Paul Dickson is celebrated for his extensive body of nonfiction work, exploring diverse subjects from the American language and baseball to pivotal moments in 20th-century history. His writing is characterized by a deep investigative spirit, breathing life into forgotten narratives such as the Bonus Army and its impact on American history. Dickson excels at uncovering hidden connections and meanings, whether examining language, sports, or technological advancements. His works are valued for their thoroughness and engaging storytelling.
The narrative reveals the pivotal transformation of the American Army from isolated outposts into a cohesive, agile fighting force prior to Pearl Harbor. It highlights the strategic mobilization efforts and the challenges faced during this critical period, showcasing the evolution of military tactics and organization that ultimately contributed to the United States' success in World War II. The account emphasizes the often-overlooked preparations and leadership that laid the groundwork for a formidable military response.
The definitive work on the language of baseball—one of the “Five Best Baseball Books” (Wall Street Journal). Hailed as “a staggering piece of scholarship” (Wall Street Journal) and “an indispensable guide to the language of baseball” (San Diego Union-Tribune), The Dickson Baseball Dictionary has become an invaluable resource for those who love the game. Drawing on dozens of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century periodicals, as well as contemporary sources, Dickson’s brilliant, illuminating definitions trace the earliest appearances of terms both well known and obscure. This edition includes more than 10,000 terms with 18,000 individual entries, and more than 250 photos. This “impressively comprehensive” (The Nation) book will delight everyone from the youngest fan to the hard-core aficionado.
A comprehensive reference for enthusiasts of space history, this book offers detailed insights into significant events, missions, and figures that have shaped our understanding of the cosmos. It serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in the evolution of space exploration, featuring rich narratives and informative content that highlight both well-known and lesser-known milestones in the field.
Exploring the unwritten rules of baseball, this book delves into the game's unique culture, from beanballs to basebrawls. It reveals the essential guidelines that players and fans alike have followed, providing insights into the sport's etiquette and traditions. Through engaging anecdotes and examples, it highlights the significance of these rules in shaping the dynamics of the game, making it a must-read for baseball enthusiasts seeking to deepen their understanding of the sport's nuances.
Focusing on General H.D.G. Crerar's career, this biography reveals his personal ambition and belief in military service as a civic duty. The author, Paul Douglas Dickson, utilizes extensive research from Canadian and British archives to provide a comprehensive analysis. This work not only enhances Canadian military history but also contributes to the understanding of operational command during the Second World War, particularly regarding the western Allied forces.
Labels for Locals offers essential guidance on the preferred and often contentious names for various locales, cities, regions, countries, and ethnic groups in our interconnected world, highlighting the significance of accurate cultural representation.
Paul Dickson, one of the country's leading authorities on American slang, offers the first comprehensive collection of fighting words and wartime phrases Americans have used from the Civil War to the Iraq War. This definitive dictionary, updated and expanded to include the events of September 11 and the war on terrorism, is arranged war by war and reveals military slang at its most colorful, innovative, brutal, and ironic. Dickson also shows how language mirrors the unique experience of each conflict. For example, World War II brought unprecedented linguistic experimentation, innovation, and abbreviation, including "dogface", "quisling", "blitz", and the immortal "GI" as well as the rich stew of pidgin English used to communicate with the native peoples of the South Pacific. Raw frustration and cynicism surface in the slang of the Vietnam War, with a record number of synonyms for the verb "to kill", including "blow away", "dust", "get some grease", "waste", and "zap". Beginning with a brief overview of the Revolutionary War, War Slang reveals the thoughts, attitudes, and environments of America’s fighting men and women from the last 230 years. An incomparable reference work, WAR SLANG serves the language lover and military historian alike by adding a brilliant and provocative new dimension to the understanding of war.
From Abner Doubleday to Zurdo, from its thorough bibliography to its innovative thesaurus, this indispensable baseball resource is “that rarest of sports books, a valuable reference work that provides absorbing and enlightening reading” (Sports Illustrated). Winner of the Society of american Baseball Researchers Award. Black-and-white photographs.
This unique timeline provides an entertaining and informative tour of the second half of our century by the popular humorist and anthologist, Paul Dickson. Knight Ridder Newspapers calls From Elvis to E-mail "great reading".
