Editorial Review

Guinness World Records 2011 continues to build on the intriguing, informative, inspiring and instructional records and superlatives that have made Guinness World Records one of the most famous brands and an annual best-seller around the world.Over 110 million copies have sold since the first edition was published in 1955.Nearly 4 million copies are sold every year in more than 100 countries and in 25 languages.Market research has indicated that Guinness World Records is one of the strongest brands in the world, with prompted brand recognition of 98.2% in the English language territories.
What's New in GWR 2011...

More US specific content including spreads dedicated to "American Heroes", "North American wildlife", "Route 66" andextended US sports pages!
· New unique design - new decade, new look.A fun, poster-style design reminiscent of the circus, the old wild west and letter pressed WANTED ads!
·Records GPS - starting at Greenwich, London - the home of time - we go around the world city by city revealing fascinating records set along the way.
·Glossary - improve your vocabulary by learning the meaning of new and unusual words.
·As Well as -- New spreads on....
* Space Shuttle- being retired in 2010
* TV's 75 years Diamond Anniversary
* Pop Culture chapter - all your favorite movies, DVDs, comics, graphic novels, manga and so on....
* Mr. World Record Breaker ... Read more

Reviews

They ruined this book, December 4, 2010
I had the GBWR 1984 as a kid and used to look up records all the time. Based on my experience I decided to get the current GBWR for my kids. Boy what a mistake! I have 2 basic complaints.

Number one, the format. This used to be a reference book, kinda like a dictionary. The new version looks like it was designed and laid out by somebody with serious ADHD and an espresso drip. I think they must have cut more than half of the records out to make room for the spinning artwork.

Number two, the propaganda and fun-facts. I wanted my kids to be able to enjoy looking up who the tallest man is, or who can run the fastest, instead there are all of these little "did you know" blurbs about how people are destroying the Earth, and general facts about the founding of the U.N. and UNICEF. Why is this material in a book about world records? Nuclear energy isn't listed in the section devoted to alternative energy? Who owns this publishing company,...George Soros?

I am severely disappointed. At least I can still get a copy of the older versions, the versions which are about, you know, world records. I just ordered the 1994 version, which is the last year before the reference book became a comic book.

My first Guiness World Records!, October 29, 2010
I have seen the Guiness Book of World Records over the years, and had gone though them while at my family or friend's homes. I must say that with this being my first personal copy, I'm not disappointed. And now I can browse through the records on my own time.

Even though the book is not as thick as the older editions, it's still packed with ALOT of information more than you can believe for a book that's about 1.5 inches thick from cover to cover (hardcover)

The quality of the pages is good and the print quality and layout is not bad either. At the bottom of each page there are records from around the world in small snippets, so when you're done going through the book, you can go though the snippets at the bottom.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and I'm looking forward to the 2012 Edition.

Great fun--as always!, November 25, 2010
I look forward to this annual update each year. There are a lot of goofy records here, but also some interesting tidbits as well.

This volume begins with "Fire" as a category. Here, we read of the largest gathering of fire breathers ever (269 people got together at Eindhoven in the Netherlands); we see the largest flaming image using candles (the image depicted the logo of the Sandoz company [Pakistan]); most people burned at the stake (133 witches were burned on one day in 1859 near Leipzig, Germany).

Randomly turning pages yields other records:

Oceans and seas--Oldest seawater (the water at the bottom of the 12,000 foot Canada Basin has been unstirred for several thousands of years); the warmest ocean (Indian Ocean); Newest forming ocean (the Afar Depression in Ethiopia).

Insects and arachnids--Largest spider (a male bird-eating spider, with an 11 inch long span--ugh!); largest beetle (a beetle from Africa, coming in at 3.5 ounces [doesn't seem that bad to me]); hardiest beetle (1,547 were living in a bottle stoppered for 12 years).

Human society--Most dangerous country in which to be born (Afghanistan, featuring such negatives as unbelievably high infant mortality rates [257 deaths per 1,000 live births]).

3D cinema--first full-length 3D movies (in 1953, French, Indian, and Japanese 3D movies were released); most expensive 3D movie (A Christmas Carol, released in 2009).

Roller coasters--Fastest (Ring Racer at Nurburgring in Germany at 134.8 mph); Most expensive (Expedition Everest, for $100,000,000); tallest (Kingda Ka at Six Flags Adventure in New Jersey--456 feet high; it6's also the second fastest roller coaster).

Baseball--Most runs batted in a World Series game (Hideo Matsui, 6 for the Yankees in 2009, tying Bobby Richardson); most games played at shortstop (Omar Vizquel, 2681); most postseason wins by a manager (Joe Torre, 84 wins).

Water sports--Largest race (13,755 participants swam the 2009 Midmar Mile in South Africa); Oldest Olympic canoeing medalist (Josefa Idem of Italy at nearly 44 years of age).

Another year, another set of wacko records! As always great fun. . . .

Great for my 9-year-old daughter!, November 1, 2010
My 9 year old asked for it this as soon as it was released. I bought her the 2010 edition last year for Christmas and the pages are completely worn out from reading it over and over. I have a feeling she will be asking for this every year to come.

Terrible Format, October 14, 2010
This is a very pretty book, with lots of pictures; in fact, far too many pictures and photos instead of facts. Its pages look like comic book pages (I almost expected BAM, POW and BOOM to appear). The pages are confusing, distracting and disjointed, and its index is quite incomplete and useless. Just try to look up a specific record, like "the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world." Good luck! Normally, a picture is said to be worth a thousand words, but, with this edition, the opposite is true. Guiness sacrificed content and ease of use for "flash." I prefer the older editions, where you could look up a very specific record, read it, and say "wow." This book tries to say "wow" for you. Very disappointing.

Great Knowledge book, October 30, 2010
Saw someone with the 2010 book and decided I would buy 1 for myself and 1 for my son for Christmas.Actually, the 2011 book was cheaper than the 2010 book. Makes a great gift for some one who you don't know what to give them.I know he will be happy with this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

If it would shock you to learn that Benjamin Franklin didn't discover electricity, you'll appreciate this take on hundreds of historical legends and debacles. Historians and humorists alike may be surprised to learn that:

Samuel Prescott made the famous horseback ride into Concord, not Paul Revere. As a member of Parliament, Isaac Newton spoke only once. He asked for an open window. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S., thus starting the Spanish-American War. The U.S. declared war the very next day, but not wanting to be outdone, had the date on the declaration changed from April 25 to April 21.With these and many other stories, leading humorist Leland Gregory once again highlights both the strange and the funny side of humankind. ... Read more

Reviews

Light reading on a weighty topic!
I really enjoy trivia and I really enjoy history so it was nice to see them combined in a really funny collection. This is a collection of entertaining short, historical tales flavored with pieces of trivia and stupid acts through the ages. Leland Gregory has also peppered these narratives with "punny" jokes that are sure to make you crack a smile.

Fun Read
This is a fun book. The entries are one page little-known facts and anecdotes from history. I found the entries to be from slightly interesting to Wow! Plus, there are several laughs thrown in along the way. The one page entries made this perfect bedtime reading for me.

totally worth it impulse buy
I purchased this at my local Borders Books. Unintentionally. They had it up at the register, and being a history fanatic, and a fan of all things trivialesque & stupid, I impulsively purchased the book. I'm so glad I did. As another reviewer said, the book is full of everything from, "Oh, really?" to "OH WOW!" and very 'punny' jokes.

Totally worth the money. I'm glad it was on display, or otherwise I may have never known of it's existence. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring more than 400 pages and over 1500 images, the LOST Encyclopedia will be a comprehensive guide to the characters, items, locations, plotlines, relationships, and mythologies from all six seasons of the landmark series aired on ABC-TV and produced by ABC Studios. Created in full collaboration with ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, this will be the first and only fully licensed and comprehensive reference to all things LOST, and it includes a foreword by executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.



LOST © 2010. ABC Studios. All Rights Reserved. ... Read more

Reviews

Great content; poor editing, October 15, 2010
First, an initial statement of possible sources of bias: I am a professional academic and an unapologetic LOST enthusiast (you may read what you like into that conjunction). I ordered the LOST Encyclopedia on May 4 and received it on October 12 following a delay from its original listed release date of August 24, so I've been anticipating its release for a while.

Second, an executive summary: as a fan of the show, I'm glad to finally have this "encyclopedia" on my bookshelf and think it an excellent resource. Nevertheless, the presentation of the book is somewhat less polished than I would have hoped, leading me to suspect that a second edition may be in the works. Any recommendation that I can give would therefore have to be a guarded one.

Like the show for which it serves as a reference guide, this book must have been a massive undertaking for everyone involved with little guarantee of pleasing everyone in its audience. I can therefore forgive the omission of some items (no entry for the Hybird, or "Hurley bird," for example) and the lack of linked entries (e.g. "The Hatch: see Swan Station," or "Jeremy Bentham: see John Locke").

My objections to the book's editing begin with the character entries, which are generally sorted alphabetically by first name. I have no problem with organizing an encyclopedia in this way, as this is hardly an academic text and there are a variety of minor characters whose last names are unknown; however, the glaring exceptions to this rule--John Locke, whose entry is filed under "L," and James Ford, whose entry is filed under "S" for "Sawyer"--happen to be among the most important entries in the volume. Finding those entries will only take an extra few seconds of the reader's time (especially since, as mentioned above, there are no linking entries), but the organization comes across as sloppy.

Also sloppy are the various textual redundancies. In the "Man in Black" entry, for example, a text blurb entitled "Jacob's Spirit" calls attention to the fact that "The spirit of a young Jacob repeatedly appeared to the Man in Black while he was acting out his end game as Locke..." One page later, immediately facing that blurb, is another blurb entitled "Haunting Reminders" which calls attention to the very same fact using the very same text, the only difference being in the capitalization of a single word. Similarly, the entry for Magnus Hanso ends with a three-sentence paragraph: the first sentence states that "Hanso's death remained a mystery to the outside world [until] DHARMA Initiative member Stuart Radzinsky documented Hanso's final resting place on the Blast Wall Map"; the second sentence states that "Details of Hanso's death remained a mystery to the outside world"; the third sentence states that (you guessed it) "DHARMA Initiative member Stuart Radzinsky documented Hanso's final resting place on the blast wall map." Again, this book constitutes a relatively massive undertaking and it's understandable that various typos would slip through (and there are a number of those), but given the two-month delay in the book's release I would have expected the editors to catch these obvious artifacts of the rewriting process.

I had initially speculated that the publication delay was a function of the writers' need to rewrite some entries in light of the final episode's controversial revelations regarding the "flash-sideways universe." That was apparently incorrect, as the only reference to the flash-sideways (that I've found, at least) comes at the tail end of Juliet's entry. Instead, all information about that "universe" is relegated to a few text-light and picture-heavy character entries that follow the encyclopedia's index. The entries seem arbitrarily organized (in order: Desmond, Hurley, Ben, Sun, Jin, Sayid, Kate, Claire, Locke, and Jack) and utterly disconnected from the rest of the encyclopedia. To the writers' credit, they call attention to some quotes from the final episode that should help confused viewers figure out where the flash-sideways universe fits into the overall story structure; however, one is left with the impression that someone involved with the book's production was embarrassed by the reception of the final episode and wanted to minimize its influence on the rest of the text. I would certainly hope that delaying publication gave the writers and editors adequate time to integrate this information--if they had wanted to do so. For better or for worse, this storyline is as much a part of LOST canon as anything else and it should have been treated as such.

Finally, there are several minor factual errors in the text--particularly with respect to the descriptions of the philosophers referenced by the show--but those are more nits to be picked than they are problems affecting the book's presentation. Nevertheless, it's an editor's job to pick those nits before publication.

Again, I'm glad to own the LOST encyclopedia and will readily admit that fans of the show (be they dedicated or casual ones) won't be able to find a better reference. The content is top-notch, covering both breadth and depth, as detailed in other reviews. If asked whether or not I would recommend that someone else spend $25 on it (much less the $45 cover price), however, I would only be able to answer that anyone considering doing so should take into account the very real possibility that an updated and cleaned-up new edition may be forthcoming. Of course, I also can't guarantee that any such edition will actually see the light of day. As such, I have no regrets on my part, but less risk-averse fans might think otherwise.

A good, if not definitive resource with some noticeable flaws, October 19, 2010
The LOST Encyclopedia will not bring a bevy of new insights or craved "answers" for fans of the show, but it is a solid catalog of facts and histories from the show's vast mythology. I wouldn't call it comprehensive, but it's an enjoyably casual reference for fans of the show.

The biggest negative trait of the book is the sloppy editing. Despite being delayed multiple times before its release, the articles still contain numerous typographical errors (I'd estimate one every couple of pages on average), far more than should be acceptable for a professionally published work like this. There are even entries that are OUT OF ALPHABETICAL ORDER: under "D," there are three entries ordered "Donovan," "Dogen" and "Doctors." I know it's something most people won't lose a lot of sleep over, but as an English major I found them impossible to ignore and quite distracting from the flow of the book.

More important and germane to the nature of the LOST Encyclopedia, there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to the emphasis placed on some elements of the show in contrast to others. For example, on the same two-page spread, Eddie Colburn, a minor character featured in ONE flashback episode, is given as much attention as Edward Mars, a character who appeared in multiple flashbacks and on the Island. Another example: there's a massive two-page entry dedicated to the RECORD PLAYER in the Swan station. The same amount of space is given to the blast door map, one of the pivotal set pieces of the series. If I had to guess, I'd say that such decisions were made to make the articles fit into neat two-page layouts, with the visual presentation emphasized over the relevance of information.

As mentioned in a previous review, the alphabetization of the entries is slapdash. If you want to actually look up an obscure element of the show rather than just casually browse the book, you may find yourself taking several guesses on what your query may be titled before you find it. For example, if you want to look up the glowing river alternatively called "The Source" or "The Heart of the Island," you won't find it listed under either of those two names. Instead, it is mentioned in a brief paragraph in the massive entry "The Island," as well as intermittently in other entries. Other aspects of the show that this fan thinks should have entries but do not, based on their importance in the show, include the Whispers, Time Travel, and the Donkey Wheel.

Now, to the positive. Given the existence of the much more comprehensive fan wiki "Lostpedia," the biggest appeal of The LOST Encyclopedia is not the depth or organization of its entries. Instead, it is the hundreds and hundreds of visual aids that accompany the entries, along with photos of LOST props and locales sprinkled liberally throughout the book. All of the entries on the major Dharma stations feature original diagrams. There are hundreds of close-ups of key props, such as Faraday's journal and maps used by the characters, as well as more obscure pieces like Drive Shaft promotional posters and the contents of Kate's time capsule. Most fans have never had an opportunity to see such components of LOST lore this clearly and up close.

The encyclopedia also features a number of ancillary elements that exist outside of the show, thus establishing them as canon while also exposing them to fans who may not have seen them before. The entry for Alvar Hanso contains information about Thomas Mittlewerk and Rachel Blake, characters featured only in the LOST Alternate Reality Game "The LOST Experience." The article on the Purge includes a copy of the truce between the Others and the Dharma Initiative, previously available only to those who bought the special edition of the Season Five box set. There are even translations of many of the hieroglyphics featured on sets and props from the show, engravings that would be impossible to discern from screencaps.

Ironically, the unofficial Lostpedia easily remains the definitive source of information on LOST even after the release of this book. Really, The LOST Encyclopedia functions best as a kind of coffee table attraction, a tome to peruse for the sake of curiosity as opposed to a serious study of the show's mythology. While its numerous textual errors give some entries an unpolished feel, from a strictly visual perspective the book is stunning. It's not easy to produce as many new images from a show as heavily scrutinized as LOST, but the material unique to the book, as well as the conversational tone best suited to enjoyable casual reading, make it worth the buy.

No buts-this book is canon, October 12, 2010
I still highly recommend this book to anyone who loved Lost. If you want a gift for your favorite Lost fanatic, this is the only book you should consider buying. That is because this is the only book written with the help of the Lost producers. It is fact-canon. Other books may theorize what happened in the Lost world but this is the only book that tells you what did happen.

"No great depth" said the previous review! I was amazed at all the depth and details. Just a few examples: Jacob appreciated Widmore's loyalty and allowed him to rise to leadership with Eloise. Jacob had Alpert strip Widmore of his position and banish him. Danielle arrived on the island after the Purge. Ben planned to fool Juliet into releasing the gas from the Tempest killing herself, the 815 survivors and the freighter crew. Plus it confirms things we suspected like Widmore being the one to execute the Purge of the Dharma Initiative via gas from the Tempest and the one who told his goons to slaughter the Ajira 316 survivors.

There is very little on the flash-forwards. The 14 or so pages (text is limited to brief recaps) are tacked on the end of the book after the index like an afterthought. Given this is an encyclopedia there isn't much for the writers to say about them anyway but the placement is very odd.

Know what else is odd? Apparently the editors didn't show up for work! I found too many instances of misplaced and repeated text including this gem in a series of bullets about Shannon; "Loudly whined about Marshal Mars dying too callously." LOL! It is sooo annoying when someone dies callously! That probably should have been "Callously whined about Marshal Mars dying too loudly."

I also found overall that the text lacked clarity. Many paragraphs were poorly worded and clumsy. In places grammatical errors left the text unnecessarily ambiguous. It's obvious that neither the publisher nor the writers were up to the task of producing this book properly which is sad. Or perhaps the producers are at fault for not choosing writers who could produce clean text under a tight deadline.

I'm still giving it five stars because the book looks great (all 400 pages), it contains a mountain of information that is all canon (which no other Lost book can claim) and it is relatively cheap for all it contains. For all its faults, it still makes the best gift you can buy for any kind of Lost fan from the causal fan all the way up to the Lost fanatic.

Coffee Table Book, NOT Encyclopedia, November 27, 2010
First off, let me explain that this is a coffee table book, plain and simple. It is hardly encyclopedic and exhaustive like I had expected. Every page is crammed full of large photos and the text is squeezed in the left over space as an afterthought. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with pictures, but why do they have to dominate the entire thing? I wanted an encyclopedia with lots of information and painfully detailed entries. Instead, they delivered an excersize in photoshop. When I actually saw this thing, I was really surprised how tall and thin it was. I was expecting something squat and fat, more along the lines of a dictionary. The proportions further emphasize the coffe-table-bookedness of this thing.

If you already own this book and enjoy it, then I do not mean to take away from your enjoyment. I simply would like to warn those who haven't purchased this and who are on the edge to NOT buy it. At the very least, go to Barnes and Noble (like I did) and check it out first. If it's what you want and you are pleased, then I am happy for you. But I will be sticking with my guides by Nikki Stafford, which I can't say enough about. I really hope some day someone will come along and give us the thousand-page treatment this material deserves.

Overall nice, if not a complete presentattion, November 20, 2010
Now I will readily admit that I do not actually own the book yet (I'm planning on ordering it ASAP), but I have read some of it at local bookstores and so far I do think it will be worth the purchase, and a nice complementary book to the LOST series. I did notice that some entries were oddly ordered, and although I haven't read much, I did notice an error in Alex's entry -- in reference to the episode "Stranger in a Strange Land" from season three, it stated that Alex opened the door of Jack's cell in the Hydra station so that he could stop Juliet's trial, which was not true -- in the episode "I Do," she unlocked Jack's cell door in the Hydra station which led to him seeing Kate and Sawyer on the monitor, but in the episode about Juliet's trial, Alex actually broke Jack out of one of the cages OUTSIDE of the Hydra station, when Jack asked to see Ben (so that he could save Juliet). I know this may be a minor mistake, and I may not have a right to gripe since I don't actually own this book yet, but as a rabid LOST/Jack fan, mistakes like that rub at me the wrong way. I also don't understand why some minor characters (like the undercover cop in one of Locke's flash back episodes), had a picture in his entry, but other characters (like Ben's childhood sweetheart, Annie) did not. Was it a space issue, or could they not get permission to use them? It was more likely the first, but still, that doesn't seem right to me. Especially since this is an offical encyclopedia.

Also, I wish that the book had a section devoted to the Flash-sideways - not like the one in the back of the book, but a special one that explains characters only in that world (i.e, Sayid's brother, and David Shephard), and the events that took place. I wasn't expecting answers to be explained that weren't in the show (Lindelof and Cuse are determined to be cagey about those), but a whole season was devoted to the Flash-sideways, and although those stories may have confused/pissed off people, I liked the majority of them, and would've liked them included. To have them omitted feels to me like they weren't a part of LOST - like the writers had "buyer's remorse" a little too late. But it WAS LOST, and they should be in the book! It makes me sad that they weren't.

And to the reviewer who mentioned the ordering of the characters listed in the Flashsideways - I think it begins with Desmond and ends with Jack because they were the two most important people in the FS. At least, that's what I think...?

Overall, though, I will gladly get this book in a few weeks if I can. It's a nice looking book, and the LOSTIE in me demands it. =)

Great book, but with painful grammatical and other editing errors, October 19, 2010
This is a great book for any die-hard LOST fan. It includes a number of details and clarifications that have not been offered anyplace else, which makes it indispensable. At the same time, many valuable features that one can find on Lostpedia.com (unofficial Lost encyclopedia online) are missing. Things like full lists of episode titles and summaries of each season, and, especially, timelines, character and mystery statuses. The book is also missing an index, which is quite odd for a publication of this nature, and makes it impossible to cross reference. This would lead me to believe there was not enough room to include all these features, which makes it somewhat curious that Sawyer's reading list, for example, is including twice in the book. Indeed, a number of facts and pictures are duplicated, while others are left out entirely.

My biggest complaint though is the number of grammatical errors. Someone who wrote or edited the book has a lot of trouble identifying the subject of a sentence. For instance, one sentence reads "Before his father went on the Kahana mission, Michael tried to make contact with Walt." What this sentence means is that Michael's father went on the Kahana mission, but this is incorrect--it was Walt's father, Michael, who went on the mission. This type of incongruent-subject error is very frequent in the book. I've only read about 1/10 of it so far and have found similar mistakes five times already, as well as a number of typos.

Most books have some mistakes, partly because our eyes tend to see what we know to be correct, so even astute editors miss some of these things. But there's a reasonable limit on just how many mistakes there should be, especially when this book is published by DK, known for its reference and educational books.

I'm glad I bought the book now, but I'm also hoping for a second, improved edition, at which time I'll sell the current one on Ebay and cut my losses.

Fantastic Informative Book for the LOST fanatic, October 15, 2010
I just received my copy of the LOST Encyclopedia last night and while I have only read about 20 entries so far, in no particular order, I can tell I will be very pleased with this purchase. From what I've read so far I am very happy with some of the information I have got from it. It seems there is an entry for every single character that ever had a speaking role on LOST, whether it was a main character or someone who just appeared on the show once and said only 3 words. Almost every location has a detailed entry as well. Another great aspect of the book is that it seems to tie up some small loose ends on the show. While you aren't getting answers for all major mysteries I have noticed loose ends such as why Libby was in the mental institution and if she recognized Hurley was answered to my surprise. I'm excited to read more of the book and I believe it's a must have for any serious LOST fan.

Overall pleased, October 20, 2010
As a fanatic of the show who followed all things CANON, I enjoyed the book overall. It's a great overall resource if you want to look something quick for reference. Whenever I thought something was omitted, it would pop up as information under a different entry.

There are some small errors here and there. But I think they can be taken with a "grain of salt."

Overall it's a great resource for the show. It doesn't offer "answers", but I felt the clarifications on things can be considered as new information. Such as how Ethan joined the others, that Widmore ordered the purge an JAcob suggested to Richard that he be removed from power, etc. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard

Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story ofGreg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit. ... Read more

Reviews

A blueprint for making a difference
After four trips over the past three years to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, and after founding Kashmir Family Aid (www.kashmirfamily.org) to aid victims of the Oct 8, 2005 earthquake, I whole-heartedly endorse Greg Mortenson and his work. This book adds new life to the over-wraught dictum that "one CAN make a difference." Beyond that, if one wants to truly get inside the rural Pakistani's heart and soul, this is mandatory reading.

My personal experience has been that once I met these people (and yes, had tea with them in their tiny homes, or in the quake region, in their tents), it was difficult to want to leave to return to the West. It's a hard thing to explain but Mortenson's book will absolutely do the job. A powerful thread within his story: It would be impossible not to love these people after getting to know them one-on one.

These remote village people are simple, strong and proud. Their lives are spent nurturing their families and working hard in a politically and environmentally tortured region. BUY THE BOOK, get inside the people of this place and then send Greg Mortenson your donation.

One man's remarkable vision
"Three Cups of Tea" is a compelling account of the difference one fiercely determined person can make in the world. I won't use this space to repeat the descriptions already covered in the editorial reviews, but Greg Mortenson's passion for educating children, especially girls, in the rugged mountain regions of northern Pakistan is truly remarkable. The relationships he has patiently built with local people and moderate Muslim leaders in the area over many years are key to his success.

In addition to education, Mortenson's Central Asia Institute funds projects that provide health care and clean water. He is also building schools in northern Afghanistan, again with the support of local people.

One alarming chapter of the book includes a discussion of the spread of fundamentalist madrassas in the mountain regions of Pakistan, which should deeply concern Americans, including the government. It is essential for Americans to support Mortenson's Central Asia Institute initiatives to provide children with educational alternatives.

"Three Cups of Tea" is very well written, with heartfelt portraits of courageous people. It is a superb and moving story of an exceptional man.

So Much More Than Just a Book
It's a book but then so are the latest bestsellers yet they offer nothing beyond a mindless distraction. To say Three Cups of Tea is about peace is to say that Mortensen goes hiking in the mountains. To say it's about building schools in the most desolate, remote, obscure part of the planet is to say an idealistic young man had a wild idea.

Mortenson and co-author David Oliver Relin bring the reader to the foot of K2, into a village so isolated from everything that there doesn't even exist a bridge to connect them to the world beyond the raging river that flows from the glacier fields. There Mortenson introduces us to children so eager to learn they work multiplication tables in the dirt without benefit of a teacher or books.

How does this man, so grateful to the people who saved his life, repay them? One school at a time. It's a truely inspirational story of what any of us, including a kid born in Minnesota, can do to change the world. The fact that the book is also a true page-turner and is so "can't put it down, don't interrupt me, I gotta know what happens next" good makes this must reading for every high school senior, every empty-nester, every one of us wondering what to do with the rest of our lives. Although I likely won't venture to the high mountains of Pakistan or Tibet, Mortenson has inspired me to find a way to make a difference. Go read it and find your inspiration!!!

STOP what you are doing...
you.. yes YOU behind the terminal, surfing the web, maybe finding that cheap chotcky to buy or something. Stop what you are doing if you have come across this book and this review. You need to read this more than you think!

Within the confines of 350 pages you can be transported to a world that for most Westerner's and specifically Americans, is probably very unknown, and more than likely, highly misunderstood. In this world you will be introduced to a man named Greg Mortenson, or as you soon to know him, as Greg Sahib..

The story that is told by David Oliver Revin, will not just be inspiring, will not be just teeth clenching, it will make you re-evaluate what you do in your life. While most of us may talk about the incapacity of the administration, or some (unfortunatly) the hatred of the middle East, or maybe some of you are even lying down in the streets, but there is ONE person who is TRULY doing something about the problems of foreign policy by litteraly getting his hands dirty touching the earth to build a school foundation, and risking his life ten times over.

When you have read this journey, you will be saying to yourself, did he really do that? That guy is CRAZY! Did that really happen?, the Taliban? , How is that possible? In the journey that is fortold of a change of fate through a failed mountain expedition, you can see what the spirit of the individual can do and how it can be transformed. As the events of 9/11 soon come to fruition, Greg couldn't be in a better place at the right time, and with David's narration, you are litteraly put in the drivers seat.

After reading Mortensen's journey, you will want to litteraly book a plane ticket to somewhere you have never been before. In reading the accomplishments of a somewhat flawed (hey what person is perfect) individual, you will feel small and insignifigant. David Relin will not just explain what Greg did, he will make you live it, with some enjoyable side narrations that will make you grin.

In Three Cups of Tea, David has managed more than anything to explain the heart of a problem (Islamic hatred of the West) of a very complicated nature (through numerous foreign policy debacles and politics spanning decades), and how one man knows of an easy solution (Go to poor regions of the Middle East and give education and extend the olive branch. Build schools for the poorest of the poor, ecspecially for girls. And more importantly, let them know that it was done.. by an American).

As if it was so difficult to understand.

I encourage you to take this journey and figure out that sometimes the biggest problems in life require some of the most common sense solutions. I also echo the other comments on here that you should buy this book from the actually CAI institute and consider a donation as well.

Greg Mortensen is doing what he is doing best, and his passion comes through the pages. For myself my passion is to write. Like Gregg I feel it is what I can do best (when I put my effort my passion, and my soul into it).

now if you'll excuse me...

I have to go write a check.

What an incredible story...
My goodness. I just finished the book, and I am in tears. I am a world traveller (32 countries in just about every region on the globe), and consider myself compassionate to a fault; but even I, after September 11th, possessed a fair degree of anger at Muslims. I had spent some time in the Middle East and North Africa, and although I tried to respect the traditions as much as possible (covering my arms, wore long skirts, not looking at men in the eye), I was still assaulted in broad daylight in a street bazaar in Cairo, Egypt, surrounded by at least a dozen of my classmates (an old man came up and grabbed my [...]). The anger that started then had totally blown up after September 11th and consumed me, the point where I had actually said that I will never believe Islam is a religion of peace, especially after the reaction to the Mohammed cartoons.

Well.

I was wrong.

This book has reminded me why I loved the regions in the Himalayas and beyond; the simplicity of life, the fierceness and protectiveness towards family and friends; and their incredible desire to do the best for themselves with whatever they have on hand, even if it means going to school on a bare field covered with morning frost. Greg and David describe these people in Baltistan and beyond so well that you cannot help admiring or even falling in love with these proud, strong people.

I've always told people if you encourage positive change for just one person, you'll change the whole world for them. Greg and his CAI cohorts have done that for literally hundreds of thousands of children. It was so gratifying for me to read, despite the selfishness of our people today, that there are still some who passionately believe in changing the world for others.

For me, it was the speech by Syed Abbas (on page 257, hardcover) that broke the last of my hard-core attitude towards Muslims and Islam.

I am off to make my contribution - meager but still a contribution - to CAI so they can continue their incredible work.

A MUST read
Greg Mortenson's three cups of tea is an account of his unsuccessful attempt on mighty K2, world's second highest peak in Himalayas. Though unsuccessful, his failure embarked him on a mission to educate people of an area inhabitants of breath taking hills and valleys and virgin plains. Whats mind boggling about his adventure is his spirit of self sacrifice for a people of a land much misunderstood by the west. His story proves that with love, compassion and sincerity, you can melt the hearts, even those of mountains. Rightly regarded a hero in Northern Pakistan, his book would go a long way in bridging the divide between the inhabitants of East and West. If you haven't read the book, you are Missing on something. Highly recommended.

Promote peace on Earth. Read this book.
This is the most amazing and inspiring book I have read in a very long time. I am a high school teacher and the mother of a U.S. Army Seargent who has completed a tour in Afghanistan and is currently serving in Iraq. I bought the book to send to him, but thought I would read it first. I'm very glad I did. The book is as exciting as an adventure novel, but it's true. Anyone who cares about the education and welfare of children and who desires to understand the problems faced in fighting terrorism should read this book. There is hope for peace in this world and Greg Mortenson is doing wonderful things to make it happen. He is a true American hero. Everyone needs to read this book and everyone who does will want to share it with others.

A lesson in altruism
This book is absolutely wonderful. Mortenson shows us how one dedicated person can make a difference. He also poignantly shows the world that education and non-violent assistance does a profoundly better job of winning support and "attacking" terrorism than warfare! (Duh!) I think there are very few Americans who would be willing to make the kind of sacrifice Greg Mortenson has but he has certainly inspired me to support his and similar efforts in the best way I can. In my opinion, he deserves a Nobel Peace prize. I would like to see this book in every high school library in America. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Unabridged CDs • 14 CDs, 16 hours

From the author of the #1 national bestseller Three Cups of Tea, the continuing story of this determined humanitarian and the schools he has established. ... Read more

Reviews

Stones Into Schools: Mortenson Summits Again, December 3, 2009
In his latest book, Greg Mortenson hosts the reader as a valuable and welcomed traveling companion as he retraces his steps through the most remote areas of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier areas and the formidable terrain of Afghanistan holding a mirror to our humanity. Mortenson introduces us to his trusted companions t...urned employees of Central Asia Institute, the so-called "Dirty Dozen", who truly embody the virtues of goodwill and perseverance in the name of literacy and, of course, God.

In short, Greg Mortenson's work makes Anthony Bordain's exotic travel look like a visit to Epcot Center.

Mortenson's committment to cross-cultural understanding beyond the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan is rivaled only by his determination to educate the under-served girls in the most remote areas of these countries. Stones Into Schools is a suspenseful, heart-breaking as it is heart-warming, true account of a life well lived and a people well-served. Mortenson is an honor to the human race and diplomat for world peace. About now, Greg Mortenson would do well to take his own advice and sit for a month under a walnut tree to recuperate.

Inspirational - Should be a must read for high school graduates, December 4, 2009
I read Three Cups of Tea was was incredibly inspired by Greg Mortenson. His second book is even better in my opinion. Teaching people that they have the power to change themselves is so simple but sometimes takes incredibale amounts of work by other people. Greg and his team have performed incredible acts of bravery, endurance, and dedication to the noble cause of providing education to the girls of Pakistan and Afghanistan. You will not be able to put this book down. You also learn firsthand accounts of the success of many of the first girls to go through Greg's schools.
Read this book for an incredible account of an individual who has changed the world for so many people,

A Knotty Problem, December 3, 2009
I tend to collect mostly management books on my Kindle, so I have been looking forward to Greg Mortensen's latest report on his activities in his remote part of the world (also where my son works every day). I don't think the world has two more opposite places than Burnet County and Kunar Province. Since 2003, we've built a nice high school here in Burnet for our 1000+ kids, and later on a playground (stadium). Greg's outfit has built and staffed 129 schools, and innumerable civic improvements, such as bridges and water systems, to supply educational services to a previously unserved populace, at a cost of $1-3/student. I think their whole budget for the six years is less than the cost of one Tomahawk missile, with guidance and delivery (and spare parts). On the other hand General Motors, working in the most car consuming section of Planet Earth, with significant manufacturing infrastructure worldwide, has a hard time making ends meet. In short, Greg's book is now at the top of my list for 2009 management books.
Mother Teresa, in response to an interview question about the best way to go about changing the world, said 'Reach out to the nearest one.' Greg, in response to the same question, would probably say 'Go to the Last Best Place.' Both of these people have found a way to impact their world, and improve conditions more than a thousand-fold by their efforts.
Three cups of Tea has become required reading for the US Counterintelligence school at West point; I would hope this book gets added to the curriculum quickly.

STONES INTO SCHOOLS: PROMOTING PEACE WITH BOOKS, NOT BOMBS IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN, December 7, 2009
Not a sequel to Mortenson's THREE CUPS OF TEA, STONES INTO SCHOOLS is a saga of Mortenson's ten year struggle to keep a promise to Commandhan Abdul Rashid Khan, chief of the Kirghiz, to build a school for his tribe at "the roof of the world" in the village of Bozai Gumbaz, 12,480 feet up in the Pamir Mountains of northern Afghanistan. It was this promise that caused Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute (CAI) to expand its operations beyond its original stomping grounds in the remoter villages of Pakistan.
During their struggle, jihad if you will, Greg Mortenson and his Afghan and Pakistani comrades, AKA "The Dirty Dozen," enjoy as, Safraz Khan, one of the many heroes in this story, describes it, "much success" as the Central Asia Institute build a chain of schools, scholarship programs, and literacy centers in war-torn Afghanistan and quake-stricken Pakistan.
Mortenson describes an Afghan people who are tired of and traumatized by thirty years of war. Still, they have not given up on life or a better future for their children. He details the slow, if enjoyable, process of building relationships with local leadership in countless villages in Afghanistan and Pakistan (AFPAK) during his many journeys. Important to note, Mortenson does not attempt to inflict American missionary culture and values on AFPAK villagers. I gather from reading Mortenson that every one of the 131 schools he and the CAI built in AFPAK was built at the request of local villagers and with the blessing of local leadership. He did not go village to village selling education as a good thing; villagers sought him out as word spread that he helped build schools.
Key to the success of CAI is local ownership of the schools it builds. In each case, CAI requires the local villagers to provide the land and supply unskilled labor to help build the school. CAI provides funds for raw materials and skilled labor to build the school as well as money for school supplies and to pay the teaching staff for up to five years. Mortenson writes of one village where the Taliban nailed a "night letter" to the door of a new CAI school and delivered another one to the home of one of the teachers. In these letters, the Taliban threatened to burn down the school if any girls attended it. They also promised violence to the families of any girls over the age of fourteen who attended school. The villagers responded by naming one of their three mullahs as headmaster for the school. He met with local Taliban and informed them that the actions they proposed in their letters were clearly wrong and against the teachings of the Koran. No more "night letters" were delivered in that village and girls were allowed to attend the school.
Along with "much success" there are setbacks. Mortenson writes of a Pakistani girl who was prevented from accepting a CAI scholarship by a jealous brother-in-law. He tells of an Afghan shepherd boy who is killed by a Soviet land mine while grazing his flocks close to a CAI school that is being built in his village. (The boy's father later trains to become a humanitarian de-miner and returns to his village to remove thirty land mines from the areas surrounding the school.) He describes the anguish (seen through Safraz Khan's eyes) of the hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis made homeless by an earthquake in 2005. He tells of weathering mob violence in Afghanistan after Newsweek printed false claims that American soldiers had attempted to flush a Koran down a toilet at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
Mortenson speaks at length about his relationship with the military. Like most non-governmental organizations (NGOs), CAI strives to maintain strict neutrality. CAI takes no money from the United States Department of Defense or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and relies totally on donations and book sales (Buy this book!) to fund its operations. Mortenson notes that his initial support for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM quickly waned when he read of civilian casualties from the American bombing campaign against the Taliban. He recounts a lecture on Afghan tribal culture he gave a group of officers at the Pentagon in 2002. He explained that before one tribe made war on another tribe, "the warring parties hold a jirga before joining in battle to discuss how many losses each side is willing to accept in light of the fact that the victors will be willing to care for the widows and orphans of the rivals they have vanquished." He went on to tell the officers "the worst thing that you can do is what we're doing - ignoring the victims by calling them `collateral damage' and not even trying to count the numbers of the dead. . . For that, we will not be forgiven."
Mortenson began to see the United States military in a far different light later on. In 2003 he published an article about CAI in Parade Magazine. As a result of this article, CAI began to receive a flood of donations. One of his staffers informed him that a disproportionate number of donations came from military communities. Later that same year he received a letter from an officer who had fought in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. The officer wrote "CAI's projects provide a good alternative to the education offered in many of the radicalized madrassas from where the Taliban sprung forth . . . The Central Asia Institute is now my charity of choice." Mortenson goes on to write of an e-mail he received from then lieutenant colonel Christopher Kolenda in September, 2007. Kolenda wrote:
I am the Commander of Task Force Saber which serves the 190,000 people in northern Kunar and eastern Nuristan Provinces in Afghanistan. Our primary goal in this counterinsurgency is to provide hope for the good people of Afghanistan, particularly the children. Building schools is one of my top development priorities . . . The conflict here will not be won with bombs but with books and ideas. . . We have delivered a wealth of school supplies, but there is never enough. . . Reading Three Cups of Tea has inspired me even further to pursue the development of Afghan schools and education. I am not sure if the CAI can help these schools in any way. . .
Kolenda had delivered an indirect challenge to the CAI to come to his "humanitarian space" and build schools that would help ensure the "next generation grows up to be educated patriots," not "illiterate fighters." Mortenson and "the Dirty Dozen" could not resist the challenge. In the end, CAI's AFPAK staff devises a plan to build a chain of girls' schools through Taliban territory, to include one in Mullah Omar's home town of De Rawod.
Many NGOs may feel at this point that Mortenson and CAI have forsaken neutrality for the sake of convenience, but that is not the case. CAI takes no "blood money" from the United States government and relies on the goodwill of local Afghans and Pakistanis for its security, not armed escorts by United States or coalition military. If CAI has forsaken its neutrality, it has done so not for the sake of convenience, but for the sake of conscience. CAI realizes that it cannot morally remain neutral in a world where "men with Kalashnikovs . . . help to sustain the grotesque lie that flinging battery acid into the face of a girl who longs to study arithmetic is somehow in keeping with the teachings of the Koran."

President Obama, please read this book, December 12, 2009
The last chapter of this book before the Epilogue is called "The Last Best School". Mortenson calls it that because, due to circumstances, he had to step away and leave Afghanistan, compelling the Kirghiz people in the remote Wakhan corridor to build the school themselves, which they did, in record time. There was some assistance of supplies and skilled labor from the Central Asian Institute, and supervision from Safraz Khan (Mortenson's substantial partner and guide), but the Kirghiz, a people who had essentially been abandoned by everyone including the central Afghan government, completed the school themselves. They had asked for assistance using US Military helicopters but due to the distance, altitude, and inability to re-fuel, it was not granted.

This was the most important message that I found in this book. This school was built ten years after a request was made to Mortenson by Kirghiz men who rode on horseback for a week or so to deliver it to him. I read his first book "Three Cups of Tea" last summer, and it seems as if Mortenson's message has changed a little to encorporate the following: 1) listen to the Afghan (Pakistani,Kashmir, fill in the blank) people, 2) let them tell you what they want to accomplish, 3) ask them what they need to accomplish it, 4) then say (in the words of Baba Ram Dass) "How can I Help?".

Another part of the book described how a conflict was solved via communication between a respected mullah who became the headmaster of a girls' school and the local Taliban fighters who were threatening the girls who were attending it. Without committing any violence, he was able to convince them to leave the girls alone. Violence (i.e.,war) should always be a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted. Education is the key to ensuring peace. Let's hope.

The Value of Education, December 9, 2009
In the follow up book to Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson's story comes full circle from his original promise to build a school in Korphe, Pakistan, to the decade-long fulfillment of another promise to build a school for the Kirghiz horsemen of the Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan. The first part of the book fills in some of the details of events from the latter part of Three Cups of Tea.

As the story continues, we meet earthquake survivors in Kashmir like headmistress Saida Shabir who became so frustrated with empty promises from her government, relief agencies, and NGOs that she nearly turned down an offer of help from Mortenson's right hand man, Sarfraz Khan. Khan led Central Asia Institute's effort to raise the bar by building earthquake-resistant schools only after listening to the concerns of the local people and taking their needs into account. Gundi Piran, Shabir's new school, was unique in that it was built around the grave of seven girls killed when their school collapsed during the earthquake. With an open-air classroom around them, the girls were laid to rest with their heads facing the blackboard so that their desire for education was honored.

We are also introduced to Faisal Mohammed and his family in Lalander, Afghanistan. As CAI began building a demonstration school there, Faisal's only living son, 14-year-old Gulmarjan, anxiously awaited the completion of the school so that he could attend. Unfortunately, while walking nearby to observe the progress of the construction, he stepped on a land mine and died in transit to a medical center hours away in Kabul. Although Gulmarjan never got to study in the school he was so excited to attend, his sister, Saida, is a top student with the dream of someday becoming the first woman doctor in Lalander, and his father also went to school to study demining.

Finally, the third part of the book details the challenges of building "the school on the roof of the world" that ultimately fulfilled Greg's promise to the Kirghiz horsemen. As the winter snows approached and delays mounted, the school was completed only when the Kirghiz banded together and literally took matters into their own hands.

As an American public school teacher, Mortenson's story inspires and humbles me. I am inspired to share with my own students how fortunate we are in America to have free, public education and how we must seize the opportunities we have been given. When I read of the sacrifices and even deaths of some who never fulfilled their dreams of being literate, I am grateful for my own education. I am also humbled by Greg Mortenson and CAI's relentless work and astounding progress at making a difference in an area of the world torn apart by wars, earthquakes, and poverty.

Rather than focusing on the news of fighting and terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, read Mortenson's book to learn how education is changing the lives of the young generation and empowering them to choose peace.

Much praise and some criticism on Mortenson's new book, December 26, 2009
PRAISE:

I read this whole book in one sitting. A bit slow in some portions, but overall I couldn't put it down.

Having lived a portion of my childhood in Kashmir and then having spent time with other rural cultures and regions in the world, I can say with confidence that what these guys are doing out there is incredibly courageous and amazing. What really stands out about Greg's work is that he basically "taught them how to fish" rather than just "present them with fish". I like how the book captures the viral trend Greg has imparted in Afghanistan when it comes to schools for girls and especially, the woman's vocational centers. He even inspired a local women's NGO in Kabul. From reading this story one also gets a sense of the creative (quirky) and passionate ways of Greg and his team that get the job done in a manner that is not quite matched by others. Given the current chaotic state of affairs in that region, this Indiana Jones style is possibly the best approach since they need to change and flow as needed to meet the demands of their environment. I will look forward to Greg and the Dirty Dozen getting the Nobel peace prize sometime soon. I'll also look forward to part three as the story unfolds.

MINOR CRITICISMS:

1) This first edition is laden with numerous spelling errors, typos and is in need of some word-smithing. However, the story is so wonderful that it is not worth getting hung up on these points. I imagine they were in a hurry to get this out before Christmas.

2) There are errors on the maps in the front. For instance, just across the border from Lahore, in India, you don't have the "Rajasthan Desert" but rather Punjab. Another thing that might be helpful to an organization that promotes secularism and open-mindedess is to not present a politically biased map of Pakistan and India. For instance the disputed region of Kashmir is not labeled but is rather shown as a part of Pakistan. Any reader familiar with the complexities of the region cannot help by wonder if this has something to do with the politics of Greg Mortenson trying to stay on tab with the Pakistani government, which recently recognized Mr. Mortenson with their highest civilian honor. This may or maynot be the case of course. I think Greg's work and book would gain a wider audience and bridge more gaps if he presented this particular issue with a bit more sensitivity (as in Three Cups of Tea) and more matter-of-factly.

3) Pako-centricism: This is sort of a continuation of the previous point. Firstly, the book sort of makes it seem like Afghanistan and Pakistan are cultural islands. However the cultural "dial" turns very smoothly across Asia and the boundaries and national borders are only recent creations. For instance, although Delhi and Islamabad may have beef, the people of the Punjab and the Kashmir regions are quite sympathetic and welcoming of each other across the border. There in north-western India, just as in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and also in the other central Asian countries, the "three cups of tea" ritual has equal significance. Secondly, there are numerous people in the high Himalayas who are not Islamic (some of whom they do mention, such as the Kafirs of Nuristan... who by the way were there way before Alexander the Great, but MAY HAVE intermarried with his soldiers; these latest anthropological findings are incorrect in the book. Also some thousands still remain pagan). I kind of felt that though they were promoting a secular education, they were quite biased in wanting to focus only on the muslim communities, which are certainly the majority. Of course, this may simply be due to the fact that their relationship chain just worked out that way. However, there was a huge emphasis in the book on Islam... perhaps this is meant for the American audience, the majority of whom have some pretty negative preconceived notions about Islam.

I do feel that if some of these seeming biases are corrected in a third book, or other presentations by Greg Mortentson and the other writers, his cause would gain a wider audience and more sympathetic response globally. It could also be a financial gain and advocate peace if for instance they also gained the South Asian market with this book (i.e. India and so on). It may be a turn off for those markets in it's current form which will certainly be perceived as careless and thus loose some credibility. Perhaps the next edition of this book will take this into account.

All this said, I am still in admiration of their work, and fully support it by giving Mr. Mortenson's books as gifts and I am a financial supporter of CAI. You are doing an amazing job Dr. Greg and Khan Sahib and the rest of the Dozen!

Buy this Book!!!, December 24, 2009
I saw that Greg Mortensen had written Stone Into Schools when I traveled through the Salt Lake City airport. I could not wait to get home and order it through Amazon. After reading Three Cups of Tea, I wanted to know what happened afterwards. I wasn't disappointed.

Please Buy this book, and if you haven't read Three Cups of Tea, buy it and read it first Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time. Stones Into Schools begins where Three Cups of Tea leaves off. Mortensen has helped numerous villages in Himalayan Pakistan build schools.(See my review Three Cups of Tea). He is approached by tribesmen from a literal ends-of-the-earth place in Afghanistan to build them a school so their children can have hope for the future. As what Greg has done filters through the rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, more and more tribal elders approach him and his colleagues to build secular schools throughout the tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan where the central governments have all but forgotten the population. (The only education is through Taliban Madrassas.) The elders want their daughters as well as their sons to go to school and don't like the Taliban message. It is clear these people don't want a hand out; they want a hand up. ("Give me a fish, and I eat for a day; teach me to fish, and I eat for a lifetime.")

This exceptionally well written page turner follows Mortensen's adventures as he and his Afghani colleagues build schools in Pakistan, Afghanistan and in Pakistani Kashmir after the devastating earthquake; places in the world that are hot beds of fundamentalism, war and hatred. The work expands to forming women's centers where women learn skills. His approach points out a new, but very old way of making peace in the world. Listen to others, help them build what they think they need, not what we think they need to have. Live with them, honor them relate to them one person at a time on day at a time. Sit down and have tea. We too have much to learn from them.

Mortensen's work comes to the attention of the American military. They finally get the message and under Petraeus command long needed changes start to happen.

The lessons of these books are profound and simple. The book touches one's heart and soul. They are lessons we all need to learn. One man can make a difference one moment at a time, one person at a time; failure can bring success of immense proportions. And more.This book is also about Greg's imperfections and about being human.

We are living in difficult times where fear and anger and ignorance are causing us and our children to become depressed and disenfranchised. Gandhi said," My life is my message." Mortensen's life is his message. It is a message we sorely need to hear and our children need to learn.

Buy this book and after you buy this book buy Three Cups of Tea and the young adult's edition of Three Cups of Tea Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time ( The Young Reader's Edition)8 and Listen to the Wind Listen to the Windfor your children. Talk to your children about their observations and understanding of these books. Help them find ways that they can help not only Greg and the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan, but in their own neighborhoods and cities. Then maybe, just maybe we can become better human beings and change then world.

Talk with your friends get them to buy the books and have a book club discussion. Better still go to the Three Cups of Tea website ([...]) and click the link that take you to Amazon.com so more contributions can be made and schools can be built. Then get your mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers and their friends to buy this book. Just by buying this book each of us can make a difference and have a great reading experience.

As a postscript a year and 1/2 ago I was traveling alone in rural Kashmir on the highway that skirts the Pakistani Indian border . There were Indian troops stationed 50 yards apart on the hilltop that skirted the highway. As a photographer I frequently got out and walked and took photos. One that was particularly compelling was of 2 Kashmiri women walking. One had a bag on her head, and she showed me her book that she was reading with great happiness. It was the Koran which had previously been only the province of men to read. I learned first hand the thirst for learning of these women.

One person can make a difference, December 6, 2009
Greg Mortenson is one of the select very few who poses a combination of being human with capital H, finds right focus in helping people in great need and writes inspirational books from this. His mission began after failed K2 attempt in 1993 where his life was saved by villagers of Korphe and where he promised them something they missed the most: school. This was very well told in his Three Cups of Tea and this book starts where the first ends. If Korphe, in Baltistan region in northern Pakistan was remote, now schools are being built on even more unthinkable places: in war torn Afghanistan and in post-earthquake Azad Kashmir, that was off-limits for foreigners before earthquake in October 2005. Most surprising were his (and his Central Asia Institute organization) successes in two parts of Afghanistan: one is, where Taliban insurgency is quite high and the other is godforsaken Wakhan corridor. Key ingredients are listening to wishes of local population, ensuring their buy-in, later their participation in building (at least donation of land) and focus on girls' education.
If US and allies would implement something like this following military successes in 2001, plus curb corruption and stop opium trade, today Afghanistan would be much happier place (and for much less money).
What's interesting is that he and his NGO Central Asia Institute are so successful despite great odds: working in islam countries, in years after 9/11 and in time of great financial crisis. This shows that ordinary people are willing to donate money for just and passionately argued cause.
Title comes from the words of local security commander and former mujahadeen: " ... each rock and every boulder you see represents a mujahadeen who died fighting either the Russians or the Taliban. .. it's time .. to take up the stones and start turning them into schools."
Book is really pleasure to read because is so well written, in structure and style. Credit goes to two anonymous writers who spent many houres with Greg.

Splendid and Desperately Important, December 14, 2009
Anyone who looks carefully at a map of Afghanistan must wonder about that long narrow sliver of land that sticks out like a pointing finger from the country's eastern edge. What purpose can such a strange, seemingly absurd boundary serve? This is the Wakhan Corridor, home to a varied assortment of wandering nomadic peoples, farmers and villagers who are hemmed in on all sides by some of the world's most forbidding mountain ranges: the Pamir, the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram. There is no industry there or any roads in its eastern third.

The corridor was originally created as a geopolitical artifice so that Russia and China would not have a common border in that part of the world. Yet this primitive wilderness is a main theater of operations for Greg Mortenson and his brainchild, the Central Asia Institute, whose mission is to bring education to this area by building schoolhouses. All residents are welcome, but the main thrust is the education of women, which Mortenson sees as the best means of rescuing the area from destitution and eventually defeating the Taliban, to whom the idea of educating women is, of course, anathema.

The Wakhan is central to Mortenson's story because it took him a full decade to fulfill a promise he made to a delegation from a small village at the extreme end of the corridor. They sought him out in Pakistan and asked him to build them a school. He agreed, knowing full well that nothing in war-torn, politically unstable and largely primitive Afghanistan is simple. The book ends with the construction of that school in the village of Bozai Gumbaz, and you can almost hear the cheers and trumpet fanfares sounding from inside the book's final pages.

Mortenson's story, however, ranges well beyond the Wakhan, embracing many other towns and provinces in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. He outmaneuvers insensitive government bureaucrats in Kabul, uncooperative family members who actually do not want their daughters educated, murderous Taliban goon squads, a horrendous earthquake, snows that render whole regions isolated for months, shipping delays, financial constraints, his own bouts of exhaustion, and all sorts of other impediments. But the schools get built --- 131 of them --- and all without a dime of U.S. government funding.

This region where Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China and Tajikistan collide in a sort of geographical, ethnic and religious stew will be as unfamiliar to most American readers as the landscape of Uranus. Fortunately, the book includes excellent maps and a kind of cast listing up front, plus a useful glossary at the back to help one keep nations, languages, religions and peoples sorted out. Mortenson gives due credit to his on-scene staffers and brings them engagingly to life --- notably his chief lieutenant, Sarfraz Khan, a Pakistani who seems to be everywhere at once, performing miracles of organization and logistics. Mortenson admits that he himself had to spend long periods back in the U.S. making book-tour appearances, raising money and shuffling papers. You get the impression that those grueling lecture tours were more of a trial for him than anything he did in the Asian mountains.

In THREE CUPS OF TEA, Mortenson had dismissed the U.S. military as unsympathetic and obstructive, but in this book he completely reverses himself, lavishing praise on uniformed officers, many of whom had made his earlier title required reading for their troops. He taught them his main lesson: listen to the local people, get to know them, find out what they want, and build up trust with them; do not simply march in and start issuing orders that do not take their lives into account. It is a lesson that military minds very often ignore, but to their credit they seem to have listened to this quiet and unassuming fellow from Montana.

STONES INTO SCHOOLS is an unashamed promotional tract for the Central Asia Institute. It comes fully equipped with talking points, suggestions for promoting the book, website listings, e-mail addresses, and even telephone numbers and postal mail addresses. Ordinarily, this kind of baggage might seem tacky, but Mortenson's cause is so obviously right and his pursuit of it so well organized that those objections seen churlish. This man has accomplished something splendid and desperately important.

--- Reviewed by Robert Finn ... Read more

Editorial Review

Bacteria: How they keep you alive. How they can kill you. How we can all live together happily.

 

Bacteria are invisible, mysterious, deadly, self-sufficient…and absolutely essential for all life, including yours. No other living things combine their elegant simplicity with their incredibly complex role: Bacteria keep us alive, supply our food, and regulate our biosphere. We can’t live a day without them, and no chemical, antibiotic, or irradiation has ever successfully eradicated them. They’re our partners, like it or not--even though some of them will happily kill us.

 

Allies and Enemies tells the story of this amazing, intimate partnership. Authored by Anne Maczulak, a microbiologist who’s hunted and worked with an extraordinary array of bacteria, this book offers a powerful new perspective on Earth’s oldest creatures. You’ll discover how bacteria work, how they evolve, their surprising contributions and uses, the roles they’ve played in human history, and why you can't survive without them. No form of life is more important, and in Maczulak’s hands, none is more fascinating.

 

Outlasted, outnumbered, outsmarted

They’ve been here four billion years—and they even outnumber you in your own body

 

How bacteria keep you alive…

…and how to keep them from killing you

 

“Humans Defeat Germs!”

But not for long…

 

The Invisible Universe

The stunning hidden relationships between bacteria and the rest of nature

Reviews

Perfect for a High School Library, September 4, 2010

Great addition to anyone's science library. Well done!, August 30, 2010

Informative and Cute, November 17, 2010

A broad overview of microbiology today..., October 26, 2010

Nice collection of bacteria stories, October 20, 2010

Hello Microbe!, November 15, 2010

It's a tiny, tiny world, October 15, 2010

Interesting but not the best, October 9, 2010

Puts bacteria in proper perspective, September 22, 2010

Living in a Bacterial World, September 22, 2010

Editorial Review

Reviews

Uncle John's Latest and Greatest!, October 16, 2010
In some respects, the word "Heavy" in the title of this 23rd Edition of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader might refer to the hefty nature of the book. UNCLE JOHN'S HEAVY DUTY BATHROOM READER clocks in at 538 pages; that's almost two pounds of book! More importantly, it's stuffed full of the interesting, oddball, "didn't-know-that" info that Uncle John readers relish.

In terms of format, why mess with a winner? Edition 23 has the same mix of quick reads, two-three page articles, longer pieces and "extended" articles that have made the Bathroom Readers so successful.

In this case, Uncle John enlightens readers on the following:

famous food origins;
final concerts of famous performers;
a three-parter on smart birds;
funny church board messages;
185 uses for a pig;
bathroom-themed art;
famous gangster couples;
food dinosaurs ate;
people you thought were Americans but aren't;
a three-parter on Esperanto;
popular myths;
"Monopoly" game facts;
forgotten cartoon characters (think "Chilly Willy," etc.);
phobias of the rich and famous;
products that flopped;
fatal first flights;
weird fish stories;
good deeds done by celebs;
and - my favorite - a four-parter on explorers "who strode bravely into the face of the unknown and never came back"...and much, much more.

In short, you're sure to find something interesting in UNCLE JOHN'S HEAVY DUTY BATHROOM READER. So, a big thumb's-up to Edition 23!

**********
2,600 Helpful Votes!

Love IT, November 17, 2010
I love all the bathroom reader books. I read them at bedtime, and they give me great pieces of information to use as conversation.

Another smash from Uncle John!, December 15, 2010
What more can be said of a book that is in its 23rd edition and keeps on getting better! This series is so entertaining and delightful that even its great length, almost 500 pages, hardly seems a bother. The various stories are so entertaining they stagger the imagination. The anthrax story is very interesting as is the one dispelling various conspiracy theories.

If you enjoy being entertained and maybe learning something in the process than this book is for you! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Why do we have eyebrows? What's a black hole and what happens if you fall into one? What's the fastest a human is capable of running? Why do wet fingers stick to metal in the freezer? Where is the deepest point on Earth? Divided by subject area - humans, animals, environment/nature, technology, and space - and written in an upbeat manner, each answer is accompanied by either a photo or an illustration to show the reasons why. Of course, "Time for Kids" goes beyond answering the question by dipping into the science or history to further explain the answer in an easy-to-follow, straightforward manner. This is a must -have book to satisfy the most curious of kids and provokes a great way to encourage interest and knowledge about a wide range of subjects, as well as to stimulate reading. Kids will be desperate to share what they've learned with their parents, teachers, and friends...and anyone else who will listen. ... Read more

Reviews

Love it!
Love this book! Bought it for my daughter for Christmas this year. She is always curious how things work and I know she will love it. I thoroughly enjoyed looking through it myself.

why mom
the big book of why - helps the busy mom for some of answers that get us when we are not thinking on why mom - the little facts are fun for all ... Read more

Editorial Review

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Anakin, Rex, Ahsoka, Cad Bane, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Jabba and all your other favorite Star Wars Clone Wars characters! The Star Wars Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia will give you all the vital information from Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber skills to Ziro the Hutt's scheming, and everything in between. Includes characters from Seasons 1 and 2 of the hit TV series!



(c) 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. (r) & TM All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization. ... Read more

Reviews

Good Visual Reference for the Clone Wars Universe, July 1, 2010
This is a great value for a visual reference of over 200 characters from the ongoing Clone Wars Animated Series. For the average cost of three action figures you get a full body image of every major character, clone trooper, droid, and alien that has played a role in this series along with a few quick facts from their respective story lines. Definitely a nice reference book for kids and fans of the series that might want to draw or create some fan comics of their own within this universe.

Awesome book, September 6, 2010
I gave this book to my 8 year old grandson and he absolutely loved it. Has wonderful illustrations to go with each character. Would recommend it highly.

It has everybody!, July 29, 2010
My little Star Wars enthusiast thinks this is something every kid should have. And it deserves a thousand stars.

Seriously, he practiced math facts every day on vacation in order to "earn" minutes of reading this book. This was a tremendous way to reward my little boy for a job well done.

Clone Wars - books and DVDs, August 15, 2010
I have recently watched Season One of The Clone Wars on DVD while, at the same time, reading The Official Episode Guide to see if I missed anything while I was watching. The DVDs are wonderful, and it has been great fun to watch the episodes again after seeing them originally on TV. Each episode includes a featurette showing director Dave Filoni and other key members of the production team talking about the development of the episode. All were very interesting. Also, a few of the episodes are presented as director's cuts, so they show some footage we have not seen before. Great fun. The package also includes a booklet showing drawings and pictures.

The Official Episode Guide is also very useful. Each episode is covered separately with a synopsis, pictures, background information, and lists of the cast, characters, weapons, and vehicles. I found the book to be helpful if you read about each episode after watching them on the DVD.

Then there is the Character Encyclopedia for Clone Wars. The book covers more than 200 characters and gives you a description, statistics, a picture, and specific background information for each. The characters are listed in alphabetical order so you can always look up a particular one you might be interested in. As is true with most Clone Wars items, the book has a great look to it.

I am pleased that The Clone Wars series has been successful enough to spawn all of the books and the DVDs that have been issued. The quality of the packaging has been excellent, and I am optimistic that we have a great deal more to look forward to.

BEST book ever!, August 12, 2010
If you have a Clone Wars fan of any age then I highly recommend this AWESOME book! It has over 200 Clone wars characters, with beautiful pictures from the Clone Wars Movie and the TV series! It contains Information on each character and pics! It's defiantly worth more than the Amazon price, I would pay $30 for this book! It's the very best clone wars book I have, and I have A LOT! You or your Clone Wars fan will love this! Thanks, I hope I was helpful.

Cool book. A little short on the info. No Boba Fett?, June 21, 2010
If you are a fan of the series and are a Star Wars nut like myself this is a must buy. Just about every character from the series has there own page. No Boba? Huh? I was hoping for more info on each, but for the price this is a good deal. They have a little blurb about the episode and their part. And that's about it. They only talk about 2 or 3 things each when it comes to their wardrobe/weapons/equipment. If you are looking for an in depth look into the characters from the series you might want to wait for another edition of this or the huge Star Wars Encyclopedia. But, like I said, if you are a huge Star Wars nut like me, order this as soon as you can. For this price it's a steal.

Good Casual Reference Guide, August 7, 2010
This is a good quick-reference guide that contains virtually every character, creature, droid, etc. that has appeared through the end of Season 2 of the Clone Wars. The only glaring omission is the young Boba Fett, which I found odd, because all of the other bounty hunters are featured. I primarily purchased it because I wanted to keep track of the various clone troopers that have been introduced so far, but I was happy to find it also covers all the droids (from the astromechs with their unique designations to the different models of battle droids to even the most obscure power droid) and quite a few of the background characters. As other reviewers have stated, there is not a wealth of information to be had here--each character is only afforded a blurb or two of biography and maybe 2-3 callouts as to costume details, weapons, etc. Still, the layout of each page is striking, with a full-color rendering of the character and stills from the episodes that feature them. The book is nicely bound in a durable, glossy hard cover and is smaller than the typical DK reference guide, only about the size of a standard hardback book. I think fans of all ages will enjoy this one as a casual armchair encyclopedia. Those who can be patient, though, might be wise to wait another year, as there will undoubtedly be an expanded edition released at the end of Season 3. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Fact: A cockroach can survive for several weeks with no head.
But it spends that time bumping into walls and screaming, "Where the F**K is my head?!"
Fact: Most wines are made from grapes harvested by machines that scythe through everything in their path, including sticks, insects, rodents, and even larger mammals, which can make their way into the end product. This is known to wine growers as MOG, or "material other than grapes."
MOG also stands for "Mother of God, I think that was a hoof."
Fact: A giraffe has twelve-inch hooves and legs that can kick in all four directions with incredible power. Giraffe kicks have been known to decapitate lions.
I bet lions hate that.

The world is a frightening place. If the information in this book scares the sh*t out of you, good. You're probably reading it on the crapper, anyway, and what better place to be scared sh*tless? Isn't that the idea, to be sh*tless?

From the sneaky fish that can swim up our genitals to the e coli bacteria lurking in the very water we drink, disturbing phenomena are everywhere we turn. Educational, entertaining, and undeniably horrifying, this book isn't guaranteed to help you go to the bathroom, but it's certain to make your time there more memorable.

Reviews

Informative and Hilarious - plus a little scary, March 25, 2010
I've been an avid reader of Cary's McNeal's "List of the Day" blog for a while now. As soon as I saw this book on LOTD, I quickly ordered my own copy. This book is hilarious - yet informative. Cary has a witty one-liner (or two) about each fact, and I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud while reading. As a librarian, I appreciate how Cary listed the source for each fact, so the reader, if so inclined, could do additional research if he/she so desired. There are chapters such as food, bugs, and one of my favs, "weirdest of the weird." I'm very pleased with this book, and although I don't keep it in the bathroom, it has earned a place on my nightstand.

Hilarious, April 6, 2010
A friend recommended that I buy this book. I checked out McNeal's blog before ordering the book. I immediately noticed the man is not right in the head, which is something I really respect in a writer. Now I own the book and will probably buy copies for my sick friends. It's worth the price. Even better than I anticipated.

Witty Twisted Trivia (say that three times fast!), April 18, 2010
Sure to make you laugh, this unique trivia book contains 1,001 scary, odd, revolting, and bizarre documented facts about the world. Along with each fact is a tidbit of humorous commentary from the author, Cary McNeal.

McNeal's witty wisecracks will keep you chortling, snickering, and snorting to the very end of the book. His clever use of sarcasm, puns, put-downs, hyperbole, word play, extended gags, and outright silliness will entertain and amuse you.

Those who are already fans of McNeal's writing won't be disappointed. Those unfamiliar with his caustic wit should visit his blog, List Of The Day, for further amusement.

Gross and funny and exactly what's advertised, September 2, 2010
Did you know that the Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world? (Fact No. 94) Or that one percent of the entire population of Greenland resides in one apartment building? (Fact No. 983) How about the iceberg spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1956 that was the size of Belgium? (Fact No. 998)

Some of these items are surprising, others are funny, and still others utterly horrifying. But they are all fascinating. Cary McNeal's //1,001 Facts That Will Scare the S#*t Out of You// does an admirable job of living up to that promise, offering whole chapters on insects, illness, drugs, and bathroom activities. He talks about frogs that break their own bones to create weapons (No. 570) and Queen Isabella of Spain, who lived to be 50 but only bathed twice in her lifetime (No. 999).

Not only that, but McNeal offers a joke or comment after each of his 1,001 facts. You may find some of them inappropriate or offensive, but the very fact that he even made the attempt is pretty entertaining. You know what you're getting as soon as you pick up the book. What more could you ask for?

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas

Love the snarky commentary!, July 11, 2010
I've been a big fan of LOTD for awhile now, so knew I had to have this book, and I've been snickering, or just plain laughing out loud as I make my way through the book.
Thanks for making me smile, Cary!

perfect for bathroom, September 19, 2010
My husband loves random fact books so I bought him this. Quite frequently he's in the bathroom much longer because he's just reading! lol. I like the book as well and find the comments under the facts amusing

Wish it was for me!, December 9, 2010
I ordered this as a gift for my impossible-to-buy-for brother, and it came last night. I looked through it, and I really wish I'd bought one for myself! The facts are really off the wall, and the humorous portions are funnier than you would expect. Can't wait to borrow it!

good humor material, November 28, 2010
the book was very interesting yes some very scary thoughts run thru my minds while reading it.it was worth the money. thank-you

Scary S--T!, August 21, 2010
You may never eat or go to the bathroom again! It's a great diet book. Once you read how dangerous everything is you won't be hungry.I have lost 5lbs. just from reading this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a lifestyle guide for the Francophile and the Anglomaniac, the gourmet and the style maven, the armchair traveler and the art lover. It’s an homage to the esoteric world of glamour that doesn’t require much spending but makes us feel rich.

Taking a cue from the exotic encyclopedias of the sixteenth century, which brimmed with mysterious artifacts, Jessica Kerwin Jenkins’s Encyclopedia of the Exquisite focuses on the elegant, the rare, the commonplace, and the delightful. A com­pendium of style, it merges whimsy and practicality, traipsing through the fine arts and the worlds of fashion, food, travel, home, garden, and beauty.

Each entry features several engaging anecdotes, illuminating the curious past of each enduring source of beauty. Subjects covered include the explosive history of champagne; the art of lounging on a divan; the emergence of “frillies,” the first lacy, racy lingerie; the ancient uses of sweet-smelling saffron; the wild riot incited by the appearance of London’s first top hat; Julia Child’s tip for cooking the perfect omelet; the polarizing practice of wearing red lipstick during World War II; Louis XIV’s fondness for the luscious Bartlett pear; the Indian origin of badminton; Parliament’s 1650 attempt to suppress Europe’s beauty mark fad; the evolution of the Japanese kimono; the pil­grimage of Central Park’s Egyptian obelisk; and the fanciful thrill of dining alfresco.

Cleverly illustrated, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is an ode to life’s plenty, from the extravagant to the eccentric. It is a cele­bration of luxury that doesn’t necessarily require money. ... Read more

Reviews

Lives up to it's name, November 12, 2010
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a fantastically delightful read. It was clear when I read the introduction that the author and I are kindred spirits. This book engages the little girl in me who thought the glass doorknobs on our old house were made of diamonds and clearly had magical powers. Each entry is it's own adventure, like a peephole into a bygone era. The author writes clearly and beautifully, making each bit come to life on the page and the illustrations are gorgeous!
I'm having to force myself to read only a little at a time to make it last longer, like I'd do with a fancy bar of chocolate. I'm already wondering if she'll consider a second volume, as I am now noticing exquisite things all around me that I'd love to know the story of. I know I'll be giving copies to friends for years to come, beginning with this Christmas!

earthly delights, December 6, 2010
From Nectar and Ambrosia to Sequins, from Omelets to Frilly Lingerie, Jessica Kerwin Jenkins has compiled a handbook of pleasures, a guide to refinements, both exotic and humble. Readable and whimsical, it's a book to savor, like a big box of chocolate Truffles, which sublime fungus, of course, merits an entry--and a recipe. This is not a frivolous compendium; Jenkins has done serious research, so readers learn the Venetian origins of the Umbrella, and how it was used by Thai acrobats in performance. She also understands that the exquisite is not limited to the material world, and there are entries on Twilight, Wanderers, Far Niente, and the elusive Quintessence. There is an extensive bibliography, too, for those whose curiosity has been inflamed. And as an object, the book itself is exquisite, with deckle-edged pages, and a binding stamped with gold.

a total delight, December 11, 2010
A delicious book. Kerwin-Jenkins has done meticulous research to bring us bits of way-off-the-wall history. Each entry is more fascinating than the preceding one. Did you know about the Elephantine Colossus at Coney Island, one of three huge buildings shaped like the animal that were all the rage at the turn of the century. A big blue one at the Paris World's Fair in 1899. Only one remains, the 65-foot Lucy at the Jersey Shore. And that is just the "E's!
This is a jewel of a book to be savored very slowly.

awesome writer!!, December 2, 2010
Each entry not only enlightening, but exquisitely written. This book is like a sequence of prose poems inspired by Joseph Cornell. I hope it's only the first of many volumes!

deightful book, November 12, 2010
So engaging and well written is the Encyclopedia of the Exquisite. the illustrations are beautiful as is the general design of the book. it has been a surprisingly fun and educational read. can't wait to give it as a gift...
( make sure to read the introduction!)

Get a copy for every room!, November 15, 2010
The title says it all - wonderful vignettes about well known as well as obscure treasures. I want a copy for every room of the house - I am delighted every time I pick it up.

A wonderful find!, November 10, 2010
This is one of those great treasuries that you and your friends can revisit time and time again. Entertaining, amusing, and extremely interesting, this timeless catalog of the extraordinary makes a great holiday/birthday/housewarming gift. More sophisticated than your average "coffee table" book but not so high-brow that it can't be enjoyed by one and all. Each entry is a gem and the book surpasses the sum of the parts. I stumbled onto this and I'm glad I did!

I'm buying more to give as gifts this year, November 7, 2010
I absolutely do not regret this purchase. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is exquisite itself. It's a beautiful book filled with charming illustrations, anecdotes and facts about historical figures and phenomena of all kinds. Kerwin is an excellent writer who has clearly done serious research with an impressively wide reach, but she delivers is with wit and levity. Every entry is a short, concise piece so I have been picking it up and putting it down for days, skipping all around the book. I wish I had one in every room in the house. And it really is a beautiful book in itself. I am definitely buying a copy of this for everyone I know for Christmas. It's perfect.

Oops!, December 2, 2010
I was interested in the book and clicked on the illustrated champange entry shown above. The very first sentence had a typo! These kinds of things are becoming routine and hardly elegant.

Lack of Creativity in subjects - nothing new to report, November 22, 2010
While the book was well researched and I learned a few new things, I found the book extremely dull and boring. For example, the color black along with crickets, are labeled as "elegant delights." I like crickets and the color black is elegant but they are both predictable and nothing enlightening. I really wanted to like this book but in the end was bored and would not recommend it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

How to never grow up, the complete guide. ... Read more

Reviews

What a riot!, December 29, 2007
I wish I had known how to do some of the silly tricks and pranks in the "Encyclopedia of Immaturity" when I was growing up! Not only does it teach you how to do interesting skills like juggling, but you'll also learn foolish stuff like how to make your co-worker's mouse stop working, how to make all kinds of noises with parts of your body, paper fortune tellers, play creatively with your food and so on. It's a big book. The pictures and diagrams and the text are presented in a mock serious, deadpan style. The activities themselves can't be any funnier than their presentation.

I'm decades older than the target audience for the "Encyclopedia of Immaturity," and female, and most of these activities are aimed at boys -- at least boys are the ones I've seen doing these things over the years. But a younger brother received it for Christmas and I thumbed through it out of curiosity, and found myself rolling on the floor with laughter. Life is too short to be as serious and stodgy as I've always been. This fortysomething is going to get a copy for herself and try to have some harmless, giggly fun in the New Year!

VERY fun. Appeals to almost all age groups., December 21, 2007
This book is a lot of fun. I originally purchased it for my 6 year old son. It is filled with interesting/humorous facts, practical jokes, and fun activities.

We had so much fun with it that I bought 4 more copies and gave them friends and family.

They all like it so much that I ended up purchasing copies for my employees. I believe that everyone who has recieved this book from me has ended up buying at least one more copy to give to someone else.

The book is full of really funny and fun activities. Age ranges from 6 - 47 all really liked it. It is rare to find any product, let alone a book, that can be enjoyed by such a diverse group of people.

If you are looking for a fun (definitely immature) activity book I don't think that you can do any better than this.

Only one negative - they used a ring-binder. The pages get ripped out quite easily. Kids will mistakenly tear out the pages if they use it very often.

Hilarious!, April 17, 2008
My husband and I ran across this book when a friend bought it as a birthday gift for his brother (in his late 20s). We read through it and loved it! It has so many different ideas that are terribly immature, but why do we all need to grow up? Life needs to be fun.

We decided to buy it for our nephew who is turning 16. He'll get a kick out of it and have fun doing a bunch of the ideas in the book. I'm sure my husband will get him started and make sure he does a few things right away.

This is a great gift for anyone who is young and heart and has a great sense of humor! I'm also thinking about getting it for my brother on his next birthday (he'll be 34), but I'm not sure he needs it since he is immature enough.

I would have to say that this gift is best for the boys, but some girls might like it, too. I think it is funny, but not nearly as much as my husband. The girlfriend of our friend's brother hated the book, but she didn't have much of a sense of humor.

Endlessly entertaining, insightful, enjoyable and immature, February 25, 2008
"How to create a fake leg" to stick out of your parents' car trunk when they drive away. The plans to the world's greatest paper airplane that my 7-year old son could follow. How to make photographs of tiny people. From practical jokes to practical necessities (how to whistle with your fingers, how to make unseemly noises with your armpits), this book provides literally hours of laughter-induced tears and entertainment. My wife found it with me in mind, but we soon realized what a perfect gift it was -- as, apparently, did the rest of the United States, as we found copies in extremely short supply. Kudos to the Klutz folks. This is a pure masterpiece of sophomoric humor -- and stuff you really need to know (like how to balance the saltshaker at an improbable tilt. Bravo!

Become an Annoying Person--It's Fun!, December 20, 2008
First, the bad news.

Much of the content in this book is from other Klutz books, so if you have a lot of their books, you may notice some repeats.

Also, as has been mentioned, the binding is poor. Klutz asks readers to rip out and cut apart pages, and the book seems to be designed for this, since the pages fall out of the book readily (To be honest, this is inconsistent--some pages say to photocopy--don't tear out). But some of us would like to keep the book intact for future pranking opportunities. I ended up rebinding the book; you may need to, as well.

And, where is the index? Maybe it's considered "grown-up" to have an index, but I'd sure like one so I can quickly find my favorites, in alphabetical order. (Eek! Can immature people be organized? Maybe not.)

Aside from those little beefs, this book is a gem, and it deserves the five stars for the content, if not the binding. A sampling of the content: optical illusions, jokes, magic tricks, pranks, and how-tos for skills you never knew you'd have (like faking a sneeze and knowing how to do cat's cradle). It offers immature activities and pranks for all ages and is incredibly fun. You're sure to find at least a few items of interest in here, and will learn how to drive everyone you know completely up the wall, while you have a blast (see p. 99). Have fun!

should be recommended by pediatricians, January 5, 2008
My 15, almost 16 year old son saw this book while holiday shopping. He wanted it, and reminded me frequently that he wanted it. I thought it would be silly, but when both he and his father BOTH loved the book upon our next shopping excursion, I knew it was a must have.
Several pediatricians over the years have told me that sibling interaction is very healthy, even if it seems negative to the parents. Kids learn positive and negative social interaction, learn their limits, and find out the consequences of going one step too far via sibling interaction. I must say this book fabulously guides such growth. Even I have to laugh if my son gets his younger sister to hold a paper cup of water against the ceiling with a broom stick. (OK, laughing stops if he doesn't clean up the consequences, but it's clean humor!)
I highly recommend this book. If the intended recipient is at an age to be offended by the title, give it to his/her parent & it's a safe bet the kids will pick it up & love it, and grow from it.

Everyone had fun- even Grandma!, April 5, 2008
Strange look on daughters face when she opened it-but everyone had a blast trying some of the tricks. Favorite was the leg swinging clockwise trick. This is a book they will go back to again and again for more indepth fun. The perfect book for boy or girl that likes practical jokes, magic, science etc. This book will be loved for a long time.

Enjoyed by kids and grown-ups, November 16, 2009
This book has been sitting on the table ever since it was opened as a birthday present. Anyone who comes by reads something and laughs, whether it's kids or adults. And the 30-year-olds who've read parts of it are ready to try some not-growing-up tricks!

You have to grow old but you don't have to grow up!, December 17, 2009
Hilarious book packed with hundreds of ways to let your inner child return... or linger! Shamelessly gleeful in its celebration of the adolescent mind-set, it will make you laugh in recognition at all the dumb stuff you used to do as a kid. This book must have been written with guys in mind. I can't see most women stooping to this kind of inspired but time-wasting stupidity. But we can hope!

Great gift book for just about anyone with a sense of humor, December 14, 2008
I ordered this as a gift for my my forty-something brother (who is still fond of fart jokes and the like) -- once it arrived, I was so impressed, I ordered another. It's nicely done, a substantial 410 pages, nicely illustrated with many photographs and a classy cloth binding and hard cover. Every page or two contains a trick or project -- how to "talk trash" like Shakespeare, uses for used gum, how to feign a cracked neck, what to do with a home-made barf bag, how to make fake dog barf -- you get the idea. Nothing very sophisticated here, but nothing off-color or too offensive, either.

Looking over the reviews, it looks like every reviewer except one (to date) has given the book five stars, and some of the reviewers indicated that they purchased additional copies for gifts. Assuming you're dealing with a ten year old boy or a forty year old wholly lacking in sophistication, you won't go wrong giving this as a gift. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The first concise, compact and popular dictionary, indispensable to the traveler in modern Israel and to anyone seeking an introduction to the ancient language of the Bible. Its 7,000 entries are Romanized, and accompanied by helpful hints on pronunciation and communication, enabling the reader to use the language without delay. ... Read more

Reviews

Disappointed - I wanted a real Hebrew-English dictionary, September 7, 2010
I wanted a Hebrew-English/English Hebrew dictionary where the Hebrew words were in Hebrew. This English transliteration dictionary is of no use to me, because I correspond and receive e-mail in Hebrew. I am better off using Mozilla Firefox's add-on, "ImTranslator."

useful reference, July 10, 2000
This book is good if you know some hebrew and want to prime your memory for specific situations. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewProduct Description
The only world atlas updated annually, guaranteeing that users will find the most current geographic information, Oxford's Atlas of the World is the most authoritative atlas on the market. Full of crisp, clear cartography of urban areas and virtually uninhabited landscapes around the globe, the Atlas is filled with maps of cities and regions at carefully selected scales that give a striking view of the Earth's surface. Opening with world statistics and a colorful, instructive 48-page Introduction to World Geography--beautifully illustrated with tables and graphs--this acclaimed resource provides details on numerous topics of geographic significance, such as climate change, biodiversity, energy, and landforms.

The popular satellite image section has been refreshed with stunning new images of Denver (clearly showing how the natural barrier of the Rockies affects population spread), Kabul (which shows in vivid detail how that city is encircled by mountains), and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. All census information and country descriptions have been updated to reflect the latest developments around the world. Completely new to this edition is a section titled "Will the World Run Out of Food?," which discusses world food distribution and how this has changed rapidly in recent years, based on data collected by Rothamsted Research, the oldest research station in the world. A new section on world shipping piracy explores the rise in piracy, especially off the coast of Somalia, and the effects on the World Food Programme. Maps throughout have been updated to include such new features as the World Financial Center (the world's third tallest building) in Shanghai, new international airports in India and South Africa, administrative changes in Iceland, Bulgaria, and elsewhere, new national parks in Denmark, and many more.

Providing the finest global coverage available, the Atlas of the World is not only the best-selling volume of its size and price, but also the benchmark by which all other atlases are measured.

Take a Look Inside The Atlas of the World

Topography of Asia [PDF]: Asia is the largest continent in size and houses over half the Earth’s population. The Great Wall of China in Asia is the only man-made super structure that can be seen from space.

Will the World Run Out of Food? [PDF]: Did you know that the world’s population is predicted to increase to 9 billion by 2050? Learn how the current rate of population growth is affecting our global food supply.

Satellite Image of Haiti [PDF]: This image was shot shortly after the catastrophic earthquake in January 2010. Port-au-Prince, the capitol and chief port of Haiti, is located just miles from the quake’s epicenter.

Reviews

A "Consistently Good" Atlas, May 15, 2010
Rand McNally's 2011 Road Atlas is the highest quality paperback road atlas currently available.

The atlas's maps strike a perfect balance between detail and legibility; even though the maps are loaded with information, they are still, somehow, incredibly readable.

The atlas is also made by a company that values customer feedback. Last November, I wrote to Rand McNally asking how they decide which cities to "bold" in their atlases. (I had noticed in earlier editions that a number of cities with as few as 5,000 residents were labeled in large bold type, while other, much larger ones weren't given bold labels. It seemed inconsistent.) I suggested that the company, instead, use bold type to indicate a city's population.

Rand McNally appears to have acted on my suggestions. In this new edition, the boldness and size of a city's label now corresponds to its population. In addition, all cities with populations greater than 5,000 now appear in bold type; this wasn't the case before.

Other changes I've noticed in the 2011 edition:
- Many more cities have been added to the atlas's state maps, especially in and around major metropolitan areas.
- Unincorporated cities and towns are now given different city "dots" than incorporated communities.
- Interstate exit numbers are now in green boxes. (This makes them easier to read and harder to confuse with mileage numbers.)
- The inset boxes around major cities are now gray instead of yellow.
- Elevation values for major cities and bodies of water have been removed from the maps.
- Construction areas have been updated.

There are also five new "Best of the Road" routes, if you're into that sort of thing.

All in all, the 2011 edition is a great update to an already great atlas.

Good atlas, June 5, 2010
Good atlas, worth the cost. Even though they come out with a new one every year, it is definitely needed for all of the road changes and updates. Recommend this product.

I wish I'd gotten the large print one, June 26, 2010
Much cheaper and actually more useful than a GPS (sometimes you want to scope out where you might go, not just get directions), a road atlas is a staple in our cars. Updating annually gives access to proposed construction locations (although it was off in places despite being only a month old). We took this on a recent trip through PA and New England. Alas, the maps a re a bit hard to make out once you get off the main drags in the more populated areas, like Southern Maine. I missed my old DeLorme Maine Atlas. I think the solution for when you are traveling about in the more congested states is to buy the large print one.

Gigantic!, October 18, 2010
In this day of GPS, I still like to have a map as a back up and also enjoy looking at the map while my husband is driving. I've purchased the Rand McNally road atlas in the past but was way overdue for an update. My only complaint is the size. Where in your car do you store such a behemoth and still keep it handy?

Road Atlas, August 8, 2010
I bought this atlas as a gift for my father who has a knack for viewing maps. The details provided in this atlas is really amazing. My father can visualize almost all of these countries roadways sitting in yet another totally distant country.
This serves far better than a GPS provided you are used to following maps by yourselves than being guided by a voice. It is real fun.

Fine atlas, updated., July 31, 2010
We've used the Rand-McNally Road Atlas for years; our mid-90s edition was out of date. The 2011 edition is exactly what we need - covers all territory where we drive with good detail, yet is a manageable size for in the car. This provides great coverage, with much lower cost and complexity than a GPS unit. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Kids love stuff that's gross. From the liquids, solids, andgases--especially the gases!--or their own bodies to the creepy,crawly, slimy, slithery, fetid, and feculent phenomena in the world atlarge, kids with a curious bent just can't get enough. Oh, Yuck! TheEncyclopedia of Everything Nasty brings together, in one book, all thegood things about some of the baddest things on Earth.

Exhaustively researched and impeccably scientific, yet written witha lively lack of earnestness, Oh, Yuck! is an ants to zitsencyclopedic compendium covering people, animals, insects, plants,foods, and more. Here are vampire bats, which sip blood and pee at thesame time so that they'll always be light enough to fly away; andslime eels, wreathed in mucus and eating fellow fish from the insideout. Oh, Yuck! explains why vomit smells; where dandruff comes from;what pus is all about; and why maggots adore rotting meat. Otherfeatures include gross recipes, putrid projects, 10 foods that makeyou airborne, and more.

With hundreds of cartoon illustrations and real-life photographs,Oh, Yuck! is the complete guide to the irresistible--at least to an8-to-12 year old--underbelly of life. ... Read more

Reviews

I'm a grownup and I loved it!, December 4, 2001
I bought this for my kid, no I didn't, she's only 3, I b ought it for me and she can have it when she gets older. And I'm buying it for two of my friend's kids. I've always been fascinated with gross stuff like snot, pus, poop, gross foods, etc., and so are most kids. And by the way, my kid, and the two kids I'm buying this for, are girls. The facts are there, it's fun to read, and it might even get the kids to read more and practice good hygiene while they're at it (microscopic photos of worms and such may answer a few questions like "why do I have to wash my hands all the time?" Excellent.

Laugh Out Loud Funny!!, December 17, 2002
I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas. I have yet to wrap it because I am so interested in reading it! This is definitely a pretty disgusting book from a mom's point of view but I know my son will absolutely love it! Some of the illustrations are so gross they made me laugh out loud. There is a lot of scientific information hidden in this humorous encyclopedia. I have learned a lot already and I am only up to C. This book is a "must have" for any pre-teen or teenager, especially boys who are fascinated by disgusting things. I can't wait for another book by this author! Maybe social studies could be this humorous as well.

Interesting Facts About Some Yucky Stuff, September 2, 2001
I bought this book to try to stop my preschooler from using "potty-language" every time he speaks - I thought if I explained, in technical detail, that bodily functions and other stuff is just a natural occurance, maybe he would cut his bathroom humor down. Wrong. While the book is entertaining and has a lot of facts that I wasn't aware of, it makes light of all things gross. So we laughed as I read it (there is quite of bit of humor in it) and I realized that almost everyone (especially young boys!) are just fascinated with stuff that drives us Moms crazy! Would make a great gift book for a "tween" ager!

Disgusting things for the whole family to enjoy!, July 8, 2005
If you are reading this page, you already know that you want this book. It follows through on its promise to talk about disgusting things. It's even moderately educational in parts, so that your kids can learn why we have snot (among other things). Unlike, say, the Captain Underpants series, this is grossness that the entire family can enjoy.

It makes the perfect gift from a grown-up because the child's eyes will light up when s/he realizes that you are cool enough to give a kid a book about gross stuff. Plus, the kid on the cover is picking his nose. What else do you need?

Iman's Review, May 18, 2004
This is such a great book. It has information on all "gross" topics. In it, there is everything from maggots to vomit. I think this book would be great for all 7-12 year olds. I especially like the "information boxes". The book has good illustrations also. Most of them are comical, but a few are scientific. Joy Masoff is a good writer that specializes in history books. Also, this would be a great find for a teacher or science teacher because all the things in this book is true science! There is nothing inapropriate in this book. The thing that I like about this book is that it is funny, yet educational at the same times. That is very difficult to find in a book now. The thing that I disliked most in this book is NOTHING! The bottom line is, THIS IS A MUST READ!

A true classic, September 23, 2004
I have been reading bits and pieces of this book out loud at bedtime to my 9yo daughter for months. She got it for a present at Christmas last year (from her Aunt who was an elementary school teacher and expert on children's literature) and didn't pick it up right away. But once she started reading it, it has been an ongoing touchstone.

Some of it is quite gross and I must admit it turns my stomach at times, but it has a a lot of straight forward explanations of how our bodies work and how other things in the world that people her age (and older) are fascinated with.

Now as to why it is a bedtime favorite - that I don't really understand or spend much time thinking about. Except for the fact that despite the quality of this book I am simply going to have to find something new to read soon.

GROSS WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR, December 17, 2004
This is one of those things that you cringe as you read and feel your insides squirming...but it's just so funny and fun to read. The facts and irreverent tone of the book making learning about pus, snot, puke, and other bodily secretions a hoot to read about. Never though I would get a laugh out of reading about zits and dandruff before!

It's all good fun and meant to be that way. There's a lot of interesting recipes and experiments you can make...I'd avoid them though, reading the book is gross-out enough without taking a hands-on approach.

It's nasty and the kids love it, March 23, 2006
I bought this for my classroom bookshelf. I teach 7th grade science and my kids fight with each other to read it!

Gross!, August 6, 2001
If you want a child (especially a boy) to read Oh Yuck! fills the bill. They can't resist the yucky tidbits. My teacher friends tell me that anything that a kid reads is worth it's weight. Intrestingly, this book is full of scientific facts worth learning. So you have a youngster reading, learning and having a great time doing it. That's hard to beat.

Very entertaining, May 6, 2005
Can't seem to get enough gross stuff? Then this book is for you. This is like reading the Guiness Book of World Records but only reading the disgusting parts. Very entertaining and chock full of facts you never knew and not sure you really wanted to know. My kids think it is a hoot and we love scrunching up our noses at every page turn. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Encyclopedia Brown has found a home at Puffin, and we’re celebratinghis arrival with a boxed set! Just in time for the holidays,this set contains the first four books in the classic EncyclopediaBrown series. Whether Encyclopedia Brown is solving cases forhis neighborhood friends or his chief-of-police dad, he always hasan intriguing mystery to crack. ... Read more

Reviews

Can't go wrong with Encyclopedia Brown ...., August 30, 2008
I remember enjoying these books as a boy and love sharing them with my son. Besides being enjoyable stories with admirable characters they are great for teaching reading. Solving the puzzles requires reading with attention to the details, logic and imagination. Sometimes young readers would rather skip difficult to read details but with these books they know they need to get each word.

Booking Grandma, November 9, 2008
I have decided to be the book grandma, and this is the perfect starter for my 7 1/2 year old grandson. I am striving to get him as excited about reading as I did his mother 30 years ago.

Great book for boys, August 17, 2008
This is a wonderful book for boys who like adventure. My son is dyslexic and doesn't like to read but is required to read 3 over the summer. It's hard to get him interested in any book, but he liked these, and they are a fairly easy read but still sophisticated enough to keep a 10 year old interested.

A classic for boys starting chapter books, October 5, 2009
I enjoyed reading these books as a boy and my son's like them as well. They are a bit dated, but the kids don't seem to notice it. "Put a quarter down on the gas can." Kids today are a bit brighter and more worldly than we were back in the day. My 9 year old son had legal questions with jumping to conclusions, probable cause and illegally obtaining evidence done by Enclyopedia Brown, but for an easy read, starter, chapter, kids mystery these are good.

Great Children Books, June 21, 2008
I read these when I was a kid and got them for my 9 year old niece. She loved them.

Perfect inspiration for young readers with inquisitive minds..., July 9, 2009
Mrs. Parker, my fourth grade teacher, read to us every day. I'll never forget the few times she would read mysteries from the Encyclopedia Brown series. As children, we would sit back and imagine the story unfold in our minds. Everyone would do their best to solve the crimes and mysteries but none of us were a match for Encyclopedia Brown. These books will challenge young readers. They are ideal for the 9-12 age group to read, but do well when read to younger groups of children.

When my son's school took a break for the summer season, his teacher recommended that we read and have him read a few times each week. I am now reading from the box set and I must say, he thoroughly enjoys the stories. They are a wonderful inspiration for young people and provide a great bonding activity for the parents.

dj coa

Read and Think Critically. Your kids will start busting assumptions, December 16, 2008
Want to get your kids thinking critically about information they receive. Encyclopedia Brown, buy detective, will do. Every case is solvable. Readers get better and better at picking out information that is an outlier and using it to solve the case. This kind if creative thinking is how we should all read everything. By asking where is the hole in the argument, we become better thinkers.

See

[...]

for an explanation of how our brain's wrk and what benefits the ability to bust assumptions can be.

Fabulous, July 30, 2010
These books are awesome! My son can't wait to the end of each story so he can go to the back of the book to see if he solved the mystery correctly :)

Great Books, May 6, 2010
I loved when my Mother would read these books to me and with me, and now I get to share them with my daughter, who loves them!

mind warp, September 15, 2009
These book were bought for sentimental reasons. I used to read these books when I was just a lad 'bout thirty ago. Delivery was timely. Worth every dime. ... Read more

Editorial Review

365 New Words-A-Year is the perfect gift for students, crossword buffs, writers, wordsmiths, and language lovers. Every day, boost your vocabulary with a smart new word—including definition, pronunciation, sample sentence, and a detailed history. Here are hundreds of contemporary words (phishing), fun-to-say words (jackanapes), loans from other languages (schadenfreude), short, simple words (hew), and words that are a mouthful (bildungsroman). But every one is a good-to-know word. From the editors at Merriam-Webster, America's
most respected dictionary.


... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Believe It or Not! Ripley's does it again!!, August 11, 2010
As the years go by,Ripley's continues to publish better and better collections of the most unbelievable,but true, things from all over the world.There's no limit to what continues to amaze an entertain us ,young or old.
This is as good, if not one of the best "annual" books to come out.Ripley's continues to use the finest in construction,paper,printing and color rendition available.These books are so well made,that they will last for years and will be as good and entertaining in the years to come as they are today;simply because the things Ripley's find and bring to us are timeless.I have a large collection of Ripley's books and have enjoyed them since I was a boy in the 40's.Now I have my grandchildren enjoying them as well.
There is no need to talk about any of the interesting and amazing things you're going to find in this latest book;because if you've even read one of Ripley's books,you'll know what you'll find,and be amazed once again.
However;I must point out that I am pleased that Ripley's seem to given up on putting text over photographs and colors.This seemed to have little purpose,and only made for difficult reading.Thanks for small mercies.

A Job Well Done, August 24, 2010
Ripley's Believe It or Not - Enter It If You Dare
Published by the Pattison Company 2010

Reviewed by: Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

This rendition has many oddities pictured all under a single
roof. For instance, a 12-fingered man is shown along with
a 22 inch man weighing only 10 pounds. Lionel ,
a lion-faced man is shown in full color. The strongman,
Joe Price is pictured bending solid metal between his teeth.

The elephant-faced girl is shown, as well as Chayne Hultgren
who swallowed 27 swords simultaneously. Another man is
pictured with a unique eyeborg which is a wireless bionic
eye. The Night Shadow Extreme Motorcycle is depicted
in all of its glory. Junior Fritz's work is displayed;
whereby, cardboard is shaped into human-like masks
from the inside of toilet paper rolls.

Mauri tribes of New Zealand mummified the tattooed
heads of warrior adversaries . Facial tattoos
known as TA MOKO are shown in full color.
Bone chissels were employed to make cuts in the face.
In the 18th century, Europeans began to buy the
skulls as artifacts. TA MOKO became so popular
that tattooed enemies were killed in order to supply
the market with fresh heads.

Builder Hu Zhuyin had a lucky escape after impaling
himself on a crow bar . The solid steel crowbar
sliced through the chest missing the aorta by less than
an inch. The full color picture shows Hu Zhuyin just
prior to delicate surgery to remove the crowbar.

A number of people are shown with very exotic skin
diseases from unique infections which look like
alligator features superimposed onto human skin.
The acquisition would be a perfect addition
to your library of curiosity books. The price is
reasonable. This purchase would make the
perfect gift for the student or "Believe It or Not"
enthusiast in your family, friends and personal
associates. The photos are well done , the coloring is
bright and some scenes like the Extreme Motorcycle are
spectacular.

A fascinating and highly distracting piece of work that one can get lost in for hours, September 11, 2010
There are many strange and fascinating things in the world. "Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Enter If You Dare!" is a fascinating collection of facts and notes covering the many strange topics. Everything from the human body being pushed to its very limit, the strange creatures in the world, and unique customs, and new art forms, "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" is a fascinating and highly distracting piece of work that one can get lost in for hours.

New material every year - great for middle school kids, December 9, 2010
This is the third year I've bought this book for my now 5th grader. He spends hours pouring over the pictures and reading the blurbs. It's a great book to buy as a gift for those hard-to-buy-for boys or to use for those 15-20 minutes of prescribed daily reading.

Gross and strangely mesmerizing, December 5, 2010
9 year old son received as a gift. LOVES the strange stories. Kind of gross but still hard to put down. Kids from 3-15 years old and adults have all found themselves drawn to this book! A fun one to have around.

Not only do I own it..., November 18, 2010
I am in this book on the page of sword swallowers. Check me out in the blue suit, and my little brother in the red shirt! ... Read more

Editorial Review

As a unique, one-volume encyclopedia with over 350 pages, nearly 1,000 Superstars, and more than 1,500 images, this is the book for all WWE fans! Featuring hundreds of Superstars of all eras, from the World Wrestling Federation of the 60s and 70s to today's WWE, this thrilling, one-of-a-kind reference guide contains a visual glossary of all wrestling moves and provides coverage of the television shows that put the WWE into millions of households. From the Hardcore Champion to the World Heavyweight title holder, from the WWE's showcase events to the Pay-per-views, from Survivor Series to the grand spectacle of WrestleMania this encyclopedia covers it all. ... Read more

Reviews

A must own for wrestling fans, March 21, 2009
Often times while I'm watching an old wrestling match (or browsing some wrestling website) I end up looking an old wrestler up on Wikipedia in hopes of finding out more about him (or her). The WWE is, apparently, hoping to capitalize with marks like me with the WWE Encyclopedia. As the name implies, this book is an encyclopedia to all things (well most things) that have occurred in the vast history of the WWE - wrestlers, TV shows, PPV's, title histories, etc.

The book is written in kayfabe (pretends that wrestling and the personalities are "real"), so you are not going to get any inside information as far as behind the scene stuff goes. To me, that's perfect - but be forewarned though if you are looking for serious information on the people who played these characters you are going to be disappointed. For example, the encyclopedia has a separate entry for Kane and Dr. Isaac Yankem DDS with no mention one person played both roles (Glenn Jacobs). This is because in the WWE canon they are two separate people (one a crazy guy who is the Undertaker's brother and the other was an evil dentist - classic stuff) that just happened to played by the same person. Hence, the two different entries. I could see how this will be annoying for some people though who might want to know what the "real names" of these wrestlers are or some information about their real life pasts.

Really the only drawbacks (besides the potential problem for some that the book is written in total kayfabe) are the omissions or errors. I haven't searched every single page to find these issues (a few other reviews discuss them), but they appear to be very small in number when one stops to consider the thousands of different wrestling gimmicks that have shown up over the years. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from purchasing the book because TL Hopper isn't profiled (there are always going to be errors in this sort of undertaking).

Overall, a great purchase for wrestling fans of all ages who want to either learn or fondly remember the fun and goofy past of the WWE.

Chock Full of Interesting Info and Fun Trivia, April 3, 2009
The "WWE Encyclopedia" is a fantastic reference for wrestling fans. There is so much info packed into this book you will spend hours upon hours reading through the various items presented. You get a thorough history of each and every title in WWE's history, from the Heavyweight Titles, down to the Intercontinental Title and Tag Team Titles to things like the Hardcore Title and European Champ titles as well. You also get the history of WCW and ECW titles too.

You get the history of every Pay Per View the WWE has presented over the years, as well as look at ALL of WWE's TV programming through the years. Of coures the real reason to purchase the Encyclopedia is the indepth SuperStar Profiles. Of couse you get the profiles of guys like "Hulk Hogan", "Stone Cold Steve Austin" and "The Rock", but you also get profiles on everyone from "Doink the Clown" to "The Brooklyn Brawler" and "Haku". No one is left out of this reference, even "Chris Benoit" gets a profile, which surprised me as he's been purged from most other WWE projects. It was nice to see profiles on the older wrestlers as well, guys like Bruno Sammartino, and Black Jack Mulligan get a nice profile, and credit for helping shape wrestling during the early years.
The book is laid out in alphabetical order, so if you want to take a quick glance at say the "Backlash" pay per view history, it's easy to locate. One thing to note, which is a little odd, that the wrestlers are alphabetized by their first names, which means if you are looking for Bobby Heenan for example you would turn to the "B" section, not "H". Another nice addition, is that the various tag teams have both a team entry as well as an individual entry in this reference. So if you were a fan of US Express say, they will have a profile on the team itself, but you will also have individual profiles for both Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo.

The photographs of some of my favorite childhood superstars really brought back some great memories as well. It's obvious WWE spent a TON of time and money on this book, and I can honestly say it's one of the best WWE produced products in a long time. If you were a fan of WWF's Hulkamania era, or the Attitude era there is plenty of interesting info in here for you. Even if you aren't a fan of the current product being put on tv today, you will still enjoy this book. Highly recommended for both casual and hardcore fans.

The COMPLETE History Of The WWF/WWE, March 14, 2009
Being a true WWF/WWE fan for many years this WWE Encyclopedia was a no-brainer for me. After looking through this LARGE book I have to say the WWE really went all out for this book. They left NOTHING out of this book, yes even Chris Benoit is included in this book along with ALL the titles he obtained before he died. I honestly could not find any wrestlers who were excluded from this book, from the top stars to mid-card stars and they even included the jobbers! There is no doubt in my mind, this is an absolute MUST for any WWF/WWE fan!

Best Wrestling book ever but..., March 14, 2009
This book is the best thing released by the WWE EVER !!!!!!
This is the best book around, so more infos !
Over 1000 superstars with photos and bios !!!!
even guys like : Battle Kat, Phantasio, Big Steel Man, Al Perez ...
all are listed !!!
All tv Shows/PPV
All differents stipulation for matches
All the belts (timeline)

even 2 pictures of Missy's Manor !!!!
2 pictures of the MYSTERY MAN (Furface) fighting Rick Martel
The Bio of Chris Benoit is included !!!

The best book around

unfortunately some wrestlers are missing but it's a really short lists:
from memory :

Sean Ohaire
Mordecai (Kevin Thorn is in but not this gimmick)
Rico (mentionned but no pic or bio)
Nathan Jones
Ernest Miller
Velvet Mcintyre
furnas/Lafond
Max Mini
tenessee Lee
Matt Morgan
ultimo dragon
kanyon
sakota
kizarny
Rodney Mack
Tiger Ali Singh (is showed in a pic, mentionned at 2 times, but no bio)
Daniel Puder
Spike Huber
Chris Walker
Kazarian
...

WWE Encyclopedia, May 13, 2009
I don't have anything much to say about this. This book is pretty good because it has all superstars and divas, but I found more match types on Wikipedia than in this book. I would buy it for the wrestlers and divas, but not for the matches.

Ehhh..., April 20, 2009
It's ok I guess... just more WWE propaganda. To be honest it was just an impulse buy leading up to wrestlemania. It seems to be relatively thorough... but the way that the WWE roster changes they are going to have to update it from time to time. It was good to see some of the old stars that are wrestling for other companies now still in the book.

If you are a must have WWE fanatic get it... I don't think it will be a collectors item or anything. They could have gone way deeper into the wrestling universe. It'd be a cool book to get autographed if you are ever at an event.

Not great at all., May 15, 2009
Reading this book I kind of marked out as a fan of WWE/WWF ever since the mid 1980's. However as I got into it and thought about a LOT of the entries it bothered me. The book being written "Kayfabe" is fine, it is a bit annoying seeing almost all the wrestling biographies have not been in this style, so having to look at a persons 15 gimmicks separately is a bit off putting.

My biggest problem with this book, besides the typo's as well as wrong footnotes which are not as bad as they could be, is the omissions of MANY people who wrestled for years with the company, including Brian Christopher, who is mentioned with his tag team, but his partners both get entries in the book. Also the lack of death information on MANY of the wrestlers. I am not saying you need to say Dino Bravo was murdered, but it would be nice to see that they stated he was dead. It seems according to this, Dino, as well as people such as Sapphire, and Kerry Von Erich would still be alive.

Is this a good beginning, probably, but with it's misdirections as well as most of it being written in "Kayfabe" are huge drawbacks.

Very Good Overall With Just A Few Issues..., April 6, 2009
I got the Encyclopedia last week and overall I was rather impressed with it. There were however some things that irked me. I'll list the major things.

The book is written mostly in kayfabe which means it pretends that people who wrestled under different identities were actually different people...such as Tony Atlas/Saba Simba, Iron Sheik/Col. Mustafa, Sultan/Fatu, and so on and so forth.

They are inconsistent with listing tag teams/stables/ factions. For some they list the group and also list separate profiles for each member, and for others they just lump everyone in the group profile and in some cases don't even mention the members by name. For example Owen Hart and Yokozuna each have separate profiles, then are grouped in another profile for the tag team Owen Hart and Yokozuna. Savio Vega has his own profile and is also featured in the Los Boricuas profile, but the other three members are not named, nor do they have their own profiles.

Since the WWE owns the rights to WCW, ECW, AWA, WCCW and others and they are inducting people into the WWE Hall of Fame from said promotions, I would have liked to see profiles on the wrestlers and personalities from those promotions included as well.

The title histories have some printing errors. In several instances the same title change is listed twice in a row. For instance the July, 09, 1986 entry where Fabulous Moolah won the title from Velvet McIntyre is repeated immediately below it.

Antonino Rocca's profile though labeled as "Antonino Rocca", is listed alphabetically by his nickname "Argentina". Gangrel is listed by real name Dave Heath, but his profile appears in the G section.

There is also a giant error where wrestling plumber T. L. Hopper (Dirty White Boy Tony Anthony of Smokey Mountain fame) is misnamed as PJ Walker. The real PJ Walker became Aldo Montoya then moved on to ECW where he became Justin Credible. Ironically, in the photo for this entry Hopper is fighting Aldo Montoya.


I've been able to think of a few WWE wrestlers/personalities that aren't listed at all in the Encyclopedia. Frankie Kazarian, Tiger Ali Singh, Nathan Jones, Amy Weber, Public Enemy, Sean O'Haire, Mordecai, Rico, Ernest Miller, Chris Walker, Ultimo Dragon, Rodney Mack, Daniel Puder, Kanyon, Doug Furnas and Phil Lafond, PG 13, Velvet McEntyre, Sakoda from the tag team Akio and Sakoda, Max Mini, Matt Morgan, Tony Schiavone, Kizarny, Sean Mooney, and Todd Pettingill to name a few.

Aside from these issues, the Encyclopedia is surprisingly detailed and informative and is well worth the purchase price in my opinion.

Very vague for true wrestling fans, August 7, 2009
I was excited to get this book until I opened it and saw that it was very vague and poorly organized. A lot of the information is repetitive, ie, if a wrestler had both a solo and tag team career they give the same info twice. For example Davey Boy Smith had a singles career and was tag team champ with Dynamite Kid; his info is given twice in two different parts of book, almost identically. This is done with every wrestler who had even a short -lived tag team partner, ie, DOn Muraco and Bob Orton who were only a team for a couple of months.
Another frustrating part is that many wrestlers portrayed different characters. Instead of listing them all in one single listing they list them as separate wrestlers ie, The Masked Superstar and Ax from Demolition were both portrayed by the same Bill Eadie (any real wrestling fan knows this) yet he has two seperate entries for the characters he played. It would be nice if they gave the person's real name as well as his alias'.
Another problem is many of the wrestler's have passed away. They don't have birth dates, death dates or cause of death, and in some instances they don't even mention a wrestler is dead. it just says they will be remembered as a great competitor or something to that effect.
Overall, it seems like this book was rushed together with out much research. Most of this info is vague and not very intriguing for a wrestling fan looking for something new.
I give this book a grade of D.

Fantastic Book!, April 7, 2009
A must own book for WWE fans of all ages.Great Pictures,Loads of Detail.Buy It now,you will not regret it. ... Read more