ISBN9780198642268

I haven't gotten a chance to really delve into the book yet. I just got it six hours ago, but from leafing through I can tell that readibility is not an issue. The font is some of the clearest I have seen on any book. Perhaps I have a more recent printing, but I noticed quite a few people seem to knock it for that. Just wanted to say that you can buy with confidence. From bavorite anyway.

This review specifically refers to the "Big Liddle", ninth edition with revised supplement and inclusive of Linear B references.

This book is indispensible for the professional or Graduate Student. It even includes Linear B Mycenean Greek entries. This gigantuan work is the definitive Greek-English dictionary. I was not able to read Pindar or the Lyric poets easily without the Big Liddle. My major gripe is that it is rather poorly made. The edges of the very thin pages stuck together and each page had to be separated by hand or flicking the pages. The paper is sliver thin, and some of it was creased in the binding - upsetting in a $160 book. On reviewing the front, I noted that it was printed and bound in China and can't help feeling that if it were printed in Europe or the US it might have been better quality. Eventually, the pages separated and I am now able to use it without problems (although the few creased pages still irritate me).

Regard this review as five stars for content but three for the quality of binding/manufacture.

I own larger Lexicons and the Unabridged Liddell's is one that I will ultimately add to my library, but for carrying back and forth to Greek Class, you can't beat the L&S Compact. Its small size, large vocabulary and clear print make it a 'hands-on' reference without rival. It's close enough in size to the UBS 4th Ed. to make the perfect match. It is highly respected in both the religious setting and at the University. I was very pelased with the prompt service and the great value. Abridged Greek-English Lexicon

This review is of the "Big Liddell," the 9th ed. with supplement. I specify this because this group of reviews also includes reviews of the "Middle Liddell" and the "Little Liddell," which Amazon seems to have jumbled together.

Liddell & Scott's Greek-English Lexicon is a monument to lexicography. Methodologically, though, it needs a complete redo. Whether anyone will ever accomplish this is a good question. I have seen the suggestion in a scholarly article that the most feasible way to create a new comprehensive lexicon of Ancient Greek is to compile it online, in the fashion of the Perseus Project. Such a project would be the ideal source for a new printed Greek lexicon with up-to-date principles of organization, not to mention modern English equivalents to replace the large number of thoroughly antiquated equivalents found in L&S.

This lexicon is certainly indispensable for serious students of Classical Greek literature. It is also useful for reading the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and patristic writers. Another use which many might not have considered is for reading Coptic literature. Coptic is the latest form of the Ancient Egyptian language, and a great deal of religious literature was written in it during the first millennium or so of the Christian era. A good deal was translated from Greek as well. Whether translated or original Coptic, it made free use of Greek borrowings, much as English does. There is no lexicon devoted to literary Coptic Greek, but Liddell & Scott often have the meanings of words found in Coptic Greek, even if it's the 20th one in the list! Unless and until a complete dictionary of Coptic Greek is prepared, L&S will continue to be a necessary tool of Coptic scholars as well as classicists.

I just want to say that I received my copy of Liddell Scott last week and it is perfect. No problems such as those mentioned in other reviews. I had a fear but now the fear is gone:)

All the best,
Ionut Vasile