Though mainly devoted to political history, this two-volume encyclopedia also contains some entries on artists, musicians, theater, education, women's issues, and writers. Cook (history, Loyola U., New Orleans) was the chief editor for signed entries by 286 scholars except for a curator and two specialists, all are academics from 30 countries. Much of the volumes is devoted to events and personalities in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The entries on individual countries are particularly extensive, with overviews of post-1945 history, entries on significant events, political groups, the economy, religion, and arts. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less