Encyclopedia Judaica 22 Volume Set

Customer Reviews:

A New Encyclopedia Judaica - Modern Judaic Scholarship advances..........2007-08-06

The Encyclopaedia Judaica is a 22-volume English-language encyclopedia of the Jewish people, their faith, Judaism, History and Culture. It's a cumulative result of over three decades of prodigious study and research by about 2,200 contributors and 250 editors around the world and includes approximately 21,000 entries with 2,700 new entries by 1,200 new contributors. Its Scholarship, comprehensive scope, authority, and widespread availability make it a great first and often indispensable resource for Rabbis, Scholars and laypeople.

Three valid critiques of the new edition are 1. prominent scholars decry the wholesale reprinting of many outdated entries. Current scholarship is shortchanged... 2. Minor and marginal Jewish figures and events, are still included, while major figures and movements are absent or minimized. 3. A difference between the first edition of the 72' Encyclopaedia Judaica and the second edition of the New Encyclopaedia Judaica is the paucity of visual images though the new editions are in color.

Nevertheless, it is recommended by the Library of Congress and by the Association of Jewish Libraries for use in determining the authoritative romanization of names of Jewish authors. Furthermore it's guidelines for transliterating Hebrew into English are followed by many academic books and journals. Additionally there are many improvements such a separate category of Jewish Law, reducing Legendary material, Scholem's classic essay on Kabbalah, greater material on Hasidim, Many new findings in Archeology, Israel and Post-Holocaust material, etc. In sum, it is an indispensable reference purchase for Universities, colleges, seminaries, Libraries and all who care about Modern Judaic scholarship. Highly Recommended and still indispensable.

A Series of Disappointments.......2007-04-11

My first disappointment: The wealth of illustration of the first edition is virtually gone. You can still find a treatment of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, of course, but you will not see the great picture of him with his wife Hemdah, taken in 1912. Nor will you find the many other similar pictorial treasures of the first edition. If you must buy this edition, be sure to find a place on your shelves for the old one as well.

My second disappointment: The shoddy treatment of bibliographies. There are, to be sure, lists of books that are appended to the various articles. But there is no annotation. A bibliography without annotation, as it has been said so well, is like a body without a soul. These lists of books will not make it easy for anyone in search of knowledge to find the more helpful sources. But here the new editors have an excuse, if that is what you would call it: the first edition was just as bad in this regard.

My third disappointment: The new knowledge of the last 35 years, insofar as it finds its way into this new work, is often just appended as additions to the old articles. Even where new knowledge revolutionizes the old, the old is still accorded honor of precedent. What was obviously called for is a complete reworking, but this is not what the editors have done.

My fourth disappointment: At least some of the newer material is so superficial that it is useless for any scholarly purpose. I looked up "Exodus," hoping to find what archaeologists and historians have to say about the Biblical account. The article says, flatly, that it is the scholarly consensus that the Biblical Exodus is "unhistorical," meaning, I suppose, that it never happened. The article gives no reference to any archaeologist or historian, nor to any book or other article that would throw light on the subject. What can a student make of this ? Simply take on faith the word of the EJ II ? This is no way to write a work of reference. The writer of this article would receive a failing grade, easily, if he presented it for credit at a university.

There are of course many good things in this new work, and I am sure that with more time and perhaps more inclination I could have found many more than I did.

One good set of articles is about the Ethiopian Jews, even though it is not easy to find it unless you happen to know that the group is now called Beta Israel. The articles are by Steven Kaplan and his associates. Kaplan undoubtedly knows more about the subject than almost anyone else. But even here the EJ II's sloppy method of documentation gets in the way. As it happens, there is a small number of other scholars who have made seminal contributions to this subject, notably Kay Shelemay and James Quirin. Neither of these is mentioned by EJ II.

This work is serious enough - just - to constitute a required purchase for any general research library. If it was the aim of the editors to achieve this minimum, they have succeeded. But it does not seem that they will win any warm admiration of scholars. That, in my book, makes the work a failure, a squandered opportunity.

UNIQUE AND MONUMENTAL WITH ONE CAVEAT.......2007-03-30

I bought EJ #1 when it was published about 30 years ago, and have now already bought #2.

My problem with giving away (which I will probably soon donate to a large local university which just recently formed a Jewish Studies program), is the reason for witholding the last star:

IT HAS NO ILLUSTRATIONS! The brochure for EJ 1 stated 'over 2000 photos, maps, diagrams and illustrations', while the description of EJ 2 states '600 maps and diagrams'. This is a tremendous loss -- just look up 'illustrated manuscripts' or 'incunabula' in the older and see what you are missing in the newer. [Even Pinsk (now Belarus), my father's birthplace, has four photos (two showing the interior and exterior of its [previously] largest synagogue
while #2 shows none.

The project is better organized and has its basis in three parts: (1) Exact duplication from #2 where no update is needed; (2) Reproduction of #1 plus updates (even the bibligraphy makes the distinction between the older and newer references; and (3) Totally new subject matter.

Each of these three types of entries are clearly indicated.

I paid almost $500 for the older one in the late 70s, and if you look hard you can find this set for $1850 plus $8 (!!) shipping.

Contrary, for what is worth, the present edition took four years, not two as mentioned in the earlier ?analysis. However, it is as thorough as if it was written yesterday, which can be evidenced by its very current bibliography.

It is an outstanding contribution in all aspects relative to Jews/Judaism, and at a reasonable price.

Buy it, by all means, if this degree of information interests you and if you can afford its reasonable price.

A preliminary report on a vital reference work for all those who take interest in the Jewish world .......2007-02-21

I am writing this preliminary review of 'Judaica' in the hope that it can be of some help to potential purchasers and future readers of the work. No one asked me to write this review but the readers of it should know that I wrote five relatively small entries for the Encyclopedia, and am not thus a wholly unbiased reviewer.
Primarily though I do not so much intend to present my opinion but rather to report on one of the Encyclopedia's principal editors, Michael Berenbaum has to say about the Encyclopedia. I will I hope accurately paraphrase remarks he made about the 'Encyclopedia' in a talk given at the 'Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' on February 19, 2007.
Michael Berenbaum says that the editors aimed to preserve the quality of the original Judaica while accurately reflecting the major changes that have taken place in the past thirty- five years in the Jewish world. In this regard one full- volume of the Encyclopedia is dedicated solely to dynamic and rapidly developing Israel. Berenbaum stressed that the Encyclopedia strongly reflects the changes that Feminism have brought in the past thirty- five years. There are three hundred new entries devoted to Jewish women. Many major entries such as the Gershom Scholem entry on 'Jewish Mysticism' were republished but augmented by a report on the work that has occurred since. In the 'Jewish Mysticism ' area Scholem's work was complemented by the work of a leading figure in the field. Prof. Moshe Idel.
Berenbaum said that the world of Jewish learning has vastly expanded in the past thirty - five years. In 1972 there were only a few universities which had Jewish Studies programs. Now there are hundreds of scholars in the area. This means new work is being done in many different areas.
Berenbaum stresses the vastness of the world of Jewish learning, the impossibilty of any single scholar comprehending it. He is however filled with admiration for the creativity in all areas of life displayed by the Jewish people and believes this is reflected within the 'Encyclopedia' itself.
Berenbaum compliments the chief - editor of the work Fred Skolnik who he calls a Renaissance Man of Jewish studies. He notes that this update was done in two years but that it could have taken twenty. The relative speed is in part attributable to the new technologies ( Internet, E-mail, Fax) which did not exist thirty- five years ago
I cannot at this point honestly vouch for the quality of the work which has been done.I expect however that in months and years ahead I will be turning to the New Judaica. As one interested in the 'Jewish world' I cannot count the number of times the 1972 Edition provided vital information for my own work. I expect the new Judaica will do the same for many thousands of researchers, and readers.

Average customer rating:

limited in its bio's
Tons of good information!
The Marvel Encyclopedia
so many errors!
It's not an encyclopedia

The Marvel Encyclopedia
Daniel Wallace , Tom Brevoort , Andrew J. Darling , Tom DeFalco , Peter Sanderson , and Michael Teitelbaum
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
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ASIN: 0756623588

Book Description

Marvel Comics' character roster boasts some of the best known and most popular characters ever conceived-heroes that are international household names, both as comic book stars and movie stars, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk and Wolverine. This unique, one-volume encyclopedia contains more than 1000 of Marvel's greatest, with full details of their powers and their thrill-packed careers. The encyclopedia's range of spectacular art features eye-popping work by Marvel's finest artists, while the authoritative text is supplied by a team of top Marvel comic book writers. In addition, double-page features, illustrated with classic covers, trace the fascinating story of Marvel Comics through the decades. The Marvel Comics Encyclopedia is an essential book both for new fans and for those who grew up loving the excitement, heroism and humor of the Marvel Universe. Includes a foreword by Stan Lee.

Customer Reviews:

limited in its bio's.......2007-09-19

Though the book is imformative, the bios are very limited. There are no scales to properly determine strength and intelligence. Also there are a lot of typos, leading me to believe that they didn't care much when they created this. If you want a short overview on marvel characters then this book is for you, otherwise don't bother.

Tons of good information!.......2007-08-06

Great book for anyone. Being an avid marvel fan I thought I knew most everything, but I have learned a lot from this book. It is a good buy.

The Marvel Encyclopedia.......2007-06-11

The book is well illustrated and has exhaustive description of each character of Marvel Comic Books.

so many errors!.......2007-06-07

Like any Marvel fan I was very excited about getting my hands on this encyclopedia, only to be sorely disappointed by the amount of errors found within it's pages. Error examples include: page 46, Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, an image of Nightcrawler is found under a listing for Black Tom Cassidy. Page 212 , an image of the Shiar imperial guardsman Nightside is shown under the character listing for Nightshade. Page 171 An image of the Asgardian character Lorelei is shown under the character listing for the Savage Land mutate of the same name. These are few example of the many errors throughout the book.

It's not an encyclopedia.......2007-06-06

There isn't enough information on individual characters. (There are a lot of them, and there are pictures, but the pictures take up some much space that there's none left for details.)

The Encyclopedia of North American Indians

Average customer rating:

The Encyclopedia of North American Indians

Manufacturer: Marshall Cavendish Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0761402276

Average customer rating:

good work but typos?? hurt
1000 years of History
Not a reliable sourcebook for the Middle Ages
Re: John XXIII (not a review)
Beautiful, seductive, and flawed

The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages

Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670100110

Amazon.com

As greater numbers of naysayers look forward to the collapse of civilization, perhaps it's best to see what happened last time. It turns out the Dark Ages weren't so bad--in fact, after reading through The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages, you might find yourself pining for the good old days before the Renaissance. Historian Norman F. Cantor has assembled a crack team of experts to unleash their copious knowledge on our modern world; better still, Viking Press has enlisted excellent designers to present the information efficiently and even beautifully. You'll find yourself irresistibly drawn from one entry to the next (there are over 600, so leave time for browsing) as the story of the Council of Nicaea leads on to explorations of medieval Christianity and much more. Twenty longer essays on general topics provide the foundation for the rest of the Encyclopedia and make great reading on their own, but the meat of the book is in the details. Lavishly illustrated in both color and black-and-white, including artworks, maps, and timetables, this reference work looks as good on the shelf as it does on the coffee table. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

From the world's most distinguished medievalist comes a lively and vivid account of the lords and ladies, saints and scholars, kings and peasants who shaped the history and culture of one of the richest and most misunderstood periods in history. In this full-color, landmark reference, Cantor and a team of scholars and experts explore the entire medieval world--from the British Isles to the Far East, and the great figures--Dante, Chaucer, Aquinas, who defined the period. >From the Crusades to the Vikings, The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages contains 600 individual entries and over 200 illustrations from world-famous collections, including the British Museum and the Morgan Library. Twenty major essays portraying the lives of Medieval luminaries, and original maps charting military campaigns and developing nations, make this the indispensable home reference for scholars and students.

Customer Reviews:

good work but typos?? hurt.......2004-08-03

This is a beautifully produced book with hundreds of color plates. There are many areas barely touched upon, but this is not a deep work, just one meant to acquaint people with Medieval times and possibly lure to a more in depth study. But since this is an "encyclopedia", I ask did you ever get in depth works there? They are merely the start of a journey. If you think along those lines you will have a clear view of how this books works and serves. So approach it as that and you will be pleased.

It is merely a starting point. Some inaccurate information, so beware to double check sources when using information. Not sure if the errors were done in actual research (hard to believe of a Rhodes Scholar) or just typos. Either way, in a work such as this they really hurt the credibility.

1000 years of History.......2003-06-16

'The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages', edited by Robert Cantor (Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright Fellow, &c.) is a good reference work, an encyclopedic dictionary, covering the roughly 1000 years from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance. In addition the usual definition-explanation entries, it has three types of sidebar essays: Illuminations, which focus on sources, Life in the Middle Ages, which talks about common life details, and Legend and Lore, which explores imaginative concepts which informed medieval life.

There are maps, literally hundreds of photographs and illustrations, a layout that is inviting for study, reference, or general reading. It is 'easy on the eyes', much more so that a usual encyclopedia.

The scope of this work is also broader than most medieval reference texts. 'Despite what students of medieval history are accustomed to reading, life did exist outside of Europe in the Middle Ages.' That having been said, this is still a very euro-centric book. This book gives a great deal of attention to science, medicine, and other topics often ignored or pushed to the periphery of a more politically-oriented textual treatment.

There is an introductory essay that is well worth reading even if this is meant to be an on-the-shelf-for-reference-only sort of book. In talking about the influence on popular culture of the Middle Ages (everything from The Name of the Rose to the medieval garb, feudal structure and apprenticeship-education framework of Star Wars), Cantor says:

'In order to recognise [this Middle Ages influence] one has to have at some time known, and this has been the job of historians, who today painfully append to Santayana's famous saying (about those forgetting the past being condemned to repeat it) the observation that one cannot forget a history one did not know in the first place.'

Cantor describes twentieth century medievalists as being on a quest for 'wellsprings of a romantic and idealistic consciousness that would inspire a vibrant counterculture.' There is some of that in this book, but largely being encyclopedic rather than analytical and critical in nature, the reader/researcher can use the information contained herein for his own evaluations.

From the Abbadid and Abbasid Dynasties to Yaroslave the Wise and Yugoslavia, from Boethius to Wycliffe, this book has hidden treats and interesting articles for all.

Not a reliable sourcebook for the Middle Ages.......2002-06-27

Supposedly, this book was put together by some of the "world's most distinguished medievalists"! One hopes not! In addition to the glaring errors of taste and judgment pointed out by some of the other reviewers, the factual errors are astonishing! One of the most egregious errors occurs on p. 138: "Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of two kings, Philip I of France and Henry I of England"!!!!! Eleanor, of course, was the wife of Louis VII of France and of Henry II of England! This kind of sloppiness is simply not acceptable in a book that purports to be by "someof the world's best medieval historians" (fronticepiece). The pictures are pretty; some of the articles are acceptable (but hardly noteworthy), but the book should be avoided at all costs by serious (or would-be) students of the Medieval Period.

Re: John XXIII (not a review).......2001-05-21

In Eric Roth's review of this book, he wonders if listing John XXIII as a pope in the 15th century is a typo. It's not. There was a schismatic pope of that time named John XXIII. (At one point there were three popes!) Since he wasn't universally recognized, he didn't count when John XXIII in the 1960s took the same name.

Beautiful, seductive, and flawed.......2001-01-31

A visually stunning, but often peculiar, work that captures the tone, texture, and ideological obsessions of that distant era.

Perfect for browsing and well-written, this collective effort details the major families, saints, and great cities of the Middle Ages. The concise, yet detailed, entries provide excellent thumbnail sketches.

Yet there are some peculiar features to this ambitious and beautiful encyclopedia. First, there are the baffling typos like listing Pope John XXIII as condemning heretics in the 13th century (p.174... didn't somebody remember the soon to be sainted 20th century Pope John XXIII? Perhaps it was supposed to be John XXII.)

Yet, like some other reader-critics, I found the discussion of Jews to be, well, peculiar. The descriptions sound more medieval than modern. Persecutions are de-emphasized, explained, and almost justified. Consider the following paragraph, under Jews, on p.260: "It is also significant that in the first generation of Dominican inquisitors there were a number of Jewish converts. So the attack of the papal inquisition on the Jews in the 13th century France in part represented a split among the intellectuals of the Jewish community. The same internal culture conflict occurred in the days of the Spanish Inquisition around 1500." Is the author blaming the converted Jews for the torturing and burning of thousands of devout Jews? Is he implying that the inquisition might have been, well, unchristian, and that's because of the converted Jews? What is this nonsense?

Likewise, the four page entry on Jews, single spaced without illustrations, concludes on p.261 with same highly unorthodox assertions about the size and dimensions of the Spanish Inquisition. Mainstream historians estimate the number of murdered Jews between 50,000 -100,000 and forced exile of several hundred thousand. The encyclopedia - without giving sources - says, "the impact has been ridiculously exaggerated. In the whole history of Catholic inquisitions from early 13th century France to early 17th century Spain and Portugal, not more than 5,000 Jewish families suffered capital and less severe punish at the hands of the Church courts." Perhaps the author wants to count families, instead of people, to reduce the number of innocent victims. Or perhaps the author means to shift blame to crazed mobs that burned entire neighborhoods with the blessing of Church authorities... and outside court procedures. Yet murder is murder.

I'm grateful that I bought and read several sections of this important work. It reveals, to me, the danger of excessive romantic imagination and entering the very narrow, often-fanatic mindset of medieval religious authorities.

Book Description

This comprehensive guide to locomotive development includes descriptions of more than 900 trains and locomotives. Arranged in four sections — steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, electric locomotives, and trains — listed chronologically within each section. Featuring 1300 photographs and artwork, as well as specification for each locomotive, this book will enthrall general readers and train buffs alike.

Customer Reviews:

limited.......2007-06-29

The authors are British and the work is heavily focused on British and Commowealth locomotives. Fairly ignores a myriad of interesting and innovative German locomotives.

Very good.......2004-05-03

I am a train fanatic and I know a good reference book when I see one, and this book is one of the best I've ever seen. I have refered to this book at least fifty times at the railroad (whose name is undisclosed) that I work as a volunteer at. Simply an amazingly informitive book that I would recomend to any train fan of almost any age.

Large book but has some short comings.......2004-03-19

The book is a fair to good encyclopedia of trains. It has a large number of foreign engines. Most of the photos are taken from the front and one side and not in profile. The Little Joe appears to be a A-unit but is in fact an A-unit on both ends. The pictures are not very large. Profile drawings would be a good addition.

It is not complete for North America and leaves out many novel, limited production engines like the S-1 Turbine and General Motors Aerotrain.

Some specifications are not available like engine length on many engines. Engine length and height are useful when determining whether a model is scale or not.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Book on Period Furniture.......2007-08-12

This is the most thorough, extensive, well-organized, beautifully photographed book on period furniture and interiors on the market today. It should be a required text for all design schools as well as a treasured resource for collectors, historians, and lovers of furniture of all kinds. Well worth it at twice the price.

A Must Have .......2007-05-13

This book is amazing, and needs to be on your shelf if you are involved in Interior Design, Historical Renovation, miniatures construction, film making, etc., etc! What I like best is that it treats less-expected styles, such as Scandinavian and Russian, which are often difficult to locate. The photos are outstanding. The quick Elements of Style at the beginning of each chapter are nut-shell explanations of how to identify a piece as belonging to a certain era. Well worth the price.

Furniture: World Styles From Classical to Contemporary.......2007-04-05

I am an interior design student, and have found this book to be a quality 5 star reference. The book is stunningly illustrated with furniture styles co-ordinated in easy to follow chronological order. This book has obviously been compiled with abundant thought and passion. I am thrilled with this book and highly recommend it!

Beautiful book!.......2007-03-10

This book is stunning! It is full of color photos of every type of furniture from Anciet Egypt to Modern designers. Each period is also divided into countries, so it is easy to find specific information. I highly recommend this book.

Good.......2007-03-09

Item in good condition. Book has lots of useful info! recommend to anyone. Shipping was not a good experience. Didnt recieve my item on time because it was lost or forgot to ship it. Called back and recieved a new one a month and a half later after ordering! Overall; good item, not great shopping experience.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know

Average customer rating:

This was a hard book to find in local stores
4 1/2 stars.
Something for Everyone
Comprehensive but necessary?
A great way to understand the history of our country

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know
E. D. Hirsch , Joseph F. Kett , and James Trefil
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618226478

Book Description

In this fast-paced information age, how can Americans know what's really important and what's just a passing fashion? Now more than ever, we need a source that concisely sums up the knowledge that matters to Americans -- the people, places, ideas, and events that shape our cultural conversation. With more than six thousand entries,The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy is that invaluable source. Wireless technology. Gene therapy. NAFTA. In addition to the thousands of terms described in the original Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, here are more than five hundred new entries to bring Americans' bank of essential knowledge up to date. The original entries have been fully revised to reflect recent changes in world history and politics, American literature, and, especially, science and technology. Cultural icons that have stood the test of time (Odysseus, Leaves of Grass, Cleopatra, the Taj Mahal, D-Day) appear alongside entries on such varied concerns as cryptography, the digital divide, the European Union, Kwanzaa, pheromones, SPAM, Type A and Type B personalities, Web browsers, and much, much more. As our world becomes more global and interconnected, it grows smaller through the terms and touchstones that unite us. As E. D. Hirsch writes in the preface, "Community is built up of shared knowledge and values -- the same shared knowledge that is taken for granted when we read a book or newspaper, and that is also taken for granted as part of the fabric that connects us to one another." A delicious concoction of information for anyone who wants to be in the know, The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy brilliantly confirms once again that it is "an excellent piece of work . . . stimulating and enlightening" (New York Times) -- the most definitive and comprehensive family sourcebook of its kind.

Customer Reviews:

This was a hard book to find in local stores.......2007-10-18

The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy was a required dictionary which I could not fine in several of the local stores. I was helping my Granddauhter purchase her school supplies while my Daughter was at the Hospital. I called my Granddaughter to fine out how importance the dictionary was, when she told me she needed for class. I decided to go online to fine the dictionary she needed. My Granddaughter called me to thank me for finding what she needed and The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy was perfect for her class.

4 1/2 stars........2007-03-12

i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what i mean. this book is just the ticket for a palooka like me. i've been dipping into the thing here and there for a couple of months now, and it's been a tremendous amount of fun. i was amazed by how much i had forgetten from my school days (i am 45). this compendium of learning covers a lot of ground, with a text that is clear and concise and enjoyable to read. the bible, mythology and folklore, literature, philosophy, religion, the english language, the fine arts, american history and world history, geography, psychology, sociolgy, business and economics, science, medicine, health, and technology, all get a going over. the format is easy and perfect for dipping into anywhere whenever you have the time to do so. a perfect coffee table book. a great bedside book. i highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge or bone up on their facts in a wide variety of human endeavor.

Something for Everyone.......2007-01-20

This is one book eveybody who wishes to be a well rounded, educated reader should own. It gives you a general knowledge of most subjects from art & culture, to science, social issues, history, famous names and a whole lot more. It is an excellent source book.

Comprehensive but necessary?.......2007-01-10

I have strongly mixed feelings about Hirsch's idea of cultural literacy. Regardless, this text is exactly what Hirsch promises it to be: a dictionary of cultural references. The one thing that Hirsch fails to state (and perhaps it's implicit within his tome) is that the cultural dictionary is developed from a fairly WASP-like perspective. He disclaims that it is what "every American" needs to know, but fails to recognize his operating stance. There is a heavy American, Judeo-Christian, masculine influence in his book. This is by no means an unbiased cultural dictionary.

A great way to understand the history of our country.......2006-08-21

This book will help you to comprehend the background of our country a little more as well as give a high-level overview of where the foundations of our nation came from. Covering literature to common everyday sayings as well as the scientific side of things from an origin perspective, you will begin to have an appreciation for what our forefathers went through as they strove to build a society in the grand ol' USA.

Average customer rating:

LOVE This Book!!!!
Good book
Fantastic Reference Book!
Great reference book
Some obvious mistakes

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

Manufacturer: Kingfisher
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0753457849

Book Description

This authoritative reference book brings world history to life, from early humans to the current war on terror. Along the way, it reveals riveting facts on the founding of the great Roman Empire, the revolution that changed France forever, the war between the North and South that unified America, the start of World War I and the Great Depression that followed, the first moon landing, and the end of apartheid in South Africa. The encyclopedia is organized chronologically and then thematically within each time period. A timeline runs across the top of each page. Each section includes biographies of important people and features on art, architecture, and technology.

Customer Reviews:

LOVE This Book!!!!.......2007-09-07

Excellent reference book. Spectacular graphics and handsome book. Glad I got this one!!!!

Good book.......2007-08-14

We love this book. It is full up with all sorts of great info. A nice addition to any home. Great for homeschooling.

Heather mama of 5

Fantastic Reference Book!.......2007-06-02

This book covers just about everything from "cavemen" to the Iraqi War (updated 2004 edition). The easy to read/understand narratives and the large, colorful illustrations make this book a great reference book for school reports/homeschool. Although we usually read it together, my 8 & 10 year old kids can both read & understand this book. A great resource for any family library.

Great reference book.......2006-11-03

I really enjoy this book. It is in chronological order. It has great pictures and is an easy read. We use it almost every week as we are studying ancient civilizations.
It is well worth the money!

Some obvious mistakes.......2006-11-02

Book contains some obvious mistakes. On page 113 it is stated that Rurik was the founder of Kiev, what is not true, because Kiev had been known since V century.

The Oxford Companion to United States History

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From abortion to the Zenger trial
Companion Blunders on Sacco and Vanzetti
Fails as a Guide to American History
a vital and reliable companion to u.s. history today
a vital and reliable companion to u.s. history today

The Oxford Companion to United States History

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0195082095

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From abortion to "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, Abrams vs. United States to the Zenger trial, and abstract impressionism to Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, The Oxford Companion to United States History is an encyclopedic overview covering the pre-Columbian era to the election of George W. Bush in 2000.

The Companion examines the notable men and women and major events in U.S. history, such as wars or the Depression, as well as ideas and ideologies, technological innovations and economic developments, and long-term processes such as immigration and urbanization. Each entry is written by an authority on the subject, thoroughly cross-referenced in the 78-page index, and arranged alphabetically for easy reference. The alphabetic organization makes for some strange (or amusing) combinations of people on the same page: Billy Graham and Martha Graham; "Mother" Jones and Michael Jordan; Persian Gulf War and Petroleum Industry; Income Tax, Federal, and Indentured Servitude.

A browser's delight, but full of solid scholarship, The Oxford Companion to United States History deserves the treatment its editors recommend--as "a work to be thumbed and worn out, not a book to be put behind glass on a shelf!" Absolutely essential for the well-stocked history library. --Sunny Delaney

Book Description

Here is a volume that is as big and as varied as the nation it portrays. With over 1,400 entries written by some 900 historians and other scholars, it illuminates not only America's political, diplomatic, and military history, but also social, cultural, and intellectual trends; science, technology, and medicine; the arts; and religion. Here are the familiar political heroes, from George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, to Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. But here, too, are scientists, writers, radicals, sports figures, and religious leaders, with incisive portraits of such varied individuals as Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney, Babe Ruth and Muhammed Ali, Black Elk and Crazy Horse, Margaret Fuller, Emma Goldman, and Marian Anderson, even Al Capone and Jesse James. The Companion illuminates events that have shaped the nation (the Great Awakening, Bunker Hill, Wounded Knee, the Vietnam War); major Supreme Court decisions (Marbury v. Madison, Roe v. Wade); landmark legislation (the Fugitive Slave Law, the Pure Food and Drug Act); social movements (Suffrage, Civil Rights); influential books (The Jungle, Uncle Tom's Cabin); ideologies (conservatism, liberalism, Social Darwinism); even natural disasters and iconic sites (the Chicago Fire, the Johnstown Flood, Niagara Falls, the Lincoln Memorial). Here too is the nation's social and cultural history, from Films, Football, and the 4-H Club, to Immigration, Courtship and Dating, Marriage and Divorce, and Death and Dying. Extensive multi-part entries cover such key topics as the Civil War, Indian History and Culture, Slavery, and the Federal Government. A new volume for a new century, The Oxford Companion to United States History covers everything from Jamestown and the Puritans to the Human Genome Project and the Internet--from Columbus to Clinton. Written in clear, graceful prose for researchers, browsers, and general readers alike, this is the volume that addresses the totality of the American experience, its triumphs and heroes as well as its tragedies and darker moments.

Customer Reviews:

From abortion to the Zenger trial.......2007-01-31

From abortion to the Zenger trial. This massive book covers everything (or just about): the heroes, the tragedies, the darker moments, Presidents, inventors, wars, government, ideologies, movements, culture, entertainment, science, art, religion. There are 1,400 entries and some 900 historians.

While there are some questionable individuals and subjects inserted, others just as noteworthy are forgotten. It is of course a monumental undertaking; data will come up short periodically; should be complemented with other sources, such as "A Patriots Guide to US History". This treasure is in dictionary form: fairly written, convenient to use, and not dry. A reference that should be in all households.

Wish you well
Scott

Companion Blunders on Sacco and Vanzetti.......2006-10-28

Editor in Chief Paul S. Boyer states in his Introduction (p. viii): "Still another central goal has been to make this a 'state of the art' work incorporating the best and most up-to-date historical scholarship. We have chosen contributors who are authorities on the subject which they write about, and who in many cases are themselves the authors of books and essays that have shaped contemporary understanding of the topics they write about."

The entry "SACCO AND VANZETTI CASE" in The Oxford Companion to United States History has factual errors. Why Lynn Dumenil was chosen over David Felix to write this entry is curious. Dumenil has no book on Sacco and Vanzetti. Felix's 1965 book, "Protest: Sacco-Vanzetti and the Intellectuals," received strong reviews. Keeping up to date on Sacco and Vanzetti, Felix rebuked Hugh Brogan, chair of the History Department at the University of Essex, in a letter to the TLS on May 31, 1985, p. 607. He rebuked Brogan a second time in a letter to the TLS on February 21, 1986, p. 191. Within the last eighteen months Felix has published two letters in the TLS, evidence that he is still in the intellectual arena and has continuing respect in the intellectual community. But Oxford University Press chose to ignore Felix. It is Dumenil and other scholars who have shaped opinion on Sacco and Vanzetti. Perhaps Paul S. Boyer will incorporate in the next edition of The Oxford Companion to United States History new evidence on Sacco and Vanzetti that was discovered at Dexter, Maine, in 2003 and new evidence that was discovered in The Sacco-Vanzetti Case Papers, microfilm Reel #21, in 2005. Authors of U. S. history textbooks have yet to publish this new evidence.

Fails as a Guide to American History.......2003-07-08

Students and history buffs need a good, comprehensive volume on the significant people, events, movements and changes in the United States over the course of its history. This volume, from the leading publisher of reference books in the English language, fails and disappoints with regard to these goals. This Oxford Companion tries to be the United States History of Everything, as a result it misses key aspects of political history and what it does cover is often inadequate and incomplete.

The Companion tries to cover too many aspects of cultural history and its icons. As a result it sacrifices information on many important political and public figures. We get biographies of Michael Jordan and Marilyn Monroe but no separate bios of George Mason, William Borah, Hiram Johnson, Henry Cabot Lodge, Tom Watson, Joseph Cannon, Thomas Dewey, Nelson Rockefeller, Clarence Darrow, Sam Rayburn, Jesse Jackson -- and the list goes on and on. When they are covered it is often in snipets in subject area articles, which does not give a complete overview of their public careers.

What it does cover in cultural and intellectual history is often incomplete. The Companion has separate artices on the history of the blues, jazz and a weak article on rural country and folk music, but absolutely nothing on bluegrass or commercial country music and its pioneers. The index doesn't even mention the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe or Hank Williams. Yet country music far exceeds both the blues and jazz in popularity in terms of its fan base and are certainly deserving popular art forms for inclusion.

The selection of significant figures for separate biographies is often strange and arbitrary. The Companion offers a bio of physicist Eugene Wigner but not of Hans Bethe or Richard Feynman, like Wigner both Nobel Prize winners. Feynman is considered by many to be the most important theoretical physicist of the second half of the 20th century. This arbitrariness in selecting subjects for biographies can be repeated in many different subject areas.

The Companion contains 26 black and white maps, often of poor resolution, and follows the same arbitrary editing in terms of subject matter. You get a map of the properties of U.S. Steel, but no map on how the United States looked at the end of the Revolution or after the Louisiana Purchase, though there is a barely readable map of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. No reference tables and charts are included to tell the reader Presidential election results, who were the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, or who occupied important positions in Congress or the military over the course of American history.

On the positive side there are many good articles here on political and social history. However the reader must use this book carefully and supplement it with other Oxford Companions and reference books. At $... I would examine this book in a library before considering a purchase.

a vital and reliable companion to u.s. history today.......2001-08-07

This volume contains entries that deal with concepts, events, persons, and movements in u.s. history. The length of the entries is appropriate to the topic considered. In addition, the entires both inform the reader with up-to-date information and indicate how revisionist historians have resahped opionions or refocused the discipline. The entries are clearly written and eminently readable. They are persuasive in thier opionions, yet respectful of other stances. The cross references are helpful and ample. The same obtains for the bibliographies. The Oxford Companion to U.S. History far surpasses some other contemporary dictionaries in U.S. history. Its articles are treated in more depth and greater nuances. The entries in the other dictionaries are too short and far too superficial. I would highly recommend this for people involved in serious historical study and research.

a vital and reliable companion to u.s. history today.......2001-08-07

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