New Items in Reference - 1/14/2011

Descriptionary:  A Thematic Dictionary (423.12)--Sort of a reverse dictionary, Descriptionary uses descriptive synonyms of words to help you find the word that you are thinking of, or--as in the words of the publisher--you are "tempted to use words such as watchamacallit, thingamajig, or doohickey."

Oxford Atlas of the World (912)--includes not just maps with the latest satellite imagery, but also topics such as world food supply, world statistics tables and an updated Gazetteer of Nations, with country profiles.

Historical Dictionary of the Holocaust, 2nd ed. (940.531803)--includes updated chronology, introductory essay, bibliography, "and more than 400 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant events, personalities, issues, and films & literature."