The Dream Encyclopedia [Paperback]

James R. Lewis (Author), Evelyn Dorothy Oliver (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 157859216X | ISBN-13: 978-1578592166 | Publication Date: May 1, 2009 | Edition: Second edition

Exploring the fascinating world of dreams, this comprehensive reference examines more than 250 dream-related topics, from art to history to science, including how factors such as self-healing, ESP, literature, religion, sex, cognition and memory, and medical conditions can all have an effect on dreams. Dream symbolism and interpretation is examined in historical, cultural, and psychological detail, while a dictionary—updated with 1,000 symbols and explanations—offers further insights. Dreaming about teeth, for instance, can indicate control issues, and dreaming of a zoo can indicate that the dreamer needs to tidy up some situation. Examining these concepts and more, this is the ultimate dreamer's companion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With 250 entries, The Dream Encyclopedia covers the role of dreams from the Gilgamesh epic to the theories of Sigmund Freud. Lewis is the author of The Astrology Encyclopedia [RBB Ag 94] and The Encyclopedia of Afterlife Beliefs and Phenomena [RBB Ap 15 95]. His new work includes scientific information on sleep and information on the place of dreams in religion and anthropology. For example, entries on religions and ethnic groups from around the world discuss the importance of dreams to those cultures. Entries range from one to four pages and end with bibliographies of sources for additional information. Black-and-white photographs accompany many of the articles. Arranged alphabetically, the encyclopedia is easy to use, and cross-referencing is accomplished by using boldface type. A section on dream interpretation, with more than 700 symbols and what they are supposed to mean, follows the encyclopedia. An appendix lists addresses of organizations and laboratories that do dream research. A subject index provides additional access.

The work does have some flaws. For example, Patricia Garfield is mentioned in the entry Healing and Dreams, but her name is not boldfaced to refer to her own entry. The same is true of Cicero in the article on Rome. One can also quarrel with certain omissions. While there are entries for authors (e.g., Chaucer), Samuel Taylor Coleridge's dream that became "Kubla Khan" is omitted. Some entries suffer from lack of depth. For example, the article Sleep Learning states that memory shuts down so learning cannot take place in sleep but provides little explanation of this beyond references to other sources.

Dreams are a popular subject with at least two other recent works. The Encyclopedia of Dreams: Symbols and Interpretation, by Rosemary Ellen Guiley [RBB O 15 93], is another popular treatment that emphasizes dream interpretation. The Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming, edited by Mary A. Carskadon [RBB O 15 93], is a more scholarly work with lengthy articles written by scientists. Lewis' encyclopedia contains elements of both works but duplicates neither. The Dream Encyclopedia is recommended for high-school and public libraries that need a popular treatment of this topic. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Encompassing all facets of popular interest in dreams, this general interest resource provides a broad overview of contemporary studies of dreaming, and sheds light on notions of dreams from around the world."  —Reference and Research Book News

"A comprehensive reference, The Dream Encyclopedia provides a thorough treatment and a unique analysis of dream-related topics. Of particular interest is the discussion of the importance of dreams in various religious and ethnic groups around the world."  —SirReadaLot.org

"Tackling nearly three hundred topics that commonly occur in dreams and offering interpretations for each of them, The Dream Encyclopedia breaks down each symbol and explains why one's mileage may vary on certain symbols. Offering much food for thought, [this book] is very much recommended to the curious or professional reader."  —The Midwest Book Review

"Whether one is a serious student of dreams, or wishes merely to peruse the volume for pleasure, one cannot help but learn something about the fascinating world of dreams from Lewis's helpful contribution to the literature on the subject."  —Foreword Magazine

"Written to be an accessible reference book . . . [t]he material is presented via brief answers to a series of questions."  —Choice

"An aid to both dream interpretation and beginning dream research."  —

American Reference Books Annual

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press; Second edition edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157859216X
• ISBN-13: 978-1578592166
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but Could Be Better, March 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dream Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This book is a little helpful when trying to figure out what something in a dream means. It's cool to see the background for something but it doesn't always necessarily help. The dream symbol dictionary doesn't have enough symbols and I often am finding that the things I am dreaming of aren't in there.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource!!!, March 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dream Encyclopedia (Paperback)

An excellent resource for any lay person looking for infomation on dream meanings and symbols!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Weak and lacking, June 23, 2004

By 

MLZ2883 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dream Encyclopedia (Paperback)

I bought this book hoping I could find out the meanings to some of my dreams but I got nothing. This book's interpretations are weak. And half the time when I have a dream I can't find what I'm looking up since the book is lacking a lot of common keywords.

I would advise people to avoid this book and not waste any money on it.