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This dictionary was designed to be multidirectional: equally useful for native speakers of English or Arabic and for translations from or into either language.  Given the crucial role of globalization in todays world and the role of Arabs and Arabic, the need for a superb, up-to-date, traditional dictionary is obvious.  With its rich selections of idioms and variant meanings, English pronunciations and Arabic vocalizations, and supporting grammatical material, such as lists of Arabic-derived conjugations and English irregular verbs, this volume is broadly useful.  It will be a valuable addition to any libraryindividual, public, or academic.  Offering more than 130,000 words and phrases and some 200,000 translations, this dictionary adds much that is lacking in computer dictionary programs or smaller volumes: full English grammar and pronunciation guides and comprehensive Arabic entries organized by root with "full" vocalization of short vowels.  One curious difference between English and Arabic, noted by the editors, is that Arabic users typically would not render vulgarities in Standard Arabic but in dialects; for example, checking the adverbial use of a strong English vulgarity reveals the rather tame Arabicjiddan, "very."  Though it avoids dialect, the dictionary documents regional literary Arabic variants.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers.