Encyclopedia of Communication Theory by Stephen W. Littlejohn (Editor), Karen A. Foss (Editor)

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Littlejohn and Foss, who previously coauthored Theories of Human Communication (Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008), now in its ninth edition, among many other publications on the topic of communications, are eminently qualified to edit this highly useful encyclopedia. They have assembled an international editorial board and a group of contributors to present a broad spectrum of theory related to the study of human communications. Access points include an alphabetical list of entries, a reader's guide in which the entries are grouped into 17 themes, an A-to-Z list of theorists, a selected bibliography of major works by topic, and a chronology of major themes and developments in communication theory that extends from classical Greece and Rome through the present day, in addition, of course, to an extensive index at the end of the second volume. The articles each range in length from 1000 to 3000 words and include references to other entries within the encyclopedia as well as further readings on the topic, covering everything from theories, theorists, orientations to theory, and methodology. Topics in the selected bibliography mirror topics covered in articles and expand upon the further readings suggested at the end of each article. BOTTOM LINE The authors of the articles have minimized the use of jargon and taken pains to make their writing accessible not only to fellow scholars but also to undergraduates, making this encyclopedia equally suitable for large public as well as all academic libraries.—Sarah Sutton, Texas A&M Univ., Corpus Christi