of Cardinal Cahal Daly, who retired in 1996. While many of the biographees might be unfamiliar to readers in the UK, they do all appear to be important, or interesting, or in many cases, both. As examples of the important people, one might note Yasir Arafat, Robert Mugabe and Vladimir Putin. The interesting people include Shazia Mizra, "the only female Muslim comedian in Great Britain;" A-Mei, "the Madonna of the Chinese world," of whose records 40 pirated copies are sold for every genuine one; and Jukka Ammodt, a Finnish professor who sings translations of Elvis Presley's songs in Latin and Sumerian.

While an index by professions reveals that the major categories in the book cover politicians, business executives, writers, actors and film-makers, along the way one might encounter a surfer, a Sumo wrestler, two cult leaders and a thereminist (look it up). There is also a general alphabetical index that looks as if it will cumulate as the series progresses. This new publication will be a valuable supplement to the reference collections of libraries that can afford to add it to their subscription lists.

Reviewed by K.C. Fraser, Formerly Senior Assistant Librarian, St. Andrews University Library, UK

Review from: Reference Reviews, October 2003

A new entry in the H.W. Wilson line, this volume focuses exclusively on people in the international arena. As with the other Wilson Yearbooks, the 200 biographies average about 2,500 words in length, have photographs of the people being described, statistics, observations of journalists and a bibliography. Persons are also classified by profession. A tried-and-true format, it allows a broad view of the world that was not possible in its companion, Current Biography. It will be of interest in your reference collection for high school teachers who focus on current events.

Review from: Lawrence Looks at Books, April 2003

Building on the success of the long-running Current Biography Yearbook, H. W. Wilson has introduced a new annual focusing on newsmakers outside of the United States. In a fashion similar to the original, Current Biography International Yearbook details the lives of 200 celebrities from all walks of life. Activists, artists, businessmen, conservationists, writers, musicians, athletes and scientists are surveyed. Activist Vandana Shiva, Canon President Fujio Mitarai, actress Emmanuelle Béart, author Gabriel García Márquez, explorer Sir Edmund Hillary and Australian runner Cathy Freeman are among those featured. This inaugural guide is particularly strong on political biographies, with sketches of Yasir Arafat, Queen Elizabeth II, Paul Kagame, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Vladimir Putin, Ariel Sharon and Desmond Tutu. The entries provide pronunciation guides for the individual's name, mailing addresses, detailed biographies that are often based on interviews or published writings, and suggested readings. This new guide matches the quality of the original in every way and will increase the depth of biographical collections.

How does the new companion volume affect the content of the original Current Biography Yearbook? Well, this year's edition is perhaps a little less cosmopolitan -- fewer than 10 percent of the entries feature foreign nationals. Some, like film director Peter Jackson, Japanese slugger Ichiro Suzuki, opera singer Olga Borodina, and tennis stars Anna Kournikova and Lleyton Hewitt, have enjoyed some success in the United States. Others, like the newly elected President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai and Nobel Prize-winning writer José Saramago, are enjoying particular prominence of late. As usual, the 205 entries feature a pleasantly surprising mix of newcomers and established figures. For instance, the selection includes Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Rodham Clinton, David Letterman, "Dr. Phil" McGraw, George Lucas and Tom Brokaw, as well as anthropologists Sherry Ortner and Olga Soffa and musical groups Creed and Fugazi. Ann Landers, Alan Lomax, Rosemary Clooney, Lionel Hampton and Billy Wilder are among the 136 obituaries noted this year. Although the pictures are occasionally muddied, Current Biography Yearbook remains an excellent resource for finding substantial biographies of prominent people.