MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S VISUAL DICTIONARY (HARDCOVER)

The first visual dictionary to incorporate dictionary-scale definitions. - More than 20,000 clear and concise terms - 6,000 full-colour, highly detailed illustrations - 17 chapters outlining subjects from astronomy to sports - Ideal for teachers, parents, translators, and students.

If you don't know the name of the part of an umbrella that pokes out the top (ferrule) or the name for the ribs on a spark plug (spline), or should the day come when people wonder what that dish was called that people who smoked cigarettes used (ashtray), then a visual dictionary is the ready-reference book of choice. There are dozens of competing visual dictionaries out there (e.g.,The Firefly Visual Dictionary and The Firefly Five Language Visual Dictionary), some of which are very good. Merriam Webster's belongs in the top rank. It doesn't offer multiple languages, but it does include clear, excellent color pictures of the items being described. There are over 6000 color illustrations and more than 20,000 definitions, as well as a color-coded thumb index. Bottom Line Logically organized into 17 broad categories (e.g., astronomy, humans, animals, clothing, and society), with numerous subcategories to make finding the needed terms easy, this is the only visual dictionary that includes definitions with the terms. And its price is very reasonable for such a substantial book. Essential.-Denise Johnson, Bradley Univ., Peoria, IL Library Journal (11/01/2006)