The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy [Hardcover]

James Trefil (Author), Joseph F. Kett (Author), E. D. Hirsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0395655978 | ISBN-13: 978-0395655979 | Edition: 2

A National bestseller, The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy has been widely acclaimed for identifying and defining the core body of knowledge that no literare American should be without. Now in this newly revised and updated edition, the authors provice a comprehensive look at cultural literacy for the nineties. New entries reflect suggestions from hundreds of readers. The dictionary takes into account the growing consensus over the specifics of multiculturalism, the political and geographic changes in the world, and the new ideas and terms that flow constantly from scientific research and technological development. The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy challenges us to find out more about what we know and helps us make sense of what we read, hear, and learn. It is a "must have" book for every home.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- This book belongs in high-school libraries, if only because of the tremendous amount of publicity and controversy surrounding its compilation. It has large gaps in minority literature and history, but in other areas it is fascinating in its coverage. Adults will enjoy browsing to find what is included and what's not, while students will appreciate the quick reference.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

James Trefil, the Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University, is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books, including The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.

Joseph F. Kett, Commonwealth Professor of History at the University of Virginia, received his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He is the author of The Formation of the American Medical Profession: The Role of Institutions, 1780-1860 (1968) and Rites of Passage: Adolescence in America, 1790-Present (1977). He is the co-author of The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (1988). A former History Department chair at Virginia, he has also participated on the Panel on Youth of the President's Science Advisory Committee, served on the Board of Editors for the History of Education Quarterly, and is a past member of the Council of the American Studies Association.

E.D. Hirsch, Jr. is the Linden Kent Memorial Professor of English at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and the author of Cultural Literacy, The First Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, and The Core Knowledge Series. Dr. Hirsch is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has been a senior fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities. He is president of the Core Knowledge Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to educational reform.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 619 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; 2 edition (August 31, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395655978
• ISBN-13: 978-0395655979
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > History

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate leader source, October 14, 1999

By 

Tome Raider (California, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Hardcover)

One of the other reviewers suggested that this book was too simplistic, and I suggest that is its very appeal. It is not overly simplistic, in my opinion, and having used it for several years now I have yet to spot a glaring defect or error. For example, last night I needed to refresh my recollection on the distinction between an analogy and a metaphor and a simile. Using two different dictionaries (and fifteen minutes) I was still a bit uncertain. Then I turned to this book and had the distinction clarified for me in 30 seconds. As other reviewers have suggested, it really does make for great reading just flipping through the pages. You'll learn all sorts of interesting tid-bits of information, and obviously if you want to elaborate upon your understanding, you can then hit your full-on encycplopedias, etc.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT SURVERY OF CORE KNOWLEDGE FOR TEACHERS/STUDENTS, October 20, 1999

By 

Jimbo ([e-mail]) (Kent, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Hardcover)

While not an in-depth examination of topics and more a survey of general knowledge the text is a MUST HAVE for any person wanting to be culturally literate. I discovered the book in the Reference Section of my local and college library. Especially useful for High School Students preparing for College entrance exams,Students/Teacher about to take their General Knowledge test for the NTA (National Teacher's Exam) and Teachers who want to offer the CORE of whats important! Great Buy Great Price!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL scoop, April 3, 2001

By 

Chris (Indianapolis, IN, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource, although because of the number of references, it cannot go into depth on many. But if you are looking for a general understanding of a concept, person, or phrase ingrained in American culture, you will find it here.

I fear that many critics of this book chastize it for its failure to include persons or events near and dear to their hearts. While I am sympathetic to that concern, the reader must understand that this book is akin to a popularity contest of culture, with the most commonly used/understood concepts rising to the top. This is actually a good thing, although it seems shallow at first blush.

As the authors note, the ability to communicate/read well stems from shared understanding. This book succeeds by providing what, at a minimum, should be known by someone because most literate Americans also know it. The authors, in fact, do not suggest we educate ourselves only within the confines of this book, or take its ideas as intrinsically more valuable. Rather, they say only that this is where we must start.

If my friends from abroad asked me what single best reference would prepare them to interact intelligently in America, this would be it.