Customer Reviews

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a foreign citizen living in the US for about 4 years for graduate level degree in the US. Culture as well as language are the biggest obstacles of my life in the US. I overcame the basic survival and class language barrier after living 2-3 years, but the cultural barrier with combined with conversational language is very challenging. Not only for more socializing but also more nature English writing and speacking, I worked hard, and Culturacy Dictionary helps me a lot. It includes expressions from various areas, e.g. bible, literature, idiom, etc. During the reading or watching TV, I can understand better the implications and expressions rooted from relgion, history, literature, and other areas of culture.

I use this dictionary with several ways. First, just read the page I am intersted in. Second, I consult it during my writing to find better expression, and do more research to understand the background better via internet. Third, play game with this book with my American Classmates - in fact, this helps me the most. They explain what is not written in the dictionary, and this is the way I can acquire the knowledge of the expression easily and last long in my brain.

This dictionary is wonderful, I think, for both for navtive and non-native. Non natives can upgrade their English level with cultural understanding, and natives can be more sophisticated using their languages. It is a great tool, and I am happy to find it!

Want to look up cultural references in Denis Miller's rants? Can't remember what the Byzantine empire did? Feel like your loosing your memory? This book can help!

Yes, I'll admit the title does have a certain haughtiness and presumptiouness to it, but this book is packed with information. The topics covered are quite broad, and I guess it would HAVE to be if the goal is to ensure cultural literacy. Including all the things you should have learned in highschool had you been paying attention, this book is a great refresher course in everything from History, to Literature, to proverbs and idioms in the English language.

It has a bit of a western bias, which is sort of what I'm getting at when I say the title presumes alot. Perhaps an alternate title (and I mean this without cynicsm) would be "what most Americans don't know about America but should." I include myself in that category, by the way.

The best thing about this book is it's organization. At first, I was wishing it was all alphabetical, but then you realize that grouping entries in catagorized chapters is better. Additionally, the bites of data are concise and easily digested, enough to answer a question and provide enough information for you to look elsewhere if you want in depth explainations.

The pictures aren't flashy. The text isn't eloquent. But, this book delivers exactly what the subtitle suggests, "What Every American Needs to Know." Full of up-to-date and well-organized content, the book provides answers to everyday questions, in addition to being a source for research. (Writers of college papers will find this a very useful tool.)

Although I am not one to pick up a dictionary and read through it, I typically cover several pages at a time when I reference this book. While reading the text of one piece, I often find myself intrigued about, and looking up, another topic.

Every home should have a copy of this book!

"Tight Lines!"
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One would think that when living in and being part of a culture, one would then automatically be literate in it. However, this is certainly not the case for most indiviuals. This book can fill in the gap with its "must know" info. that we should all be a little more familiar with. Of course it is selective in some areas and deliberately brief in its enteries. That is understandable. Over all, I am happy I purchased this book and I am certainly getting my money's worth whether I am looking something up to get desired information, or simply kiling time by flipping through it. There's always something new to learn in this fine book.

Our book club tends to stick with bestsellers like "Da Vinci" or McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood," so it came as quite a shock when this book was recommended. The truth is, it couldn't be more perfect, especially for a book club. The reason? You'll want to discuss what's in between these pages and boy, will there ever be a discussion! This is true food for thought and you'll all have a blast!

Don't think you have to be smart or into literature to enjoy this book. It has something for everyone. I could get one of these as a gift for anyone I know and I believe they'd enjoy it. Not only is this book informative it is so much fun! It even has what some of the lines in Shakespeare mean. I sure wish there were other books like this one.

I came across the previous edition of this book by a coworker of mine and have not been able to keep my hands off it! I had to get one not only for myself but for my friends and family. This book has basically EVERYTHING you need to know- from proverbs to world history to science...if you have a question, there is literally an ANSWER in that book! Personally, I plan to read the whole book! It is that great! Buy it, you won't regret it.

This book will help you to comprehend the background of our country a little more as well as give a high-level overview of where the foundations of our nation came from. Covering literature to common everyday sayings as well as the scientific side of things from an origin perspective, you will begin to have an appreciation for what our forefathers went through as they strove to build a society in the grand ol' USA.

New Dictionary Of Cultural Literacy provides a basic, working knowledge of cultural changes and literary topics which range from concepts of the digital divide and Kwanzaa to pheromones, spam, and different cultural icons which have changed over the centuries. The chapters are organized by general topic (world history, American history, politics, psychology and sociology) and provide an A-Z reference for each chapter. Browsers and students alike will find it handy.

i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what i mean. this book is just the ticket for a palooka like me. i've been dipping into the thing here and there for a couple of months now, and it's been a tremendous amount of fun. i was amazed by how much i had forgetten from my school days (i am 45). this compendium of learning covers a lot of ground, with a text that is clear and concise and enjoyable to read. the bible, mythology and folklore, literature, philosophy, religion, the english language, the fine arts, american history and world history, geography, psychology, sociolgy, business and economics, science, medicine, health, and technology, all get a going over. the format is easy and perfect for dipping into anywhere whenever you have the time to do so. a perfect coffee table book. a great bedside book. i highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge or bone up on their facts in a wide variety of human endeavor.