The first edition of "The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy" was published in 1988 and this second edition came out five years later. Almost twice that amount of time has expired and we have yet to see a third edition, which is sorely needed. I was considering this work as a reference book for students in a popular culture class, but the contemporary period was already underrepresented, even without the update. You cannot really claim cultural literacy when "Madonna" is only "A work of art depicting Mary, the Mother of Jesus, especially one that shows her holding the infant Jesus." Actually this volume is a bit more than a dictionary because the entries are often longer than what you would expect to find in a traditional dictionary. Effort has been made to provide appropriate contexts and, more importantly, cross references to related words; cultural associations even have their own special little symbol. However, if you are dealing with non-contemporary literature the first two sections on the Bible and Mythology & Folklore provide a solid foundation for understanding the illusions often found in great books. The World and American History sections are certainly passable, but that is the sort of information you can find in much better reference books. I have found the World and American Politics sections to be more useful and would recommend those teaching Government classes look them over. However, many sections on science seem to me to be at least padded if not outright unnecessary. For a dictionary on CULTURAL literary I do not think we need to cover "saliva," "flower" and "carnivore." Being able to identify the differences between the Marx Brothers is culturally important and you might be able to make a case for understanding how gonorrhea affects each of the sexes, but recognizing the different types of rock is going too far a field. Still, "The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy" could well be a worthwhile addition to your desk reference set.

This book is an excellent resource, although because of the number of references, it cannot go into depth on many. But if you are looking for a general understanding of a concept, person, or phrase ingrained in American culture, you will find it here.

I fear that many critics of this book chastize it for its failure to include persons or events near and dear to their hearts. While I am sympathetic to that concern, the reader must understand that this book is akin to a popularity contest of culture, with the most commonly used/understood concepts rising to the top. This is actually a good thing, although it seems shallow at first blush.

As the authors note, the ability to communicate/read well stems from shared understanding. This book succeeds by providing what, at a minimum, should be known by someone because most literate Americans also know it. The authors, in fact, do not suggest we educate ourselves only within the confines of this book, or take its ideas as intrinsically more valuable. Rather, they say only that this is where we must start.

If my friends from abroad asked me what single best reference would prepare them to interact intelligently in America, this would be it.

Everytime I read a novel, poem, or essay, there is invaribly a literary illusion, historical mention, or theme that I know nothing about. At this point, out pops the good old Dictionary of Culteral Literacy. Its a book of knowledge that quickly covers many different topics that one day in your life you might need to know a quick fact about. I use this book as my general Cliff's notes.

James Hirsch does an excellent job with his biography of Rubin Carter. I read about one non-fiction book to 20 fiction books; this one could influence me to raise the percentage. They say that fact is stranger than fiction ... the story of Hurricane Carter gives credibility to that statement. Hirsch had me hooked from page one. His matter-of-fact style is rift with descriptive passages that lend themselves to the stuff good novels are often made of. The story itself: unbelievable! As a die-hard fan of historical fiction, I would recommend this tale to anyone. Tough to put down and not meant to be read through multiple sittings.

I bought this book and read it in one day. I literally could not put it down.

The story of Rubin Carter, who began his early adulthood as a violent predator in the ring, learned an ever-increasing lesson about power, injustice, and ultimately, humility. This is the predator's tale of learning what it feels like to be the hunted one, and is one man's journey to self-actualization, albeit at the hands of an inhuman society.

While the movie gave a semi-authentic account of the legal transpirations, it gave very little detail as to the actual dynamics of the Canadian commune, particularly as to Rubin himself once he had gained his freedom. This book fills that void, particularly as to Rubin's relationship with Lisa and her domination of all in the group. What stands out in my mind is Skeet McClure's statement to Rubin about his relationship with the group -- "You've traded one prison for another."

This book is dynamic, moving, and unforgettable.

I bought this book because I heard Rubin Hurricane Carter interviewed on NPR radio. In fact, I listened to the interview twice, I was so enthralled with the human spirit and wisdom that came through over the airwaves. Now that I'm reading the book, I'm even more taken with this man's journey. The book does not portray Carter as some kind of idol but as a many-sided human being who refused to be dominated and ultimately triumphed over his circumstances. Philosophically, the book gives me much to think about, and it's a riveting read, one of the best books I've read in the last few years (and I read about 400 books a year!).

Put this on your To-Read-No-Matter-What list.

Hasn't the popularity of "Dummies" books raised a red flag anywhere? What does that say about the average American reader's view of him/herself? Do we sense that we're educationally lacking?

Too many of America's young people do not have, because they haven't been taught, the knowledge they need to preserve the exceptional way of life they've inherited. They know Harry Potter and West Wing but not the Peloponnesian Wars or who said, "To be or not to be." They are culturally illiterate.

Cultural literacy is the background information we need to know in order to understand and to communicate in our society. Without it we wouldn't understand what a reviewer says when he likens Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" to "Cinderella" or when a pundit says the environment is a politician's Achilles heel.

"To be culturally literate," Hirsch says, "is to possess the basic information needed to thrive in the modern world." Readers must understand the writer's unspoken "systems of associations."

I've taught college-level writing classes and have been astounded to meet students who have never read a book, who don't understand the simplest references to classical literature and who, frankly, don't care.

This ignorance threatens our very existence as a free nation. One of the most important points Hirsch makes is the need for the average citizen to understand enough science to comprehend debates about environmental and political issues. He cites the debate over the Strategic Defense Initiative and says of the voting public, "...their education should have provided them with the general facts and principles needed to understand the terms of the debate -- how a satellite works, what a laser is and can do, and under what conditions such a system would be likely to succeed or fail." He neglects to mention the historical, social and political backgrounds that enter into the debate but his point applies to those as well.

The highest stakes are involved here. The last election was a primary example of the ignorance of the American voter. Many still don't understand what happened and are merrily led down a primrose path of misunderstanding by an equally Constitutionally (as in the US Constitution)uninformed press. Further, and even sadder, they don't bother to find out!

Read CULTURAL LITERACY. Absorb it. Make it your mantra and work to see that the next generation of Americans learns the background of their culture as well as the history, sociology and science they need to protect our way of life at the ballot box.

In his book, E.D. Hirsch makes a good arguement that kids in America are not being taught the basic knowledge that they need in order to function and communicate effectively in our society. The book was published in 1988. Reading it was like hearing a voice crying in the wilderness. I can hear Hirsch's voice speaking louder with each passing year.

This vital information that Hirsch refers to is simply not being taught in schools, at least not enough of them. If you're concerned, ask your child what he's learning in history, science, math, English. Or just flip through the appendix in the back of the book where Hirsch lists his "What Literate Americans Know." Sure, it's not a perfect list, but it is a starting point.

Our culture is rapidly becoming one in which movie stars, professional sports stars, and scandals in the news are the factors that tie us together culturally as a nation. We are rapidly losing the thoughts, ideas, concepts, and lessons from our national culture that really matter. Read 'Cultural Literacy' and see if you agree.

This book specifies about the need for reading. Many Americans do not read at an everyday basis. Hirsch believes that illiteracy is a dilemma in the United States. Therefore, every American should read this book as it sends a powerful message to people of the United States to be able to get hooked into reading.