Dictionary of Quotations, The Penguin

"The Penguin Dictionary of Quotations" is a useful reference book for those of us who need to refer to quotations of well-known people for writing or other projects. It is organized alphabetically by author but has a detailed index that is helpful because it directs the reader to topics. All quotation books differ in one respect or another from each other so it is wise to consult and/or own many of them in order to cover these differences. The Penguin book gives many more quotes from classical sources such as Shakespeare and the Bible than other quotation books so offers depth not available everywhere. I recommend that anyone who needs access to quotations consult the Penguin book. Mary MacKenzie

The "Penguin Dictionary of Quotations" makes a nice desk accessory for writers, lecturers, and academics. Those interested in citing or referencing classic quotes will find plenty from the expected sources of the Bible, Shakespeare, Milton, Dr. Johnson, Boswell, Swift, and Tennyson, for example. Euclid, Buddha, Emerson, and Dostoyevsky make appearances, along with a vast array of others who have multiple citations. Yet many others luminaries, such as Jane Elliot, Galileo, and Caligula, have but a single utterance cataloged. One third of the book is given over to the indices, an indispensable utility that really serves as the engine, allowing users to search by name and more importantly by key words and topics, which serve to propel most quotation seekers on their quests. The typeface used for the quotations is quite small but readable, but the even smaller point size employed for the index may push one's trifocals to the limit. Now that many of these quotes are available on the Internet from various sources (not all are entirely accurate and many are specialized), books of quotations seem quaint and musty, no doubt. Still I would rather delve into a tome such as this, knowing that its author cared deeply about their work and less about conveniences.