Random House Word Menu
Stephen Glazier
ISBN 978-0345414410

Blurb:

The critically acclaimed Random House Word Menu is the ultimate language reference: a reverse dictionary, thesaurus, almanac, and compendious glossary, all in one. Only the Word Menu organizes language the subject matter, the way we understand and use it, and from the general to the specific, so it’s easy to use.

For example: you’re can’t come up with the right word for the part of the wall you’re about to paint. A regular dictionary won’t help; your thesaurus isn’t specialized enough. Look in the Word Menu, first under "The Home," then under "Interior Structure," and then under "Structural and Decorative Element." There it is: dado, the lower part of wall separated from upper part by rail, moulding, or border.

Review:

What can I say about this book, other than… what a fantastic way to organize a dictionary of sorts!
It is laid out easily and aids finding the right word quickly. You start off by going to the section you need, then the sub section — and before you know it, you find the word you were after. Well, most of them, anyway.

I was looking for a word describing the loose gravel you get on mountainsides. It wasn’t under landscapes and seascapes. So I looked under geology. Materials, formations and substances. Did I find it? You betcha. Right there it was: Scree. Loose rock debris, talus.
Finding this word would have been next to impossible without the Word Menu book.

I can’t stress enough how every writer should have a copy of this on their shelf. It’s an invaluable resource.

However, if you get the paperback edition… a magnifying glass is another invaluable resource. The type of the paperback edition is tiny.
I’m not kidding. It’s minute and very hard to read, because it is so small.
4 stars from me, because of the type setting. I’m sure the hardback with it’s larger typeface would have been a resounding 5 stars.

I’m told the hardback has bigger type, so if you want to save your eyes — get the hardback copy of this.