Product Description

This new Oxford reference work is the most up-to-date dictionary of world history available in paperback. The generous coverage of all aspects of history, from prehistory right up to the present day, makes this book the ideal guide both for students and the general reader. -- More than 4,500 clear and concise entries -- Biographies of key figures in world history, from Alexander the Great to Bill Clinton, Elizabeth I to Nelson Mandela -- Full international coverage with detailed entries for every country in the world -- Subject entries on religious and political movements, international organizations, and key battles and places -- Fifty detailed maps covering events and topics such as the Black Death, the Boer War, and the African slave trade

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #527489 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 704 pages

Customer Reviews

a very good encyclopedia
There are quite a lot of world history dictionaries available on the market, so it is not easy to choose one. The "big three" at the moment are: Chambers dictionary of world history (7.500 entries), Oxford dictionary of world history (4000 entries), and the Hutchinson dictionary of world history (5000 entries).

Looking at the numbers, one would say that the Chambers dictionary is the best pick. This book however, focus mainly on the period 1000 - 2000 AD, so it isn't really a dictionary of world history. Second, it has an enormous amount of biographies, mainly on political persons of the 19th and 20th century. It often feels like reading in a biographical dictionary.

The entries in the Hutchinson are more balanced, focussing not only on biographies. It also has lots of timelines and maps, which makes it a pleasure to scroll through.

The best pick for your money however, is the oxford paperback dictionary of world history. It is not expensive at all, so you get a lot of information for your money. It is beautifully written, and easy to read. It treats both ancient and recent history with considerable depth, so it is truly a book about world history.

My personal recommendation: buy the oxford, and with the money you save (compared to the more expensive Hutchinson and Chambers dictionaries), also buy the oxford paperback dictionary of twentieth century world history, to get a more in-depth look at the last century. That's like buying two books for the price of one.

Although it doesn't really belong in the dictionaries-of-world-history list, the Merriam Webster collegiate dictionary is worth mentioning here. Although it is a general encyclopedia, is has a lot of entries on historical subjects.