I am quite sure that almost anyone, who has ever taken an English course in high school or college, had to purchase at least one copy of Roget’s Thesaurus. I never knew, until recently, the derivation of the term “thesaurus.” Apparently the term had been derived from the post-medieval version of Latin, and it basically means treasure or a storehouse. We immediately associate the term thesaurus with Roget, whose full name was Peter Mark Roget. This brilliant individual was a medical doctor, philologist, scientist and lexicographer, and the first to create a thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.

Quite interesting, the first Thesaurus Dr. Roger had drawn up was in 1805 for his own personal use. Only after 47 years when he was 73 did he reveal this gem that to many individuals is the most important book ever written along with the Bible and Webster’s dictionary.

Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer, author of more than twenty- five books, and who holds a Ph.D. in archaeology, a M.S. in linguistics, a B.S. in physical education, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies, has put together a book containing thousands of words for describing people, places and things with adjectives.

As mentioned in the introduction to her book entitled, Roget’s Descriptive Word Finder-A Dictionary/Thesaurus of Adjectives “it is a combination dictionary and thesaurus exclusively for adjectives and adverbs.”

The presentation is in the form of a detailed thematic scheme, providing a comprehensive reference on adjectives and adverbs for writers.

As compared to a dictionary that places relating words apart in their alphabetical scheme of things, the human mind puts them together in categories. This book mirrors, to some extent, the human mind, in that it contains 572 easily understood categories.

This book will invariably prove to be a godsend when you are at a loss for the right word that accurately describes something, someone or some place.

As a thematic dictionary, the book focuses on adjectives and adverbs that aid the writer in vividly painting a more accurate picture of what he or she is trying to convey.

As an example, suppose you wish to describe a room as being dark, however, you realize that “dark” is not the most evocative word. You certainly do not want to resort to clichés, and thus you look up the term “darkness” in Dr. Kipfer’s descriptive word finder. You will notice you have a choice of forty- four different terms. Perhaps, the room is gloomy, lightless, obscure, or you want to use the phrase “shrouded in darkness.”

Although this word finder should not be considered as a replacement for Roget’s Thesaurus, it nevertheless deserves a place on a writer’s bookshelf as another invaluable reference tool.