Abridgement of the Dictionary of American Biography with the same number of entries (14,870) but much reduced in length. The degree of trimming seems to have varied inversely to the importance (as perceived in 1964) of the person covered: minor figures may have very attenuated entries; the most important are still relatively well-covered. Thus Emily Dickinson receives the better part of a column, whereas we learn of Sarah Piatt (beyond places and dates) only that she was a "Poet. Wife of James Piatt." Jacket chipped with small tears along edges.