The two volumes of this new encyclopedia contain over five hundred self-contained essays, each between 1000 and 3000 words, covering a very wide range of topics. They have been written by some three hundred specialists from 34 countries (including several from New Zealand) who were invited to write for readers with no specialist knowledge of the subject by the reader, and without going into considerable theoretical detail. The essays are all very clearly written, and each provides a succinct introduction to the subject. In all cases, suggestions for further reading are provided, as are cross-references to related topics elsewhere in the encyclopedia.