Following his successful British Birthplaces (RR 97/449), A.J. Mullay has produced a similar work for the USA. The full subtitle is a “Who was born where” listing of American cities and towns where the famous were born, state by state. From Alabama and Alaska to Wyoming, with Washington DC following the state sequence, we have constituent towns and cities listed, alphabetically, with a sub‐arrangement of their famous sons and daughters (again alphabetically). Among the famous born in North Carolina, we start with Asheville and Kenneth NOLAND (Abstract artist, 1924‐) and Thomas Clayton WOLFE (Novelist, author of Look Homeward, Angel, 1900‐38), and end with the town Winston Salem which can boast Kathryn GRAYSON [b.Zelma Kathryn Hedrick] (Actor and singer, 1922‐) and Pamela GRIER (Film actor, 1949‐). Other North Carolina notables are evangelist Billy Graham (born in Charlotte), actress Ava Gardner (Grabton), story writer O.Henry and interviewer Ed Murrow (Greensboro), politician Jessie Jackson (Greenville), and singer Nina Simone (Tryon).
The majority of the names are unknown to me, but they include an architect of commercial buildings, a children’s author, the first black senator, jazz saxophonist, biochemist, stock‐car racing champion, playwright, bishop and civil war commander, first English colonist born on American soil (in 1587), a Cherokee leader, and minicomputer designer. Brief details are given sufficient to identify the person. A wide range of occupations are covered. “Famous” is not defined though “subjects have been included if they are listed in any one of four major biographical dictionaries, provided their birthplace is given, and is not subject to query”. These biographical dictionaries are not listed despite the fact that we are instructed that further information “should be obtained from dedicated biographical dictionaries.” Choice of precise place name can be a problem in geographical works, but there is a modicum of references; thus “Detroit see also Highland Park” (Bill Haley). There is a place‐name index and a personal name index. We are not told how many people and places are listed, but I estimate 4,500 and 2,240 respectively. These are impressive figures.
Mullay’s earlier book, British Birthplaces, was criticised for overreliance on an alphabetical sequence of places when the definition of “place” was unclear. By arranging places within states, this criticism has been forstalled. It was also criticised for not putting surnames in capitals or bold type when used as the filing term, yet “hidden” within the full name. This has also been cured by the use of capitals. How nice that Reference Reviews is so influential!
The physical product is user‐friendly with clear layout and a good‐sized print size. The binding may not survive heavy use but is probably adequate. Unlike the Index to Birthplaces of American Authors (1979), this book is not restricted to authors and Mullay and his team of helpers are to be commended on notable achievement. It is excellent value for money.
