Books in the Oxford Quick Reference series

This new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Dance provides the information necessary for dance fans to navigate the diverse dance forms in the 21st century, with new coverage of dance forms that have grown in prominence over the last 10 years, many new biographical entries, and a greater emphasis on the international dance scene.

Now available in Oxford Paperback Reference, the fourth edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations brings together both words of wisdom and things that might have been better left unsaid. A mouth-watering collection for anyone with an interest in history and politics.

This invaluable resource contains rhymes for over 45,000 words presented in a clear and user-friendly layout. Features include a complete index, in-text notes, examples, creative writing tips, and a fascinating introduction giving a brief outline of the history of rhyming. A must-have for all writers.

Completely revised and updated, this dictionary contains over 4,300 entries covering all aspects of astronomy. Written by an expert team of contributors under the editorship of Ian Ridpath, it is an accessible and invaluable reference for students, professionals, and space enthusiasts.

A gazetteer tracing the origin and meaning of more than 17,000 place-names throughout Britain, this A-Z is a treasury of information and fascinating facts. It is both an ideal guide for anybody exploring the British Isles and an authoritative resource for researchers and students interested in the study of place-names.

A unique A-Z reference work of over 3,100 entries spanning the length and breadth of classical literature. It ranges from detailed biographies of authors, overviews of myths and legends, and explanations of literary styles, to topical entries on the wider aspects of classical society, and on the literary works that shed light on them.

In a field riven by controversy, the Oxford Companion to Irish History is a comprehensive and balanced source of information on the history of this complex and fascinating country. Written by a team of almost 100 experts, the Companion's 1,800 A-Z entries explore Irish history from earliest times to the beginning of the 21st century.

This invaluable, wide-ranging A to Z contains over 4,000 concise and reliable entries on all aspects of international history, from ancient times right up to the present day. An ideal quick reference work for students, and a fascinating source of historical information for anyone with an interest in the subject.

This unique and thoroughly revised collection contains over 1,100 of the most widely used proverbs in English, drawing on the resources of the Oxford Languages team for the most up-to-date research. Lively and compelling, it is filled with favourites - old and new - with a strong emphasis on meanings of proverbs catalogued.

The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms provides clear and concise definitions of even the most complex literary terms from abjection to zeugma. An essential reference tool for students of literature in any language. Recommended web links are available via a companion website.

Providing over 10,000 entries, the sixth edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Music is the most up-to-date dictionary of musical terms available. Covering a wide range of musical categories across periods, it is an essential reference work for music students, teachers, lecturers, professional musicians, and music enthusiasts.

A unique A-Z reference work of over 3,100 entries spanning the length and breadth of classical literature. It ranges from detailed biographies of authors, overviews of myths and legends, and explanations of literary styles, to topical entries on the wider aspects of classical society, and on the literary works that shed light on them.

The renowned Oxford Dictionary of Saints returns in a revised and updated form, providing concise accounts of the lives, cults, and artistic associations of over 1,400 saints, from the famous to the obscure. Featuring new entries on recently canonized saints from around the world, and a new appendix on pilgrimages.

With over 6,000 entries from Aalto to Zwinger, this is the most authoritative dictionary of architectural history available. Beautifully illustrated and including an extensive and fully up to date bibliography, it is an invaluable work of reference for students of architecture, landscape architecture, professional architects, and art historians.

Based on the highly acclaimed seventh edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, this new edition includes over 9,000 of the most popular and widely-used quotations old and new, uniquely identified by searching the largest ongoing language research programme in the world, the Oxford English Corpus.

Compiled by one of the best-known authorities on the bard's works, this dictionary offers up-to-date information on all aspects of Shakespeare in his own time and on his impact and influence on later ages. Essential reference for anyone with an interest in Shakespeare.

An up-to-date handbook providing an overview of every country in the world. Maps and geographical details are given along with the historical and contemporary social, economic, religious and political issues that shape each country. Also provides economic and social indicators, such as GDP and life expectancy, and hundreds of useful web links.

This acclaimed papal Who's Who contains updated biographical accounts of all the popes from St Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. Arranged chronologically it provides a continuous history of the papacy as well as their irregularly elected rivals (the so-called antipopes). It is fully indexed for quick reference and includes recommended further reading.

A unique gazetteer that clearly explains the fascinating origins and meanings behind the names of over 1,700 places, streets, and areas within the English capital, including the Greater London Boroughs. It also features maps, an extended introduction on the development of these place-names, a detailed glossary, and recommended web links.

This updated and revised edition is the authoritative guide to foreign words and phrases used in contemporary British and American English. Drawn from over 40 languages, the 6,000 entries detail the history of each word or phrase and provide selected quotations to clearly illustrate their use in the English language.

Drawing on the unique resources of the Oxford English Dictionary and offering coverage of over 6,000 slang words and expressions from the Cockney 'abaht' to the American term 'zowie', this is the most lively and authoritative dictionary of slang from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Over 1,900 entries provide succinct and accessible explanations of a variety of terms used in art, covering materials, techniques, styles, and periods. From abstract expressionism to Renaissance, batik to zincograph, this dictionary will help you navigate the wide variety of terms used in the art world.

The fourth edition of the most comprehensive and authoritative dictionary of ecology available. Written in a clear, accessible style, it contains over 6,000 entries on all aspects of ecology and related environmental scientific disciplines, and is fully weblinked.

This is the most acclaimed, accessible, and up-to-date dictionary of the Bible available. Containing over 2,000 authoritative entries, ranging from earthquakes and mice to martyrs and art, it covers all of the important places, personalities, themes, and doctrines of the Bible.

An authoritative and accessible guide to the British monarchy from pre-conquest rulers to the present day House of Windsor. Maps, photos, paintings, and genealogies accompany a wealth of information on the kings and queens of Britain. Find out about their lives, personalities, policies, key dates, places of residence, legacies, and much more.

This is an invaluable source of information about the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Britain over the past two millennia. From wars, battles, and the monarchy to Wembley stadium, Robin Hood, and the Black Death - this book contains all the facts you need to know.

The Oxford Companion to Cosmology includes over 350 in-depth entries, extensively cross-referenced, describing the modern view of cosmology, including both theoretical ideas and the various types of observational evidence. It is generously illustrated with diagrams and half tones throughout, and includes entry-level web links.

This best-selling dictionary contains over 2,500 succinct entries covering Western art from the ancient Greeks to the present day. It includes biographical entries, styles and movements, materials and techniques, and museums and galleries. Engaging, informative, and up-to-date, it is an invaluable guide to art in the Western world.

A new edition of an authoritative dictionary containing almost 2000 weather, forecasting, and climate terms. With useful appendices, satellite images, black and white photos, and new feature entries, this is a fascinating and indispensable reference work for anyone studying, or with an interest in, weather.