Whenever you need to look something up it’s
natural to turn first to an encyclopedia. Now there is a
one-volume Encyclopedia
of New York State that spreads out the facts about
the Empire State across nearly 2,000 pages (it weighs almost
ten pounds) and grapples with the breadth and complexity
of the state, even as the preface grants that “New York State
resists tidy conceptualization.” There are over 4,000 entries,
from A&P to Zoroastrians. The book was under construction
for seven years and cost $2.8 million, with backing from
government and private sources. It is the work of over 1,200
contributors. The Encyclopedia has been distributed free
of charge to libraries and educational institutions across
the state.
Since
there is already an Encyclopedia
of New York City, published in 1995, the state
volume can concentrate on facts away from the place it
calls “a universe in itself”, including a long article
by Robert Pecorella on the upstate-downstate nexus. But
there are many references to as well to the Big Apple,
including a 5 1/3 page summary of the events of September
11th, 2001.
Many contributions deal with specific ethnic
groups (Armenians, Irish, Puerto Ricans…), social structures
(high society…), public policy (state aid to schools…) and
cultural institutions from museums to the film industry. Profiles
of individual towns may run to only 100 words but many are
longer; the capitol city of Albany receives four three-column
pages, Binghamton three pages, including a map.
The
editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia is Dr.
Peter Eisenstadt, a historian from Rochester. He will
join Bill
Jaker to tell of the work that went into the Encyclopedia
and respond to listeners’ questions about the book and
about New York State. (If we can’t answer right away,
we can look it up). To join in the program call during
the 1:00 PM broadcast to 1-888/359-9754, post a comment
HERE, or directly to WSKG.Radio@Gmail.com.
Listen to the program
now
in RealAudio© format
(requires free RealAudio© player)
On November
15, Jim Atwell visits OFF THE PAGE
to tell about his memoir From Fly Creek: Celebrating Life
in Leatherstocking Country.
Off the Page
