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Title: More American than English
Review: The key word in the title "American Heritage Dictionary" is American. This is a parochial and biased dictionary aimed at the American audience, and cannot be considered a definitve dictionary of the English language. For example, it calls "colour" a variant of "color" - when in fact the American spelling is the variant.It also attempts to be a mini-encyclopedia, with miniscule biographies of mostly American personalities, illustrations and photographs and little tidbits of information. This diffuses the work, rather than complements it.What it lacks in etymology and usage, it tries to make up in presentation. The result is disappointing. As a dictionary, it lacks the substance and authority of either Oxford or Merriam Webster.On the plus side, it is reasonably "up to date," and has some useful appendices. If you collect dictionaries, add it to your shelf as an intersting secondary source. Otherwise wait for a new Oxford for a truly definitive dictionary.
