Emphasizing contemporary Latin American Spanish (and American English), Merriam-Webster's latest dictionary offers concise definitions for more than 80,000 words and phrases. Special sections cover the conjugation of Spanish verbs, common Spanish and English abbreviations, and a few basic tips on Spanish grammar. One nice feature is the clear explanation on the back cover for how to "read" an entry. Random House's Latin-American Spanish Dictionary (1997) shares some similar traits and a similar audience and is in the same price range. Webster's covers 20,000 more words and phrases than does Random House's and gives more frequent plural and masculine/feminine endings, but it provides less depth, fewer regional differences, and fewer informal definitions than Random House's does. If you can only afford one Latin American Spanish dictionary, buy Random House's; otherwise, Webster's is recommended for circulating collections in public and academic libraries.AJohn Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ Copyrigh

If you have ever written a poem, a song, a limerick, or a few lines for a greeting card, you may have struggled to come up with the right rhyming word. This dictionary is a listing of words grouped according the way they rhyme. Easy and fun to use, it is perfect for writers of all ages.

A new edition of the acclaimed Collins French Gem Dictionary, revised and updated with the latest vocabulary and now including a handy supplement of useful travel phrases. With its extensive coverage of French language in a compact form, the Collins French Gem remains the indispensable small dictionary for learners of French. Newly updated, its 35,000-plus references and 70,000 translations include the latest additions to the language. With clear and attractive layout and typography, featuring special entries relating to interesting aspects of French life and culture, notes warning the user of easily confusable words and a handy supplement on useful travel phrases, the French Gem is compact, reliable and completely up-to-date: the ideal small dictionary for school and general use.

Writing may be a solitary endeavor, but whether you're craft-ing the great American novel, drafting a term paper, or penning a memoir, organizing your thoughts from a mass of scattered ideas to a cohesive--and readable--book requires more than a computer spellcheck. You need a companion at your side to offer advice both practical and inspirational--and The Oxford Essential Writer's Reference is it, whether you're a student working on a thesis, a manager preparing a presenta-tion, a beginning writer struggling to make that first sale, or a professional author seeking new resources in the infor-mation age.

The Running Press Cyclopedia is a marvelous, global compendium of information packaged in an exciting and extensive reference book. This completely updated edition is not only slightly larger than the original, but it also contains the equivalent of 32 pages of brand new material, including brand new illustrations. The additional material covers the post 9-11 world, especially new developments in world and national politics and culture. Divided into twenty-one sections, The Running Press Cyclopedia includes more than 200,000 facts on such topics as world history, science, arts, and the environment. Over one thousand illustrations, including charts, diagrams, drawings, and maps, help the reader visualize information and understand the impact of statistics, geography, and other aspects of our modern world. The book is organized thematically into six parts, so locating basic information is simple. A complete index provides easy access to each subject. The compact format and low price makes this the ideal referen

Now including the most important new words and phrases in English and Russian, the Collins Russian Gem Dictionary offers accurate and reliable coverage of today’s language. In addition, the most common words have been given more detailed treatment in order to make them easier for the user to understand and translate. New to this edition are special entries on life and culture in Russia, Britain, and the United States, and an indispensable glossary of business words in Russian and English. Presented in a handy, portable format, and with a clear, user-friendly layout, the Collins Russian Gem Dictionary is the indispensable reference tool for office, home, travel, and study.