Collins Books

This book is a catalogue for an exhibition held at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2004. It presents a beautiful array of Chinese silks made for both court and religious use from the 6th century to the 19th century. All the garments and accessories are photographed in colour and there are numerous close ups of various garments. The book is broken up into the following sections:

RELIGIOUS TEXTILES - with articles on Buddhist textiles and Daoist textiles
COURT TEXTILES - with articles on Court Robes, Ming festival badges, Indicators of Rank from Imperial China, Hats and hat finials, uncut textiles: constructing dragon robes.

If you are interested in Chinese textiles this book should be in your collection. Its not large in size but has some rare items you'd be hard to find in many other English-language books on the subject with some items from private Australian collections being illustrated for the first time such as three 6th century robes of jin silk, a c1400 thousand Buddha robe, a c1600 Chuba with dragon design robe and an extremely rare Ming needleloop rank roundel (looks somewhat like lace) just to name a few examples.

Imperial Wardrobe

This is a truly magnificent book containing detailed photographs and descriptions of Ming dynasty textiles. If you are interested in Chinese garments or fashion history in general I would definitely recommend this book for your collection. the price is a bit high, but for a true history enthusiast it is one of the few books that is genuinely worth it. The photos in the book are vivid and clear, and the history and descriptions of the embroideries are intricate and fascinating.Unlike many fashion books both the text and the photography achieve an equal level of excellence.

This is another excellent book by Peter Lane. A good all round reference for design and decoration with a collection of work from many leading artists. The variety offered in this book will keep your inspiration going for many years.

I'm just involved in ceramics and I am more interested in homelife ceramics. This book gives me much ideas of vessel forms and decorations, it's very helpful, especially in the chapter 6 "forms in profile"!

This workbook provides ELS students (English as a Second Language) an excellent overview of the most colloquial words related to legal matters, from poltical to criminal issues. A fun book, with interesting and varied exercises, for both self and class study. Excellent material to be used in ESP (English for Specific Purposes) classes, specially with law professionals and students as it enables them to comment on several articles that bring forward law-related matters. It has been a great asset to English teaching.

This workbook provides ELS students (English as a Second Language) an excellent overview of the most colloquial words related to legal matters, from poltical to criminal issues. A fun book, with interesting and varied exercises, for both self and class study. Excellent material to be used in ESP (English for Specific Purposes) classes, specially with law professionals and students as it enables them to comment on several articles that bring forward law-related matters. It has been a great asset to English teaching.

CHRISTMAS USA is more than just a book of facts. Although the author has broken up the United States into several parts--Northeast, Southeast, Great Lakes, Plains, Southwest, Mountain, and Pacific--this is a book perfect for children and adults alike, regardless of where in the USA you reside. Filled with such interesting facts as when Christmas trees became part of the US tradition, when Christmas was first declared a legal holiday, and which US President instituted an official tree in the White House, CHRISTMAS USA presents these facts in a fun, interesting way.

It's not just a book of facts, though. It's also filled with hands-on activities such as how to make a Christmas Journal, making your own Christmas cards, how to make cranberry or popcorn garland, easy directions for cookie Christmas tree ornaments, and creating a pomander and cascarones. It also includes some tasty, easy-to-follow recipes for aniseed cookies, nut crescents, and scripture cake, to name a few.

This is a great book to share with your children. Not only will they learn about different holiday customs and traditions around the US, but they'll be able to follow the easy instructions for the crafts and activities and, with adult supervision, might even be able to whip up some yummy holiday treats for the whole family!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

You would think that, in the United States of America, Christmas would be celebrated the same way in each and every state, but the opposite is true. Within CHRISTMAS USA, Mary D. Lankford takes readers on a Christmas journey through the Northeast, Southeast, Great Lakes, Mountain States, Plains States, Southwest, and Pacific States, giving information on how our neighbors celebrate the holidays. To wrap things up, Lankford takes us inside the White House and the Post Office, providing readers with a sneak peek at how certain traditions were born; and giving readers ideas on different ways that they can celebrate the holidays, by incorporating some of these fun, and fairly unique traditions into your own.

But CHRISTMAS USA is not just a fact book, providing readers with information; Lankford has spiced things up a bit by including easy-to-follow instructions on making various holiday-related craft projects and recipes that will certainly assist in making your season bright. Instructions regarding making a Christmas journal, cascarones, Christmas tree decorations, and much more are present; but recipes for edible items, such as nut crescents, double peanut cookies, and aniseed cookies are easily explained.

Lankford, in association with Karen Dugan - whose illustrations truly bring CHRISTMAS USA to life - have compiled a delightful holiday addition to the literary world. The historical facts provide readers with a learning experience; while the recipes and craft projects add a sense of fun, creativity, and family-time that is difficult to ignore. A trip across the United States just in time for Christmas!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I received the product in the condition exactly as stated in the posting. Delivery arrived in a timely manner. I would definitely purchase from this buyer again.

I had to buy this book for my pharmacology class. I have been very satisfied with it. It has very detailed explanations, leaving few questions unanswered. The format is great.

I bought this dictionary in May 1990 in Singapore.

The way the content presented is the best I had ever seen. This dictionary is written in ordinary, everyday English that is easy to understand. It has an excellent Guide to the Use of the Dictionary. Every explanation comes with at least one example that is taken from actual texts wherever possible. The extra column in the dictionary, right beside the explanation of a word, creates a visual attraction to the reader. This extra column is used to give two different types of information: grammar notes and semantic relationships (similar or opposite) for the word that is being explained. I love it.

CoBuild is the appreviation of Collins Birmingham University International Language Database. This dictionary was developed and compiled in the English Department at the University of Birmingham as part of a language research project commissioned by Collins Publishers.

Currently, I am looking for its enriched and/or, if any, CD-ROM version. Unfortunately, it seems that the publisher stopped publishing this great dictionary.

Why is this book going out of print? It is the most down-to-earth dictionary of English that I have ever seen, with numerous excellent examples to illustrate usage. It is perfect for English language learners. I teach college English and writing, and every student who has seen this has been excited by it. The entries include information necessary for ESL students, such as countable and uncountable nouns, subtle differences in meaning, and idiomatic expressions. I keep it near my desk at all times, and prefer it over the standard Webster's or Random House dictionaries when working with students.

The Collins Cobuild Idioms Dictionary is an invaluable tool for advanced learners of English (such as people whose proficiency lies around band 6.5 IELTS or TOEFL paper 575 or CPE).

Every idiom has an explanation for its meaning and many also have an explanation for their origins. On top of that, they are sorted in frequency bands (pretty much like the COBUILD dictionary).

If your level of knowledge is advanced, this book is what you need to refine it further.

Being an ESL student myself, I know how hard it is to become familiar with idioms. How to use them, when to use them, and why... This book gives you practical answers on the use of British and American English idioms. It sometimes even gives some background information. It is easy to use and certainly worth your money!

This dictionary has a very interesting introduction with a section explaining how to use it and how entries are sorted.

Interestingly, the phrasal verbs whose use is more common are asterisked, and distinctions are made whenever the use of that verb is preeminently American, British or Australian.

If you aim at high marks on ESL tests, this is your dictionary. Aside from that, you probably don't need it.

This workbook is composed of an introduction and 10 units, plus an answer key section. Interestingly, the phrasal verbs are sorted by particle.

If you are aiming at very good grades in ESL writing tests, you need this book. If you don't need high marks, you probably don't need it.

I consider myself extremely lucky when in 1998, while in Norway, I was offered this dictionary by the University of Tromso. I have always been fascinated by words and have collected quite a number of dictionaries, including what I had till then considered the best dictionary: Hornby's. But Collins is better because it offers more words and meanings and because it is also a handy encylopedia, an indispensable reference book you should always keep opened on your desk. (Buy a nice book stand to protect this treasure.) Also, I have always felt more comfortable reading the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), which Collins uses (rather than that used in, e.g. American dictionaries).
Unfortunately, after 5 years of constant use and abuse of this dictionary, I will have to buy a new one. I understand, though, that the 1998 edition has not been replaced with a new one.

Kaz Dziamka, Editor
The American Rationalist

Collins English Dictionary is by far and away the most marvellous dictionary I have ever used. As a Linguistics Major, and an active member of International Training in Communication, I find myself constantly referring to dictionaries - and Collins is the most favoured, of the many that I own.

Its invaluable for general knowledge, crossword puzzles, quizzes and for the sheer joy of reading!

I can't understand why it should be out of print - and I fervently hope that the publishers will see fit to reprint. [The 1979 version I find superior to the Millennium version.]

This atlas really packs a bang for the buck!!! Every person interested in history should have ready access to this one.

Compiled from the outstanding digital databases of Bartholomew, this first edition Essential Atlas of the World by Collins is arguably setting a new standard for printed world atlases. In a contemporary world coverage, where Europe finally gets what it deserves: only about one fifth of the plates, this release offers an extremely accurate and detailed view of our world at the end of the twentieth century. The fonts are appropriately chosen and make the plates highly legible. Although the Collins atlases have lost their identity in terms of typefaces and names density, color usage is still old-fashioned Collins. The index offers about 45,000 entries, which is considerably more than the index that atlases of comparable sizes offer (about 32,000). This is all the more amazing since the price is quite afforable for what it offers: It is a good buy indeed, at the cost of it being merely a paperback release. This gives the atlas a somewhat cheap appearance at first. Don't be fooled - this is one of the finest atlases available today in its class, full-grown to match the fame of the Times atlases.