Author Description

The result of a decade's research and development, the Oxford Illustrated Encyclopedia is an indispensable and up-to-date tool for exploring and understanding the world in which we live.This lavishly illustrated nine-volume set stands out among encyclopedias for its sheer scope of information, its readability, and its exciting, accessible presentation. Each attractively presented volume covers a major sphere of human knowledge ensuring wider coverage of a subject than other traditional A-Z encyclopedias. In 20,000 entries, the OIE explores the physical and natural worlds, history, the arts, invention and technology, religion, and the universe. In addition, there is a wealth of information on such everyday topics as politics, economics, law, business, sports, games, and the world of popular entertainment.Colorfully illustrated, the OIE contains 2,800 photographs, maps, and drawings, which form an integral part of the text. A 53-page gazetteer section on the countries of the world offers the best source of current information, including locator maps and vital statistics for each country while chronologies, a flag chart, geographical and astrological maps can be found in the relevant endpapers. Volume nine has an index of over 55,000 easy-to-find definitions in the Encyclopedia.