Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Reference Editor, Perry M. Atterberry FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * What We're Reading: "Your Secrets Are My Business," "Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2000," "Ancient Mysteries" * Amazon.com Presents the Best of the Century * Notable Quotables: Great books of quotations through the ages * Past Perfect: Reference books for fans of antiques and collectibles * Editor's Choice: "Dictionary of Languages" * Reference Bestsellers: "Webster's New World College Dictionary," "Sin and Syntax," "An Incomplete Education" WHAT WE'RE READING ****************** "Your Secrets Are My Business" by Kevin McKeown and Dave Stern http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1563525771/entertainmentsit With the crime of identity theft on the rise, we all need to be more cautious with our private information. In "Your Secrets Are My Business," security experts Kevin McKeown and Dave Stern show you the most common ways your secrets are stolen, and what you can do to prevent theft. "Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2000" DK Publishing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789446197/entertainmentsit Curious about the inner workings of a jet? You'll find this and more wonderfully deconstructed information in DK's "Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2000." "DK Millennium World Atlas" DK Publishing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789446049/entertainmentsit The "DK Millennium World Atlas" is a big, lush book, just as much at home on a coffee table as a library's reference shelf. State-of-the-art cartography has never looked so good. AMAZON.COM PRESENTS THE BEST OF THE CENTURY ******************************************* As the century comes to a close, Amazon.com takes a look at the landmarks in books, music, and video of the past 100 years. Selected by our editors, our lists take you decade by decade from the turn of the century all the way to the end of the millennium. But don't just take our word for it; cast your vote for the best book, video, and CD in our best-of-the-millennium poll for your chance to win our customers' 300 favorite music, book, and video titles. Books of the century NOTABLE QUOTABLES ***************** Robert Frost wrote that "poetry brings pollen of one flower to another flower." If your writing or speeches could use a little cross-pollination, turn to a collection of quotations. Our list of recommended titles includes compilations from the all-encompassing (such as "Biblical Quotes for All Occasions") to the more specific ("The Quotable Einstein," for example). Try some famous words on for size--because, as Roy Blount Jr. notes, "So many things you think would go without saying, don't." Reference PAST PERFECT ************ Hunting for antiques and collectibles can be a fun and lucrative hobby. But if you don't know what you're doing, you could wind up with a houseful of worthless tchotchkes. To save you time, money, and frustration, we've assembled some handy reference works, such as "Miller's Understanding Antiques," that will help you separate the collectible wheat from the chaff. Books EDITOR'S CHOICE *************** "Dictionary of Languages" by Andrew Dalby http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0231115687/entertainmentsit Andrew Dalby's "Dictionary of Languages" is an essential ready reference for anyone interested in the languages of the world. Dalby, honorary librarian at the Institute of Linguistics and a regular contributor to the journal The Linguist, has done a marvelous job of collecting information on over 400 languages into one volume. Though rather light on hard linguistic information, the dictionary does cover the history and social background of each language, and is one of the few reference works on languages that gives equal time to more obscure ones, such as Maba (spoken in Chad) and Sorbian (spoken in Germany). The perfect book for quick information or for an afternoon of pleasant browsing. REFERENCE BESTSELLERS ********************* "Webster's New World College Dictionary" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028631196/entertainmentsit Is "legislator" pronounced with an "er" sound at the end or an "or"? Is the Jewish festival of lights spelled "Chanukah," "Hanuka," or "Hanukkah"? With "Webster's New World College Dictionary," which promises to describe rather than prescribe, you can take your pick. Easy to use and understand, "Webster's New World College Dictionary" is a fine addition to any high school or college student's desk set. "Sin and Syntax" by Constance Hale http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0767903080/entertainmentsit You gotta love a grammar guide that calls verbs "moody little suckers" and adverbs "promiscuous." Constance Hale ("Wired Style") relishes prose that is deliberate, beautiful, and bold. In "Sin and Syntax," Hale offers liberating advice for the struggling writer: Go ahead and break the rules, she says; just know the rules first, and know why you are breaking them. "An Incomplete Education" by Judy Jones and William Wilson http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345391373/entertainmentsit You'll find everything you forgot from school--as well as plenty you never even learned--in "An Incomplete Education," an all-purpose reference book, an instant classic when it first appeared in 1987. The updated version takes a whirlwind tour through 12 different disciplines, from American studies to philosophy to world history. ****** Give the Perfect Gift -- Get the Perfect Gift Does Aunt Ida send polka CDs when you'd prefer pop? Create an Amazon.com Wish List and save everyone the agony of the unwanted gift. Wish list
Clueless as to what to get your Kentucky cousin for Christmas? Send him an e-card and tell him to set up an Amazon.com Wish List so you can easily find and send him his heart's desire. Wish card ****** You'll find more great books, articles, excerpts, and interviews in Amazon.com's Reference section at Reference
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