Oxford University Press offers several kinds of world atlases. In decreasing order of cost and other features, the titles include: Oxford Atlas of the World, Oxford New Concise World Atlas, Oxford Essential World Atlas, and Oxford Pocket World Atlas. With Atlas of the World, the publisher successfully provides considerable detail on the world, with heavier focus on different parts of it each time-the "Images of Earth" section of the 22nd edition offers stunning satellite images of 17 cities including Washington, DC; Sydney, Australia; Calcutta/Kolkata, India; and, best of all, Naples, Italy, the photo of which clearly features Mount Vesuvius over the city. Rich investigations of the global issues reflected in the atlas are another staple of this series, this time offering a look at "The Future of the Oceans and Seas." Large color maps of continents, regions, countries, and cities are presented in groups by continent, with each section introduced by a full-spread satellite image of the continent in question. The New Concise World Atlas offers maps that are just as useful and well produced as those in the premier series of titles. There are fewer of them, and the trim size is smaller, but most libraries will do fine with what is provided. As in the larger work, the cartography is complemented by crisp satellite images, in this case of cities such as Rome; Jakarta; and Cairo (these are not the same places shown in this year's larger atlas). Missing is the expansive text that opens the larger atlas and is accompanied by relevant charts and graphs, but taking into consideration the price difference, smaller institutions will be willing to forego this analysis. VERDICT Larger libraries will do well to showcase this annual update of Atlas of the World; whereas smaller collections will be well served by the New Concise World Atlas. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Since the publication of the first one 13 years ago (CH, Apr'04, 41-4411), the Oxford concise edition has kept current with four subsequent editions. It is fascinating and informative to compare the original atlas to the more recent one. While many political shifts during this period are relatively small (i.e., simple name changes), it is interesting to note the cartographic representations of large-scale political changes, such as the recognition of Kosovo and South Sudan as nation states. The atlas also depicts recent developments, for example, in rapidly expanding transportation networks in Asia. As with previous editions, the new edition is much more than a collection of maps; the current configuration contains 142 pages of maps, 6 pages of useful statistical data, 34 pages of color satellite imagery, and a comprehensive 95-page gazetteer. As a mid-size atlas combining larger scale maps with a more manageable size, this volume represents a compromise between larger works like Oxford's Atlas of the World (CH, May'12, 49-4821) or their smaller Pocket World Atlas (sixth ed., 2008). It should be noted that due to map scale and the density of place-names in some areas, the colors used to indicate elevation (dark browns and purples) may be best read with the assistance of a hand lens. Libraries with recent, full-size atlases may not find this fifth edition a required purchase. However, it would be a solid choice for any library looking to update its reference holdings--and given its size and very reasonable price--makes an excellent addition to any circulating collection. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries. All levels. --Travis Dolence, Minnesota State University Moorhead