Folk-Taxonomies in Early English. By Earl R. Anderson. Madison and Teaneck: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, and London: Associated University Presses, 2003. Pp. 587. $85.

This is a big book: big in ambition, big in range, and big in ideas. The introduction (pp. 17–54) presents the theoretical issues that underpin the whole. Ten substantial chapters deal with aspects of color (four chapters across pp. 55–218), time (pp. 219–66), geometric shapes (pp. 267–308), the five senses (pp. 309–25), mind and soul (pp. 327–51), and plant and animal life-forms (pp. 353–403 and 405–52 respectively); and they are followed by a concluding chapter on "Taxonomies and the Problems of Universals" (pp. 453–83). A section containing notes (pp. 485–505) supplements the references by surname of author, date, and page used throughout, and it is followed by bibliography (pp. 507–75), a three-page index of some of the Old and Middle English words discussed, and a seven-page general index.

Jane Roberts
King's College, London