Customer Reviews

Britannica Concise Encyclopaedia, Updated Version (Encylopaedia)

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I think both books are outstanding, and more complementary than rivals. In fact, I use both. Nevertheless, there are some differences.
Columbia's big dimensions and weight (8.9 pounds/4 kg) make almost necessary to read it on a desk. Britannica Concise (BCE) is 6.7 pounds/3 kg and smaller.
Both utilize an extremely small font size. Columbia contains 6.5 million words. BCE "only" 2.6.
Britannica C has over 2000 photographs, maps, tables, drawings, color illustrations; nations flags ... In Columbia, illustrations are sparse, limited to about 500 black-and-white line drawings.
Columbia's 6th edition stopped in 1999. BCE is of April 2003 and is edited every year in spring, but I don't know if they are going to update it or not.
Britannica Concise has articles like Super Bowl, Viagra, Coca-Cola, Big Stick Policy, Mother's Day and Father's Day ... that don't exist in Columbia.
Quantity does not always mean Quality. B Concise seems to be more shrewd, witty and, by the way, less subjective. For instance, Columbia's article Homosexuality concludes in this way: "But AIDS (.....) also sparked moralistic reactions; some felt, for example, that it represented a form of judgment on homosexuality". BCE's same article is shorter, but neutral, and does not say such a thing.
As I said before, both books are outstanding and complementary.

I bought this tome within the last month and I am pleased with it. It gave me what I wanted: short, (seemingly) reliable and very numerous entries in every area. It seems to have good coverage of even the most recent topics and people (as of about 2001). Yet it still does not exceed a size and weight that would preclude me reading it in bed before lights out. Also, the copy I bought (shrink-wrapped) included a coupon to return for 30 days free subscription to Britannica's Premium Service, online access to the complete 32-volume encyclopedia. I only hope that Britannica will keep updating this printed volume so I can keep up to date in my bedtime reading.

A great research tool which can be trusted and is useful. A real bargain if you need to know something quick and that is reliable. A good way to start your research and delve deeper into something of interest