Genealogy Books - The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations

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Customer Rating:

Summary: did not get to read that much
Comment: would like to read the whole book butam not much on typing or giving reviews.thank you

Customer Rating:

Summary: If it ain't here, it ain't been said!
Comment: The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations is absolutely the ultimate reference book of quotations. Pithy,
sensitive, ridiculous, literary, outrageous, political - no matter! If someone said it and it was
worth recording, The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations recorded it. With 1136 tightly printed pages,
this mine of information is an absolute life line as a work of reference, to resolve arguments, or
just for the pleasure of seeing what somebody said about somebody else (like one British politician
describing another... "He's like a shiver, looking for a spine to run up.")

The quotations are
arranged alphabetically, by author, so browsing by author is simple. To browse by theme, there is a
full thematic index, and also a comprehensive keyword index. It is a cross-referencing masterpiece!
Additionally, the reader will find special categories such as advertising slogans, last words, lines
from films, epitaphs, misquotes, and much much more.

Dictionaries can be fun. A thesaurus can be a
treasure. But The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations is an absolute god-send. Your bookshelf is not
complete without it.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Cornerstone of Your Quotations Collection
Comment: Far and away the best dictionary of quotations. If you are to buy only one dictionary of
quotations, make it this one. An essential resource for the individual, home, and office.
Wonderfully varied sources, from the Bible and Koran, from modern times and antiquity, from English
and foreign sources. It is very easy to use, intuitive, with succinct and clear instructions. The
organization of the dictionary is also simple and straightforward, with alphabetical organization by
source/author and major themes. The dictionary portion of the book is also broken up well with
boxed special sections, addressing such subjects as advertising slogans, last words, misquotations,
sayings and slogans, toasts, etc.

The dictionary has a comprehensive (283 pages) keyword index.
If you can't find your subject/theme/author/source/concept/first line here, it's not in the
book.

There is also a very disappointing "Selective Thematic Index." The idea is excellent, but
the execution is poor. There are not nearly enough themes (44) offered for this dictionary spanning
841 pages. Furthermore, entries in the selective thematic index and keyword index have not been
reconciled. For example, "Administration" in the thematic index yields 17 entries, while the
keyword index lists only two.

Taken as a book for reading and consumption, it is fascinating, even
if a bit dense. There are gems on just about every page, insights into history, people, the
sources' thoughts and movitavtions. Spurs to the reader's contemplation abound. Admittedly,
slogging through 41 pages of quotations from the Bible, 21 pages of proverbs, or 51 pages of
Shakespeare can be daunting. But then you will stumble upon the incredible "We should therefore
claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant" from Austrian-born
philosopher Karl Popper (587).

I heartily recommend this superb reference and enjoyable read.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Best Source for Quotations
Comment: "The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations," 5th ed., sits on my crowded "reference" book shelf next to
"The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language." I consult both books on an almost daily
basis.

Compared to "Bartlett's," I find this book to be modern, witty, organized, and original.
Whether one is looking for a perfect quote for an online "profile" or a quip for an oral
presentation, this book of quotes will serve its reader well.

Customer Rating:

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