In my recent review of the New Oxford Scientific Dictionary, I was not totally convinced – but something I would recommend to any science writer is the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations.

Whether I want apt quotes to start a chapter or a little scientific witticism to liven up an article, I love it. I’m being lazy and lifting the start of my review at the Popular Science site here.

This is a wonderful book.

My immediate reaction to my enthusiasm is concern. How sad is that, to be excited by a dictionary? But to be fair, this reviewer is a science writer, so in getting excited about the ODSQ I’m merely praising a superb tool of the trade.

The fact remains, this is one of the few dictionaries I’ve felt a strong urge to sit down and read through from cover to cover. Of course, dictionaries of quotations are much more fun than the boring old definition variety, but somehow there’s something very special about a collection of science quotes.

… see the complete review