The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Handbook \Hand"book`\ (-b[oo^]k`), n. [Hand + book; cf. AS.
   handb[=o]c, or G. handbuch.]
   1. A book of reference, to be carried in the hand; a manual;
      a guidebook.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A book containing reference information for a specific
      field; as, the Handbook of Chemistry.
      [PJC] handbrake

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

handbook
    n 1: a concise reference book providing specific information
         about a subject or location [syn: handbook,
         enchiridion, vade mecum]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

42 Moby Thesaurus words for "handbook":
   Baedeker, Yellow Pages, ante, bet, bibliography, book,
   business directory, catalog, checklist, chunk, city directory,
   classified directory, compendium, cookbook, cookery book,
   directory, enchiridion, field guide, finding list, gradus, guide,
   guidebook, handlist, hazard, how-to book, index, itinerary, manual,
   nature book, parlay, phone book, play, reference book, road map,
   roadbook, shot, stake, telephone book, telephone directory,
   travel book, vade mecum, wager