The Macmillan Visual Dictionary

Rating:
Summary: Whatchamacallitt on the thingamajig.
Review: I used to design publications and what I love about this book is the amazing quality of the color illustrations. There are thousands of them and they have all been computer generated so the style and quality is uniform. Looking at the spreads, for example, on Airport, Downtown or Wind Instruments and the time and creativity involved must have been tremendous. The design and printing of the book is excellent.

The authors want this book to be as practical as possible, Indoor Games includes a page on hands of cards, a House Furniture page shows six different spoons.

Another reviewer has noted that this lovely book would seem ideal for those learning American English and also for anyone who is just interested in finding out the name of everyday items.

A similar treatment to words can be seen in the Dorling Kindersley 'Visual Encyclopedia' (at a very much cheaper price) here the images are mostly photos and as the name implies there is a lot more information about each subject.

Both books are a joy to look at and unfortunately this only points up the bland design and production of most other highly visual books.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Tool For Fiction Writers
Review: This book has over 800 pages of visual items and then arrows that point to them and tell you what they're called. For example, on one two page spread an entire passenger liner ship is drawn with all the names of all the rooms and terraces and parts and compenents. just looking at the drawing inspires a mystery set aboard a cruise ship! Chapter Headings include "Astronomy" "Geography" "Farming" "Architecture" "House" "House Furniture" "Gardening" "Clothing" "Communications" "Road Transport" "Rail Transport" "Air Transport" "Weapons", and many, many more.

This an excellent tool and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to know their way around places you might not already know your way around!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous and entertaining reference material
Review: This fabulous book serves as an instant vocabulary enhancer and is packed with finely illustrated pictures that not only widen one's knowledge but also make for hours of wholesome entertainment.