Editorial Review

The first concise, compact and popular dictionary, indispensable to the traveler in modern Israel and to anyone seeking an introduction to the ancient language of the Bible. Its 7,000 entries are Romanized, and accompanied by helpful hints on pronunciation and communication, enabling the reader to use the language without delay. ... Read more

Reviews

Disappointed - I wanted a real Hebrew-English dictionary, September 7, 2010
I wanted a Hebrew-English/English Hebrew dictionary where the Hebrew words were in Hebrew. This English transliteration dictionary is of no use to me, because I correspond and receive e-mail in Hebrew. I am better off using Mozilla Firefox's add-on, "ImTranslator."

useful reference, July 10, 2000
This book is good if you know some hebrew and want to prime your memory for specific situations. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Indispensable learning aid includes definitions of common Spanish words arranged by such categories as foods, numbers, days of the week, months, colors, seasons and family. The heart of the book is a dictionary, from a to zapato, in which each word is used in a Spanish sentence (with English translation) demonstrating its proper use.
... Read more

Reviews

Great Little Book!, May 10, 1999
With only 55 pages, it packs a ton of vocabulary! It's so thin I can put it almost anywhere, even inside another book! Wonderful for building vocabulary on the go. It has the Spanish word, it's definition, then it has A SENTENCE IN SPANISH to show context, AND the English translation!!! If that wasn't enough, the last few pages it has groupings of words under various subjects. AND some vocabulary tips!!! I can't say enough about this little book. And did everybody see the price??! Unheard of!! Every new student of Spanish should own one.

P.S. I think the person who gave this book a poor rating was being extremely unkind. This book never says it's anything other than it is. A book to build vocabulary. It's not a dictionary. Dictionaries cost a lot more, and are heavy. (This book weighs 2 oz.!)

$1.95?? Are you KIDDING me?, October 28, 2003
Okay, I thought that $1.95 was a misprint, and I bought it just to get a bargain. But omigod, talk about a bargain! At ten times the price, this book would be a bargain. It's not going to teach you to speak Spanish. It's not going to help you conjugate Spanish verbs. It's not going to make you fluent or able to read the newspaper in Zihuatenejo. But know what? It's going to make your next foray into a Spanish-speaking country a whole lot easier.
Overall, it's a dictionary, but there are subsections like food, colors, travel, clothing, and within those sections things are arranged alphabetically. Each word is used in a whole sentence (many of which are very handy sentences to have at your disposable) with translation, of course.
Anyway, stop reading this review and buy this book. Hell, at this price, buy 10 and give them to everyone in your family the next time you go south of the border.
Highest recommendation, and an utter steal at this price.

Spanish - Light & Easy!, August 6, 2000
A light (and I really mean light - the book weighs about 2 ounces) and helpful book for anyone trying to build their Spanish vocabulary. Printed by the good people at Dover Publications, the book lacks the fancy designs, illustrations, and other graphics that books are generally well known for, however it is a very resourceful book to have around.

Author Seymour Resnick does a great job in compiling the 1,001 most used words in the Spanish language, however there is one negative thing about this book. There is not a pronunciation guide throughout the whole book. Although it's not a dictionary, it is always helpful to have this reference mentioned in a foreign-language book. Besides this fault, this book will make excellent reading material for anyone trying to brush up on their Spanish before a trip, meeting, or just to chat with a friend or relative.

Useful on a small scale, September 3, 2002
This book has about 50 pages of dictionary, followed by word lists by category (such as the family, days, months, numbers, colors, foods, and animals, among others), and finally a page of "vocabulary tips," which are things like "English -ous is often Spanish -oso."

One major disadvantage of this book is that the dictionary section is Spanish-English and there is no English-Spanish section. Obviously, with only a little over a thousand words, the book is not meant to be an exhaustive dictionary, and it does not really function as one. I was surprised at how useful I found one part of the book- the list of foods (Spanish-English, like the dictionary section). There were many words on this list that I did not know but felt I should, such as "almond" and "celery."

I went through the dictionary section and found that each page (with about 22 words) had an average of 4 words I didn't know. (To give background on my Spanish knowledge, I have taken 4 years of high school Spanish, plus a lot of reading and studying in my spare time). I happily highlighted those words and began studying them, since they are, as the title claims, very useful. I think that this book might be most helpful for someone who has taken around 2 years of high school Spanish, as that person would know far fewer of the words. On the other hand, it might be an overwhelming amount to memorize, so maybe not.

Here is an example entry taken from the book (I think this falls under fair use...):
"arrojar to throw Se prohibe arrojar objetos por la ventanilla. It is forbidden to throw things out of the window." At times the entry will also specify that the word is used in a certain country or region, which is very helpful considering the variation in the language in different Spanish-speaking countries.

All in all, a useful little book, and a good resource for learning Spanish. Its scope is small, but it achieves what it aims for very well.

I never leave home without it, June 23, 2006
I am "conversational" in Spanish. I am not fluent in the language but confident that I will eventually become completely fluent in Spanish. After trying many different methods to learn Spanish with little success, I have devised my own method.

Both 1001 Most Useful Spanish Words and Easy Spanish Phrase Book have been two of the most important tools in my arsenal. My method of learning involves the following:

1.) Use both 1001 Most Useful Spanish Words and Easy Spanish Phrase Book to build you vocabulary.

2.) The two books that I mentioned above are very easy reads. It's a good idea to read them more than once. You can read them at your convenience because they are very compact and easy to carry around. That explains how I got in the habit of never leaving home without one or the other. And if I have to wait at the doctor's office, have my hair done, or wait to have my
car serviced, I always have one or the other book to read.

3.) You'll also need a comprehensive course to serve as your basis. Any of the big-league courses will do (e.g. Learning Spanish Like Crazy, FSI Spanish, Pimsleur Spanish). But I prefer Learning Spanish Like Crazy. Not only do I find its method to be a fun and easy way to learn Spanish but I don't have a lot of time on my hands so it is rare that I can actually "stop" in order to study. I like Learning Spanish Like Crazy because I can use it for 30 or 40 minutes per day while I am in my basement running on my treadmill. Let LSLC serve as your foundation. IMHO, it's the best of the big-league courses with one caveat: Make sure that you download the revised LSLC lessons as advised in the instructions that come with the LSLC CDs from Amazon. Use this course to develop a good Spanish accent and to learn how to form your own sentences in Spanish, think in Spanish, etc.

4.) The next step is a very important part of my lesson plan (only second to #6). Whenever I am in my car I'll have 2 different CDs in the CD changer from Learn in You Car Spanish and I'll also have 2 different CDs in the CD changer from Behind the Wheel Spanish. So whenever I am in my car, I'm exposed to a different teaching method and hearing different Spanish speakers.

5.) When using Learn In Your Car Spanish CDs and Behind the Wheel CDs, listen to each CD at least 4 or 5 times. And do the same with the Learning Spanish Like Crazy CDs. If you are not able to make your response before the speakers on the recordings, then you know that you have not mastered the CD and that you need to repeat the CD again before replacing it with another CD.

6.) The next step is probably the most crucial in my lesson plan. Make sure that you practice what you have learned with native Spanish speakers. Using 1001 Most Useful Spanish Words and the other resources will give you all of the fundamentals that you need, but to perfect your skills and become conversational and eventually fluent, you'll have to practice with a native.

useful for a beginning speaker, April 14, 1999
I found this book really useful. If you already know how to put together basic sentences in Spanish (I've only taken first semester Spanish)then studying from this book gives you a really good basis for conversation. When I was travelling in Mexico last year I remember trying to look up a lot of these important words and phrases in the dictionary but being unable to find them. If you plan on trying to use your Spanish you should study from this list of essential words, many of which are often left out of beginning Spanish books for some reason. The book also gives clear examples of how the word should be used in a sentence, which is helpful.

Make sure you need it before you buy it., July 22, 2003
If you've taken more than one semester of Spanish in school, this book won't be able to help you much. For me (my wife is Mexican and I have learned a lot from her. I have also completed up through Spanish 201 in college), this book did not teach me a thing. However, for my grandma who has no experience with Spanish and wanted to learn some voculary words in order to communicate easier, this book was perfect. This book could be one of the most useful you have or one of the most useless, depending on who you are and at what level of Spanish you are at. Make sure that you need it before you buy it, but for two bucks you can't do much better if you are looking for a good vocaulary list.

Well worth the money!, March 31, 2002
I am in Antigua, Guatemala, 7 weeks into an immersion spanish program. I have glanced through a number of small dictionaries or books that seek to build vocabulary. The choice of words is always puzzling. For example, you might find the spanish word for "elf" but then be unable to find "fork".

This book on the other hand has a very wise choice of words. It covers most of the verbs and nouns and what not you will need for basic conversations. "to have", "to want", basic foods, basic prepositions. So far, it has the wisest choice of words I have seen. Furthermore, each word comes with a sentence, which helps with grammar and usage. ...

Good little vocabulary-builder for intermediate student, November 26, 2004
It's appropriate to judge a book's success based on how well it fulfills its intended goals. If I write a book on modern popular music, for example, I would not expect it to be disparaged if it insufficiently covers medieval architecture or Roman medical advances.

This analogy comes to mind when thinking about this book. At first, I was myself tempted to dismiss the book. On the negative side, each word has only one sentence, and there's no English-to-Spanish section. What good is that?

Other reviewers have taken this tack. A book with 1000 words isn't going to be useful if you know much more than 1000 words. And a book with no pronunciation guide is not going to be very useful for beginngers.

On the other hand, the clear purpose of this book is one that I feel it does quite well: it's for the intermediate student (like me) and shows you which words to concentrate on learning. In other words, it helps me build my working useful vocabulary. I have several dictionaries: the problem for me is to know which words out of the 80,000 to concentrate on learning and which to ignore.

In some cases, you can look at the English and take a guess: the word meaning "talk" is likely to be very useful and "disambiguate" less so. Again, though, it's that middle category I want to know about: the ones that are useful even though, not having made a serious study of word usage, they don't seem so to me. And that's where the book really shines. It's a handy list of those words.

Its small size is also a plus. I carry it around with me and look at it from time to time when I have a free second.

In summary, this is a good little book that will help the intermediate student build his working vocabulary. It's not perfect, but it's a decent little book to have around.

Excellent value!, May 28, 2000
This is a great book to increase your everyday vocubulary. As a resident of Mexico, I used this book with great success and you certainly can't beat the price! The words used really are among the most common in everday speech. ... Read more

Editorial Review

New edition! The book that millions of SCRABBLE® players consider the only necessary resource. Ideal for recreational and school use. More than 100,000 playable two- to eight-letter words including 4,000 new entries. Includes variant spellings. Endorsed by the National SCRABBLE® Association. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Most Useful and Entertaining!, May 22, 2002
A friend bought Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary for me last summer before I embarked on my first trip abroad. My Italian speaking friend had actually lived in Italy for a few years, and after careful consideration, felt that this phrase book/guide would be useful for me. He was absolutely right.

The book proved to be invaluable. It was compact enough that I could carry it around with me in a small purse/backpack that I carried with me throughout my entire trip. I did not speak any Italian whatsoever, and found the words and phrases in the book to be exactly what I needed to get around and communicate effectively. I especially appreciated the pronunciation guide to each Italian word in the book- that was extremely helpful. The practical advice given throughout the book proved to be invaluable, as well as humorous, and the menu decoder was also of particular help. I quickly got over any "qualms" I may have had over appearing too "touristy" on my trip and used the phrase book repeatedly as it proved to be a most definate asset. Thank you Rick Steves' for so accurately predicting the needs of the average beginning traveler. The book greatly enhanced a most wonderful traveling experience. In fact, I am still studying it in anticipation of my next trip to Italy.

Prego..., February 22, 2001
Now if you read this book, you'd know what that means (Can I help you. Do you speak Italian? Here it is). It's not a high school langauge class, but it's a lot more fun, and with some time you'll get pretty good.

I think Rick does a great job is laying out the phrases that you'll need if you go to Italy. We're going in a few weeks, and it's really helping. Now if he could only improve the memory.

The book is small, will fit in a shirt pocket. It's broken down into sections (basics, eating, chating, etc.) so you can focus in on a section that you need, master it, then move to another section. After you've been through it all, you can then start combining different phrases and make some great sentences. It's got a lot of mnaterial in it, so start early when you decide to use it.

Thanks Rick, I actually feel that I can go into the Italian world and be somewhat understood. And, not to worry, I'll smile as I butcher the language, use my hands a lot, and laugh at the whole thing.

Is there one better?, August 29, 2005
Admittedly, maneuvering your way through the sections may be a little tricky at first, but we found that most relevant phrases and lingo was repeated in several different sections to reinforce the learning process. We had looked at and even purchased a couple of other phrase books and dictionaries but found this to be the best one overall. Great pronunciation guides, common everyday conversational items and even the humor is a good break in the studies. I already speak decent Italian, my wife did not, and she found Rick's guide to be much better in format and usability and was the one we chose to take to Italy with us.

The most helpful "little" Italian book, October 3, 2002
I purchased Rick Steve's Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary in preparation of my trip to Rome. Rick not only makes Italian easy, he makes it fun. This book spells out hundreds of everyday words and phrases, as well as the common phrases and words that will be used by a tourist. He gives helpful hints on how to speak with the locals and make the most of your experience. He also includes many words/phrases that many people would want to know how to say but would be embarrassed to ask someone to translate for them. His attention to detail is fantastic. Although this book will not teach you fluent Italian, it gives you a great foundational vocabulary to start you on your way. A must for anyone planning to travel to Italy! Buon viaggio!

Nice Basic Start, September 26, 2001
This is a nice way to start to learn "By the Phrase" Italian. Having just been to Italy, I can vouch for the generally friendly and helpful nature of most of the residents. Also, in most of the more popular tourist destinations, English is often spoken. So, if you were to work with this book and learn some of the useful, ordinary phrases, it would probably make a nice impression on the native Italians and would make you feel less like a clueless tourist. This book will not make you really fluent, nor will it teach you the real mechanics of the language. Keep in mind this a phrase based, quick start approach that is easy to read and should help the average tourist.

Great for General Use, March 14, 2005
This book has all the basics including a few that you may need to use but hope you never have to. It is well organized. Better than the Berlitz books I thought. Some things seems goofy- why do I need a translation for I have a social disease? Then I found out - it is perfect for the gross old man trying to grope you on the train in Milan - that's why. Not to make Italy sound bad. They just have their fair share of perverts riding on local trains hitting on young women just like my home city does. Anyway, where I found this book lacking was food. As you travel around Italy, the dialects change fairly dramatically. So, sometimes it can be tricky figuring out what it is that you just ordered until you have it in front of you. In Germany I bought a language guide that was just for food (not by Rick Steves) and that helped. I wish he would write an Italian food translation book. The good thing is that a lot of people in Italy speak some English. If they don't they often understood my mix of Spanish and French vocabulary. I recommend Rick Steve's phrase book because he encourages you to speak to the people in the place that you are visiting - perhaps even thumb wrestle.

Not useful, May 15, 2004
I love Rick Steves, but this book is too broken up into categories to use very well. We read all the great reviews on this prior to our trip and bought it - mistake. Any time we wanted to look up a word it wasn't in there (first example coming to mind, BLACK! - it was in the Italian to English, but you'd have to be translating that direction only). It's good for a laugh and has funny translations, like slow down the car or i will vomit, but realistically, will you really use that (OK, in Italy if not elsewhere, but it's not something you'd look up at that moment feeling that way). Impractical is the best description of this book

Very useful pocket translation guide, November 9, 2004
This book was a great help during my recent trip to Italy. I liked that Rick Steve's would also add a little bit of the culture and things you should note in here. In the restaurant guide he gives you suggestions, and the fact that your going to pay a bread charge when you sit down at a restaurant. While this book is not complete with all of the words you may need. This coupled with patient folks, you will get what you need.

I think this book is a good starting point, and certainly helped me out as a tourist. I was able to order in a restaurant, get subway directions, receive assistance in a shop without too much trouble. This was one of my best investments on my trip.

Everything you need to say - and more, June 1, 2004
Of course, it has the obvious phrases regarding directions, hotel rooms, food, etc. It also has things you really need to say, but that aren't found in standard phrase books. For example, in the "Taxi" section, you can quickly find out how to tell the driver, "If you don't slow down, I will vomit!" There is just enough humor to keep you smiling without wasting your time, and succinctly hepful comments throughout. This is the phrase book to get for your next trip to Italy.

Great take-along phrase book!, May 31, 2000
Contains the words and phrases you will actually use on a trip. Organized for easy, quick reference. Highly recommend Rick Steve's guidebooks as well. Have used them with great success in the past! ... Read more

Editorial Review

This is a fully updated edition of the extremely popular Children's Dictionary. Now with more than 35,000 entries, this edition has updated definitions, images, and details; plus 2,000 additional words and 900 additional images. ... Read more

Reviews

High Quality Children's Dictionary, January 4, 2002
Comprehensive, well illustrated, and written to be understood by children aged 9 - 12. The definitions of most words searched have been easily understood by my nine year old son. Some definitions have necessitated my participation to provide a more simplified explanation. A further noted weakness of the dictionary is that a significant number of words fail to provide an example of its use in a sentence. A more consistent usage of this feature would have resulted in a 5 star rating. These faults, however, are minor and should not deter the reader from purchasing this dictionary. Some noteworthy unexpected strengths of the dictionary was the inclusion of a reference section containing maps of the world and seven continents, illustrations of the flags of the world, a list of the 50 states and their capitals, and a listing of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the United States. A recommended companion to the dictionary is The American Heritage Children Thesaurus.

A great reference tool for youngsters, August 2, 2000
DK is the absolute best when it comes to non-fiction books for children. This illustrated dictionary is no exception. DK's style is clean, simple, and well-illustrated with color photos of the actual objects. Not only does this dictionary serve as a great reference tool, many children would enjoy sitting down and flipping through it just for fun. The illustrations will hold children's attention. If you don't already have a dictionary for your child, this is the one to get. And it is priced VERY reasonably. I work in a bookstore and recommend this one often.

Best Illustrated Dictionary for children, January 18, 2003
I bought the second copy in 6 months a week ago and gave it to a friend as a gift to their children. And they really loved it.

Its DK! Yes that matters. DK has mastered the art of making dictionaries. I have used DK Oxford American Illustrated dictionary. Dk made it so wonderful that when I sit with it I spend atleast 15 minutes. Wesbter knows how to convey the meaning of a word.

So you combine the best of DK and Webster you get this masterpiece. The salesrank for this book is less than 2000 and that tells you how popular this book is. I would just go ahead and buy it if I am thinking of buying 'a' book for children.

For children this book is a treasure from which they can learn new words seeing lots of pictures. If a kid wants to know what a fruit is he looks at fruit here he will also be able to learn all about fruits and types of fruits like dry fruits, etc. he turns the pages to fruit and finds the pictures of all kinds of fruits and that makes him recognise what a fruit is and what all fruits he eats.

There are 4000 pictures. Other books boast of 2000 pictures but they arent even close and all they got are bad and small pictures. All they carry is a small picture of an apple or something while explaining fruit. Also if you see letters XYZ alone you will see lot of pictures in this book. Its the best book rated in America and I have seen all children's dictionaries recently.

I had an option of choosing between this one and World children's dictionary which costs less. But I realised that a bad dictionary is no better than not having one. So I chose this one and its a perfect gift for my cousins. So if you are looking for a book to gift some kids, grab this one.

A replacement for the walking parental dictionary, December 19, 2000
I've been looking for a good dictionary for my 3rd grader, and have fallen in love with the DK Merriam Webster.

Our experience with the Scholastic First Dictionary had been unfortunate -- four of the four words she did not understand in a recent spelling homework had failed to make it into that dictionary at all. In contrast, the DK Merriam-Webster has had a rich set of words that seem to meet her demands. I am in danger of ceasing to be her walking dictionary!

Definitions are simple without being too watered down. For instance, we recently passed an opossum on the road. When she looked up opossum, there was a good picture, and a definition that it is "a common American animal related to the kangaroos that lives mostly in trees and is active at night." She was able to latch on to "related to the kangaroos" and "active at night" more easily than learning that it was a nocturnal marsupial.

In the back of the dictionary are reference sections that are brief but informative.

The layout of the dictionary is excellent, a good mix of pictures and text, and a nice color-coding scheme for alphabetical indexing. At the bottom of each page are examples of how to pronounce the phonetic symbols the book uses.

The heft of the book is good for a kid -- my daughter has mentioned several times that it feels like a "real" book -- but not unmanageable.

We'll have to see if the dictionary can truly take her through 8th grade or if she graduates to an adult dictionary before then. Either way, this book will have prepared her for a full adult dictionary very well.

Revolving Words, November 26, 2001
I initially bought this dictionary for my Grandchildren. It answers some of the many questions asked by my 6 and 10 year old Grands. I would have rated it a 5, but feel that a bit more explanation should have been provided for some words.

Nevertheless, I find my two Grands picking it up on their own. I am ordering more of them as gifts to family members who have discovered it on my kitchen counter and took an interest in it for their children.

Recommended!!

RND

The only dictionary your child will need until they are 10, February 5, 2001
This is the best dicitonary for young children. The vast number of definitions and words make it very useful in the classroom as well as at home. The illustrations just capture a child's attention and helps them to associate the word with the picture. The definitions a clear and precise. Sample sentences also help greatly in understanding the use of the word. The pronunciation notes are a godsend as well. This is the best dicitonary for primary and elementary school age children. It will help them along until they are ready to use the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dicitonary.

Pictures are great, but vocabulary content lacking, December 18, 2007
This dictionary is very kid-friendly; colored markers on the pages make it easy to find the letter you want to look up and the pictures are extensive and intriguing. However, in using this dictionary with K-6th grade students, I have found that it is lacking many words above a 4th grade level, and I have had to revert back to the good ol' Oxford English Dictionary many a time. If you are looking for a dictionary for grades 1-4 this one is great.

must have, November 3, 2003
I have a 6 and 8 year old who love this book! My boys are able to look up words and understand the definitions without it being "too easy". The illustrations are great too!!

As valuable as an Education Savings Account, March 1, 2005
This dictionary is indispensable for developing young minds who inquire at every turn, "What does ..... mean?" The beautifully illustrated, glossy cover advises that the contents include 32,000 entries and over 3,000 illustrations; this makes it a great vocabulary resource as well as being down right entertaining for kids. The pictures and illustrations are vividly colored, natural, not cartoonish, and very attractive.

The publisher says this dictionary is designed for ages 8 and up, but why wait until then to buy it for your little scholar. There are 911 pages with many aids for learning. The typography is clear, easy to read and printed on very sturdy paper. One of the handiest features is the color coded indexing that helps you find the letter of the alphabet by looking at the open edge of the book. There's a simple guide to pronunciation printed at the bottom of each page, but it's only two pages wide and then reprinted on each page.

One of my favorite features is the encyclopedic topical renderings that are interspersed throughout the dictionary. These give the young reader a look at a word with added details such as the context of the word and other valuable perspective. For example, the entry for "baseball" not only provides a definition of the word as "the ball" and "the game" but also illustrates the equipment used to play the game and shows the positions on the field.

Our family has had this book for more years than I can remember and it has held up to exceptionally hard use which makes it an excellent value, in my opinion. Even when your "kid" progresses so far in the English language that he or she says "it's juvenile," you will still find him or her sneaking a peek at the definitions because if the word appears in this book you can be assured it will be simply understandable.

Great dictionary, March 5, 2006
This is a great dictionary for kids. I received it in first grade, and it was used extensively in the past years. It has colorful photos illustrating various words, and the print is large enough for a young child to read.
The feature I found particularly useful was the color-coded letters of the alphabet at the side of the pages. You can easily find the letter you wish to look up that way.
I highly reccomend this dictionary to any kid attending 1st-4th grade. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Visual Dictionary is an essential guide to Star Wars. DK's renowned Eyewitness style brings the characters, costumes, droids, and gadgetry of the Star Wars universe to life in astonishing visual detail. Highly defined, annotated photography shows and explains the culture, background, and technology of the Star Wars trilogy. Fans of all ages will enjoy detailed revelations of Star Wars secrets like how a Stormtrooper's equipment works, what the insides of a light saber look like, and what Sand People keep in their bandoliers. A visual glossary explains all the technical terms used in the trilogy. Together with Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections, these books comprise a definitive classic Star Wars reference library. ... Read more

Reviews

You'll pick it up again and again, September 11, 2000
My son the nine-year-old spendthrift actually saved up for this book, and I must say it's worth every penny. It's filled with beat-up, blaster-lased equipment, cool musical instruments, weird details you've wondered about but thought you were too old to ask. When my son first got it, we fought over it!

It's also worth the money because it quickly becomes clear to the careful observer that much of the gear herein is reconditioned everyday stuff from the banal 20th Century. A musical instrument in the Cantina band, for instance, contains brass garden sprinkler nozzles! Spotting these details is what makes this book fun for us adults as well as the second generation of Jedi masters. Unreservedly recommended!

Pretty cool book chalk full of the props, August 10, 2001
This book shows just about every prop that they could have or did use in the Star Wars film. While parts of it are cheesy, it is a pretty solid book on those who want to know a little more information behind the scenes of Star Wars. The dictionary offers both fictional references and also references to how the movies were made. I recommend this to all Star Wars fans and maybe even to fans of movies in general.

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episodes IV, V & VI, October 26, 2005
Great pictures and information about characters.

A great book, September 16, 2005
Is really a great book for fans who want to know ore about the star wars universe. The only down is that is very short, there's a lot more that can be shown, but anyway the information provided is worth!!!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...., June 22, 2005
STAR WARS the Visual Dictionary! This great book features some amazing facts about Star Wars Episodes IV, V, and VI and I love it! It has details about all of the major characters and a lot of minor characters ranging form Luke Skywalker, to Princess Leia Organa, to the Rancor, to the slave girl in Jabba's Palace. This book has info on the Stormtroopers, C-3PO, Yoda, and many more. YOU WILL LOVE IT!

A very awesome book!, July 9, 1999
This book was so amazing! It had everything u didnt know about starwars, things from cut scenes, backgrounds of many insignificant characters, such as chewey's age and family members. If you've always wondered how in the hell a lightsaber could work then now u can find out.... or how a droid like R2-D2 could fit all those gizmo's inside of him, that's in there too. David West Reynold's put so much thought into writing this book. It's amazing how there could be so much information about the insides of something that doesn't even exist, it was just completely thought up by a bunch of people...a definate must buy for any starwars fans... i also recommend buying INCREDIBLE CROSS-SECTIONS, which was a very similar, terrific info filled book...to the fullest!

Very nice job, December 25, 2003
It is an amazing book related to Lucas' trilogy. It depicts all hardware used in the films. I have only a missing point: the starships are not all in the book and it would be better have them, but it is not a problem for a very nice illustrated book.

A Must for Fans of the Original Star Wars Trilogy, September 24, 2003
This is an excellent guide for anyone who has seen and liked the trilogy set in a galaxy far, far away. The book is written like a non fiction dictionary as if the Star Wars planets and creatures were actually real. This is a must for die hard Star Wars fans and even those who are not huge fans will still get something out of this book. This book was also written before the terrible prequel movies so it only covers the three classics.

A visual dictionary with engaging layout and information, September 9, 1998
Star Wars the Visual Dictionary is actually more than just a dictionary. It has excellent photos from the Lucasfilm Archives including a few from scenes that were cut. In a way, this book is similar to From Star Wars to Indiana Jones: the Best of the Lucasfilm Archives, but instead of being production notes, it treats the technical objects as if they were real. Arrows point to various parts of things like Boba Fett's armour. I wonder if some of the props were enhanced for this book because there are photos of the inside mechanics of a lightsaber and a stormtrooper helmet, which wouldn't have been neccessary for the movies. The layout of the book is much like the Eyewitness series with very clear individual photos of objects instead of just a rectangular, stale layout. A lot of information is packed into theh 64 pages and as far as I can tell, nothing was left uncovered. I've got to hand it to the research team who worked on this book. I deffinitely recommend it for kids or adults.

Very informative!, February 7, 2007
This was one of my very first Star Wars books and I half credit it with my burgeoning interest in the expanded Star Wars universe.
Includes great pictures and information such as what those little knobs on Darth Vader's chestplate are for to what exactly Salacious Crumb (that little Kowakian monkey lizard that works for Jabba the Hutt) does! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then read this book!
Great for the enthusiast, beginner/amateur/expert and all!
... Read more

Editorial Review

How did die become kick the bucket, underwear become unmentionables, and having an affair become hiking the Appalachian trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy, honor taboos, and make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. EUPHEMANIA traces the origins of euphemisms from a tool of the church to a form of gentility to today's instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak.

As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, EUPHEMANIA is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them. ... Read more

Reviews

Choosing words with care, December 6, 2010
Ralph Keyes has delved into our human nature here. We use euphemisms to soften our words. To disguise them. To wrap them in pretty distracting language. We say what we mean on occasion but mostly we dissemble. We euphemize. We hide behind words that are seemingly less offensive than what we could say if we didn't resort to euphemisms.

Fascinating stuff here. Keyes explores the things we get uncomfortable discussing; sex, our bodies, our bodily functions, money. You name it-we have the euphemisms for it. Keyes employs a distinctive punchy style here that will have readers spinning and laughing as he keeps those euphemisms pouring non-stop.

It's terse. It's pithy. It's succulent. Try it, you'll like it.

BookHounds [...]., December 2, 2010
If you are a word freak like me, you are going to love this book. Euphemania explains where we get common turns of phrase like "pushing up daisies" and other obscure references. The book is very entertaining and gives insight to historical references. I really enjoyed reading this one and it would make the perfect gift for that closet wordy in your life.

Euphemisms from One Culture to Another, December 28, 2010
A great title for a well researched (check the complete bibliography) and enjoyable book that, anyone who likes language, and the way it evolves will read in a day.
Keyes draws almost all of his examples from the anglo-saxon culture, switching from England to the USA. He mentions a few Spanish words but as a French native, I especially enjoyed the references he makes to my heritage.
From "manger les pissenlits par la racine" or eating dandelions by the root when the French talk of death, to the frequent use of French mouth-watering words in the American cuisine, Keyes show that euphemisms vary from one culture to another.
When I moved from Paris to California with my baby daughter I had a hard time to understand what her new pediatrician meant when he asked me about her BM. French aren't embarrassed when it comes to body functions and it took me a while to refer to the contents of my baby's diaper as a BM. After many years in the USA, I also say UTI, PMS and IBS, and have learned that stomach in American covers a much larger territory than the organ used in the human digestive system.
However I still favor the word the French use when they want to wish good luck. In American, its polite version is shoot.
Thank you, Mr. Keyes for a fun, well researched and engaging book.

Bridget's Review, December 17, 2010
I had so much fun reading this book! EUPHEMANIA is unbelievably witty and entertaining. I never really gave much thought about where euphemisms came from and why they started. Ever since I finished reading this book, I've noticed how much I use them and it's astounding! When you're in the mood to learn something interesting, I recommend this book. It would make a great gift! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Fully revised print content. Features more than 225,000 definitions, 700 illustrations and more than 10,000 new words. Special sections including a Handbook of Style. Includes easy-to-install Windows®/Mac® CD-ROM and free, one-year subscriptions to the new collegiate website. Thumb-notched hardcover edition with jacket. ... Read more

Reviews

superb reference tool, July 7, 2004
This is a fine dictionary. It even smells good. Too hefty to be portable, it is nevertheless a perfect desk dictionary, starting with a seventeen-page explanatory chart and notes, an essay on the English language, and a guide to pronunciation. te volume continues with excellent definitions that are sometimes accompanied by b&w line drawings, and finishes with sections on foreign words & phrases, biographical names, geographical names, signs & symbols in various fields of endeavo, punctuation, capitals & italics, documenting sources, forms of address and an index. [..]

This is the most comprehensive collegiate dictionary to date, with many new entries since 1996's tenth edition, and it is well organized wih a nice clean font (though it may be a bit troublesome for those who are far-sighted). It always amazes me that we can purchase so much information so inexpensively. This is a terrific resource -- it's time to update your dictionary!!

Nice updating for the standard shorter American dictionary, August 23, 2003
For several decades now, THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY has served as the standard American English dictionary. I have done a good deal of copyediting over the years, and every publisher I have worked with has specified this dictionary (along with the Webster's Unabridged) as the standard governoring the way that American English words are spells and defined. Although one can feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of dictionaries in the reference section of any good bookstore, this volume is as close to authoritative as we have in the United States. One might have a preference for another, but this is the only one that enjoys widespread authoritative acceptance.

The dust jacket explains the ways that the new 11th edition has been expanded, but personally, while I am quite certain that it has been expanded, I have not noticed a great deal of difference from the 10th edition. It may be definitive and improved, but most of the improvements will be difficult for anyone to detect. The new CD-ROM included with it, however, is a vast improvement on the previous software that was developed based on the 10th edition. When the 10th edition first came out, CD software was not widely available. A CD version of the dictionary did eventually come out, but it was somewhat rudimentary. The new CD-ROM, however, is a huge improvement. For instance, when looking up any word, a column will display a number of words that approximate the word that your are attempting to look up. If you can merely approximate the spelling, you can frequently find the correct word. Furthermore, by double clicking on any word in the online dictionary, you will pull up the listing for that word. The CD-ROM also has a link to the Internet.

Let's face it. Buying dictionaries for most people is about as exciting as having one's oil changed. But like oil changes, dictionaries are essential. For the foreseeable future, this one is going to remain the definitive American English dictionary.

Significantly Improved Classic, August 4, 2003
This dictionary, MW11 for short, may be the first to list bubkes, coscenarist, or MEGO. Entries now appear in a sans-serif font, basically an improvement, though the abbreviation for Illinois looks absurd.

The cover claims 10,000 new words and meanings, including long ball, peloton, rabbit-eared bandicoot (who would seek that under r rather than b?), dance card, megapixel, qi, ki. So what is missing from the previous edition, MW10? An informal survey of a half dozen pages shows that practically nothing of value is gone (lonelily, pein, Daoist are deleted). Changes include a few new senses, illustrative quotes, revised definitions, and antedatings. The entry for -er now shows beautifuller with double l, in concord with the entry for -ful. There are about 70 more pages; MW10 had only about 5 more than MW9.

The total number of entries should be greeted with skepticism. There are about a thousand undefined entries in a list of "non-" words, more than a thousand in the un- list, and several thousand more in sixteen additional lists. If it occurs to you to seek coscenarist in the co- list, these lists might be of use. There are also a great many highly technical terms, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetate(s); writings that might contain these are apt to contain quite a few terms not found in this or any similar dictionary. Nonetheless, MW11 looks pretty good after a comparison of a few random pages of this dictionary with the corresponding parts of four similarly-priced dictionaries. At least two competitors have such entries as blank endorsement, blankety-blank, terra alba, or blague, but most or all omit such MW11 entries as: term of art, blanket chest, or the adjective terminate. Recently I found the word Atropos in a 1950 New-Zealand/British novel; it's not in MW11 (except in atropine's etymology), but was found in the competitors; on the other hand, only MW11 offers an explanation of what people who quirk this or that in a (usually) British novel are doing.

Definitions are sometimes a little unclear. The 85-word definition for gyroscope is apt to set your head spinning, and you may need to reread it to determine a gyroscope's purpose (I'm not sure it says). There's a sensible usage note for "hopefully", but MW11's appeal to "disjuncts" is less likely to persuade than the competitors' references to "sentence adverbs" or something similar. Many more illustrative examples would help.

One appendix contains foreign words and phrases; it's unclear why "a la mode" or Weltschmerz are in the main listing with "a la page" or Weltbild in the appendix. Other appendices list biographic and geographic entries, so, confronted with an unfamiliar proper noun, you may be unsure where to look. Gretna Green, is that biographical or geographical? (Neither, but MW11 has it nonetheless.) These appendices suit the publisher, since during MW11's life there will be new censuses that affect the geographic entries and deaths, elections, awards, etc., that affect the biographic entries, and Merriam can reset the relatively few pages of the appendices more easily than many pages of the main listing. Nonetheless, it is inconvenient for the user.

The final page contains the addresses for the Language Research Service. The introduction to MW10 informed us that there is no evidence for the form "merer", so years ago I sent the LRS their first citation; it happens that OED provided another, and an Internet search for "even merer" provides four more, but MW11's introduction still claims that there is no evidence for it. LRS is better at providing information; it gave me a Robert Frost citation to accompany my grandaunt's expression "the cat wanted the guest to make of her".

A nice feature is the date of earliest known appearance for each word. MW11 extends this to words like "jehu" that come from a proper name (less clear is why Jehu is in the main listing rather than the biographical appendix), though possibly the date applies to Jehu rather than jehu. Similarly, the date for clueless applies to its literal use, not to the modern idiomatic use whose date might interest you. Definitions are given in date order, so you can usually see how meanings develop over time. Most unfamiliar words have only a single definition, or the unfamiliar meaning you seek may be the oldest, so this is a win-win feature for the user.

The dictionary comes with a wonderful CD (optional at higher price), with which many objections disappear. It is much harder to find coscenarist, bo, ked, or Gretna Green with the print edition than with the CD, which incidentally expands abbreviations. You can locate all entries having a usage note containing the word Scottish. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be an easy way to search for all occurrences of Scottish in definitions, etymologies, and usage notes simultaneously, though there is a cumbersome way to do this with an advanced search. It seems pronunciations aren't searchable beyond rhymes and homophones, so for example you cannot find all words with the rare sound that ends "smooth", or all pronunciations marked with the obelus (division sign) that indicates controversy. (Merriam is invited to add the obelus to the first pronunciation of bruschetta, which deviates from the Italian.) With the CD you can also find the other 27-letter single-word entry, the longest word(s) with no repeated letter, the anagrams of abcdeflos or Minnesota, or all words whose earliest known appearance falls in a particular year (the most recent appears to be 2000, for tanga, the Tajiki "cent"); if solving crosswords, you can find words of the form ?p??m?.

Certainly I would not recommend buying a college dictionary without a CD version. Beyond that it is hard to choose, if you can afford just one. My inclination is that if you are involved in scientific or technical pursuits, this is probably the right one. Otherwise, you may be better off with one of the competitors. I don't recommend owning precisely two dictionaries however; you will need a third as a tiebreak.

Worth the price for the CD-ROM alone, July 10, 2003
Unlike prescriptive dictionaries such as the American Heritage Dictionary, which rely on self-appointed panels of "experts" to decide what correct usage should be, descriptive dictionaries such as this and Merriam-Webster's Third International try to keep pace with how the language is actually used by speakers. This may explain why the Webster's Collegiate dictionaries have been the standard reference in the American publishing industry for a long time.

This is easily the best dictionary of its class, period. It has an extraordinarily large number of entries and its definitions are concise and easy to understand. The only shortcoming is that there are few example sentences, but this is a necessary tradeoff to keep the size under control. For sheer richness of information it doesn't compare to the New Shorter OED, for example, but then again you can't toss the NSOED into your backpack and take it to school with you. This book is light and compact.

But the thing that really sets this dictionary apart is the CD-ROM. You can search for words using up to 15 different operations, including "rhymes with," "is a cryptogram of," "homophones are," "etymology includes," etc. You can use AND and OR operators to combine the various operations. These search functions are a tremendous asset to anybody who works with words, particularly writers, poets, and songwriters.

And did I mention that you get a free one-year subscription to their online dictionary with your purchase?

This package is a tremendous value for the money and really belongs in every home and office. And I have no doubt that Webster's 11 will continue to be the gold standard in the publishing industry for the foreseeable future. --This text refers to an edition which conatins a CD-ROM. Not all editions of this item contain a CD. Please check the item desription for further information.--

Good, but..., March 16, 2008
I thought this dictionary was decent and served most of its purposes. The problem with purchasing it over the Internet, though, was that I didn't know if it had all of the features I needed.

Therefore, while it is good and has a great many words with concise definitions, the plurals of the words are not listed. I was astonished by this, since I'd never seen a dictionary before that didn't list the plurals! Of course, this was one of the things I needed in a dictionary in order to help me in my grammar class. So while I have a nice dictionary, I am still shocked about the lack of plurals!

So be forewarned if you are considering this dictionary that if you need plural forms of words, you will not find them in this book!

A very good dictionary, though still a bit quirky, July 13, 2003
I just got my Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition from Amazon and am looking forward to getting to know it better. Past editions of the Collegiate have been in many ways excellent, expecially in the clear, crisp definitions and well-researched albeit brief etymologies. It appears that this edition is no exception.

My summary impression is that this is a dictionary well worth buying, perhaps the best desk dictionary one can find.

The Collegiates, including this one, have been bit quirky, especially as regards pronuncation. For example, this dictionary has a strange relationaship with the schwa sound. In previous editions thre were many apparently inadvertent switches between the schwa (last vowel sound in "circus") and the short u sound (as in "but"). In this edition, however, there are four different sounds (including the short u) that are indicated by easily confusible variants of the schwa symbol.

In addition, the "a" vowels in marry and Mary -- distinguished by many mainstream speakers of American English -- are left undifferentiated, as in previous editions.

As in previous editions, a key to pronunciation symbols is provided on each recto page. Unfortunately, this little list omits perhaps 2/3 of the list of pronunciation symbols that fill one page of the front matter (making it hard to find each time you need it).

(If I were king of Merriam-Webster, I'd put the full pronunciation key where it belongs: on the inside front or back covers, or both.)

Another frustrating aspect for most users *was* that at least in the Tenth Edition, the oldest and often least-used definition of a word was listed first, causing your search for a certain definition usually to be more work.

It *appears* that this practice has now been abandoned with the Eleventh Edition, though I haven't found any explicit reference to it in the explanatory notes. If so, this will noticeably improve the ease of using this book.

Printing-wise, it appears that the darkness of the type has deepened in the Eleventh Edition (although this may just indicate where in a given press run my copy happened to come from). This makes my 11th Ed. distinctly easier to read than my 10th Ed. In addition, the main entries are now in sans-serif type. This isn't necessarily an aesthetic improvement, but far more important is that it makes finding your word easier on the eyes.

Unfortunately, as with the previous edition, the inner margins are too narrow, forcing one to read the right side of a left-hand page and the left side of a right-hand page from paper that is curving into the crease in the middle of the book; almost nothing short of breaking the binding is likely to counteract this problem.

A personal prejudice I have (that you may not share) is that I believe a dictionary owes its readers more than just a description of how language is currently used. (Some of current usage is in my opinion poor, and a dictionary is the right place to try to stem the tide of poor usage instead of merely describing it.) The Eleventh Edition, like recent previous ones, has many Usage Notes at the end of an entry.

I find these to be by and large too permissive, giving excuses for much questionable usage (while prudently reminding the reader that if they go ahead and employ some usages that M-W deems perfectly acceptable, they may be in for some criticism).

For example, one usage note supports the use of "literally" to mean "virtually". Another usage note supports the pronunciation of "nuclear" as "nucular" (lamely trotting out the fact that it has been used that way by members of many respected professions, including U.S. members of congress and even two U.S. presidents!!!!!).

Another drawback of this book for many is the massive inclusion of technical words like chemical names, and especially the names of a huge variety of plants and animals. This is all well and good in itself, of course. But these words are in most cases useful only to specialists in those fields, and given the limited space available, must necessarily drive out other candidates for inclusion that would be useful to a far larger number of readers...

Great Reference, November 1, 2004
Great reference and one that I keep on my shelf, next to "The Chicago Manual of Style" (15th edition) and "Gramatically Correct". Although the Scrabble world is still stuck on the 10th edition, that will likely change soon. Great coverage of definitions in addition to grammar and many other references. For college level and above, probably the one to buy.

Thorough, well-written, with a good CD version, August 3, 2003
This is a very high quality collegiate dictionary. I am a member of a word puzzle organization ... and this is our standard reference, along with the unabridged version, "Webster's Third New International Dictionary". Many very obscure words show up in puzzles, but it is relatively rare I find I have to go to the unabridged dictionary to look them up.

In addition to being thorough (with excellent sections such as biography, geographical names, and foreign words and phrases (such as "en plein jour" or "inshallah") it includes compressed but informative etymological data. For example, the entry on "spacious" has this - ME, fr. AF spacioux, fr. L spatiosus, fr. spatium: space, room (14c)"; in a little over a single line you get a long lineage; though I should mention that this has been slightly corrected since the tenth edition of this dictionary. You may have to learn some of the abbreviations (Middle English, Anglo-French, 14th century) but I found them generally intuitive and didn't need to look them up much at all.

In addition, there are excellent usage paragraphs scattered throughout. These are of two types. One type compares the usage of different words with very similar meanings. For example, the entry on "satiate" provides a usage paragraph that compares "satiate", "sate", "surfeit", "cloy", "pall", "glut" and "gorge", identifying the precise differences of usage between them. The paragraph is cross-referenced at each of the other six words, so you don't have to just stumble across satiate to find it.

The other kind of usage paragraph discusses correctness. A good example is "hopefully", which in its sense "I hope that" is controversial. The dictionary asserts the validity of this controversial use, which is sure to annoy some purists, but it does acknowledge the debate and cite grammatical arguments for its position.

There are quite a few new words (my favourite is "dead-cat bounce") and edits to all sections. The only major change, though, is that the abbreviations section has been eliminated; abbreviations are now included in the main body of the dictionary.

The dictionary is available online at m-w.com, and I strongly recommend you take a look at it. There is a CD-ROM for sale too, which is worth getting as it adds some fancy search features, though if you're like me you'll want the paper version to keep by the bed. Note that if you have the unabridged MW CD too (the third edition of their New International Dictionary) then the same interface allows you to choose which dictionary to search -- a very nice feature. Purchase of the dictionary also gives you a complimentary year's subscription to the m-w website, which is worth having -- though be warned that it will automatically renew in a year for $ unless you choose to auto-cancel. --This text refers to an edition which conatins a CD-ROM. Not all editions of this item contain a CD. Please check the item desription for further information.--

merriam webster's collegiate dictionary, December 16, 2004
Far and away the very best of the smaller dictionaries for etymologies (word origins). This is what I use in the high school Word Power course that I teach based on Latin and Greek roots.

Excellent dictionary at a reasonable price, November 9, 2006
I keep a hard copy dictionary on my desk when I need greater specificity than typically found on the Internet. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) provides strong word coverage, multiple meanings with clear examples of grammatical and contextual usage and definitions of newer social, political and technological terms and expressions. Practical information is offered in the appendices that include foreign terms and phrases, geographical places, grammatical handbook of style, signs and symbols and personalities. I find the font easy to read. I'm pleased with the purchase. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The wildly popular word game, Scrabble(r), was conceived by Alfred Mosher Butts, an architect out of work during the Depression, and was trademarked in 1948. More than 40 years later, over 100 million Scrabble sets had sold worldwide, including 30 million in the USA alone. And, in 1991, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the first worldwide Scrabble tournament had been scheduled. With so many Scrabble aficionados, and the solid success of other Scrabble dictionaries, especially the Merriam-Webster titles, the time is right to add an illustrated dictionary to the Scrabble lexicon, using the Merriam-Webster text. ... Read more

Reviews

Disappointing, October 28, 2008
One would think that an illustrated Scrabble dictionary would illustrate the obscure words that we struggle to learn. How about a picture of a hoatzin, or an obol? But rather this dictionary has pictures of everyday things that everyone knows. I will say that it is beautifully set. Much nicer looking than the non-illustrated version,
but as a reference it is no better than the other and probably it isn't worth the extra money. The only improvement is that it contains more lists at the end including 3- and 4-letter words, 4-vowel sixes and 5-vowel sevens and eights. Of course, you can get those lists in plenty of places.

Too much window dressing..., May 7, 2009
We got this book for "the latest and greatest official words." It has those, but there are not that many new ones, as it turns out. Mostly what it has are distracting photos and articles. A better book would have had index marks indented for quick alphabetical look-ups, larger print, and, an uncluttered layout for getting on with the game without delay or eyestrain.

Official Scrabble Dictionary is a Gem!, January 7, 2009
I purchased this dictionary to accompany my silver anniversary edition Scrabble game also recently purchased. I am so impressed with the friendly format, colorful illustrations, and glossary included in this quality hardbound book. My adult daughters, son in law, and myself have renewed our love for the Scrabble game over the holidays. This Scrabble dictionary has been a Godsend to our game!

Handsome dictionary, February 1, 2009
I've only recently gotten serious about Scrabble and started trying to learn some of the weird vocabulary you need to really play well. The dictionary is a must in this regard.

Pros: Large, easily readable typeface and lovely layout, which is very nice when you are looking up a lot of words from a wordlist you are studying.

Cons: It would be nice to know which words are new (since the previous edition) and also to have a list of words that were deleted from the previous edition, too.

Overall, a very nice product for a reasonable price.

Disappointing Scrabble Dictionary, July 7, 2010
The Official Scrabble User's Dictionary is disappointing as are the present day scrabble rules. The rules of my older scrabble are definitive in stating no slang, no abbreviations, no proper nouns requiring capitalization, and no foreign words. This dictionary is full of words that violate those rules. How can Indian or Chinese currency not be considered foreign words? Either the rules have been relaxed for the masses or with the intent of creating "new" words every couple of years to sell dictionaries. And how can the Spanish word "si" be acceptable and the German word "ja" (both meaning the same) not be acceptable? It is hard for me to accept a lot of the words in the dictionary as being real. For those who are okay with the evolution of the game, the dictionary is a treasure trove.

Good Dictionary for the Scrabble Enthusiast, January 9, 2010
I gave this as a gift to a Scrabble-obsessed friend, and she loved it. As other reviewers have noted, the illustrations in it tend to be of commonly-known objects, so they don't offer much value add. However, the enthusiast didn't even notice the illustrations--this may be the case for most of the dictionary's audience since they are in it for the words anyways.

If children are playing, this is a good book to use., January 8, 2010
It's expurgated -- any word that might offend anyone, for any reason, is deleted. For a complete Scrabble word guide, the Official Word List can be bought from [...] or the National Scrabble Association. But whether you choose the OSPD or the OWL, it's the best way to avoid arguments about whether a word can be used. If it's in the book, it can. If it's not in the book, it can't.

Great Book, March 30, 2010
I love this dictionary!! I use it all the time. I enjoy playing scrabble even more now. It has some pictures and lists of useful words in the back. Great buy.

Prefer this large dictionary for easier reading, November 30, 2009
Having used the small paperback dictionary for Scrabble, I found it frustratingly small print to read and its density too difficult to adequately open each page as it is too tightly bound. The larger dictionary has convienient colored tabs for each new letter in the alphabet. Above all, I relish the Appendix where two-3 and 4-letter words can be found.

Merriam Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, October 21, 2009
This is exactly what I expected. It has all the latest words included in the book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The essential dictionary for school, college, office and home,The fourth edition of The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary contains more features than any other pocket dictionary including:

- Boxed inserts on etymologies and language usage
- Pronunciation key on each page
- Current phrases, slang, and scientific terms
- Special notes on word origins
- World gazetteer
- Tables of weights and measurements ... Read more

Reviews

excellent and well organized, December 13, 2005
It's tough to recommend buying a thesaurus these days when there are so many resources available on the web and built-in to word processing applications that will do the job. Nevertheless, I've kept a copy of this thesaurus close at hand for decades now and I am usually much more satisfied with the results I get from using it than from electronic sources. After my copy practically disintegrated from the ravages of time, I finally sprang for this latest edition. While I can't say it looks much different from the ancient one I had, it has been updated extensively with new phrases, and more words have been added. I like the dictionary-style organization, but that will be a matter of personal preference for you. I've also found this book to be extremely helpful in studying for standardized tests. For those who take writing seriously enough to want to use the word that best conveys their thoughts, this thesaurus will be an excellent and very affordable resource.

If you write, you must have a Thesaurus!, December 19, 2005
"A Thesaurus is not a dinosaur." This is not just a play on words. I've heard it said that a printed thesaurus is a "dinosaur;" you can get everything you need from the worldwide web.

Then why do I have this copy next to my computer?

Look, the www is convenient and accessible... except when it isn't. The right word is there... except when it isn't. And this paperback edition of the New American Roget's College Thesaurus is so inexpensive, it IS always there, just like my trustworthy copy of Webster's Dictionary.

If you know you are going to be marooned on an island for a few years, bring along a copy of this book. If you end up having nothing to write on, you can at least use it as a fire starter!

One of the most handy and user-friendly thesaurus, July 27, 2002
This is one of the most handy and user-friendly thesaurus that I've used. It helps make the occasionally irksome word hunts efficient and a delight. This is an excellent first reference point that usually suffices without the need for consulting a more elaborate thesaurus.

Warning: This reference book can be addictive once you discover its vocabulary-enchancing functionality and even its entertainment value.

Puts most others in the shade, November 8, 2000
This is easily the best pocket-sized thesaurus that I have seen, and I own more than a dozen thesauri, large and small. A more comprehensive thesaurus with excellent word lists (e.g. horse breeds, phobias, shades of red etc.) is The Concise Oxford Thesaurus (ISBN: 0198601263). However, for general writing, I think this one has the highest value-to-weight ratio.

Roget's Thesaurus in Dictionary Form, August 5, 2006
I find this reference book most helpful due to the fact that it incorporates the style of a dictionary. It provides abundant information for words which assist me in utilizing them in numerous formats. I recommend this item with confidence to anyone who wishes to improve their writing skills.

A Very Formidable One!, September 30, 2004
I came across this one long time ago.....it is really addictive....and very beneficial too.....helped me a lot to improve my english.....I have got this one and the roget's 21st century thesaurus in dictionary form by Barbera Ann Kipler.....and would suggest people to buy both of them......i am quite experienced in the matter of thesaurii....and as far is this book is concerned.....it isvery very concise,handy.....and...user friendly.....and written in a detailed manner...

The Best, November 4, 2006
My High school copy of Rogets Thesaurus finally went from 2 pieces to 4. I've tried other thesaurus, but I prefer Roget's. So naturally I bought the Roget's.

Avoid this if you're looking for definitions, April 27, 2007
I bought this as a handy way to look up words I was unfamiliar with (BA English Lit) as I read. As I read a popular newsmagazine, a popular British murder mystery and watched a popular TV comedy, I looked up about a dozen words. Only about a third were listed, and a few of those had incomplete or erroneous definitions. VERY disappointing.

I guess this could help you spell.

The preferred first stop thesaurus, February 25, 2003
This very handy and useful thesaurus is one of my most valuable aids to the English language. It makes me write with more impact while steadily enhancing my command of words. Its the first step to making words work for you.

Not truly College level, February 12, 2009
I have a BA in History, but that doesn't mean I don't come across words I don't know. I wanted a handy, AUTHORITATIVE book for the nightstand for those odd words that come up in history texts (and, yes, novels). "Strake" is a good example (thank you Bernard Cornwell). That word is not in this book. Neither is the "F" word - ironically, the true touchstone of collegiate work. This book is good for the High School level, but would flunk for any college level. Sad, because Webster's hardcover collegiate is one of the best. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Best Crossword Dictionary Just Got Better!

With more than 50,000 new words added-now over 225,000 entries-the world's most extensive, up-to-the-minute and easy-to-use crossword puzzle dictionary is bigger and better than ever! Arranged alphabetically from start to finish, THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE A-Z CROSSWORD DICTIONARY is a boon for puzzle fans young and old-with thousands of updated references from the worlds of art, literature, sports, politics, and pop culture; geographical and technical terms; famous and not-so-famous figures from the past and present; biblical references; computer terminology; new and old words; variant spellings; idioms, slogans, slang, abbreviations ... and much more!

Containing nearly twice as much information as competing crossword dictionaries, this handy volume not only provides indispensable help to anyone occasionally stumped by the subtle and sophisticated clues employed by today's master puzzle constructors, it is also a treasure trove of fascinating facts and trivia. And if you're looking for the right word to fill those little white boxes, the solution is here ... at your fingertips.

Reviews

A Must for Crossword Buffs!, March 28, 2000
I am on my fourth copy of this dictionary. I have worn out the other three. I have owned several other crossword dictionaries but have found The New Comprehensive A-Z Crossword Dictionary to be the only one of any value. An absolute must if you do crosswords. I recently lent a copy to my 11 year old grandson for some homework of word puzzles which he found extremely helpful. He now owns his own copy.

Cheap and excellent!, August 17, 2001
I can't believe someone said this didn't help--maybe they were doing puzzles in some other language? If you can only afford ONE crossword dictionary--this is the one to buy. I use three different dictionaries, but this is the one I go to first. It means it when it says "comprehensive"--it is. I certainly couldn't get through a NY Times crossword puzzle without it!

The best of the best, July 16, 2001
I own all the important crossword puzzle dictionaries, such as the N.Y.Times x-word dictionary and Random House's x-word dictionary, not to mention about 10 others. No matter how many I try, I keep coming back to this one as my #1 dictionary. I get more answers out of this one than any other. I've owned it for years and it can't be beat. I highly recommend it.

A-Z Crossword Dictionary in hard cover, March 2, 2003
This book has helped me enormously to complete two crossword puzzles daily. The book has given me a lot of encouragement and satisfaction to the point that crosswords puzzles are my passion and they give great satisfaction.

The only reason this book did not get the five stars, but deservedly a 4 1/2, was the fact that it is a soft-covered book which has greatly disintergrated from constant usage and the book binding broke in half in less than a year.

I made it a point to buy a similiar book which was a hard cover,(Webster's) but was sorely disappointed in the book itself. It was not nearly as informative as the A-Z Crossword Dictionary and leaves much to be desire in the way of information. Thank you for letting me have my say.

Anita Janiec

For those getting started in crossword puzzles, December 23, 2003
I bought Mrs. Schaffer's "A-Z Crossword Dictionary" and I think it is probably the most used dictionary in my collection. There is no "one" crossword dictionary that will solve all of the clues. In my collection I have: "The New York Times Crossword Dictionary", "The Random House Crossword Dictionary", and "The Dell Crossword Dictionary". To also assist you in solving many crossword puzzles I recommend the "DVD & Video Guide 2004", "Proper Name Finder", and a good world atlas.

I keep going back, June 9, 2004
I have 5 0r 6 crosswordpuzzle dictionaries but I keep going back to this one. In fact I have completely worn to tatters two paperback voumes and have bought a 3rd. I much prefer it to the NY Times one or the Schwanfeld although they both are excellent.

So far one of the best., January 5, 2003
This book to me is excellent. Today I did the Sunday Funnies Crossword puzzle and got through 75% of my puzzle with this book. It features TV Shows & Characters etc. for that show. Movies with stars, oscars etc. Noble prize winners through the years such as peace etc. I can't say enough about this book. Also used for the NY Times puzzle in the Sunday paper today.

I have 8 other Crossword Dictionarys and the only other one equal to this is A to Z.

The Best, November 27, 2006
This is the BEST crossword Dictionary that I have ever used. I am ordering one now as a replacement as the other feel apart from use. My only negative comment is that it's not up to date past 1985. So newer phrases and words will not be there. It's great for unusual hard to find things and it gives many options on a word. I wish that someone would come up with a Book that covers TV stuff and old movies. Those always trip me up.

the best crossword dictionary, August 18, 2006
This is the best crossword dictionary that my husband has ever used, in fact, this is the third copy we have bought. The first two were paperback and fell to bits from constant use. I decided to buy a hardback copy so it would last longer.

Excellent, August 8, 2006
If you like to do crossword puzzles, then this is the only dictionary you will ever need. It is by far the best. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With more than 1,000,000 answers, this volume contains more than twice as many answers as any other crossword dictionary. More important, it is the first crossword dictionary ever to comprehensively cover the clues and answers that actually appear in today's most popular crosswords, including contemporary slang, phrases, and brand names.

Meticulously compiled by two crossword professionals with a combined thirty years in the field, and based on a massive analysis of current crosswords, there has never been a crossword dictionary with the breadth, depth, and currency of this one. From Jim Carrey to Sister Carrie, Homer Simpson to Homer's Iliad, the wide-ranging entries include 500,000+ synonyms, 3,000+ literary works, 5,000+ films, 20,000+ famous people from all fields, and more than 100,000 fill-in-the-blank clues so popular in today's crosswords.

Featuring an introduction by New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz, The Million Word Crossword Dictionary makes every other crossword dictionary obsolete.

Reviews

Best crossword puzzle resource I've found, June 28, 2004
I bought this book for my father. He says it's the greatest book around for working crossword puzzles. The only problem he has with it is the print is very small and he has a difficult time reading it with his 67yr old eyes. He gets by with a magnifying glass, but said he'd like to have one with bigger print.

A MUST HAVE FOR ALL PUZZLERS, June 4, 2004
Crossword puzzles are popular than ever. A newspaper just isn't complete without one. Authors use them as a backdrop in their mysteries. In addition, the crossword obsession is often spoofed in movies and on TV shows. They are a part of our everyday world.

Die-hard puzzlers will come to value _The Million Word Crossword Dictionary_. I'm not a die-hard puzzler, but I can appreciate the hard work that has gone into it. Comprehensive doesn't cover the amount of content in this 1268 page dictionary. Although the print is small, it is set up in an easy to read manner. The book offers words for single and double words. It includes typical words as well as celebrities, artists, authors, chemists, noblest, slang, popular phrases, movie titles, etc. Moreover, if you don't find what you are looking for, you can contact the authors through the snail mail or email addresses included in the book.

THE BEST CROSSWORD DICTIONARY EVER, August 4, 2004
I purchased the new "Million Word Dictionary", thinking it would be maybe just a bit better then any other dictionary. Guess what? It's a MILLION times better then my old Dell dictionary, and the New York Times dictionary that I have used for years. (they have now been sent to the attic).

One of its greatest features is that all the capitols are located together, as well as the rivers.

Who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1934? Turn to page 776, and all the Nobel Prize winners are listed.

It doesn't matter what you are looking for, movies, sports, actors, foreign names. Its all there, and real easy to find.

I am not much of a TV watcher, and I was pleasantly surprised to find so many entries on TV personalities and the shows. I have been able to finish many more puzzles, as a result of having this book.

Having this dictionary handy, when I get stumped, is almost like having you the author next to me, giving me the answers. A truly great Crossword dictionary.

The Million Word Crossword Dictionary, September 30, 2005
I absolutely love this book. It has helped me to finish crosswords that I otherwise couldn't. It is the most comprehensive dictionary of it's kind that I've seen (and I own quite a few). Now I don't need them anymore. I especially like the format. Not only are words listed giving the number of letters, but if a clue is blank something, or something blank (ex., Sao---, or ---nova) this dictionary has a listing for it.
It also includes popular movies and songs, actors, and other famous people, winners of awards, ex. nobel prize winners. It is definitely the best of its kind around. It isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. I gave this to my father-in-law for a birthday gift, as he is also into crosswords and he loved it too.

Dunsmore's view, September 6, 2005
You would not choose this as your first crossword puzzle dictionary from size (6 cm thick) or weight alone. If you already have 1 or 2 this one is great. It's new - 2004 - so lists are up-to-date. Arrangement is alphabetical with lists, people, abbreviations, etc. included in one A to Z continuum. More info than normal - eg a person's name may include parents, school, books written, etc. Movies are listed with info about each although one may show actors and director will the next shows producers and director. More lists (Canadian Prime Ministers) are included than normal.
In short, you will still prefer to make first use of smaller, more conventient Xword dictionaries but this is a boon to serious solvers.

Best Crossword Dictionary Yet!, July 18, 2005
I purchased the hardback and now am buying the soft back, so I can take it with me when I travel. Absolutely the best organized, easiest to find answers, and most comprehensive I have found to date. I have 5 crossword dictionaries and use this one 99% of the time.

If you are looking for a crossword dictionary that will really help, this is the one.

Crossworders Holy Grail, May 2, 2004
After using the Million Word Dictionary for the past 2 months, I have almost abandoned 4 other references that I was using prior.
This dictionary has factual, up-to-date info for puzzle solvers, trivia buffs, or anyone else interested in advancing their knowledge of Movies, Geography, the Arts, Music, Sports and hundreds of other topics.
I have worked crosswords for many years and many times have been frustrated by the lack of needed info on a number of topics. To the rescue, the Million Word Dictionary has been the answer to all my frustration.
I highly recommend the addition of this reference to your library.

Crossword Dictionary, November 9, 2006
This the best crossword puzzle dictionary I have used. It is not just a crossword dictionary, it is much like a thesaurus and I use it as such.

Outstanding Helpmate for slowing gray matter!!!, November 5, 2004
I love this Million Word Book!! I so appreciate the Authors for working so hard compiling this wonderful Book that's helping me continue with my puzzles. I'm 60 years old and my brain is a little foggy and this new Book is helping me stay alive. Thank you Stan and Dan for all your Super puzzle solving helpmate.

Gloria McGraw

the best, August 4, 2005
This should be the only crossword puzzle dictionary in any book store, and, I have used several, including Andrew Swanfeldt &
the New York Times. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The world's bestselling Spanish verbs reference book has just gotten better! The authors focus directly on a command of Spanish verbs--and fluency in Spanish starts with knowledge of verbs. This new seventh edition shows students and travelers exactly how to use the 501 most common and useful Spanish verbs in all 15 tenses and moods. Each verb is alphabetically listed in easy-to-follow chart form, one verb per page with its English translation. Enclosed with the book are two discs, a CD-ROM with language-learning aids, and an audio CD that reviews the formation and usage of Spanish verb forms.

New features include--

Editorial Review

As Oxford's flagship American dictionary, the New Oxford American Dictionary sets the standard of excellence for lexicography in this country. With more than 350,000 words, phrases, and senses, hundreds of explanatory notes, and more than a thousand illustrations, this dictionary provides the most comprehensive and accurate coverage of American English available.

The dictionary draws on the two-billion-word Oxford English Corpus and the unrivaled citation files of the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary to provide the most accurate and richly descriptive picture of American English ever offered in any dictionary. The Third Edition offers a thoroughly updated text, with revisions throughout and approximately 2,000 new words, phrases, and meanings. Many new words relate to fast-moving areas such as computing, technology, current affairs, and ecology, while others have recently entered the popular lexicon. Usage notes have been updated in light of the most recent Corpus evidence, and a completely new in-text feature on Word Trends charts usage for rapidly changing words and phrases such as carbon, mobile, or tweet. In addition, the volume has an attractive, modern new text design that makes entries easier to read and find.

One of the hallmarks of the New Oxford American Dictionary is the way it reflects the living language. Unlike in more traditional dictionaries, where meanings are ordered chronologically according to the history of the language, each entry plainly shows the principal meaning or meanings of the word, organized by importance in today's English. Thus readers can be confident that the first definition they see is the one most likely to be used by people today, and is not a sense that has been obsolete for two centuries.

Offering clear, authoritative, and precise information, with the in-depth and up-to-date coverage that users need and expect, the New Oxford American Dictionary is the benchmark by which all other American dictionaries are measured. ... Read more

Reviews

I'm a dictionary convert, September 22, 2001
This new American dictionary from Oxford is fantastic. I have the American Hertitage that came out a few years ago and I was pleased with it--it was an up-to-date version of the dictionaries I've always had. But when I received this dictionary I was astounded. For the first time I'm using my dictionary for more than a simple spell check.

First of all, it lists the most common use of the word as the first definition. This seems so logical it's bizarre that other dictionaries don't do it. I no longer have to browse through archaic or niche uses of a word simply because they predate the most common. It creates a whole new level of clarity. On top of this, the pronunciation system is extremely easy to use and the layout is clean and straight forward. It has the feel of a classic (illustrations and drawings only when it informs a word, none of those do-dads, distractions, and unnecessary photos that make other dictionaries look cheap but the makers think will make it look more expensive.) The usage notes are excellent, and there are more new words in it than I've found anywhere else--must be the resources of the OED and Oxford's other power dictionaries that the American lexicographers have drawn on. I actually find myself opening this dictionary and simply browzing.

It's also great with American words. I was afraid that it would be a British dictionary with an American cover wrapped around it, but that's not the case. Look up words like "trunk" and "roundabout" and see what you get.

I do have one criticism, and it's about thumb indexing. I'm not sure other dictionaries have this problem, but the thumb indexing is way off in places because they make the notches equidistant from each other and some letters are larger than others. What's the point of providing a quick finder tool when it's not helpfull

Still, this dictionary is grand. The first American dictionary that has met my needs and made me realize that a good dictionary is the most amazing resource I've ever encountered.

The Best One-Volume Dictionary Ever?, November 25, 2001
--- This, probably, is the one to buy. But decide for yourself...
--- The New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD) may be regarded as the American translation of the New Oxford English Dictionary (NODE), published in England in 1998. A great many definitions are word-for-word identical between the two works. However, NOAD introduces significant improvements.
--- For example, NODE omits pronunciations for "ordinary, everyday" words, and as a result you get no hint as to whether "corgi" rhymes with "orgy" or "Porgie". NOAD provides pronunciations for all words, using a more sensible respelling. Furthermore, entries contain raised dots to separate syllables. Unfortunately, the dots are more prominent than the hyphens, which are mere flyspecks in both dictionaries even though that is precisely the sort of information a user might need.
--- NODE has no illustrations, which are abundant in NOAD. The crude maps are close to useless, and many pictures are mere eye candy, but some are worthwhile, for example the illustration for "pasta", where you may encounter "orzi" for the first time.
--- A great many NODE entries have been deleted, especially those for Indian, Australian, African, and some British English entries such as "gain-up", precisely the items that might send an American user scurrying for the dictionary. Proper names of British import are frequent casualties. On the other hand, many American entries have been added, including the New England beverage "frappe", but not "tonic". Wherever NODE indicates that a word is "American", that designation is omitted, whereas NOAD supplies "British" for other entries. Of course, the fact that a particular word is "American" will often be of interest and perhaps importance to an American user.
--- Spellings have been Americanized, and some entries, such as those for "corgi" and "Welsh corgi", have in effect swapped places.
--- Political correctness is sometimes apparent. Someone decided there should be a new entry "altar girl", which (mutatis mutandis) is a clone of NODE's entry for "altar boy". Someone else decided that the definition of "altar boy" could be recast in terms of "altar server", but the latter term received no entry of its own. The result is a curious lack of parallelism that might lead readers to suspect that altar boys and girls have dissimilar functions. Something of the same sort befell the entries for "chairman" and "chairwoman".
--- NODE's etymologies for "cola" and "Coke-bottle" may be regarded as adequate, but since NOAD deleted the entries for the trademarks "Coca-Cola" and "Coke", the etymologies no longer suffice. NODE has an entry for the archaic exclamation "gad", which NOAD retains, while adding an entry for the interjection "Gad" with virtually the same meaning. NOAD's deletion of the ballet term "chaine" is hardly complimentary. In the entry for "gigabyte", NOAD places a digit and its exponent on separate lines, albeit hyphenated. The introductory matter retains "homonym" in a chiefly British sense.
--- The cover claims that NOAD offers a "descriptive picture of American English", which often seems to mean they have not put themselves in the user's place. You will have to go elsewhere if you seek clarification of "chinks" as used in "Romeo and Juliet" or "Shakespeare in Love". If you read that Buddha was sitting under a bo tree and desire further information on this botanical specimen, you are unlikely to be enlightened even though NOAD has the information. If your mother says you have "hazel eyes", you will think her color-blind if you rely on the NOAD definition. For a generation, most Christians have celebrated "Passion Sunday" a week later than NOAD indicates.
--- NOAD is probably the first one-volume American dictionary to include such avifauna from our 50th state as "ou, o'o, iiwi"; it's the first to include the Madagascar birds "asity" and "fody", but "jery" remains to be discovered.
--- For sheer browseability, NOAD is outstanding. It's a great book to have at your side if you are the phone-a-friend for a Millionaire contestant.
--- All the above quibbles can be multiplied a thousandfold for this or any work based on millions of decisions by dozens of people. As the owner of more than fifty English lexicons, I would recommend this one-volume dictionary over all competitors. Consider purchasing it with CD-ROM (not available when I bought mine). If the price or size of this dictionary is beyond your grasp, a reasonable alternative is "Webster's New World College Dictionary", which incidentally gets "chinks", "hazel", and "Passion Sunday" correctly, while concealing the information for "bo" in the same way as NOAD.

What a dictionary ought to be!, June 1, 2003
The large size of the Oxford American Dictionary, the high-quality paper, illustrations, and font all present an aura that beckons the reader in. The logical arrangement of the senses and sub-senses are so much easier to use that this effort will surely set a new standard in dictionaries. The older format, that of plowing through numerous entries that are seemingly unconnected, is doomed to fall by the wayside, and not a moment too soon. Older dictionaries lack the intuitive usefulness developed by the team that assembled this most excellent dictionary. Having the Oxford English Dictionary, a Merriam-Webster, and an older Webster, there is no question for us that for day-to-day use, and for the times when one needs to more fully develop very specific idea, this work will become the one that most will rely on. Those who desire exactitude will be pleased, and those who are "looking" will be drawn in, perhaps farther than they intended to be. A superior product that is long, long overdue.

The best dictionary available in America., December 2, 2002
I recently went through an exhaustive search for a nearly-unabridged dictionary. My criteria were simple: it needed to be newer, bigger, and more inclusive than my battered 1989 Webster's New World College Dictionary, yet still affordable. Other candidates included the venerable Webster's 3rd International (too big, too old), Random House Webster's Unabridged (not enough international words), American Heritage 4th (pretty, but not comprehensive enough), and the bargain Microsoft Encarta College (too preachy and computer-centric). After throwing a battery of new slang, British slang, international, biographical and high tech terms at all the books, I had many more hits in the New Oxford American than any of its competitors. My only caveat is that there are too many unnecessary photos - who needs Michael Jackson and Madonna in their dictionary, and who will care what Bob Dole and Al Gore look like in five years? There's also a full page of whale drawings, a waste of valuable word space in my view. If you're willing to overlook this minor flaw, this is the best choice of the big American dictionaries. For my needs, its picture-free cousin the New Oxford Dictionary of English (available at the Amazon.com UK site for the same price) is truly the best single-volume comprehensive English dictionary in the world.

Hmmm..., December 5, 2001
I'm going to give it 5 stars, even though I have my doubts about some of it.

A new, current dictionary is a wonderful thing. I've never liked American Heritage as they've never seemed thorough or complete enough for my taste, but I think the NOAD editors have done well. If you need a current dictionary immediately it's a decent alternative to the yet-to-be-seen new Websters or next OED. (And if for some weird reason you need a definition for `doh', it's in here.)

It's not a substitute for technical dictionaries, but they have a surprising number of definitions for current technical terminology. That's probably a feature, but... that's where I start to have my doubts. For example, one of their entries is for `JPEG'. Their definition is of questionable usefulness if you don't already know what they're referring to.

Worse, it's going to severely date the dictionary. We've all seen some of the amusing and dated "technical terms" in older dictionaries (like Webster's 3rd), and I often have wondered why the compilers ever bothered to include them in the first place. I believe a lot of terms in NOAD like `JPEG' are going to be goofily dated, if not in 5 years then certainly in 10.

Other questionable features include photographs and definitions for people like the Clintons and Bob Dole (who?). I don't want to appear curmudgeonly, but photos and brief bios of currently famous but soon-to-be-forgotten people don't add any value whatsoever... especially when you consider that a new release will likely take longer than anyone would like. And this isn't a cheap dictionary. I'd rather they dropped the photos and added more obscure words; there are much better sources for current biographical information.

I'm also not thrilled with the font. It isn't horrible, but it isn't high on my list of "most readable fonts" either.

In summary: it's a great choice for a current dictionary. Just be warned that some of the advertised features are going to be obsolete long before the next release.

Wordsmithing made easy., April 14, 2002
...

The NEW OXFORD AMERICAN DICTIONARY fills the bill quite nicely and in grandiose form. Not only is this tome arguably the best product for the English lexicon currently on the market, it meets the weight test...in spades--at a full 9 pounds!

The NEW OXFORD AMERICAN DICTIONARY somewhat breaks with tradition by providing the user with "core" senses. The core senses appear first for each definition and are followed by subsenses. The uses of "senses/subsenses" represents the most literal use of the word in the American lexicon rather than the more traditional, according to the publishers. This, in and of itself, makes this dictionary extremely timely and staggeringly useful to significantly any professional, manager or student.

One other area which makes this dictionary extremely timely and which has been improved upon by the publishers is the seemingly infinite number of new words and acronyms forged by the presence of the Internet. Although you'll not find all of the poignant slang associated with your surfing activities, you may be surprised at how many you will find. My favorite example (as noted by another reviewer) and one that is used by most who email and participate in chat rooms is "LOL" (laughing out loud). The advent of this feature will benefit older users of the net much more than the younger ones (LOL)!

As with most dictionaries, the pronunciation for each word is provided with its core sense and subsenses. Although somewhat strafed by commercial reviewers, the fact that the pronunciation key is found only in the introduction did not pose a monumental problem for this reviewer. Illustrations are abound in this volume although in black-and-white and greyscale. Again, this seems to be a point of contention for many but I think one has to ask themselves WHY they're using a tool such as this. If its for full-color photography, there are other resources available which would prove more beneficial than a dictionary.

Other odds-and-ends...a "ready-reference" section has been placed at the end of this mammoth. It truly does represent a potpourri of items. A sampling includes: the United States Constitution, Hall of Fame members (baseball, football, basketball and even rock n' roll!), heat index and wind chill matrixes and a variety of other resources. The upside of this strange mix is that it should provide something for everyone, which is what I'm sure the publisher had in mind.

Net,net...this is an incredible piece of work and one that every professional should 'invest' in, which is one other nice feature. Its tough to get your hands on a volume this nice for the price featured here on Amazon. All reference tools have shortcomings inasmuch as differing needs exist relative to each user. However, if you need an outstanding dictionary, you'll not go wrong purchasing this one.

A truly great American dictionary, March 7, 2002
..Mammoth, lexicography, illustration, language root, nuance, readability, affordability...are few key words that I can think of when using this dictionary. This book will serve both languists and seasonal home users, it is good enough for library use and it is inexpensive enough to belong to homes.

I am always a fan of Oxford publisher for its authority of the subject. The dictionary provides the core definition of word, its derivatives, origin (Greek, Latin, et al), usage and pictures. With this comprehensiveness, it comes with 2000 pages and library reference page size (try to look for Beetle). It is BIG, so it is not portable. With good paper and construction, this one will last.

Exceptional Tool for Student or Adult, June 24, 2003
I would never have believed I could get this excited about a dictionary! I bought this last year for my fifth grade son when he and I both became dissatisfied with the Merriam-Webster School Dictionary. The M-W was our first attempt at upgrading from his picture dictionary but my son, an average student, struggled with the lack of usage examples. I found that the M-W system of listing the most archaic meanings first was also a hindrance, sometimes maddening. What a joy when the New Oxford American arrived. My son instantly warmed to their profuse usage examples and I was impressed with the more intuitive presentation of words which have multiple meanings. Finally, I found that the font type is very easy on the eyes.

The best dictionary of American English, December 17, 2001
This is absolutely the best dictionary of American English currently on the market. I researched American Heritage, Websters etc. The Oxford is clearly a level above them all.

First, this dictionary has the unprecendated level of clarity in its entries. It's not just the idea that the most common senses of the word should go first (unlike Marian-Webster's, where they are presented chronologically), it's the idea that among all the senses of the word, some are the "core" meanings, while the others are the sub-meanings, sub-senses, and can be grouped accordingly. You don't need to go through 15 senses of the word "belt", for example, to find the meaning you were looking for. All the meanings are grouped by their "core" meaning, with other subsenses attached to them. As a result, it's so much easier to grasp all the meanings of the word, because, think about it, this is exactly how your mind works. The Oxford editors believe (based on the extensive phychological research) that this is how the dictionaries of the future should be written, and this stem structure of senses and subsenses makes a lot of sense.

I was surprised to read other reviews of this dictionary where reviewers were critisizing the New Oxford American Dictionary in favor of Mariam-Webster's and others because some obscure words were present there, but not here. Don't kid yourself, unless you have 70 other dictionaries at home and lots of spare time to compare the entries in each of them, you'll find the Oxford dictionary excellent, definately better than anything else on the market, and sufficient for most of your needs and more.

Highly recommended.

Very Handy, April 27, 2004
This is my third favorite dictionary - behind the 20 volume OED and the Shorter OED. There are several things I like about this dictionary - first, it is a convenient size, not too unwieldy to carry from room to room. Second, the innovative way of defining the words (using core meanings and distinctions of these meanings) makes the dictionary very readable and accessible. The layout is clean and organized, with occasional drawings or photos.

The emphasis of this dictionary appears to be contemporary usage. There is a brief origin listing after many words, which is useful; however, the historical quotations that are descriptive of the OED or shorter OED are mostly absent. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Merriam-WebsterÆs Spanish-English Dictionary is a completely new dictionary designed to meet the needs of English and Spanish speakers in a time of ever-expanding communication among the countries of the Western Hemisphere. It is intended for language learners, teachers, office workers, tourists, business travelersùanyone who needs to communicate effectively in the Spanish and English languages as they are spoken and written in the Americas. ... Read more

Reviews

Wonderful., February 11, 2002
This is a fantastic dictionary. I spent quite a bit of time on amazon researching the best Spanish/English Dictionary. This one lives up to all of the positive reviews below.

I have found this to be very helpful. One nice feature is that if you look up a conjugated verb, it actually appears in the dictionary with a cross reference back to the unconjugated verb.

It also has several tenses of the words, so you can say the right thing even if you're wanting to speak in the past tense. I also like the sample sentences that it gives for many words...you can easily see how the word would actually be used.

It's also conveniently small in width and height. But still packs a lot in!

Great student or traveler reference, March 29, 1999
This book packs a lot of bang for your buck. Being the third dictionary I've owned, I am very pleased. Contains great phrasing examples and is well-organized. Has 80,000 entries, including modern terms and expressions. And it's small enough that you can pack it around with you! I highly recommend this as your choice of dictionary.

If you trust this one, you may offend, September 25, 2005
While good in every other way, this dictionary is missing a vital part for anyone who wants to be able to communicate without embarrassment. It neglects to warn of vulgar words and phrases. It skips from "shirt" to "shiver" in the English section. On the Spanish side, it fails to tell that, while "coger" is a perfectly ordinary and acceptable way to say "to take" in Spain, it is very vulgar in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. There are many other examples, but it is not necessary to cite them here.
Whether you are looking to offend or looking to avoid offending, Merriam-Webster's will not help you. Always check. If this feature is missing, keep looking. The University of Chicago Spanish-English Dictionary, Cassell's Spanish & English Dictionary , and others do list and warn of vulgar and extremely vulgar words in both English. Whatever they cost, they are a much better buys.

Big book in a small package, August 27, 2000
This is a very powerful mini dictionary at a very competitive price. It contains explanations, examples and phrases making it far more useful for travel than the smaller pocket dictionaries. It has also replaced my desk dictionary as it contains more recent words, is better organized and easier to use. If you're looking for a "one-size-fits-all" book this one is worth checking out.

Must-Have for learning Spanish, August 29, 2004
This is the only spanish-english dictionary I've ever owned. I've used several over the 8 years that I've spent learning Spanish, but this is by far the best one. It's lay-out is very easy to read/understand, plus there's great conjugations, examples, etc. that make it very user-friendly. Not to mention, there's tons of words that you don't find in many Span-Engl dictionaries.

I find less than half of the words I look up, June 9, 2006
The pocket size is nice, however that's about the only thing I liked about this dictionary. I can't believe how often I can't find the words I look up. Also, if you hold the Spanish-English pages with your fingers, it is half as thick as the English-Spanish section, and it has a very cheap feel to it.

I also have the NEW WORLD "CONCISE" SPANISH DICTIONARY, and even though it is a little bigger, it is much much better. I bought this one because I gave my CONCISE to a relative. I ended up buying another CONCISE.

Excellent reference for Spanish classes, September 17, 2007
The Merriam-Webster paperback Spanish-English Dictionary is an excellent reference for my high school Spanish classes. I teach 1st through 3rd year Spanish and I recommend this book to all my students. Not only does it contain 80,000 words and 100,000 translations, its comprehensive treatment and vast store of various usages and phrases is invaluable to a student learning Spanish (and a teacher teaching it). The first 20-some pages explain how to best use the dictionary, and the next 40 pages are a mini-course in Spanish grammar, punctuation, and parts of speech. And at a listed price of $6.50 it is a bargain! Besides straight definitions of words, many synonyms and idioms are included. I highly recommend this dictionary to anyone needing to translate from English to Spanish or Spanish to English.

Excellent complement to curriculum, October 7, 2005
My daughter is learning Spanish via computer curriculum and my rusty memory. This book has been a tremendous aid in building vocabulary, as well as bringing understanding to the conjugation of verbs. Its ease of use makes her bring it to our workplace so she can converse with the bilingual people there.

One of the Best on the Market!!, April 11, 2006
This dictionary is simply excellent. It's one of the best bilingual English-Spanish/Spanish-English dictionaries I've ever seen on the market - better than VOX's, Cassell's, Oxford, and other brands. The reason it's better is because the definitions are clearer, more precise, and easier to use. The dictionary is laid out in the typical Merriam-Webster format. Example phrases are given with many definitions, and definitions of idioms are also given under word entries, with the idioms highlighted in bold.

Since Spanish pronunciation is very regular, the dictionary doesn't give any pronunciations to the words, but the English words all have standard IPA pronunciations.

This dictionary, though, seems to be aimed slightly more at native English speakers. There is a good overview of Spanish grammar and pronunciation at the front, but there is no English grammar tutorial in Spanish. Also, the appendices all have English headings, and so does the preface. Disregarding the front and back matter, though, the English-Spanish part of the dictionary is an excellent decoder of the English language for Spanish speakers, while also helpful for English speakers (some other dictionaries, like Langenscheidt, specifically designs one of their sections to either "decode" or "express" another language, but this dictionary does both). In the English-Spanish section, examples of English idioms are given to help Spanish speakers, and vice versa.

I really found this to be an dispensable resource. Looking up a word is really fast, and you get a clear, accurate, precise, and Merriam-Webster styled translation. ?Muy bien!

Best Price / Performance Choice, June 20, 2005
For use in my English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, I bought several different dictionaries. I find that both I, and my students, reach for this one much more frequently than the other references available. Even for twice the money, you will have a hard time making a better choice. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A classic-fully revised and updated! The Children's Illustrated Dictionary brings words and images together, making it fun and easy for young readers to improve their vocabulary and reading skills. ... Read more

Reviews

A Great Kid's Dictionary!, September 12, 2009
This dictionary by Dorling Kindersley is just what a child's reference book should be. It is sturdy and brightly attractive and my children often ask me to sit down with them and just look at the various pictures and talk about what word goes with them.

Beyond that I have found it to be a mommy life-saver because this same child --and now my son-- will ask me what something means and I find myself at a loss as to how to explain the word in simple enough terms. Ta-da! the DK Illustrated dictionary. Their explanations are short and perfect; and although it is not a comprehensive dictionary (you will not find words like impugn and insolent) it is certainly the best one that my hubby and I have found on the market.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews

Makes Words Fun!, March 9, 2010
We had bought 3 dictionaries for our family (one for our 1st grader, one that's suitable for 3rd grade through middle school, and finally one for high school and college. This one I have to say has exceeded my expectations. It is easy for my 7 year old brother to use and makes him very excited about words. He likes to use the next dictionary up as well to show off to his older brother how easy it is to use, but he still loves this one. He'll sit there for an hour and just explore the words and definitions inside along with the beautiful pictures.

I highly recommend this dictionary for younger students. My brother is 7 and in 1st grade and this is absolutely wonderful for a child who is still learning how to go from the phonetic spellings to the actual correct spelling, it also helps to make it less stressful with the colorful layout and beautiful pictures. This will help your child to get a jump start on being smart when it comes to using resources such as dictionaries in order to look up spellings and definitions.

A great buy!

Great Dictionary, August 5, 2009
Was looking for a while for the 'perfect' dictionary for my 7 1/2 year old, and finally found it. He loves this book and uses it not only as a reference for words he is not familiar with, but he loves to read it for fun.

very good children's dictionary, November 21, 2010
This dictionary is very easy for my 5 year-old to use and understand. Whenever he has a question about a word, he pulls out this dictionary. It is a huge relief on my part, since I have trouble explaining what some of the words mean (even the simple ones at times). ... Read more

Editorial Review

Go beyond conjugation and learn the right verb tenses for speaking and writing in Spanish

If you are looking for help memorizing Spanish verb conjugations, then any Spanish verb book will do. But if you are interested in becoming fluent, you'll need to learn how these language building blocks are used in everyday speech and writing. That's where Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses comes in.

The ideal reference/workbook for beginning to intermediate Spanish-language learners, Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses shows you when and why to use certain verb tenses and gives you plenty of examples, increasing your confidence in choosing the right word.

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses lets you:

• Learn when and why to use different verb tenses
• Reinforce your knowledge with everyday examples covering a wide range of topics
• Build your verb skills using more than 250 engaging exercises

With numerous skill-building exercises, comprehensive verb conjugation tables, and the proven Practice Makes Perfect format, you will learn to speak and write in Spanish fluently in no time at all.

Topics include: Present Tense; Conjugation of Regular Verbs;Ser and Estar; Hay; Tener; The Personal a; A Dozen Highly Useful Irregular Verbs; Saber and Conocer; Stem-Changing Infinitives; Noteworthy Infinitives; Reflexive Verbs; Gustar et al.; The Present Progressive; The Past, Future, and Conditional Tenses; The Preterite Tense; The Imperfect Tense; The Future Tense; The Conditional Tense; The Present Perfect Tense;The Past Perfect Tense; The Imperative, Subjunctive, and Compound Tenses, and the Passive Voice; The Imperative; The Present Subjunctive; The Imperfect Subjunctive; The Future Perfect; The Conditional Perfect; The Present Perfect Subjunctive; The Pluperfect Subjunctive; The Passive Voice

Reviews

Great book, with one suggestion, May 21, 2010
This book is great, I started learning Spanish two months ago as a complete beginner, I purchased this book along with Basic Spanish and Pronouns and Prepositions.

I went through Basic Spanish in 2 weeks and then delved into verb tenses. I have to say I love these exercises, it is really interesting and encourage you to continue without making you feel bored. I finished this book today with 1.5 month of daily effort.

English is not my first Language so I know how boring learning grammar could have been. I wasted so many times before trying to understand these English verb tenses. But when using this book, everything is just naturally falling into its category with the great explanation and exercise provided by the author(of course, some of them is quite similar to english, so it saved my time)

I'm not go for a grammar expert in spanish, so a clear explanation of the commonly seen verb structures like "se puede" is my expectation. Right now, I think Spanish Verb Tenses did a fantastic job

Only suggestion for this book, I wish there's review sections and exercises in the book covering different chapters, because the exercise under its own chapter title makes me little bit lazy to think about the tense deeper, I just have to use the one indicated by the chapter title.

(Another thing I'd like to mention is that the conjugation of Spanish verb is much more complex than English since it's directly from Latin, while English is not. So at first you might be little bit scared, but believe me, it is really nothing. People are not very interested in memorization these days, but if you've made up your mind to get started with these verb tenses, you can memorize of all them in a few days, firmly, and refresh it again and again in the coming days with the exercises in the book, after that, your memorization understanding will become real understanding)

Update: another suggestion for this book is about imperative. In this book, imperative is introduced before the the subjunctive, so when I used this book for imperative, I just felt that all these formation rules of imperative are just so random that I totally can not categorize them. Later someone tell me that all imperatives are just the corresponding present subjunctive except for the affirmative of t� and vosotros, So I think it might be a good thing to introduce present subjunctive before introducing imperative

Update Sept 30
It has been 6 months since I started learning Spanish, and right now I can say this book is enough for you to get a good sense of this language, to be honest, you don't need to buy any other books(maybe the pronouns and prepositions, but I found the only thing that is critically important is the RID pronouns). But you have to learn some real Spanish, the Spanish which you can not learn from any text book or work book, as for the grammar, you're already prepared after you finished this one. Practise your knowledge learnt from this book in real Spanish conversations, until turning them into your second nature

4.5/5 Highly recommended

Why didn't I get this when I first started learning Spanish?, May 10, 2010
This is by far the best investment I've made in my Spanish learning career. This book has helped me understand so much more than anything I've ever had. Visual learning is a good start, but when you get down to the knitty gritty of things, you realize that you are going to have to know how to form sentences on your own if you ever plan on getting anywhere. This book is marked for beginner to intermediate and that seems about right.

Best practice book EVER, May 19, 2010
This is by far the best spanish workbook I have ever used. It gradually exposes the reader to vocabulary while keeping it's focus on grammar. I love the way it describes "rules" that I never could get before. I have studied Spanish for a long time, and this book helped clarify somethings to me that I didn't learn in the classroom. To anyone who has self-motivation, I would highly recommend this book.

Very good book, July 20, 2010
I have been living in Chile for about a year (picked this book up while visiting the US) and learned Spanish basically only through semi-immersion. I didn't have a background in Spanish so I've learned a lot of Spanish through living in Chile, but what I lacked was some basic foundational Spanish. This book has really helped provide a good foundation for me for the things I have picked up while living in Chile. I love it! I'm learning so many things that I had questions about before. I'm a little less than halfway through, and I'm finding it so helpful. I've decided to buy a few more Spanish books by the same author, because I really like her simple straightforward style. It doesn't skip around and give you lengthy explanations about things. It just provides you with the information you need to know in an orderly fashion and then you do the exercises.
The only complaint I have is that there isn't any review from previous chapters. In order to review you have to go back through the chapters and review for yourself. That doesn't bother me so much, because the way the author explains things is pretty simple, and you can just flip back through the pages and do some reviewing for yourself. I'm using this along with Rosetta Stone and I think I'm getting a very good foundation that I can build upon when I go back to Chile.
This book is for the beginner to intermediate level.

Excellent Learning Tool, June 28, 2010
I bought Spanish Verb Tenses as part of the Practice Makes Perfect Spanish language learning set. I have purchased several learning manuals over the years by various authors and I find that the Practice Makes Perfect series to be the best by far. It teaches and reinforces basic grammar which is the foundation for learning any language. The exercises are helpful. Even though I have been taking Spanish lessons for quite some time, I discovered some new tools with the Verb Tenses manual which helped me with my understanding of Spanish grammar and also in speaking Spanish. I would certainly recommend Spanish Verb Tenses as well as any of the manuals in the Practice Makes Perfect series.

Working well for me., September 11, 2010
I took two years of Spanish in high school nearly 50 years ago. I can converse in simple present tense with a limited vocabulary. I am trying to get so that I can converse and understand in most situations. It also requires that you write a paragraph in each section which helps immensely in reinforcing what you have learned. This book replaces one I had been using that I was not that happy with. I am finding this is much better structured and I can progress quickly. They say you can't learn at 65 but with this book I am making great progress. Has anyone seen my car keys?

Exactly what I needed, August 11, 2010
I am so pleased with this workbook on Spanish verbs, particularly how the author writes why and when to use the verbs in each of their tenses. I also like her explanations about irregular verbs. I'm one of those people that if I can remember the "why", I can remember it better. As someone who has taken the equivalent of 7 years of Spanish, but has become rusty in recent years from relative lack of use, the book addresses my current needs right where I'm at. I feel like the author understands native English thinkers/speakers well and bridges the gap to speaking/writing Spanish correctly. I feel like "Yeah!!", somebody gets it! The exercises are very helpful and so are the paragraph translations that have you utilize the verb form you just learned in a paragraph. Also, there's a English/Spanish and Spanish/English dictionary, and you can check your answers in the back after you've completed a section. She's a bright woman, and she gets it! Thank you Dorothy!! I'm grateful for your book, knowledge, thinking and planning in how the book was organized. I'm trying to hang on to a small job I recently took as a bilingual office assistant, and I think this book is a good tool that will enable me to do so. If you already know some Spanish and need help brushing it up, and/or making what you know more permanent, this is a great book.

I bought for myself and then my Spanish teacher wanted her own copy, October 20, 2010
I bought this book before my Spanish exam ( lower intermidiate level). I wish I owned it months ago. My teacher reviewed it and asked me to order a copy for her as well. This book has conversational style and explains in detail the concepts that are sometime difficult to grasp in class or from other texts that I own.

Learning Spanish for love, October 12, 2010
Absolutely fantastic! Fun, well-written and incredibly useful. I have three of these books (vocabulary and grammar also) and they really compliment each other. The exercises are challenging, yet realistic and develop well in intensity as you go along.
I'm getting to the point where I'll be able to speak to my prospective South American mother in law when I meet her!

Excellent Workbook!, September 10, 2010
I got a series of these "Practice Makes Perfect" Spanish language workbooks to refresh the 2 years of Spanish I took in high school many years ago. They are reasonably priced, well organized, and full of practical information and fun exercises (with an answer key in the back). Between studying these, watching Spanish language TV and chatting with some Latina friends at work, I feel I'm making real progress. I also recommend getting an Espanol-Ingles Diccionario as a handy reference. The Oxford Gran Diccionario is a huge volume which gives many examples of how each word is used and has many extra features. It's a sturdy hardcover that will last you a lifetime, and it's only about $30. Gran Diccionario Oxford: Espanol-Ingl�s:Ingl�s-Espanol ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

You can set this dictionary as your default Kindle dictionary and look up words while reading. The default setting is The New Oxford American Dictionary included on your Kindle, but you have the option to change your default setting to this compatible dictionary after purchase.

Access English definitions and explanations for Spanish words with this handy resource from America-s language experts.Including more than 40,000 entries, 50,000 translations, and abundant examples of words used in context, this special Kindle edition is designed to help users understand written and spoken English and Spanish.Simply search by word, browse, or highlight words within text. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Professor and the Madman, masterfully researched and eloquently written, is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary -- and literary history. The compilation of the OED began in 1857, it was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.

This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

Reviews

Splendid re-telling of a true story of triumph amid tragedy., September 12, 1998
I purchased this book while in London recently under its British title THE SURGEON OF CROWTHORNE. Apparently for American readers, the publishers felt it necessary to "tart up" the title to THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN. Regardless, Simon Winchester's story between the covers is splendidly told, without sensationalising even the most horrific details, revealed matter of factly well into the book. The story is that of Dr. Minor - an American Civil War surgeon - who went mad amid the horrors of "The Wilderness." Pursued by his nightly demons, he later wound up in grim South London where he shot dead a totally innocent man. Sent to Broadmoor - a sprawling lunatic asylum near London - he became one of the most valuable contributors to the compilation of the magisterial Oxford English Dictionary. Winchester recounts - correcting but not spoiling a wonderful story - the meeting between the OED's legendary James Murray and his reclusive contributor. While ultimately Dr Minor's story is a tragic one - not the least for his hapless victim - it is also a tribute to the persistence of the human mind. Cleverly presented with appropriate OED citings, this book is not to be missed for anyone interested in words. If you'll excuse the expression, this is the "definitive" work.

Fine book that needs an index, March 3, 2001
For those who love words and reference books, this is a well-told yarn. Being the story of the relationship between one William Minor, a doctor and convicted lunatic suffering from paranoia, and James Murray, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, there is much more right with the book than wrong, but it does have some problems, primarily the lack of an index. Any book with so many names should have an index.

Secondly, one wishes to see and hear more -- the author refers to several interesting photographs: a formal farewell photo of Minor near the end of his life, returning to America after 37 years in England (all but one spent in Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane); the last photo of Murray, a fortnight before his death, in the Scriptorium (where the OED was compiled) surrounded by his daughters and staff. It would have been nice to see these pictures. The author refers several times to Minor's handwriting and many times to his letters. It would have added to the story to see at least a few letters in full, and particularly to have seen a sample of Minor's writing. In addition, Winchester credits the motivation for the creation of the OED to an address by Richard Trench, in which Trench delineates seven ways that dictionaries of the time were deficient, but then states that "most of them are technical and should not concern us here"! I think people interested in this book *would* most likely be interested in these technical details. If nothing else, they should be put in a (foot)note.

Finally, although the tale is generally well told and an enjoyable read, the author occasionally hits a false note which a reader may find jarring; for instance, in describing Minor's post-trial delivery to the asylum, Winchester states that "the horses were sweating slightly as they hauled the four-wheel vehicle and its occupants up the low sandstone hill at the top of which stands Broadmoor itself." Oh really. Nice touch of drama, but disconcerting when so much else is related without imaginary flourishes. Similarly, Winchester conjectures that a hypothetical event may have led to Minor's autopeotomy, though there is no reason at all to believe such an event occurred.

Having listed these flaws, one is obligated also to acknowledge the author's successes. In addition to an engaging style in service to an interesting tale, there is a charming author's note, an acknowledgments section actually worth reading, and a touching dedication (fleshed out in the text) to G.M. -- George Merrett, Minor's murder victim, who left behind a pregnant wife with seven children and who rests in an unmarked grave.

I recommend the book. An example of fine historical writing, it humanizes a remarkable literary achievement. But it needs an (in' dex)!!

Interesting and well-researched, but a bit melodramatic, September 14, 2000
James Murray, the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, corresponded with Dr. W.C. Minor for many years; Dr. Minor was one of the most indefatigable contributors to the OED. Minor was committed to an Broadmoor asylum in 1872, having murdered an innocent man. Nowadays we would call him a paranoid schizophrenic; in those days they just called him insane.

In the asylum he had plenty of time to locate and submit thousands of usage slips to the OED, and thus began his relationship with Murray. It is an extraordinary relationship, and Winchester wrings every last drop of melodrama from it--to the point of irritating the reader.

For example, for many years there was a standard tale about the first meeting of Murray and Minor, in which Murray only finds out when he actually arrives at Broadmoor that Dr. Minor is not on the staff, but is an inmate. Winchester opens the book with the phrase "Popular myth has it that . . . " and proceeds to tell the tale; it is an engaging story, and he tells it well. However, halfway through the book he points out that it is false, and has been known to be so for several years. He does eventually give the true version of events, but dangling the attractive lie in front of the reader like this while delaying the less exciting truth is a sign of his weakness for sensationalism.

Another example (p. 195 in the paperback edition): after describing a particular gruesome episode of his madness, Winchester speculates for a whole page about a possible cause for which there is not even a hint of evidence--that Minor had an affair with the wife of the man he murdered. Winchester freely admits this is a complete fabrication, but includes it as "legitimate speculation"; to me, it feels more like tabloid journalism.

There's more of the same, but that's enough examples; I think part of the problem is that there is simply not much material here to work with. The basic facts are few, and Winchester had to embroider and imagine. It must be said, though, that where he *does* relate factual information, as opposed to speculation, the book is fascinating. The story truly is remarkable, and despite the style is very much worth reading. It's just a pity that Winchester felt unable to let the story speak for itself.

A fascinating read, October 26, 1999
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, mainly for learning about some of the key people and events behind one of the greatest undertakings in the English language. A lot of us today take the existence of the dictionary for granted, not realizing how it evolved from its first incarnations, or exactly what kind of work went into its preparation. Simon Winchester does a great job tracing the history of the dictionary to give frame of reference to his main story. The details of Dr. Minor's and James Murray's histories have been carefully researched and presented so as to thoroughly engage the reader. The only drawback I found is, despite the book's applaudable effort to dispel the myths surrounding Dr. Minor's involvement in the making of the OED, sometimes the writing style inadvertently falls into this same trap of myth-making. The words "lunatic" and "madman" are often used in the sensationalized sense the Victorians used them, thereby unnecessarily judging and glamorizing Dr. Minor's mental illness. Also, the defining incident at Lambeth is written as a Victorian thriller, complete with gas lamps, "bone-chilling cold" and a figure lurking in dark narrow streets. This extra air of mystery was not needed, as the real events are more than compelling enough to make you want to read more. All in all, though, an absorbing tale.

Brothersjudddotcom recommends, February 4, 2000
This is an extremely interesting story, so much so that you can see why anyone who heard about it would feel compelled to share it. But it's pretty slender and just barely worthy of a book length treatment. It seems like it would work better as a long magazine article or even as a novel and it will make a terrific movie.

In the latter portion of the 19th century, when James A. H. Murray faced the monumental task of compiling the initial version of the Oxford English Dictionary, he sent out a call for contributors. One of the most reliable and thorough volunteers proved to be Dr. William Chester Minor. But Minor resisted entreaties to visit the operations of the OED and to partake in the celebrations as volumes were completed. The reason for his reticence turned out to be his incarceration in Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

Minor, an American, was profoundly disturbed and a murderer to boot. After some disquieting years of service in a medical unit during the Civil War, he fixed upon an obsession that Irishmen wanted to kill him. His psychoses finally led him to gun down a complete stranger on a British street and he was institutionalized. He eventually spent about 50 of his over 80 years in some form of state care, where he was continually plagued by delusions that he was being spied upon and his food poisoned, and at one point he mutilated himself in a fashion which will have male readers cringing in horror. Meanwhile, his incarceration and his educational attainment made him uniquely well suited to contribute to the mammoth undertaking that was the OED.

Winchester does a creditable job of showing how two very different men were united by their love of language and learning. But, there are pretty obvious dramatic limitations to a true life story that involves one subject who's institutionalized and another who's writing a dictionary. Like I said, it's a pretty slim tale, but it is fascinating.

Reader's Digest Non-fiction, August 6, 2000
Feel it a duty to add a voice of dissent to the chorus of praise heaped upon this thin-blooded, dilettantish piece of work. How Winchester managed to do all the legwork implied by his "Acknowledgements" and still write such an uninteresting, repetitive and grossly reductive piece of flimflam is a bit of a mystery. Nevertheless, what we have here is not a scholarly examination of an unexplored corner in the history of the making of the OED, but a sentimental 200 page piffle that lurches from the predictably trite to the wildly speculative, interspersed along the way with stomach-churning excursions into the cutesy-wutsey. (Examples of the latter include referring to Dr. Johnson no less than six times in the course of a single chapter as "The Great Cham," and Winchester's inability to mention the lexicographer Frederick Furnivall without also mentioning the "buxom barmaids" of his favorite haunt).

The central failure of the book, however, is Winchester's weakness for unsupported contention. He maintains, for instance, that Minor, the madman, and Murray, the OED's editor, became fast "friends" with a relationship based on "great mutual respect" but the only piece of actual evidence the author proffers, a single letter of Murray's, suggests that the editor felt little more than interested pity for Minor. More brazenly, without the smallest scintilla of evidence, Winchester suggests that Minor may have engaged in an act of self-mutilation out guilt for having sexual thoughts about the widow of the man he murdered. Similar instances of the author's wishful thinking abound: from Minor's childhood impressions in Ceylon, through his experiences in the Civil War, to his years confined to Broadmoor, Winchester hasn't hesitated to mix fact with fancy wherever he thought it would spice up the story.

Furthermore, anyone looking for insight into the shaping of the OED will be sorely disappointed. Although he early alleges that his book will have two protagonists (affording the author the opportunity for a meaningless digression about the history of the word "protagonist"), in point of fact we get very, very little about Sir James Murray: a brief sketch of his childhood, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, he's been appointed editor of the OED. We also get no sense at all of what the man might have been like, or how he was able to overcome the various obstacles that arose in the creation of the massive dictionary.

In short, this is the Reader's Digest-style non-fiction: short, sensationalistic, largely unburdened by substantiated fact or telling detail. It's harmless enough, perhaps, but even for a work intended for a lay readership it aims very low indeed.

How the heck did they write that HUGE dictionary?, April 14, 2000
Simon Winchester answers this question with a story of violence, passion, tragedy, and sympathy. What more could you want in a story about a dictionary? I love books that shine with the author's enthusiasm for the subject. _The Professor and the Madman_ is just that type of book. Winchester obviously loves language and word origin. He gives the reader a look at etymology that is detailed enough to make you feel like a scholar, but selective enough so that you aren't overwhelmed with the rather dry science of language. But this is only the secondary plot. The main story, that of the obsession of the scholarly but homicidally deranged Dr. W.C. Minor, the focused and driven brilliance of Dr. James Murray, and the Oxford English Dictionary that brought them together is thrilling and tragic. Winchester does a great job of sharing with the reader the sadness and regret of Dr. Minor's amazing intellect trapped inside his deranged mind. If you've ever had a relative or friend succumb to Alzheimer's or another mental disease, you can understand the tragedy of such an intruguing person losing a battle with sanity. The story is so unique that it could only be true, and Winchester seems to have researched it thoroughly and accurately. I highly recommend it.

Winchester Brings Lexicographic History to Life!, February 18, 2000
Okay, you can get the long-winded plot summaries from the other reviews here, but you won't get this: The Professor and the Madman is a book for practically anybody. I have a personal interest in the history of the English language, so I found the book especially fascinating, but the truth is, it has something for everybody. It's not just a tale of some convicted murderer who contributed a lot of quotes to the Oxford English Dictionary. It's a romantic and tragic story, about two misunderstood men--one trapped in an asylum with a wish to contribute something to the world, the other a highly respected, yet humble and intelligent scholar. The connection between them--as well as their individual stories--is mysterious and beautiful. If you enjoy true stories of profound and personal undertakings, or if you just like a good book about unusual and interesting subjects, then buy this. It is not padded or drawn out, as some less patient reviewers would have you believe; it is entertaining, informative, and well worth your while.

A strange but entertaining mix, June 18, 2000
My "literary group" chose this as one of our books to discuss. Most of them were very disappointed by it, but I enjoyed it tremendously. Winchester tackled this true story in a unique way, telling us first about the separate lives of Dr. Minor (the madman) and James Murray (the professor), and then eventually weaving them together. Murray was one of the main editors of the Oxford English Dictionary, and Dr. Minor, originally a medical doctor for the U.S. Army, was one of the main volunteer contributors of definitions. As the unfortunate doctor was confined to a mental institution, such a project helped give him a reason for living.

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is that for much of my early life I was in a mileau that included mental patients. My grandfather worked at a large mental hospital, and my mother grew up in a house in a small community on the hospital grounds. My childhood was thus full of fascinating stories about the patients. Then my mother became a nurse and administrator at another large mental hospital, and I'd often visit there, viewing the hospital as a vibrant although rather strange community. The story of Dr. Minor, then, seems straight out of my childhood.

Another fascinating aspect of this book for me is the history of the OED. Up until that time, dictionaries had been compiled by one man, e.g., Samuel Johnson, and with limited scope, e.g. "hard" or unusual words. The lexicographer who first envisioned the OED, Richard Trench, wanted it to be a record of *all* words, including the words' histories and changing usage, by citing published examples of how each word has been used with various nuances. Such a monumental undertaking, he knew, could not be performed by one or a few people, nor by academics alone. He thus proposed that it be a democratic venture, calling upon legions of volunteer readers and contributors. Winchester stresses how this honours the freedom of language, that hard and fast rules are not what is important about English, but that we all can be inventors and changers of this wonderful language.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone fascinated by language, and anyone interested in the potential of people who many be mentally ill.

A charming, entertaining footnote to scholarly history, September 9, 1998
Simon Winchester's The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary is a charming and fascinating sidebar to one of the great works of scholarship in history. The Oxford English Dictionary took over 70 years to produce its first edition, and remains the definitive text on the historical development of the English language. It could not have been published without the unpaid efforts of over 800 dedicated volunteers - including Dr. William Minor, an American Army surgeon, incarcerated for almost 40 years in an English insane asylum for murdering a London brewery worker during an attack of a delusional paranoia that afflicted him his entire life.

The Professor and the Madman focuses on Minor's contribution to the work of Sir James Murray, the Scots genius who was the OED's first and greatest editor. Minor, when he wasn't being delusional, was a brilliant, assiduous reader, devoted to the English language and delighted to be part of the enormous project.

Winchester's book is a very quick read, and a delightful one. There are better books on Murray and the OED; but The Professor and the Madman gives a unique human insight into the enterprise, and the love of a language that inspired two such disparate individuals.

Anyone who loves to read and write will rightfully revere the OED and what it represents; also the enormous labors that went into its compilation. The Professor and the Madman is but a footnote to the history of that effort; but it is a lovely little footnote. ... Read more