Reviews (2)

I wrote a review, but for some reason
It ended up in the discussion area, so please read that. Poor Stan Lee, his mighty ship has been taken over by the rats!

It's no OHOTMU, but it does the job
In the style of their 2004 publication, "The DC Comics Encyclopedia," Dorling Kindersley have released "The Marvel Encyclopedia," a guide to the characters of the Marvel Comics universe. DK are no strangers to Marvel's universe, having frequently released "Ultimate Guide" books covering the histories of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Hulk, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and next year, Ghost Rider. But how does this tome, touted as "the definitive guide," stack up?
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Subjects:  1. Comic strip characters    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Encyclopedias    4. Fantasy    5. Graphic Novels    6. Graphic Novels - General    7. Graphic Novels - Superheroes    8. History & Criticism    9. Marvel Comics Group    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Reference / Encyclopedias   

Subjects:  1. Jainism    2. Jewish - General    3. Judaism - History    4. Reference    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Jewish studies    8. Judaism    9. Reference works   

Editorial Review

From abortion to "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, Abrams vs. United States tothe Zenger trial, and abstract impressionism to Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, Read more

Reviews (4)

Fails as a Guide to American History
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. a vital and reliable companion to u.s. history today
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
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. The price, especially the discounted one offered by amazon.com, is well worth the investment for scholars,libraries, and families. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Encyclopedias    3. History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. Reference    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. United States History (General)    10. American history    11. History / United States / General    12. History, American    13. Reference works    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

An Uneven Work
When I look at some of the entries in the Encyclopedia, I found unfortunate errors and very superficial research. The entry on Orangeburg County relies on the 1898 (that's right, 108 years old) history of the county by Alexander Salley, an ancient secondary source notorious for its inaccuracies. Several entries describe the early Swiss settlers (who dominated the earliest settlement of several large SC counties) as Lutherans, when in fact they were overwhelmingly Swiss Reformed, or Calvinist. Familiarity with primary sources would have told the authors and editor this. When we look for the settlers in Swiss parish records, they are in Reformed congregations. When we find records of the ordinations of ministers (prior to Giessendanner converting to the established Church of England in order to be paid by the colony) they are Reformed ordinations in Europe (for example Zubly, Theus) or Presbyterian if in South Carolina (for example, Giessendanner).When knowledgeable contemporaries refer to the religion of the Swiss settlers in Carolina, they say or imply that they were Reformed or Calvinist. Even Reimensperger's brochure encouraging Swiss to settle in Carolina specifies that potential settlers should be Reformed. Secondary sources would also provide the same information. Modern histories of the Presbyterian and Lutheran denominations in South Carolina acknowledge that the Swiss immigrants were Reformed. The Lutherans appear in SC only with the somewhat later immigration of Germans, who differed from the Swiss in other aspects of culture and history, as well as in religion. It is hard to understand how such a basic error regarding a significant part of early settlement in the state could be made in the Encyclopedia. Another entry tells us that the most "vibrant" German-speaking community in SC was in Charleston. I'm afraid the authors didn't have much information on which to base a comparison.
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Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: World    5. Reference    6. South Carolina    7. United States - State & Local - South    8. American history    9. American studies    10. Reference works   

Reviews (158)

I LOVED this book!
This book had me laughing out loud from start to finish. Jacobs is clever.And he seems completely honest and unafraid to write candidly about the sorts of thoughts and feelings that everyone has but few admit.Well okay, maybe not everyone; maybe just me and him. Anyway, I have trouble imagining any intelligent person not liking this book.

Now, I Know!
A plain- old -fashion-just down right-enjoyable book full of twists, turns and laughs!
amusing and diverting
This is a great book to read right before bed as it is light, easy to follow and profoundly amusing. It cheers you up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1968-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Books & Reading    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Encyclopaedia Britannica    8. Encyclopedias (Multi-Subject)    9. General    10. History    11. Jacobs, A. J.,    12. Learning and scholarship    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Scholarship And Learning    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Details    4. Great Britain    5. History - General    6. History Of Architecture    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior architecture    9. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Reference    11. Architecture - Details    12. Architecture / Historic Preservation   

Subjects:  1. Asia    2. Asia - General    3. Asia - History    4. Encyclopedias    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: American    8. History / United States / General    9. Humanities    10. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    11. Reference works    12. USA   

Reviews (7)

Nothing Else is Worth Knowing
I just got this book and let me just say that the words inside are some of the finest ever put between two covers.It's all so informative.So much so that one may think that it is perhaps, too informative, but I doubt it.It's perfect.You'll find some of the most obscure and some of the most well-known facts, on the same page.Incredible.
An Ultimate Music Box
I fell in love with this book from the very first time that i put my eyes on this page of amazon, but, on that time it had a limited edition and it was sould out. I`ve waited more than 3 months for him to arrive but then it was impossible... One day, by hazard i found it on Fnac in Portugal, it was the only one of it`s kind so i bought it imediately and must tell you that it is really music to your ears to read this amazing book. It is the best book i`ve ever seen about music and i have more than five encyclopedias about the subject so believe it when i say that this book really entertains you with the good and consistent information, the beautiful pictures about the artists, the design, the uk and us charts and much more... From Elvis to Abba, from Eminen to Norah Jones, from Sinead O`Connor to Alanis, from Celine to Mariah, from The Who to Nirvana, from Notorious BIG to Massive Attack, from The Ronnettes to Take That, from Brenda Lee and Janis Joplin to Britney Spears and Christina it really has it all !!!

Valiant effort but not perfect.
This is probably the best book of its type to date. But it is not without it's problems. The first is that both of its authors are British. Hence it skews to the right of the Atlantic. Not that I don't feel myself, that British Rock has produced some of the best acts of all time, but for instance there are more entries on and photos of Gary Glitter than Alice Cooper. Gary Glitter? This is just one example. Some one in a review here mentioned the happy inclusion of Yes. If you look through the entries for that band you'll find at least Two mistakes saying that Fragile was their third album, (it was the fourth) and that Owner of a Lonely Heart is from Big Generator (it wasn't). This may seem like nitpicking but these are just the equivalent of what might be found on one page. It makes one wonder how many more of the presented "facts" are not trustworthy? You expect more from music critics on the voting board of the Rock & roll Hall of Fame. In the end though it's a valiant effort they undertook, and I'm glad I bought the book. It could/should have been a five star book though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Genres & Styles - Rock    3. History and criticism    4. Music    5. Music/Songbooks    6. Reference    7. Rock Music    8. Music / Rock   

Subjects:  1. 18th Century World History    2. Encyclopedias    3. Enlightenment    4. Europe    5. Europe - General    6. History - General History    7. Philosophy    8. Reference    9. United States    10. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    11. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    12. History, World | Modern    13. Reference / Encyclopedias    14. Social history    15. Western philosophy, c 1600 to c 1800    16. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (26)

A great way to understand the history of our country
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.

Down-and-Dirty Info
This book is excellent if you want to know concise bits of info about a particular topic (and it covers A LOT of topics, grouped nicely into categories in the Table of Contents). Then, if you want to delve further into an item, you can always hop on the Web. I gave the book to my 21-year-old son to help him start his own book collection, so I recently purchased another for myself.

Not what I expected...
I bought this on recommendation and was excited about reading it.I received it and was taken aback at the format of the book.I thought it was a book you could read from cover to cover, etc....but it is more like a dictionary/reference book to address any questions you might have regarding any number of things.Stillis an interesting read though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Civilization    3. Dictionaries    4. Dictionaries - General    5. Encyclopedias and dictionaries    6. English language    7. History - U.S.    8. Reference    9. Social History    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Anthropology    13. Reference / General   

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens    6. General    7. History    8. Horticulture (Specific Aspects)    9. Reference    10. Agriculture | Horticulture & Gardening    11. Gardening / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Encyclopedias    3. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    4. Hispanic American women    5. Reference    6. Sociology    7. Women's Studies - History    8. American studies    9. Latin America    10. Social & cultural anthropology    11. USA   

Reviews (2)

Very good
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
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.Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Engineering - General    3. Locomotives    4. Railroads    5. Railroads - General    6. Railroads - History    7. Railroads - Pictorial    8. Transportation    9. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

When it is good it is very good
This is a good example of the strengths of specialized encyclopedias. Unfortunately, it also provides some examples of the weaknesses.
Economic historyEncyclopaedia
Economics is a social science and economic history is a story of human interaction in the economic sphere.It tells the story of markets,of organizations,of institutions,of small and large communities,from tiny medieval village to the huge communal economies of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic History    5. Economics - General    6. Encyclopedias    7. General    8. Business & Economics / Economic History    9. Economics | History    10. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Reference    4. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    5. Islam    6. Reference works    7. Sacred texts   

Editorial Review

Legendary scholar-activist W.E.B. Du Bois labored to complete an "Encyclopedia Africana" before his death in 1963. Just over 35 years later, two Harvard educators, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Ghanaian-born Kwame Anthony Appiah, have brought Du Bois' intellectual dream to life in

Reviews (25)

No comprehensive Index again!
As a university professor in African American Studies, I looked forward to the first edition and bought it. But I was disappointed by the woefully lacking index which is also the case with the 2nd edition.
Great Coffee Table Book...
This encyclopedia has plenty of useful information and gives the reader easy access to black history that is not easily researched (especially considering this Eurocentric world we live in). Great to have on your coffee table, exposed, so that guests can have a quick and random look at some black facts and history. This encyclopedia has entries that I would suggest be used to wet your appetite for knowledge and spark your desire to learn more, but not to be used as the sole source of info on any given topic.

Bernadette Pruitt, Ph.D.
Thank you for your promptness.The recipient truly loved the gift.Thank you once again.Bernadette ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. African Americans    3. African diaspora    4. Blacks    5. Encyclopedias    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Reference    10. Africa    11. African history    12. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    13. History / Reference    14. History, American | African American    15. Social history   

Reviews (10)

Good, butneed corrections !
I got the book today and just a few minutes of skimming it I found an important mistake( maybe a publisher's fault) : The sigil of Och (pg. 339)is printed with the Phaleg's one and vice-versa pg.370 . I hope I don't find another big errors since someone uses this book to practice without consulting other ones would be lead to a grave mistake and perhaps serious problems since these sigils are used in talismans among other things in cerimonial magic, for example. The author asks to let him know about any incorrections and I wil do that. So my tip is take care with this good book since more faults may be present !

A must have for any serious occultist
This is a great occult reference encyclopedia about the occult and literally contains everything you ever wanted to know about the occult and magick.
Incredible reference book and work of art.
NO Pagan, Witch, Occulist, Magickian or Philosopher should be without this book. There is NO EXCUSE. This is the most phoenomenal book of its kind. JMG must have spent years creating this. I have never found a more helpful, clear yet complete guide for the Occult sciences and all things Pagan. This cleared more things up for me than many other books ever could. This is brilliant. Pick up a copy; you will be thrilled that you did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Encyclopedias    3. Europe, Western    4. History    5. Magick Studies    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. North America    9. Occultism    10. Reference    11. Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies   

Reviews (13)

An excellent reference
It is difficult to say whether the contentious atmosphere that currently exists regarding the legal opinions of the Supreme Court is greater than any other time in the history of the United States. There have been times, especially during the Civil War and World War I when the Supreme Court raised the ire of many a citizen. Some of the "activist" justices, as some of them are now called, could perhaps be designated as "activist light" if compared with some of the justices of the past. This book gives ample evidence for this comparison, but also gives information on a wide variety of legal issues that the Supreme Court has had to deal with throughout its history. It would probably not be read from cover to cover, but instead serves as a general reference for those readers who are not and do not intend to become legal scholars, but are curious as to the reasoning patterns deployed by the justices who sat on the Court. Readers who are approaching this subject for the first time will find many surprises about the Court, both in the opinions expressed by the judges and in their personal histories and backgrounds. It is fair to say that legal opinions are guided predominantly by the historical context in which they are put forth, and this claim seems to gain more substantiation as more articles in this book are read and studied.
Massive tome on the Supreme Court.
_The Oxford Companion to the United States Supreme Court of the United States_(Kermit Hall, ed.) is a massive tome containing a vast swath of information: cases, traditions, theories of constitutional interpretations, historical events, and biographies of all of the Supreme Court Justices.It has the same material (word for word) as Kermit Hall's _The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions_ but this is much more worthwhile reference work because it contains more contextual material than the cases themselves.This book is by no means exhaustive, but it provides a very informative overview of what the Supreme Court has been up to for the past two hundred years and the very different personalities serving on the body.

A worthy companion
As the nation prepares to welcome the seventeenth Chief Justice, this book is a wonderful guide to the processes of the least 'media-exposed' branch of the federal government and its highest institution, the Supreme Court.
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Subjects:  1. Courts - Supreme Court    2. Encyclopedias    3. Essays    4. Federal Jurisdiction    5. Government - Federal    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Reference    9. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. United States.    12. Comparative law    13. Constitutional & administrative law    14. Courts & procedure    15. Law / Reference    16. Law | Legal History    17. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    18. USA   

Reviews (4)

Brings this Stone-Campbell movement together
Articles are brief in some cases and all can be read by a lay person.I recommend this collection of history of a denomination.It also has photos where possible.

Massive Volume on the Restoration Movement
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE STONE-CAMPBELL MOVEMENT is a massive volume on the people, events, theology, and churches involved in the Restoration Movement.The work covers nearly every facet of the movement from the beginnings with Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone to the various sects in the Restoration Movement such as the United Church of Christ, the mainline Churches of Christ, the International Churches of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and many more.
A Very Welcome Addition to Stone-Campbell Studies
The Churches of Christ, Christian Church and Disciples of Christ, ironically enough, all trace their origins back to the nineteenth century Christian reform and unity movement led by former Presbyterians Barton Warren Stone and the father and son team Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Known as the Stone-Campbell Movement, this tradition has a long and vaunted history, not just in the US, but around the world.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Denominations    2. Christianity - History - Protestant    3. Encyclopedias    4. Reference    5. Religion - Denominations - Religions    6. Restoration movement (Christia    7. Restoration movement (Christianity)    8. Protestantism & Protestant Churches   

Reviews (1)

A tremendous reference
Editor John Bowden has set up this encyclopedia for the new millenium - it is a collaborative effort between more than 200 scholars from around the world, and utilises icons for further reading, websites, cross-references (rather like websites), and topically pull-boxes (166 of them) that treat particular topics that come up within other articles in greater depth and clarity.There is a very thorough and comprehensive index at the back of the book which references both major and minor instances of key words, people, and places.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - History - General    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Encyclopedias    5. Religion    6. Religion - Church History    7. Religion & Theology | History of Christianity    8. Religion / Church History