The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus

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