Having read all three parts of the Divine Comedy; then examining this reference book/work, i.e., The Dante Encyclopedia (Special - Reference) by Richard Lansing(Editor), Teodolinda Barolini(Editor) was a natural conclusion. The Encyclopedia is divided into 13 parts; starting with a well written and entertaining preface; then we have a few pages of abbreviations; which is followed by the list of contributors (which is a nice touch and shows the user, that undertaking this task , i.e., creating The Dante Encyclopedia (Special - Reference) by Richard Lansing(Editor), Teodolinda Barolini(Editor) was indeed a daunting task). Later with have maps and illustrations and then the encyclopedia starts. I was very interested in the chronology of the life of Dante and then there is a list of popes from 33-1334, followed by Roman and Holy Roman Emperors. Furthermore there are four quite interesting additions; these being, Recorded musical settings of the comedia, reference works, index of Italian and Latin proper names in Dante's Works and finally (and last but not least by any means or stretch of the imagination in any shape or form for that matter) is the general index. I would verily say, state and write that I was extremely pleased, impressed and satisfied with this encyclopedia, i.e., The Dante Encyclopedia (Special - Reference) by Richard Lansing(Editor), Teodolinda Barolini(Editor) and I do consider to be a must have for the learned man/scholar.

Prof. Richard Lansing's Dante Encyclopedia is a reference work of deep interest, wide scope, and unimpeachable authority. General readers, students, and scholars--especially those who are English-based--are bound to make this volume their Dante reference of choice. Hundreds of clear, intelligent, and up-to-date entries from today's best-respected Dante scholars discuss every person and place mentioned in Dante's works as well as a vast number of biographical, historical, and cultural topics. The encyclopedia will appeal to anyone who is looking for a better appreciation of the poet's background, achievement, and critical legacy.

The maps and schematic drawings at the beginning of the encyclopedia are the best of their kind. The text is interspersed with an abundance of fine photographs and illustrations. Appended to the work are a detailed and reliable chronology of the poet's life, useful lists of the popes and emperors, a chronology of musical settings of Dante's Comedy, a list of available recordings of these settings, a list of reference works (including electronic resources), a complete pronouncing index, with textual citations, of the Italian and Latin proper names used by Dante, and an exhaustive index of subjects and illustrations.

So big, so accurate and comprehensive, the Dante Encyclopedia completely supersedes its predecessors and promises to remain authoritative for many years. No college or university, no lover of poetry and world literature will want to be without it.

A fantastic accomplishment! As a longtime Dante enthusiast, I have been waiting for something in English (my Italian not being up to snuff yet) that combines breadth with depth.

As my own metric, I like to pick a topic that is not altogether esoteric and that is the subject of at least several competing theories. In studying Dante, that topic for me is numerology. I was especially pleased to read the article on numerology because the Dante Encyclopedia fairly explained the competing theories on the use of numerology by Dante. Never have I seen one source that provides the in-depth overview that this book does. For the serious student of the classics, this is a must-have! Gracie! And bravo!