Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science [Hardcover]

DK Publishing (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Ultimate Visual Dictionary

When was the Jurassic Period? How do bionic parts work? Is there a face on Mars? While most dictionaries and science books only tell you the answers, The Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science shows you! Each picture is an accompanied by concise, clear explanations that make the most complex subjects easy to understand., Over 200,000 words. More than 1,400 color photographs and 200 illustrations. A companion volume to the hugely successful Ultimate Visual Dictionary.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Here's a science dictionary worth poring over for hours. The concise, well-written text and amazing photos and drawings in The Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science provide an overview of science, from physics to biology, astronomy to mathematics--nine major fields in all. Within the larger sections, each fairly broad subtopic (such as "Reptiles," "Catalysts," and "Medical Imaging") gets a two-page spread. A brief beginning section introduces science as a concept and the work of scientists, while a useful section in the back bolsters the dictionary material with tables of measurements and data. The real strength of a visual dictionary is its images, and this one doesn't disappoint. The illustrations, including intricate cross sections, explanatory diagrams, and fascinating photos, are topnotch. This edition is up-to-date, with information on computer networks and mammalian cloning--a great family science reference. --Therese Littleton

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Like DK's Ultimate Visual Dictionary (1998), much of this title is a compilation of several previously published volumes. The Visual Dictionary of Physics (1995), The Visual Dictionary of Chemistry (1996), and The Visual Dictionary of Human Anatomy (1996, all DK) have been virtually reprinted page by page, illustration by illustration, and shrunk to fit a smaller format. Nowhere in the book is this fact mentioned. Other sections include medical science, life sciences and ecology, earth sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, electronics and computer science, and mathematics. Here, the information has been synthesized from earlier books and updated. The life-sciences section includes some nifty diagrams of arthropods, sponges, and plants. In the electronics section, there are diagrams of transformers, conductors and semiconductors, etc. "Mathematics" includes brief cogent descriptions of coordinates and triangles, probability, logic, and other functions, with lots of clear, understandable diagrams. As none of the information is laid out in dictionary format, it is often necessary to consult the index. Useful data such as physics formulas are at the end of the book along with a glossary, an index, and a short biographical list of scientists. If you don't already have the topical visual dictionaries in your collection, this is a relatively inexpensive way to get all three plus other useful information.
Jo-Anne Weinberg, Greenburgh Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1 edition (August 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789435128
• ISBN-13: 978-0789435125
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite reference., November 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science (Hardcover)

The "Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science" may well be just that. For this exquisite reference brims with 1,600 color photos, 200 illustrations, and 15,000 completely accessible terms. This mammoth work covers everything from Physics and Chemistry to Ecology and Computer Science, and it "allows you to browse the thematic sections at your leisure or to use it as a quick-reference visual dictionary." Everyone will have a favorite section. I particularly enjoyed the Earth Sciences, with its stunningly-clear iilustrations of coastlines and the ocean floor. And in the Astronomy and Astrophysics chapter, you'll find remarkable slice-away graphics that show, say, the planet Jupiter, with its hydrogen and helium atmosphere covering not a rocky surface, but a mantle of liquid hydrogen and helium! The book's layout is superb. Indeed, every page dazzles with a wealth of color and information. This is a must-purchase.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Make You Smarter, December 23, 2000

By 

Rocketeer (Westchester County, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science (Hardcover)

If you have read my other reviews you know I don't give out five stars very readily. This is a five-star book.

There are about 170 two-page, profusely illustrated spreads that give you the basic background on practically every topic in modern science.

Read one of these two-page spreads every other day. It will take you ten minutes or so. In less than a year you will be dramatically better informed about science. There isn't a more pleasant way to get so much smarter, so quickly.

This is a book every home should have.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, December 23, 2000

By 

Bradley K. Goodman (Woburn, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science (Hardcover)

I bought this for my nephew, and was so interested by it I spent half the night reading it!

My wife finaly started looking through it and liked it so much she wanted it for Christmas for herself!

It covers anatomy, biology, chemstry, earth science, physics, astronomy, computers & electronics - and much more - everything!!