Wildlife Photographer of the Year-Portfolio 10 (Photography)

Customer Reviews:

A must for anyone who appreciates excellent nature photograp.......2004-07-29

This series is simply fantastic. When you set the world's best nature photographers against each other and only select photos from the best of the best you know you will be impressed with the photography and photos in this, and the other books in this series.

Book Description

Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a clear, concise guide to 61 of the most rewarding day hikes in these two incredible parks. (The parks are adjacent without a noticeable boundary between them.) These hikes will introduce you to the giant sequoias, the world's largest living organisms, and some of the most impressive canyons, rock formations, and panoramic overlooks found anywhere. Highlights include valleys with towering canyon walls and granite monoliths, verdant alpine meadows fringed with giant sequoias, cascading creeks and waterfalls, and phenomenal views. Hikes range from easy to moderately strenuous, accommodating every level of experience. Each hike includes a summary of its highlights, a map, and clear driving and hiking directions.

Customer Reviews:

Great for day hike planning but needs to be updated.......2006-06-27

I just got back from a week in Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

I'm a fan of FalconGuides. The problem with FalconGuides is that they try to be everything to everyone. They include many more hikes, but several of them are "shuttle hikes," which require traveling with non-hikers or using multiple cars. If you're a fan of the shuttle hike, stay with Falcon. Then again, I doubt we will ever see the publication of a trail guide devoted to shuttle hikes. "Great Shuttle Hikes of the Rocky Mountains"? Don't look for it on Amazon!

Anyway, author Stone sticks to hikes that can be done by day hikers. No 45-mile, 9-day pack trips. Again, if that's what you're hoping for, Falcon is your guide. But if you're looking for a nice walk in the wilderness, Stone's got that covered. And there are a number of 6-mile or longer hikes. I hiked to Mist Falls (9 miles round trip).

That said, this volume is in serious need of an update. The General Sherman Tree area has been completely redesigned and now requires a significant walk. The Congress Trail is also farther from easy access than it once was. And the Kings Canyon entrance station has been moved away from a "dangerous tree" into the Big Stump parking lot. So for now, there's no parking for the Big Stump, Hitchcock Meadows, Viola Falls trails. Stone might also consider a description of the trail to Crystal Caves.

This is the book I took on the trail. (The FalconGuide was used, but it stayed at the lodge.)

For beginners only, but still good.......2003-09-27

Many people who routinely hike in Yosemite inexplicably ignore her lesser known sister park to the South: majestic Sequoia. I have hiked in both parks for 15 years and Sequoia is an outstanding National Park, particularly for serious hikers seeking a challenge. Yosemite's Half Dome remains one of the most beautiful and "must do" hikes in California, but Alta Peak in Sequoia is comparable and its beauty is sheer majesty. You can get greater elevations in Sequoia and the alpine terrain, especially in the early summer, will remind you of Switzerland.

This Guidebook is exceptionally useful and small enough to carry with you in your pack as you hike. The maps are detailed, as are the driving directions to each trailhead. The descriptions of each hike are concise, yet sufficiently detailed to give you the feel of each hike before you attempt it. There is little superfluous information, which is a frequent complaint of other hiking books.

Book Description

Discover towering groves of giant sequoia trees, crystalline trout rivers, jagged peaks and alpine meadows, and Mount Whitney in 100 of the best hikes in the parks, situated in California's rugged Sierra Nevada. Contains easy day hikes to challenging backpacking trips.

Customer Reviews:

Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon.......2007-09-29

Extremely thorough and helpful!! Even illustrates the incline of trails.

Another Excellent Falcon Guide.......2006-09-27

My wife and I have hiked most of the major national parks in the U.S. over the past 20 years. As a result, we have purchased many hiking guide books. We've found that the Falcon Guide series tend to be best overall. Their detailed (but not cluttered) trail maps are always excellent, the elevation profile charts are a huge help, and their standard format across all books makes it easy to go from park to park without re-learning a new system.

The Sequoia and Kings Canyon book is no exception. It follows the Falcon standard format and was very useful on our recent trip there. Using this book alone, I was able to select 10 fantastic hikes, and each time I felt like I knew what I was getting into based on the book's rich trail descriptions.

I especially appreciated the Highlights section at the top of each trail description. This allowed me to scan the book quickly to find which trails may interest us.

Another excellent resource is the "Trail Finder" section which lists the author's favorite hikes based on criteria such as "Hikes Along Streams", "Hikes with Great Views", "Hikes to Avoid if You Don't Want to See Many People."

But alas, no book is perfect, and this book (and all Falcon Guides) could be improved as follows:

1. Include an alphabetized index of trail names and other common features such as lakes, mountains, etc. So when a park ranger recommends we try the hike to "Panther Falls", we don't have to flip through 286 pages to find it.

2. Put all pertinent trail information (summary, map, elevation chart) for each hike on a single page so that I can rip that page out of the book and take it with me on the hike.

Clarification: A Review of 'Best Easy Day Hikes Seqoia and Kings Canyon'.......2006-08-17

I normally would not review a book that already has eight extended commentaries which cover every positive and negative aspect of the author's text, but there is apparently some confusion among either reviewers, Amazon editors, or both as to which book is actually under review. Laurel Scheidt is the author of two books on hiking in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. The first is a comprehensive hiking guide to the parks and the second is a guide to short day hikes in the region. For whatever reason, all the reviews posted for the latter, 'Best Easy Day Hikes: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' are actually of the larger comprehensive work. I'm not sure why this occured, but the result is a misleading impression of what 'Best Easy Dayhikes' is all about. (Hopefully my review of 'Dayhikes' will not also be posted under the 'Hiking Sequoia' title as well.) This little book does not talk about the ascent of Mt. Whitney (thank goodness), is not a comprehensive guide to the parks, and the controversy about maps and backpacking routes is simply not applicable to this book at all.

Best Easy Day Hikes lists several hikes in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the nearby Jennie Lakes Wilderness that are under 6 miles, relatively level (they have less than 2000 feet of elevation gain--there are very few truly "level" hikes in these parks) and are readily accessible to families with children and those who, like myself, are no longer as fit as they once were. Mileage, elevation data, directions to the trailhead, and short sketch maps are for the most part adequate.

Scheidt includes several classic walks in the park: The Congress Trail, General Grant Tree Loop, Mist Falls, and Cresent Meadow. These are all "must do" hikes if you only have a day or so in the parks as happens all too often with our hectic schedules. Other trails listed are a little less well traveled so hikers can find some semblance of solitude in this sometimes hectic portion of the Sierras. The trip to Weaver Lake falls into this category.

This book merits 3 stars for doing what it sets out to do reasonably well. It lists a number of nice short hikes in various parts of the park. I would like to see a little more natural and local history to give it a higher rating. I would also note that this book is hardly exhaustive of all the truly easy and scenic day hikes in the region. As several reviewers (of the other book) including the author have noted, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and in mine the author has left out too many nice hikes (the Manzanita and Azalea loop in Grant Grove and Buena Vista Peak above Redwood Canyon) to give the book a 5 star rating. Still, unless or until Steve Sorenson's guides are updated, this is the best guide to day hikes in the parks currently in print.

Considerations to ponder.......2006-08-08

I don't like giving bad reviews. In fact, I hate it. However, I'm indebted to give an honest appraisal of this book and explain why my wife and I agreed on a one-star rating. I've read the mostly glowing reviews from others and based my purchase of this book on them. One reviewer however, Candace Scott, gave only two stars. I now agree with her that the descriptions of each trail are flat and uninformative. The author makes some comments that space is limited and certain information is required -- both credible arguments. However, each hike has overly repetitive information. For example, each trail used by horses is prefaced by a rather lengthy section on horse etiquette. In my opinion, repetition like this can be written once in the beginning and referred to if needed. Other similar examples abound. The most glaring problem with this book it the repetition of the trials. For example, hike # 16 through 22 all begin using the same trail, each one being lengthened a bit to another destination -- leading to highly repetitive information and the unfortunate perception that you can go on essentially 7 different hikes. Clearly, this can be condensed. Lastly, there is little information of why you should go on a hike. What are you going to see? What is special about the destination? What special features of the widely varied terrain can you expect? I read this book cover-to-cover, hoping to get some useful information out of it. However, once in Sequoia, my wife and I found ourselves hiking a number of truly outstanding trails not referenced to in the book, and we went on a beautiful semi-loop backpacking trip over two passes and through some of the most interesting geographical terrain I've ever experienced in one area. This 30 mile backpacking trip is referenced, in parts, in the book, as day hikes to various destinations, again duplicating trail information, but the loop (conspicuously absent from this book are loop hikes) is not mentioned and many of the trails are not mentioned. Also lacking is some of the grand highlights, such as two passes we crossed and the startling scenery we witnessed. I highly recommend Sequoia as a grand destination. However, as the author states, we are entitled to our own opinions and my wife and I give this particular guide a very poor rating. It is the only guide book we have thrown away.

perfect hiking guide.......2005-12-04

Just spent a week in Kings Canyon-Sequoia. Took some wonderful hikes and would have been lost without this guide. Its true that the author does not wax poetic about the wonders along each trail but she tells you enough so you can make the decision about whether to take the hike or not. All the technical details and instructions where perfect for the hikes I took. Well worth the money and the only hiking guide I will carry when I visit this area again.

50 Best Short Hikes in Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon

Average customer rating:

pretty good, but...
Great book for non-backpackers

50 Best Short Hikes in Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon
John Krist
Manufacturer: Wilderness Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 0899971326

Book Description

A guide for families and other busy people who want to explore the Sierra Nevada's three national parks on foot, but don't have the time for a multi-day backpacking trip.

Includes information on park facilities and accommodations, and tips for hiking with children. Each hike description lists mileage, difficulty, elevation gain and a "child rating," indicating the age range for which the trail is best suited. Custom maps show all the routes.

Customer Reviews:

pretty good, but..........2002-07-18

The writing about the history, geology, and forests of the park is excellent. Although a short read, it covers the highlights well.

There are many hikes in the book that sound great. We tried to do a couple of the hikes out of the book, and we had some issues with the layout of the book and trail descriptions.

First of all, the maps of the trails are all at the back of the book. If you're on the trail looking at the directions in the description and want to check the map, you have to flip to the back to see the map, which is a little annoying.

One of the routes we tried to do (Log Meadow Loop) seemed to be well described, but the actual trail did not correspond to the description in the book. The map helped us to figure out how to take an alternate route that was pretty good and took us past most of the sights we would have seen.

Another hike (North Grove Loop) that was rated as easy (suitable for young children) turned out to be short but also a pretty steep climb, and I'm not sure that a 6 year old would have done well on this trail.

Despite these disappointments, the other hikes we took in the park were excellent and well described in the book.

I think the editor would have done better to put maps with the hikes instead of at the end.

It is possible that some of the problems we had in the first hike were due to changes in the trail that had been made since the book was published. We met another lost couple who couldn't find the trail with a different Sequoia book.

Great book for non-backpackers.......1998-11-18

This book details out many great trails in both parks. Most trails are some what long and require a whole day. I would not recommend it if you are looking for great 1-3 mile trails, as most of them are much longer.

Average customer rating:

very practical and useful
if you plan to hike in Kings Canyon, Buy this book..

Day Hiking Kings Canyon
Steve Sorensen
Manufacturer: Fuyu Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Day Hiking Sequoia

ASIN: 0962941816

Customer Reviews:

very practical and useful.......2003-06-21

"Day hiking Kings Canyon" may well be the best book on day hikes(1 to 10 miles one way) in Kings Canyon national park and in the wilderness areas surrounding the park. It covers 50 trails in 5 areas: cedar grove, monarch wilderness, grant grove, redwood mountain, and jennie lakes wilderness. Each of the five sections starts with a brief (2-3 pages) introduction about the history, climate, and specific features of the area. The description of the hikes are concise (1-3 pages each), and yet very detailed. There is an individual topographic map for each trail, half-a-page to a whole page in size, which is located either at the beginning or at the end of description of each trail. Besides the total length of the trail, estimated hiking distance, elevation gain, and relative difficulty, the author provides detailed description of what to expect on each mile of the trail, suggests on which parts of the trail it may get hot in summer, where one can expect mosquitos, where the vews are beautiful, and even where one can find swimming holes on the river. Frequently, alternative return routes are suggested to make hikes more interesting. Finally, parts of the trail where the hikers should exercise caution due to slippery rocks or other hazards are indicated.

I studied this book side by side with two others, Frommer's "Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks", by Don and Barbara Laine, and "50 best short hikes in Sequoia/Kings Canyon" by John Krist. The first one is a pocket guide, contains much fewer hikes, and the descriptions are about a paragraph each. It is a very decent guide for the visitors arriving for a day by car, but does not help much on the trail. The second one is similar to "Day hiking Kings Canyon" in the way how the hikes are described, but the descriptions are shorter, maps are less acurate, and they are located at the very end of the book, so you have to flip pages from the middle to the end of the book to follow the guidelines. I found it very inconvenient. Hence, of these three books, my book of choice is definitely "Day hiking Kings Canyon". The only two drawbacks are that it does not have ratings of the trails in terms of their scenery, so it takes some reading to decide what to choose, and that it has very few photographs. It also could be squeezed in a smaller format (by using smaller fonts) to make it lighter and easier to carry in a backpack. Other than that, this book is an excellent source of information for any hiker.

if you plan to hike in Kings Canyon, Buy this book.........1998-08-23

our family has been going to KingsCanyon and Sequoia for over a hundred years now, and I wish I had found this book sooner. I have been on a lot of the trails and learned a few. Very easy to understand, an easy read and informative in area history. I am going to give a copy to all my family for Xmas.I'm at the mirror. * randella*

Triple Divide Peak (High Sierra Hiking Guide Series)

Average customer rating:

Great Guide Book

Triple Divide Peak (High Sierra Hiking Guide Series)
Andrew Selters
Manufacturer: Wilderness Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9996507521

Customer Reviews:

Great Guide Book.......2001-01-29

This is a great Guide to Kings River Canyon to Northern Sequoia. It includes trails, history, geology, ecology, campsites, trees, wildflowers, animals and an updated USGA plastic topographic map.

Great Walks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Great Walks Series ; No 6)

Average customer rating:

Great book for Short Walks

Great Walks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Great Walks Series ; No 6)

Manufacturer: Great Walks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1879741067

Customer Reviews:

Great book for Short Walks.......1998-11-18

This a great book detailing out many 'Great Walks' in Sequioa and Kings Canyon. We walked many of them, and used the guide to extend many others. The book would be more helpful if it included a map of the area, as some of the driving instructions are a bit hard to follow. Would recommend it to anybody who is not a hard core hiker, but just likes the short half day hikes.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best.......2007-08-21

This one ranks among the top three paperback dictionaries I've used. However, I think the reason that its number of words is limited is because this is also a thesaurus. I couldn't find the following words from Harry Potter: prat, skive(off), git, and chunter.

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus.......2006-08-28

My son took my dictionary with him when he moved to San Francisco. Since I needed another one, I decided to give this one a try. It is a great little dictionary for the money... very detailed and I can keep in in my handbag if needed.

S.B. Phoenix,AZ

Have Your Maginfying Glass Handy.......2006-08-12

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is an up-to-date, handy, clear reference book for one's reading table. I wanted a dictionary of American English. Success.

However, I wasted my money because of one problem: the font size is undersized (six-point maximum) to be practical if one's eyesight is less than 20/20 or you're over 50-years old. I'm going back to my 1978 Pocket Oxford Dictionary rather than strain my eyes; to the devil with words younger than 28-years old. Using a magnifying glass defeats two important objectives: convenience and portability.

Excellent.......2006-02-25

I think this is one of the best and easiest thesauruses I have ever had. Not only does it have the definition but all the alternate words you can use are right behind it.
I think it's EXCELLENT!

Whatever form of English you need to work in..........2005-03-05

...this text is the essential and definitive aid.
I have worked with other dictionaries and really the only publisher to come close is Penguin.
You cannot beat this for assistance in making English a craft and a pleasure.
The Oxford is of course linked to the publishing house of the great University, there is little wonder therefore that it is both essential and a world leader.

The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus (New Look for Oxford Dictionaries)

Average customer rating:

An Excellent Reference

The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus (New Look for Oxford Dictionaries)

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

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The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

ASIN: 0195159349

Book Description

A unique reference that combined the best features of both dictionary and thesaurus, The Pocket Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus was the first American reference work to offer integrated entries. Now this revolutionary, best-selling volume is available in a completely revised edition that is perfect for students, business people, writers, and anyone else who finds themselves frequently in need of an amplified vocabulary. New to this edition are Oxford's Synonym Studies, which provide in-depth comparisons of closely related words (e.g., doleful, dour, glum, lugubrious, melancholy, saturnine, and sullen; or conundrum, enigma, mystery, paradox, puzzle, and riddle), and updated appendices for Countries, Area Codes, and Weights and Measures, plus hundreds of brand new words. Light and portable, sized to fit easily into a backpack, briefcase, or on any student or office desk The Pocket Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus is guaranteed to be the most frequently used reference work you own. Combining a comprehensive and thoroughly reliable dictionary of American English with full thesaurus coverage, this is an essential tool for anyone who wants to write with more variety, color, and precision. Features: BLCompletely revised edition BL Over 150,000 entries, each with full definition and related words BL Two indispensable language tools for the price of one BL Definitions and related words within the same entry BL Hundreds of new words and meanings BL 13 quick-reference appendices

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Reference.......2006-01-02

This is an essential tool for anyone interested in a good solid dictionary and the nuance of language. Compact and easy to use, this reference is an indispensable tool for academic study, prose/expository writing, poetry and homeschooling. Combining both dictionary and thesaurus in one saves a great deal of time. I keep a copy in my college backpack as well as next to my writing table. My teenage children find it useful for their studies as well.

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus: American Edition

Average customer rating:

Helpful Guide
This is a real bargain!

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus: American Edition
Oxford University Press
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425160084

Customer Reviews:

Helpful Guide.......2007-04-23

Whether you are writing a paper or a novel, this reference tool is great for finding all the words you'll need to write effectively. Everyone should own a thesaurus, and this one is definitely worth the buy.

This is a real bargain!.......1999-07-17

This is a very good combination of Dictionary and Thesaurus -actually it's a short version of the regular Oxford Dic & Tes. . Very useful - and reasonably cheap!

Oxford American Desk Thesaurus (Oxford Desk Reference Series)

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Oxford American Desk Thesaurus (Oxford Desk Reference Series)
Christine A., Ed. Lindberg
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0195126742

Book Description

The Oxford American Desk Thesaurus puts word power at your fingertips, with more than 175,000 synonyms, including thousands of compound terms and idiomatic expressions, all in a quick-finding AZ format. More than simply lists of synonyms, entries feature a breakdown by specific word sense, with example phrases and sentences that put the entry word in context to clarify correct usage and grammar. New to this edition is Oxford's exclusive Writers Toolkit, providing guidance on such writing basics as punctuation and frequently confused words. Features: BL More than 10,000 entries and 175,000 synonyms BL AZ format for quick look-up BL Example sentences and phrases pinpoint correct usage BL Broad coverage, with entries keyed to specific senses BL Exclusive Writers Toolkit for guidance on punctuation and other writing basics With its up-to-date coverage and handy features, this thesaurus is a must-have for any writer.

The Desk Reference Set: Consisting of the Desk Reference Atlas, the Oxford Desk Dictionary, and the Oxford Desk Thesaurus

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The Desk Reference Set: Consisting of the Desk Reference Atlas, the Oxford Desk Dictionary, and the Oxford Desk Thesaurus

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0195219821

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus

Average customer rating:

Excellent desktop dictionary and thesaurus.
If you can't get the OED, get this.

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus

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

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ASIN: 0195112148

Amazon.com

Every so often an idea comes along that changes the known reference world. Oxford's Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is simple in concept but breathtaking in realization. It's the desk dictionary that'll oust your previous favorite from its prime desk niche. Clearly crafted with desk use in mind, it's light enough to heft in one hand and the type is easy to read, yet it contains more than 150,000 entries. Compiled with American English in mind, the definitions are authoritative, up-to-date, and exceedingly lucid. And best of all, it serves as both dictionary and thesaurus. True, you'll find neither "neronize" nor "nerts," but how often do they come up in daily desk work? In their stead, it's handier to have the list of synonyms that follow many of the dictionary entries. A boon for any writer, student or business, Oxford's newest addition to the dictionary world is sophisticated but practical, elegant yet accessible. --Stephanie Gold

Book Description

Critically acclaimed as a unique new reference combining the best features of both dictionary and thesaurus, The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus was the first American reference work to offer integrated dictionary and thesaurus entries. Neither a dictionary nor a thesaurus can, by itself, provide the reader with the full range of word choices. Rather than forcing readers to flip between the thesaurus for synonyms and the dictionary for definitions, The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus provided a thoroughly integrated blend of entries from the dictionary and the thesaurus. Now this revolutionary volume is available in a convenient size and price that is perfect for the casual user. The unified approach of the Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus treats meanings and related words within the same entry, making it easy to find -- in one place -- an abundance of information about words, and provides a far more thorough analysis of the variety and nuances of our language than is possible in a dictionary or thesaurus alone. Based on the 1800-page Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, the light and portable Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is a valuable tool for students, writers, business people, and for anyone who wants to use American English with accuracy and flexibility. Fitting easily into a backpack or briefcase or on any student or office desk, the Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is guaranteed to be the most frequently used reference work you own. To create this fascinating book, Oxford's American dictionary staff have drawn on the unparalleled resources of Oxford University Press, the world's most respected authority on English language and dictionaries. Founded on the scholarship of the renowned Oxford Dictionary Department's vast database, and newly edited specifically for the U.S. by noted American lexicographer Frank Abate, this convenient volume packs a remarkable amount of information in a small package, from pronunciation, definitions, syllabification, and idiomatic speech to lists of synonyms and derivative terms. Finally, The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus also contains a wide range of valuable appendices, from the countries of the world and the Presidents of the United States to signs and symbols, the chemical elements, weights and measures (with equivalency tables), and much more. Concise and easy to use, up-to-date and authoritative, The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is ideal for home or office, for busy executives on the go, and for students of all levels. Combining an comprehensive and thoroughly reliable dictionary of American English with full thesaurus coverage, this is an essential tool for anyone who wants to write with more variety, color, and precision.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent desktop dictionary and thesaurus........2000-08-14

"The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is an excellent compact sized lexicon, one which I've found to be the most useful desktop reference book in my office. Word definitions are clear, concise and easy to understand. Synonyms appear directly following each word's definition, rather than in a separate list. For me, this is probably the best overall feature of "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus," because it makes it much easier to look up a word, understand its definition, and see its synonyms without thumbing through different sections of the book. Page layout is pleasing, with two columns set reasonably large and easy to read print. There are several useful appendices in the back, including: signs and symbols; heat index and wind chill; metric/English conversion; countries of the world; and Presidents of the United States.

"The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is the little brother to the 1,800 page "The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus." Despite its relatively diminutive size, this desktop version, which claims to have "over 150,000 entries, synonyms, and senses," has consistently proven itself comprehensive enough for the kind of reading and writing I do on a daily basis. Only on rare occasions have I found it necessary to pull out my unabridged dictionary to find a word not listed in "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus."

For those needing a compact dictionary and thesaurus which offers a good degree of comprehensiveness and excellent portability, "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is an excellent choice.

If you can't get the OED, get this........1999-06-10

This dictionary is a great 2-in-1 reference tool. You can look up a word's meaning for greater clarification and get synonyms at the same time. The definitions are clear and concise; you don't need to look up the definition since they're in layman's terms. It's also pretty complete. I hate looking something up and not being able to find it in the dictionary; that's hardly ever happened to me with this one. They also have many different reference charts in the back which have come in handy, some of which I've actually copied and taken home. It's almost like 3-in-1 rather than 2-in-1, actually--those charts give this dictionary a flavor of the Columbia Encyclopedia.

Book Description

When The Oxford Thesaurus: American Edition appeared in 1992, it was hailed as a milestone in the evolution of the thesaurus. It rapidly established itself as the most authoritative, precise, up-to-date, and helpful synonym guide available. Now this superb volume has been condensed, producing
an ideal reference for those who need a more portable and affordable thesaurus, one that is quick and handy to use--The Oxford Desk Thesaurus.
As in the parent volume, the main entries are selected for their frequency in the language and are arranged alphabetically so that you can instantly turn to the word you have in mind. If an entry has more than one sense, the ODT shows the synonyms by group. For instance, under the headword order,
those synonyms meaning "arrangement" are in one group, those meaning "command" are in another; within a group, synonyms are listed according to frequency of use (e.g., command, directive, edict, behest, ukase, fiat, etc.). Each sense group in an entry is illustrated with a sample sentence, so you
can be sure you are making your selection from the right list of alternatives. A unique cross-referencing system clearly shows which synonyms in a list are themselves main entries. Labels identify those words that are used in special ways--not only colloquial, taboo, archaic, technical, or slang
expressions, but also American and British usage--so that writers can avoid errors of diction (such as using colloquial words in formal writing). Finally, for those desiring a richer vocabulary, Urdang supplements the standard synonyms with unusual words and phrases.
Concise and easy to use, up to date and authoritative, The Oxford Desk Thesaurus is ideal for home or office, for busy executives on the go, and for students, too. It is an essential tool for anyone who wants to write with more variety, color, and precision.

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The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus
Frank R. Abate
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKPG6Y

Book Description

"Mike wants to head up north to the Beaufort Sea, he's got himself a good job there with an oil rig. There's no place for you, and I think you better stay in one place.... Don't look so panicky! Abandoning you? I'm not abandoning you!"

With those words Lucy Haley is forced from her Chicago home into an unfamiliar world. She is placed with a grandmother she has never met in a place she has never been. Despite this alien setting, she learns over time to love both her grandmother and her new home on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

Talking to her grandmother and old friends of her mother's, she also comes closer to finding out the identity of her biological father. But when she attempts to contact him, she is met only with coldness; he is an internationally renowned Haida artist with a new family, and has no time for his daughter.

When Lucy becomes pregnant and her grandmother becomes ill, she has no one to turn to. What follows is a story of one girl's journey from the innocence of childhood to the experience of motherhood. Along the way she is met with racism and other difficult barriers, but ultimately the love and respect taught by her Native culture brings her fractured world together.

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