CompuServe Thread

Compton's is a multi-volume encyclopedia, aimed at junior high readers. The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is a 950-page desktop reference work, aimed at adult readers. Someone else here compared the Columbia to a dictionary in size — that's about right. It's handy when you want to quickly verify and fact, such as what year John Kennedy was born. But if you want an account of his life, you'd better head for something more substantial; the Concise Columbia only offers about 300 words in his bio. The Grolier's Encyclopedia (available in CD under that title and also as the Software Toolworks Illustrated Encyclopedia) is a multi-volume work, like Compton's, but is aimed at somewhat older readers — high school through adult.