The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language

Didn't need for my course after all.

I have owned all three editions of this encyclopedia. The amount of material is overwhelming.However, I do not suggest buying the paperback version! The book is far too large and heavy to use by holding (I would say impossible) or on a table. Unless you break the spine, it is nearly impossible to read the text near the gutter. The previous hardback versions are sewn and lay flat. I thought I might save a chunk of money and I now have to replace it before taking a chance of damaging it. It will be returned in new condition and I will pay more than double for the hardback because it is a book I will be using for years. Right now there is a coupon on the hardback that will save almost $6.

Full of unexpected and fascinating stuff.

Recipient was very happy to receive. Just as described

Just far more academic than I needed/wanted.

No doubt that content if this book is good but it arrives in poor condition

I wanted this text and was willing to pay a bit more for what should have amounted to one at hand at the touch of my Kindle. Nope. This was nothing more than pictures of pages that the reader were then required to be enlarged--by the reader so you could actually tell what was on the page--however, you couldn't see the entire page--not even on my 18" laptop screen. Otherwise, the reader--me--was required to use an a far better than average magnifying glass in order to see what each page. That isn't a Kindle book. I have several hundred books available to me at the touch of my fingertip.Having said that, I have no idea how good the entire text itself was. I finally gave up, returned it to Amazon, and purchased a like-new paperback copy that will take days to reach me from San Diego because I really wanted the book. Shame on whoever formatted the pages of this manuscript for Kindle.

Had an older edition. Thought to check and see if there is a newer one. This is it. Bigger and better. Easy to understand, highly informative, lots of examples and illustrations, as well as the author's subtly pointed British wit. Can't recommend it enough to anyone interested in the subject. Check him out on YouTube to see and hear him discuss some of the topics discussed in this book.