Ashley's+Reference+tool

__** Evaluation of Reference Tool: **__ ** Boylan, H. (1998). A Dictionary of Irish Biography. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan Ltd. ** ** Scope **  It is a 462 page dictionary of Irish Biography. It includes Biographies of deceased persons only so as to present the full picture of their life. It includes biographies not just of persons born in Ireland but also those who had an Irish parent, were of Irish descent, lived and worked in Ireland, or who made a considerable contribution to Irish affairs. Personalities from legend and half-history are omitted as are some Irish Saints whose recorded lives are mostly folklore. ** Quality of Content/ Accuracy of the content: **  As indicated by the included bibliography a wide variety of sources were consulted including many primary sources such as autobiographies, and newspapers. For this reason I will conclude that the Accuracy of the content is therefore excellent. The content is well laid out and easy to read. It includes many images of excellent quality. It is a good source of background information and provides an excellent overview for the beginning of a study to the life of any Irish personalities. ** Currency: **  As this was published in 1998 it does not include any biographies for Irish personalities who have since then died. However it is a relevant and accurate source for information about many of those involved in the 1916 rising. ** Authority of Author and/or Publisher: **  The Editor Henry Boylan is a graduate of Trinity College. He has worked for Radio Eireann and has been involved in Irish industry. He has also written four other books including a biography of Wolfe Tone. Considering his academic background and writing career he appears to have suitable experience to compile an accurate and relevant dictionary.  The Publisher Gill & Macmillan are a well-known long standing publisher of Irish academic material and therefore are of suitable authority. ** Ease of Use: **  The information is well laid out and easy to read. It is extremely easy to navigate. All the included images are of excellent quality. It includes a glossary of terms and abbreviations. ** Arrangement of Material: **  The notes, glossary of terms and abbreviations, and preface are first and the bibliography last. The dictionary itself is set out alphabetically. Each entry is than ordered chronologically. ** Appropriateness to the Audience: ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> Although the Dictionary includes much information not relevant to 1916 it provides great overviews of many important figures involved in the rising and information on people such as writers or poets who wrote about the event. It would be a great starting point for someone such as a tourist who is only beginning their study of the event. It also provides excellent information for further interests of other Irish history and culture. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Format: ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> It is a hard back print copy of the dictionary. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Cost: ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"> From Amazon new from $9.70 and used From $0.01.