World-renowned linguist & reference editor David Crystal brings us the third edition of Penguin's Concise Encyclopedia". This abridgement condenses the core material in the third edition of the " Penguin Encyclopedia" which has already reached a world sales total of over 23 000 copies in hardback. David Crystal has a gift for clarity & concision which enables him to illuminate even the most intricate concepts. Here he offers over 22 000 alphabatised entries on the facts events issues people beliefs & achievements that make up the sum of human knowledge. Entries have been written by over 350 specialist contributors from universities museums & other institutions of excellence around the world. " The Concise Encyclopedia" is part of the Penguin Reference Library & draws on over 70 years of experience in bringing reliable useful & clear information to millions of readers around the world." ...

This new paperback dictionary perfectly embodies Penguin's worldwide reputation for authority & accessibility. Compiled by Britain's foremost lexicographers it is the ideal companion for every home & office offering comprehensive coverage of the language & a wealth of useful additional features
- all at an unbeatable price.
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Need a handbook to your architects business or studies? Struggling with your latest DIY project? Interested in the art of architecture? This classic work now in its fifth edition covers every aspect of architecture & landscape architecture. Ranging from ancient times to contemporary trends it adopts a truly international perspective focussing on countries & cultures such as Coptic Tibet & De Stijl. Without doubt this is the standard work in the field. As reflected by its new title The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture & Landscape Architecture" has now been expanded to include recent developments in the field of landscape architecture. Full account has been taken too of the huge range of building traditions around the world. The text has been completely reset & all the illustrations redrawn. Immensely useful succinct & judicious...this is a book rich in fact & accumulated wisdom.
- " The Times Literary Supplement"."
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Worried about your maternal effect or biological clock? Need to know a rhizoid from a rhizome? Think youre going to fail your zoology or botany exam? The Penguin Dictionary of Biology" is your saviour defining some 6000 terms relating to this rich complex & constantly expanding subject
- from amino acids bacteria & the cell cycle to X-ray diffraction Y chromosome & zygotes. Long established as the definitive single-volume source this dictionary is extensively updated for its eleventh edition."
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The Penguin Dictionary of Economics" explains a host of economic terms from acceleration principle to venture capital Euro to X-efficiency globalisation to zero-sum game. The eighth edition has been fully revised & updated to include those terms that have become so familiar since the global recession begun (quantitative easing & sub-prime among them) but whose meanings escape most of us. Wide-ranging & accessible this detailed practical & international guide will be indispensable for students of economics & professionals (in business finance or the public sector) & for anyone wishing to follow economic discussions in the media today." ...

The Penguin Dictionary of English Synonyms & Antonyms is the ideal work of reference for both home & office. Anyone who has found themselves stumped for the best & most appropriate word or who wants to avoid repetition whether student or writer politician or advertiser after-dinner speaker or crossword fanatic will find this easy-to-use dictionary invaluable on every occasion. ...

What's in a name? Rather more than you might at first suspect for names are steeped in history & myth & have much to tell us about our past our beliefs
- even our personality traits. Now fully updated for its second edition with 150 new entries The Penguin Dictionary of First Names" takes a close look at over 5 000 examples ranging from the familiar to the comparatively obscure drawn from all parts of the English-speaking world. Detailed & informative it is essential reading for expectant parents & for anyone who is intrigued by the story attached to each name."
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The science of geology is going through a remarkable period of expansion & advancement. The New Penguin Dictionary of Geology contains over 7 500 fully updated definitions making it the most extensive dictionary of the Earth sciences ever produced. It

Includes:: a full bibliography of up-to-date works covering all areas of geology. Authoritative & accessible this new edition will prove invaluable to researcher student & amateur geologist.

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Islam today is a truly global faith yet it remains somewhat of an enigma to many of us. Each & every day our newspapers are saturated with references to Islam; Quran Taliban Hijab Fatwa Allah Sunni Jihad Shia the list goes on. But how much do we really understand? Are we in fact misunderstanding? The Penguin Dictionary of Islam" provides complete impartial answers. It

Includes:: extensive coverage of the historical formations of the worldwide Muslim community & highlights key modern Muslim figures & events. Understanding Islam is vital to understanding our world & this text is the definitive authority designed for both general & academic readers."

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The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms & Literary Theory is firmly established as a key work of reference in the complex & varied field of literary criticism. Now in its fourth edition it remains the most comprehensive & accessible work of its kind & is invaluable for student teachers & general readers alike. ...