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The London Encyclopaedia
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Christopher HibbertBen WeinrebJohn KeayJulia Keay;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £28.03
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 Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
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The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales
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John DaviesNigel JenkinsMenna BainesPeredur I. Lynch;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £54.96
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
A monumental achievement!, 19 May 2008
Considering it a sad omission that no one has yet seen fit to comment, I thought I would present my own 'humble offering'.
The many individuals involved in bringing this work into being are to be hugely congratulated. The design and execution are superb and the whole is richly illustrated. Given that reference works aren't generally amenable to 'reinvention', the unobtrusive and cleanly set page design can be ajudged successful by the very fact that it doesn't draw attention to itself and instead lets the content 'speak for itself'.
In this era of the rapid availability of online information at "one's fingertips" it is useful to be reminded that there is still a place for intelligently conceived and rigorous print reference works on important themes.
This one weaves together those elements that may be said to constitute the "idea" of Wales, from history, linguistics, geography, geology and the other sciences, to popular culture, biography and other specialised themes. It brings together in a readable form information that previously would have been available only to the dedicated reader in a variety of more specialised publications - for that reason alone it is invaluable.
It also serves to firmly root the history & culture of this region within the broader frames of britain, europe and beyond. It also helps to establish once and for all that there is more to Wales than just "the valleys" (hugely important though their contribution has been).
As someone who is fascinated by the Welsh language, the lucid treatment of linguistic development, and referencing of the important texts has helped to consolidate my own interests in this area.
In addition, biographical treatments of individuals such as Edward Lhuyd help to counter the image of Wales as an intellectual 'backwater' - without the sense of retrospective revisionism being employed!
I have also picked-up countless pieces of new information just skimming through the pages.
BE AWARE that biographical entries are restricted to those deceased. Without this knowledge, some confusion may arise for readers. The decision is a bold, but understandable one, as an individual's story is alas only complete after their demise...Thus, a number of important current figures do not figure as named entries - although their important may be hinted at within other entries. There is no doubt scope for appendices to the main work as, sadly, more individuals become 'eligible' for inclusion.
No doubt in order to make a manageable volume the text is printed on paper of relative thinness, although of fine quality. This does mean that there is an occasional manifestation of image shadowing - but it must be underlined that this does not detract from one's enjoyment of the work and is an inevitable compromise.
I, for one, shall be constantly referring to it and wholeheartedly recommend it.
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The Encyclopedia of Sharks
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
|
*Amazon: £10.99
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
A monumental achievement!, 19 May 2008
Considering it a sad omission that no one has yet seen fit to comment, I thought I would present my own 'humble offering'.
The many individuals involved in bringing this work into being are to be hugely congratulated. The design and execution are superb and the whole is richly illustrated. Given that reference works aren't generally amenable to 'reinvention', the unobtrusive and cleanly set page design can be ajudged successful by the very fact that it doesn't draw attention to itself and instead lets the content 'speak for itself'.
In this era of the rapid availability of online information at "one's fingertips" it is useful to be reminded that there is still a place for intelligently conceived and rigorous print reference works on important themes.
This one weaves together those elements that may be said to constitute the "idea" of Wales, from history, linguistics, geography, geology and the other sciences, to popular culture, biography and other specialised themes. It brings together in a readable form information that previously would have been available only to the dedicated reader in a variety of more specialised publications - for that reason alone it is invaluable.
It also serves to firmly root the history & culture of this region within the broader frames of britain, europe and beyond. It also helps to establish once and for all that there is more to Wales than just "the valleys" (hugely important though their contribution has been).
As someone who is fascinated by the Welsh language, the lucid treatment of linguistic development, and referencing of the important texts has helped to consolidate my own interests in this area.
In addition, biographical treatments of individuals such as Edward Lhuyd help to counter the image of Wales as an intellectual 'backwater' - without the sense of retrospective revisionism being employed!
I have also picked-up countless pieces of new information just skimming through the pages.
BE AWARE that biographical entries are restricted to those deceased. Without this knowledge, some confusion may arise for readers. The decision is a bold, but understandable one, as an individual's story is alas only complete after their demise...Thus, a number of important current figures do not figure as named entries - although their important may be hinted at within other entries. There is no doubt scope for appendices to the main work as, sadly, more individuals become 'eligible' for inclusion.
No doubt in order to make a manageable volume the text is printed on paper of relative thinness, although of fine quality. This does mean that there is an occasional manifestation of image shadowing - but it must be underlined that this does not detract from one's enjoyment of the work and is an inevitable compromise.
I, for one, shall be constantly referring to it and wholeheartedly recommend it.
every thing you need to know......., 07 Aug 2001
I recommend this book to anyone intrested in sharks and other marine life......excellent book, includes brilliant photography.
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
A monumental achievement!, 19 May 2008
Considering it a sad omission that no one has yet seen fit to comment, I thought I would present my own 'humble offering'.
The many individuals involved in bringing this work into being are to be hugely congratulated. The design and execution are superb and the whole is richly illustrated. Given that reference works aren't generally amenable to 'reinvention', the unobtrusive and cleanly set page design can be ajudged successful by the very fact that it doesn't draw attention to itself and instead lets the content 'speak for itself'.
In this era of the rapid availability of online information at "one's fingertips" it is useful to be reminded that there is still a place for intelligently conceived and rigorous print reference works on important themes.
This one weaves together those elements that may be said to constitute the "idea" of Wales, from history, linguistics, geography, geology and the other sciences, to popular culture, biography and other specialised themes. It brings together in a readable form information that previously would have been available only to the dedicated reader in a variety of more specialised publications - for that reason alone it is invaluable.
It also serves to firmly root the history & culture of this region within the broader frames of britain, europe and beyond. It also helps to establish once and for all that there is more to Wales than just "the valleys" (hugely important though their contribution has been).
As someone who is fascinated by the Welsh language, the lucid treatment of linguistic development, and referencing of the important texts has helped to consolidate my own interests in this area.
In addition, biographical treatments of individuals such as Edward Lhuyd help to counter the image of Wales as an intellectual 'backwater' - without the sense of retrospective revisionism being employed!
I have also picked-up countless pieces of new information just skimming through the pages.
BE AWARE that biographical entries are restricted to those deceased. Without this knowledge, some confusion may arise for readers. The decision is a bold, but understandable one, as an individual's story is alas only complete after their demise...Thus, a number of important current figures do not figure as named entries - although their important may be hinted at within other entries. There is no doubt scope for appendices to the main work as, sadly, more individuals become 'eligible' for inclusion.
No doubt in order to make a manageable volume the text is printed on paper of relative thinness, although of fine quality. This does mean that there is an occasional manifestation of image shadowing - but it must be underlined that this does not detract from one's enjoyment of the work and is an inevitable compromise.
I, for one, shall be constantly referring to it and wholeheartedly recommend it.
every thing you need to know......., 07 Aug 2001
I recommend this book to anyone intrested in sharks and other marine life......excellent book, includes brilliant photography.
Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.
Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.
The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
A monumental achievement!, 19 May 2008
Considering it a sad omission that no one has yet seen fit to comment, I thought I would present my own 'humble offering'.
The many individuals involved in bringing this work into being are to be hugely congratulated. The design and execution are superb and the whole is richly illustrated. Given that reference works aren't generally amenable to 'reinvention', the unobtrusive and cleanly set page design can be ajudged successful by the very fact that it doesn't draw attention to itself and instead lets the content 'speak for itself'.
In this era of the rapid availability of online information at "one's fingertips" it is useful to be reminded that there is still a place for intelligently conceived and rigorous print reference works on important themes.
This one weaves together those elements that may be said to constitute the "idea" of Wales, from history, linguistics, geography, geology and the other sciences, to popular culture, biography and other specialised themes. It brings together in a readable form information that previously would have been available only to the dedicated reader in a variety of more specialised publications - for that reason alone it is invaluable.
It also serves to firmly root the history & culture of this region within the broader frames of britain, europe and beyond. It also helps to establish once and for all that there is more to Wales than just "the valleys" (hugely important though their contribution has been).
As someone who is fascinated by the Welsh language, the lucid treatment of linguistic development, and referencing of the important texts has helped to consolidate my own interests in this area.
In addition, biographical treatments of individuals such as Edward Lhuyd help to counter the image of Wales as an intellectual 'backwater' - without the sense of retrospective revisionism being employed!
I have also picked-up countless pieces of new information just skimming through the pages.
BE AWARE that biographical entries are restricted to those deceased. Without this knowledge, some confusion may arise for readers. The decision is a bold, but understandable one, as an individual's story is alas only complete after their demise...Thus, a number of important current figures do not figure as named entries - although their important may be hinted at within other entries. There is no doubt scope for appendices to the main work as, sadly, more individuals become 'eligible' for inclusion.
No doubt in order to make a manageable volume the text is printed on paper of relative thinness, although of fine quality. This does mean that there is an occasional manifestation of image shadowing - but it must be underlined that this does not detract from one's enjoyment of the work and is an inevitable compromise.
I, for one, shall be constantly referring to it and wholeheartedly recommend it.
every thing you need to know......., 07 Aug 2001
I recommend this book to anyone intrested in sharks and other marine life......excellent book, includes brilliant photography.
Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.
Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.
The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.
Most Interesting to say the least..., 05 Jul 2008
Whatever particular sect, group, cult, society or club you are interested in, this book has the information you are looking for. With 10,000 years worth of history covering everything from Atlantis to the modern day Freemasons through to the more obscure and little known sects, it certainly has the scoop on everything you'll ever want to know about Secret Societies and mysterious cults throughout the ages.
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Customer Reviews
The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years. A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.
This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in. Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right. One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia. This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.
A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know! Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!
The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...
McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.
Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.
I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!
astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.
Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.
Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.
prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).
A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...
The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.
Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?
This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.
An absolute must.
Well worth the money!, 15 May 2008
Reading the other reviews for this title, I was led to believe that it wasn't as good as it could be however I bought it regardless, because in comparison to the other titles available, it still seemed the best. I have found it to be informative, easy to use and extremely interesting. It doesn't contain every single place name in the British Isles but it contains all the main ones including many references to the main gaelic place names too.
The Republic of Ireland IS in the British Isles, 30 Apr 2007
You idiot. If you're going to spend half your review moaning about an error, at least make it a real one. The British Isles comprises Great Britain, Ireland and the small islands (such as the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight) surrounding them.
Apparently the Republic of Ireland is once more under British rule, 06 Mar 2007
I picked this up shortly after having been asked by my travelling companion where the name Weston Super Mare came from. I didn't know - hadn't really thought about it before. But I wanted to find out, and this book had the (with hindsight, easy) answer*.
While interesting for dipping into for a sample of some of our wonderfully unusual place names or to see how your town's name came about, the relatively mundane origins of even many of the most eccentric and bizarre sounding names makes this book a little disappointing.
The title is also misleading for two reasons. The first, a minor quibble perhaps, but if I bought an English dictionary I'd reasonably expect to find every word in current useage in the English language. But in this 'dictionary' there is only a selection of place names. That said, it's still a vast and exhaustive selection.
More worrying, however, is the inclusion of the settlement names of a whole other country!
Last time I looked, the Republic of Ireland wasn't part of the British Isles. To get something so basic so fundamentally wrong undermines what is a throughly researched book choc-full of otherwise reliable information. Perhaps the publisher might argue that some of these Irish place names are anglicised or British by origin. Whatever. It's still unacceptable for British books published in the 21st century to be making this 'mistake'. Thinking about it, it's laughable.
How ironic that a book about names should foul up with its own title.
*Weston, for those who care, means farm or village to the west. Super Mare is Latin for 'on sea' - easy when you know.
A bit boring and useless!, 18 Dec 2005
Probably an ok book if you live in Southern England or that is the area you are interested in,however for Scotland and the North it is not all helpful!
It does exactly what it says on the cover, 02 Oct 2003
If you ever wondered about the meaning of place names then this neat little volume will meet your needs. No larger than a paperback novel it will fit neatly in your car's glove box. It contains useful prefices and appendices with information on how to to analyse any place names not listed in the main section although, regretably, it neither listed nor gave me any help with the etymology of the one place name I wanted to learn more about.
A monumental achievement!, 19 May 2008
Considering it a sad omission that no one has yet seen fit to comment, I thought I would present my own 'humble offering'.
The many individuals involved in bringing this work into being are to be hugely congratulated. The design and execution are superb and the whole is richly illustrated. Given that reference works aren't generally amenable to 'reinvention', the unobtrusive and cleanly set page design can be ajudged successful by the very fact that it doesn't draw attention to itself and instead lets the content 'speak for itself'.
In this era of the rapid availability of online information at "one's fingertips" it is useful to be reminded that there is still a place for intelligently conceived and rigorous print reference works on important themes.
This one weaves together those elements that may be said to constitute the "idea" of Wales, from history, linguistics, geography, geology and the other sciences, to popular culture, biography and other specialised themes. It brings together in a readable form information that previously would have been available only to the dedicated reader in a variety of more specialised publications - for that reason alone it is invaluable.
It also serves to firmly root the history & culture of this region within the broader frames of britain, europe and beyond. It also helps to establish once and for all that there is more to Wales than just "the valleys" (hugely important though their contribution has been).
As someone who is fascinated by the Welsh language, the lucid treatment of linguistic development, and referencing of the important texts has helped to consolidate my own interests in this area.
In addition, biographical treatments of individuals such as Edward Lhuyd help to counter the image of Wales as an intellectual 'backwater' - without the sense of retrospective revisionism being employed!
I have also picked-up countless pieces of new information just skimming through the pages.
BE AWARE that biographical entries are restricted to those deceased. Without this knowledge, some confusion may arise for readers. The decision is a bold, but understandable one, as an individual's story is alas only complete after their demise...Thus, a number of important current figures do not figure as named entries - although their important may be hinted at within other entries. There is no doubt scope for appendices to the main work as, sadly, more individuals become 'eligible' for inclusion.
No doubt in order to make a manageable volume the text is printed on paper of relative thinness, although of fine quality. This does mean that there is an occasional manifestation of image shadowing - but it must be underlined that this does not detract from one's enjoyment of the work and is an inevitable compromise.
I, for one, shall be constantly referring to it and wholeheartedly recommend it.
every thing you need to know......., 07 Aug 2001
I recommend this book to anyone intrested in sharks and other marine life......excellent book, includes brilliant photography.
Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.
Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.
The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.
Most Interesting to say the least..., 05 Jul 2008
Whatever particular sect, group, cult, society or club you are interested in, this book has the information you are looking for. With 10,000 years worth of history covering everything from Atlantis to the modern day Freemasons through to the more obscure and little known sects, it certainly has the scoop on everything you'll ever want to know about Secret Societies and mysterious cults throughout the ages.
fascinating new discoveries, bang up to date, 04 Dec 2007
a well written and beautifully illustrated, thoroughly modern overview of dinosaurs.includes sections on discovery, anatomy, lifestyle and habitat as well as describing and illustrating over 3oo mesozoic creatures including pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, icthyosaurs.bang up to date including my 1st view of feathered primitive tyrannosaurs along with thomas r. holtz's new book the best,modern look at the great dinosaurs, worth every penny
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