Each of these volumes provides coverage of material related to green topics in a particular subfield. At least 10 other “Green” titles have been published, from Green Business to Green Technology; all sold separately or in electronic format. Every book in the series has its own editor, while Paul Robbins (University of Arizona) serves as the general editor for the set. These volumes follow identical arrangements and offer similar features, such as both a classified subject list and an alphabetical list of all topics as well as a chronology of important events in the field. Lengthy essays, from 2 to 10 pages each, give excellent summaries, employing advanced vocabulary. Jargon cannot be avoided but appears extensively in some articles, making them harder to follow. References include books, journal and magazine articles, and websites. The references to journal and magazine articles in both reviewed volumes appear incomplete, as none have page numbers for any article. A glossary, bibliography, annotated list of important websites and a thorough index complete each volume. Neither of the books delivered many illustrations, those appearing were black and white. Contributors hailed from both American and foreign educational institutions, as well as a goodly number of “Independent Scholars.” Even coverage of subjects prevails, with many pieces summarizing both sides of a topic; for example the lengthy article on “Green Jobs” in Green Culture has sections on both “Appeals” and “Dangers” of these jobs.

Green Health discusses consumer products, disease (both chronic and infectious) prevention and control, legal issues, even personal care products as well as providing information on various health problems of our environment. Most make relevant and sensible suggestions of green practices which individuals can follow to reduce their carbon footprint or use products more wisely. A sampling of the articles include “Light Bulbs,” “Radon and Basements,” “Bottled Water,” and “Fast Food.” Of the two titles, Green Health contains more practical material and specific ideas on how to be more “green.”

Green Culture focuses on practices of activists and countries around the world, consumption, the media, and important people who advocate green practices, as well as places and events. Much of the volume delivers overviews, histories, important green groups and background information. Typical compilations cover “Hurricane Katrina,” “Ecopopulism,” “Love Canal and Lois Gibbs,” “Greenwashing,” and “Grassroots Organizations.”

Both volumes yield much good information; it is a shame that Sage chose to do individual titles instead of a multivolume encyclopedia set, with one alphabetical sequence. Online purchase of these titles may be the better way to access them. For example, several mentions of locavores appeared in different places in the Green Health volume but neither index nor glossary entry existed; one would only find them serendipitously. The detailed discussion of locavores occurred in the Green Culture volume.

Titles in this series should help many who wish to learn more about being green, as well as providing good background information on the development of the green movement. Tight budgets may preclude buying all of the Sage series in paper format, but if considering some of the titles, the Green Health volume has more popular appeal and would be an excellent purchase for any library. Green Culture would be of interest in a college or university library.