Woodbridge, Hensley C. Guide to Reference Works for the Study of the Spanish Language and Literature and Spanish American Literature. 2nd ed. New York: MLA, 1997. 236 pp. Z2695.A2 W66 [PC4071] 016.46.

A selective, annotated bibliography of reference works essential in the study of Spanish language and literature in Europe and the western hemisphere. Woodbridge emphasizes works published between 1950 and c. 1996, gives preference to annotated bibliographies, and includes works devoted to a single author. The 1,230 entries are organized in five extensively classified (and variously organized) divisions: general bibliographies, Spanish of Spain, American Spanish, Spanish literature of Europe, and Spanish literature of the western hemisphere. The brief annotations are largely descriptive, although some offer evaluative comments. Three indexes: authors, editors, compilers, and translators; literary authors; titles. Judicious selection and clear annotations make Woodbridge a valuable guide to the major print reference works in its field; the second edition unaccountably ignores electronic resources.

Woodbridge’s coverage of resources for the study of the Spanish language and Spanish-language literature in Latin America and the Caribbean is frequently superior in his “Bibliography,” Latin America and the Caribbean: A Critical Guide to Research Sources, ed. Paula H. Covington (New York: Greenwood, 1992; Bibliogs. and Indexes in Latin Amer. and Caribbean Studies 2) 457–93. Here, annotations are more evaluative than in his Guide.

Broader in scope, but less trustworthy in its selection and accuracy, is Donald W. Bleznick, A Sourcebook for Hispanic Literature and Language: A Selected, Annotated Guide to Spanish, Spanish-American, and United States Hispanic Bibliography, Literature, Linguistics, Journals, and Other Source Material, 3rd ed. (Lanham: Scarecrow, 1995; 310 pp.).