The story of Webster's Third: Philip Gove's controversial dictionary and its critics. By Herbert C. Morton New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994. Pp. XV, 332. 29. 95

The best of times and the worst: a prologue Part I. Philip Gove and the Genesis of Webster's Third: 2. Gove's formative years: the road to Springfield 3. The Webster and Merriam tradition 4. The new editor takes hold Part II. The Making of the Dictionary: Gove's Intentions: 5. The meaning of words: definers at work 6. The origins of words: the etymologist's task 7. The sound of words and other matters 8. Usage and final tasks Part III. The War of Words: 9. Early Returns: the fuse is lit 10. The controversy heats up 11. 1962: calamity or calumny? 12. Commercial intrusions: trademarks, takeover threats, competition 13. Ideology and politics in the running debate 14. The judgment of peers Part IV. Sorting it All Out: 15. Gove and Webster's Third: the legacy 16. Concluding words.