Why Use Reference Books?

• Reference material is a great place to find background information
  
• Shows how a topic fits into a broader subject or discipline
• Helps you to know if there is enough or too much information on a topic
• Provides access to the specific vocabulary which serves as keywords for searching
• Often contains bibliographies which point to key resources and experts to consult

Oxford history of modern Europe (series)

France: a reference guide from the Renaissance to the present, Ref. DC 35 .R64 2004