Cobuild has been with me since my very first steps in English. It always helped me in all the stages of my learning. It won't matter how good your English get or if you're a seasoned English speaker, Cobuild will always have much to offer. Its down-to-earth explanations and rich examples give very precise definitions and understanding of the words and expressions. The pronunciation is easy to learn, and the differences between the major English variations are pointed out when necessary. It's so good to use this dictionary, that I get myself reading it for very long. Sometimes you just get it to take a look at one definition, and then you feel like exploring and reading on and on (which is great for who's learning; you learn even more!). Another important thing is that, once you get used to Cobuild's Dictionary, it'll be easier if you get other Cobuild publications, because their layout and structure are pretty the same. You won't be disappointed at all if you buy it. As another substitute for Cobuild I would also suggest the Longman Series for Learners. Both Longman and Cobuild, have unique features. Which one you're going to choose is up to you and it's a hard choice. To avoid having to choose do just like me and buy both.

This is an outstanding reference for both learners and anyone who deals with the English Language professionally. As a teacher of English and translator I constantly work with many different dictionaries. Collins Cobuild is surely among my favorites especially for its clear definitions and delailed explanation of the word usage.

COBUILD stands for Collins Birmingham University International Language Database, which is a huge repository of written text covering the last several decades. The criteria for a definition getting into the dictionary is that it must be somewhat well represented in the database. This means that the dictionary omits a lot of definitions which, while being less common, are still in use. For this reason, while the COBUILD is an excellent primary dictionary, it is important to have a second, more comprehensive dictionary, such as the Websters or Funk & Wagnalls, etc. The COBUILD dictionary uses a methodology similar to that used in the great granddaddy of them all, the Oxford English Dictionary, in that it includes numerous sentences to illustrate the definitions it provides, but it is not as scholarly, and therefore would be much easier for many to use. Also, since the COBUILD dictionary is compiled strictly from contemporary usages, it eliminates the need to evaluate the senses for currency of usage. All its definitions are currently in use. Also, it has a friendly feel to it and it is comfortable to use. It's a definite must-have.

This was much better than The Stud, but still not good. I just wasn't into the plot, and the characters were too generic and boring for you to really care about them.

Read this and The Stud when you have read all other Jackie Collins novels. It seemed this novel was trying to do for Fontaine what Lucky would later do for Lucky Santangelo.

Of all the Collins' books I've read, this is one of my least favorites. I just didn't care for the two main characters. However, some of the dialogue did make me laugh out loud. It is a very quick read.

THE BITCH is the story of two characters: Nico Constantine who married into wealth at a young age, and Fontaine Al Khaled, who also married into wealth. Both of them are single by the time they meet accidentally on an airplane. Instant attaction....

The novel of course has several subplots weaving in and out, with lots of gratuitous sex and outrageous plot twists. But that's expected from a Jackie Collins novel. Nico finds he's dead broke and spends the rest of the novel trying to get himself out of this mess (big time gambling debt). Fontaine in the meantime is trying to rejuvenate her London night club, while at the same time ignores all advances from Nico, although deep down she is very attracted to him.

For a quick light read and some trashy writing, THE BITCH is recommended.

The basics of French Grammar have been packed in, at least as much as you would find in a Teach Yourself book. For every rule, there is at least one example illustrating its use. Small hardcover books are difficult to handle though, so you should only get it if you're looking for something portable, which it is, small and durable.