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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Review

Reviews

An Invaluable Guide to the City, December 2, 2010
This is simply a great book about a great city. I especially like that it covers all five boroughs and not just Manhattan as many other NYC reference works focus on Manhattan. NYC is more than just Manhattan and that is part of what makes the City so fascinating and so alive. This is not simply an excellent reference book but the best general reference book I have ever seen on all aspects of the history of all parts of New York City.

great work but be careful, December 3, 2010
i wrote numerous entries and was an associate editor, but the volume was not as closely edited as it should have been (eg, most entries were not marked up for review by their writers). thus, for scholars and serious readers, reliability is somewhere between a proper reference work and wikipedia. bottom line: use, but verify. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

This is a one-book country library., June 29, 1999
Carla Emery was a national treasure and this book ensures her legacy. This is simply the most informative book ever written on country living, the next best thing to having a live-in grandmother who knows everything there is to getting homegrown food from dreams to dinner plates plus nearly anything else you need to know. Begun as a 12-page table of contents for a recipe book in 1969, the present ninth edition has 858 pages of far more than recipes. Veggies, vines, trees, grains, poultry, goats, cows, bees, rabbits, sheep, pigs. Planning, nurturing, harvesting, preserving, preparing. Flipping pages at random finds starting transplants, breads leavened with eggs and beating, speeding up tomato sauce-making, harvesting herbs, making cider, managing an existing stand of trees, root cellar storage, soap making, brooding chicks, secrets to safe cattle handling, cultured buttermilk, cooking on a wood stove, jams and jellies, making a wool quilt. I use my "Carla book" constantly. If your budget or bookshelf has room for only one book, this is the book to buy. Yes, even before you buy mine.

The most complete and thorough book ever!, August 11, 1998
When I purchased an 8-acre ranch in 1985 I had a six-month old baby one on the way and had never been off of concrete in my life. Now I had 8-acres, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigs, 60 fruit and nut trees and an acre garden. I had no clue how or what to do! I learned everything from reading that book. How to harvest, can and cook up your garden & orchard harvest, feed and butcher animals, all kinds of doctoring for kids and animals, crafts, and even how to cut hair. That book is so dog-eared with tape from all of my years of use. I owe my sanity to that book. It has every scenario imaginable. I recommend it to anyone living in the country or on a farm or thinking of it. What I learned from Carla Emery's book will stay with me forever! The knowledge is priceless.

A Dissenting Opinion, June 27, 2003
This book appears to have a devoted following so I'm sure I'll arouse some ill will with this, but here goes.

There are several things potential readers need to know about this book. The first is that, as the other reviewers suggest, the author comes across as very friendly and sincere. Another is that it has been around in some form or another for a long time, long before many "hobby farm"-type books were available, and for that reason has many devoted fans, at least some of whom appear to be unaware of more modern reference books that have superceded this one in many respects. The next is that if you have a lot of free time, and you like nine hundred page books whose author is in no rush to get to any of its thousands of points, you'll love it.

The most important, though, is that if you would like the best, easiest to understand advice available on raising sheep, keeping chickens, growing a garden, and all the other fun but challenging aspects of hobby farming, you will be far better served by other books out there. I have a hobby farm on seven acres with fruit trees, vegetable garden, livestock, etc., and own many of the hobby farm books available. We have had the opportunity to consult them as we have learned from direct experience, and have found that there is a wide variety in usefulness.

While The Encyclopedia of Country Living contains good advice, this book has features that I believe the average modern, would-be hobby farmers will be put off by. One is its overwhelming, unnecessary, and frustrating length. It wouldn't be so bad if each paragraph was a sparkling, concise gem of practical wisdom, i.e, if it really were written like an actual encyclopedia, but core information is often clouded with anecdotes, nostalgia, sermonizing, etc. If you are the kind of person who likes reading books about country life, but who doesn't actually live in the country and doesn't plan to, this may be something you enjoy, but it made this book difficult to use for me.

Moreover, the author regularly feels obliged to list the many and disparate views on a particular topic held by her friends, or by people who have written her letters over the years. A number of these printed comments are either pointless or really daft, and are liable to confuse more than enlighten the would-be hobby farmer, especially since the author often does not make clear which ideas have most merit, scientifically or from her own personal experience.

I believe the average person who plans on "country living" or hobby farming will find other books far more useful. The updated and revised "Backyard Livestock", by Steven Thomas, is absolutely brilliant for beginning hobby farmers serious about keeping animals for food, eggs, milk, etc. It is concise while still telling you everything you need to know. For those wishing more detailed information on livestock, the various Storey's guides to raising farm animals are also excellent. If you are interested in fruit or berry cultivation, you will find the Stella Otto books far more valuable than this one. For vegetable gardening, "The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Edward C. Smith is the best. I could go on, but my personal experience is this: if you would like to hobby farm, be successful at it, and have fun doing it, you'll need the best information you can get. For most of us, this means a few A-list, reliable, practical, concise, understandable reference books. Despite its length and sometimes charming autobiographical features, there's no reason why you should buy "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" when so many other books on country living now are superior to it.

Please understand the purpose of this book., November 28, 2004
I have the first, home-printed edition of this book, as well as the latest edition.When I read the various comments, I see some misunderstanding of the nature of this book.Carla's book is not just a reference (there are better ones in specific areas)but an autobiography as well. We learn about a lifestyle many of us will never know, but find facinating. We learn of the struggles and successes of one family. And along the way, we learn a great deal about small subsistance farms (not hobby farms). Use Carla's book for reference, but also entertainment and education. It's a fun read, and need not be done in one sitting or in any order. Just enjoy!

ignore the negative criticism, April 13, 2005
This is a charming and useful book. I am a newcomer to Carla Emery's work and indeed have read many of the other more concise, straightforward and professional books out there about farming and country living. Not only is there a TON of useful information in this book, people who enjoy the meandering, prolific style are not at fault for liking the book. Carla Emery, who has been living this way and writing long before other resources appeared, is still a respected source of wisdom. There are tidbits and tips that you might never see in a "professional" book, and the "Oddments" section alone was worth buying this book. The list of resources from native skills to homesteading to renewable energy sources to emergency preparedness is amazing. If you want to live closer to the land and be radically more self-sufficient doing so, you probably will not find more information on a wide range of topics in one place. In Carla's book, you get detailed information PLUS recommendations about other sources of information, classes, organizations, magazines, and more. I didn't know so much was out there!

Together with a stock of standard, concise, and more professional books on raising livestock, organic gardening, energy, or whatever else you choose to incorporate into your lifestyle, this book is invaluable and passionate -- because passionate is what we SHOULD be about the agrarian movement.

[To add to this review...] The scope and detail of this book is amazing. It has TONS of recipes, stories, and ideas for back-to-basics traditional living that come from years and years of collected wisdom and experience that you probably couldn't get anywhere else. What if you lived in a rural area for, say, a month, and couldn't go to a grocery store and wanted to know how to survive? It is truly an encyclopedia of folk knowledge and so much more. Want to know how to use garlic and onion for medicinal purposes? Want to learn about different types of diets? Want to use up scraps and throw away very little, or eat more vegetables, or be entertained by tidbits and tales from the country? Here is a compendium of information, in all its glory.

One of the best, September 2, 2003
"The Encyclopedia of Country Living" is an expansive volume of collected wisdom, techniques, recipes, and other information for living in the country. To a great extent it is a volume on self-sufficiency without harming the environment in any substantial way. The only assumption that seems to be made is that the land you purchase will have a house on it or you will have one built. Everything else, from buying the land, to what plants to plant, when to plant them, where to get them, how to grow them, and how to harvest them to what animals to raise, how to raise them, how to use them for food and dairy to how to deal with child birthing in the wilderness (where you may be alone when it happens), dealing with pollution, enriching your soil, and even worm farming. This is an exhaustive study in country living with very detailed and thorough sections on farming. In addition the author includes page after page of other sources of information, where to purchase things, catalogue sources, websites, and just about every other conceivable way to get the items mentioned in the text. If there was a way to take all the old-timers in the country, get them all together, draw out all the skills they have learned over the years and distill it into a book this is the book that you would create. "The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 9th Edition" is a very highly recommended read not only for those looking to move to the country after a lifetime in the city, but also for those who, like me, have that backyard garden and could use the extensive information presented here to make it even more successful and fun.

How this book began..., October 16, 2005
What the previous reviewer seems not to realize, is that this book began more like a subscription recipe newsletter than a book. My grandmother subscribed to it in the 70s and she got it a few pages at a time, as Carla wrote it... oft times her subscribers wrote her their ideas/experiences/etc and she included these notes in her "newsletters"... the book kind of grew from this, and that's why it's a huge book where the author seems to take a long time getting to the many points made in the book... there are a lot of points, because she sent out a lot of separate "newsletters" on different topics! And that's also why there are lots of comments from her friends (subscribers) through-out.

This book is a wonderful treasure for any homesteader, and I'm happy to have inherited my grandmother's copy (in a *huge* three ring notebook) as well as a newer bound edition.

Sadly the world lost Carla Emery this week, but I'm sure heaven is enjoying her presence! She was an amazing, fascinating person.

I LIVED IT!, October 23, 1998
Unlike the previous reviewers, I lived this book. I was raised in a big city in Florida and moved to a small country town (pop. 181) in the Arkansas mountains. I was in my late 20's and imagined myself as part of the back-to-the-earth movement. A friendly librarian pointed me to this book, which I bought after checking it out so often.

Since we moved to a small community where "everyone was related" except us, we did not get much neighborly help at first. The first week there we bought baby goats (which rode home in the front seat with me), 2 pigs (which didn't), and planted our garden. Using Carla's book we mail-ordered baby chicks who lived in our bathtub until the weather got warmer. We bought a wood stove and learned to can and dry vegetables. I tried most everything, using Carla's book as a reference.

When it came time to butcher our hogs, we could not get anyone to help us, even for $$. The closest we had been to a hog before moving to Oden was in the grocery store. So we checked out Carla's book and I sat on the cab of the truck reading the instructions aloud while DH took aim and shot the pig. We were both very nervous, so we went inside (it was very cold) and had a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, when we went back outside, the pig was up and boy, was he mad! I won't go into any further details except to say we had funny looking meat that winter, but it was tasty. By the way, the townsfolk treated us differently from then on.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that you can really do what she says and make it happen. Carla gives you practical backyard-to-table "hands-on" advice, and I've recommended it to may people.

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!, August 29, 2001
This is it folks. This gem is unbelievable. In my life I must have purchased over 3,000 cookbooks - probably 500 from amazon alone. Although this is NOT a cookbook (it does have many recipies), this is "THE" book! Read the previous reviews. I'll echo them. Be warned though, it is going to take you months to get through it all. It is THAT detailed. There are no pretty, color, glossy pictures - rather a weatlh of information I think would take you and I years to find. Carla Emery pulled this one off for us! It took her 24 years to produce (read about it in her bio in the back of the book).
Want to learn how to churn butter? ...turn to page 759. Need info on raising chickens? ...turn to page 619. How about topics like this: practical advice on milking a goat, canning peaches, cooking on a wood stove, how to catch a pig, buying land, drying your herbs, making sourdough spiced apple cookies, secrets of quick pickles, homemade spiced orange tea, preserving meat. Also learn how to: travel with animals, what to do if you see a downed animal, how to make good gelatin, freezing fish, raising chickens, feeding geese, vetting and grooming a goat, butchering a cow, making home made cheese - I mean this gem is loaded.
I also thought what a great gift this would make for someone bedridden - say in traction in the hospital? This will certainly keep ones interest since it covers THOUSANDS of topics - hence the name; The ENCYCLOPEDIA of Country Living. (Move over Martha Stewart!) Give this book to some of your city slicker friends - they might learn a thing or two about life outside of a 10 x 10' garden. Hey - get one for yourself, a dozen or so for Christmas gifts, a gross for the Annual Church Bizaar. Enjoy! (DISCLAIMER: I am in no way receiving compensation for this review - heck, I just loved the book!)

A must own for the serious homesteader beginner, June 12, 2006
This is a huge book 11x9 and shy 900 pages. The cover says over 600,000 copies have been sold but I bet its millions by now. When I first ordered the book I assumed it would be good, but its better than good. As a real homesteader I recommend this book for a variety of reason.

The chapters are long and thorough. Choosing to Buy Land and the chapters on Resources for Back to the Basics, Living Simply, Health Matters and Living Simply are excellent. Because in the buying land section which is long she covers everything from can you get a job near by if you need to still work, can you do with your land what you want, how do you know if the land is fertile, and the wheel and deal aspects involved. Knowing if the land is fertile is a must for anyone who wants to be fully self sufficient since growing food is a top priority.

Being able to do what you wish with your land is also important, because there are places where if you want to use a stream that runs thru your property to harness water generated power, or you want to cull trees, you have to get permits. Same with wanting to add an addition onto your abode. Some places demand you get a permit while others will let you build with the understanding that when you sell, the place is sold 'as is'.

Her food section is humongous and covers everything from seeds to growing the garden to preserving what you grow either in a cellar, or by canning, freezing or drying. She has information galore on predators, insects and snakes. Barns and fences, which is important because I know first hand what a poor fence job or poor animal shelter will do when it comes to animals getting in or out.

She has a huge section on poultry as well as goats cows, home dairying, bees, rabbits and pigs. And what is involved with birth to butchering. Speaking as someone who has had chickens for decades, and have consumed my fair share of home grown milk and meat, knowing what is involved in growing quality animals will save you lots of money in the end. Not to mention the home grown item tastes so much better than commercially grown animals. And knowing what is involved, what tools you will need when it comes time to cull or slaughter an animal is a must if the job is to be done humanely, safely and well.

She also has an important section on caring for your own dead. Don't wince! This is very important and is a natural life process. And knowing how to deal with the local authorities as far as burying a loved one on ones own property is very important. I speak of this as a widow. Caring for ones own dead isn't as hard or creepy as one thinks. Same with knowing how to handle a birth at home. On page 35 as an example she also writes about how to bath under primitive conditions, which is what we have to do here in the Sierras when the power goes out due to snow. ... Read more

Editorial Review

When we published The Encyclopedia of Immaturity in 2007, we knew it would make a great gift for someone’s nephew. And, sure enough, people gave it to their nephews — but also to their grandparents, brothers-in-law and accountants. Soon we were flooded with letters, e-mails and calls sharing one common theme — ""More! More! More!""So here’s a second helping of skills, activities, and secret knowledge — suitable only for those whose maturity stopped developing around the age of 12. In addition to thought-provoking topics like What We Talk About When We Talk About Wedgies, the book includes detailed directions for how to: fake a cold, slide down a banister, balance a ping pong ball on your nose, send a toiletgram, throw a sloshie, and more. It’s all new and all hopelessly goofy. You can imagine our delight as we looked over the sales figures for the first volume of this encyclopedia. For years we’ve felt like the only kids at the grown-up table. Now it turns out the world is populated by a lot more people who are lot less mature than they look. Well, duh! ... Read more

Reviews

Best Yet! Approved by Kids and Adults Alike!, August 10, 2009
I originally purchased the Encyclopedia of Immaturity V1 for my nephew but it was such a hit with both adults and kids that it ended up making the rounds instead. When Volume 2 came up for sale I knew I had to get it but wasn't sure if it would "make the cut". So often it seems the first volume is the best and the rest is just added on to ride on the fame of the original. No so with this one!

First, the thin page problem mentioned by many reviewers in the first volume is fixed in this one. Pages are substantially thicker - although that leads to fewer total tips. However the quality of the tips is as good - if not better - than the original. Same silly jokes, fun but young "tricks" and an abundance of totally meaningless activiites sure to delight everyone.

Cover is the same material as the first, very nice and thick. Pages are thicker with glossy sheen made to last longer and wording is in keeping with all the Klutz products (of which we have purchased several including the airplanes, art-rageous projects, museum in a book, Do Not Open this Book, Maze, Bubbles and many others! Each and every one is a huge hit with everyone!).

My younger brother (nearly 40) loved this as did our nephew, 11 year old neighbor and everyone in between. Fun stuff! Perfect gift for younger siblings of any age or kids over for a visit.

woo hoo!!!!, February 14, 2008
Kiwi Magazine Review:
The first Encyclopedia of Immaturity was stellar, we're not sure how Klutz managed to come up with even more antics, anecdotes and advice. For example, some people subtly adjust to fix a wedgie, but this book encourages everyone to fly their underwear flag and discuss the wild world of wedgies (self-inflicted or from a naughty brother). I thought of dozens of people who would really appreciate this book and I wished something this important had been published in my childhood so I could have been informed about the right way to convince my mom that I was really too sick for school. Every. Single. Monday. Shenanigans are the new manners. The age range for the book is a complete farce (it says 9-12); I can think of numerous 50+ males who will have root beer coming out of their noses when they read this.

Good for kids, January 14, 2010
I bought Volumes 1 and 2 for my niece. She had briefly flipped through Vol. 1 months before and hadn't stopped talking about it. She apparently loves it, as does my step-daughter; they are both 10. I found it to be trite and rather silly, but I suppose that's why it's the Encyclopedia of "Immaturity." I usually am able to bond with their goofiness, but I don't quite get it this time. But I am definitely happy to see the kids having a positive experience with a book in their hand, and it does incite amusing conversations.

Way Too Much Fun for Kids, January 1, 2010
My 10 year old son already had Encyclopedia of Immaturity (Klutz)Volume 1 and loved it. We purchased that one at a Scholastic sale so unfortunately it did not have the spiral binding. This is important because there are pages that need to be photocopied or scanned and printed and the book binding does not lend itself to this.

When he found out that a new version was available, he was thrilled. This version comes with a wrap around hard cover and wire binding.

There is enough stuff in each of these books to keep kids entertained for hours. Some are practical jokes, others are strange facts.

It consists of primarily one page tidbits like "How to Make and Throw a Sloshie" (with water and toilet paper), the Physics of a Cannonball in the Water, How to Play Tabletop Hockey, and one of my son's favorites, How to Hypnotize a Chicken.

A few things are mischievous, others are old fashioned and fun.

They are all harmless and a real draw for young boys and girls.

A Blast., November 17, 2009
This book is a blast. It is full of father-sons kind of pranks and projects. What dad wouldn't enjoy making the "world's best paper airplane," along with his son? It is peppered with jokes and beginner magic projects. I read a lot with my 8 year old son, but this book is far and away the one he enjoys most. Buy it. You'll be glad you did. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Whether you just bought your first sewing machine or have been sewing for years, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts will open your eyes to an irresistible range of ideas. A comprehensive visual reference, the book covers everything a home sewer craves: the basics of sewing by hand or machine, along with five other time-honored crafts techniques, and step-by-step instructions for more than 150 projects that reflect not only Martha Stewart’s depth of experience and crafting expertise, but also her singular sense of style.
 
Encyclopedic in scope, the book features two main parts to help you brush up on the basics and take your skills to a new level. First, the Techniques section guides readers through Sewing, Appliqué, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing. Following that, the Projects A to Z section features more than 150 clever ideas (including many no-sew projects), all illustrated and explained with the clear, detailed instructions that have become a signature of Martha Stewart’s  magazines, books, and television shows.
 
An enclosed CD includes full-size clothing patterns as well as templates that can be easily produced on a home printer. Fabric, thread, and tool glossaries identify the properties, workability, and best uses of common sewing materials. And, perhaps best of all, when you need it most, Martha and her talented team of crafts editors offer you the reassurance that you really can make it yourself.
 
The projects are as delightful as they are imaginative, and include classic Roman shades, hand-drawn stuffed animals, an easy upholstered blanket chest, a quilted crib bumper, French knot-embellished pillowcases and sheets, and Japanese-embroidered table linens, among many others.With gorgeous color photographs as well as expert instruction, this handy guide will surely encourage beginners and keep sewers and crafters of all experience levels wonderfully busy for many years to come. ... Read more

Reviews

Useful, but not encyclopedic guide to sewing, February 24, 2010

Nice Reference for Martha Fans, March 9, 2010

Excellent beginner projects, March 3, 2010

BASIC is the key word here, February 24, 2010

Great projects!, March 3, 2010

There's a reason Martha's such a household name., February 25, 2010

This Book Makes Me Want to Dust Off My Sewing Machine, February 23, 2010

Helpful Tips and Sweet Projects, but Book Contains Previously Published Content, February 25, 2010

A true encyclopedia..., March 18, 2010

Everyone from 'tweens 'n teens to the proficient seamstress will find some WOW projects to do in here!, March 21, 2010

Editorial Review

The Huffington Post's "Let's Bring Back..." columnist, Lesley M. M. Blume, invites you to consider whatever happened to cuckoo clocks? Or bed curtains? Why do we have so many "friends" but have done away with the much more useful word "acquaintance"? All of these things, plus hot toddies, riddles, proverbs, corsets, calling cards, and many more, are due for a revival. Throughout this whimsical, beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of nostalgia, Blume breathes new life into the elegant, mysterious, and delightful trappings of bygone eras, honoring the timeless tradition of artful living along the way. Inspired by her much loved column of the same name and featuring entries from famous icons of style and culture, Let's Bring Back leads readers to rediscover the things that entertained, awed, beautified, satiated, and fascinated in eras past. ... Read more

Reviews

Enchanting read, gorgeous book, October 21, 2010
Let's Bring Back is a one-of-a-kind delight! I discovered numerous treasures from the past in its pages, many of which I would very much love to bring back. Lesley Blume has done her research, and brings a wickedly fun bit of wit to the writing. Much as the contents celebrate the tradition of well-made things, the book itself is gorgeously produced with charming emerald green accents and illustrations. Highly recommended.

A delightful nod to the past with a wink to modern times, October 21, 2010
Let's Bring Back is an engaging encyclopedia that is part history lesson, part style manual and an amusing look at the past, that is relevant to today. For anyone who has yearned for another era, this book is a must. Blume's collection is about adding a bit of art and style to one's life. And couldn't we all use a bit of that now, in an era where sweatpants are acceptable clothing to wear out, and men think showing their underwear is fashion?

The book is more than just a list of past personalities, styles, and products. Blume's charming delivery really makes the book. It's also more than just nostalgia, as Blume has her feet planted in today.
Let's Bring Back is also elegantly put together. A gorgeous embossed cover and a light blue ribbon inside make is a great gift. I don't often give 5-star ratings but I really love this book. I will definitely be giving this for Christmas this year.

An absolute pleasure, November 17, 2010
I heard about this book from several friend who couldn't stop raving about it. They wouldn't part with their copies, so I ended up purchasing my own. So glad I did. This is an inspiring work with viciously witty prose and a bonanza of information about things we should reintroduce into our lives from prior eras. Some of the entries are practical, other fanciful, but the spirit of the book throughout emphasizes the creative possibilities of everyday living. The guest entries from various luminaries like James L. Brooks, Ted Koppel, Kate Spade, and Nora Ephron were a bonus, and the illustrations and presentation make for a wonderful reading experience. Highly recommended!

Great gift book, December 3, 2010
I happened to buy this for myself, but this would make a great gift to an older person, or anyone like myself who's obsessed with the past in relation to pop culture and way of life.

a fun homage to all things past, November 28, 2010
I'm only about half way through this book (in the M's right now), but I absolutely adore it! It's a lot of fun to read about things that used to be common, but are now so often overlooked. I must say, while I know old times weren't as simplistic or great as we like to think, I definitely think they had a lot more fun. While today we're more economical, it'd be nice to have a few non-economical things in my life. Of course I'm sure more than a few of the things she describes were generally more common in wealthier circles.

Needless to say, definitely buy this book! It's full of wonderful people, places, things, and words that have fallen out of use (or died or been demolished). Some of my favorites that she mentions are the lack of libraries in modern homes, servants stairs (obviously not needed since we don't have servants, but fun nontheless), and the word "holiday" instead of vacation. It's definitely giving me some ideas for my future home (and my future holiday).

A Laugh Out Loud Joy, December 23, 2010
A true and witty delight, this encyclopedia of nostalgia is a dip-in-and-out-of-yet-cannot-put-down chuckle, snort and laugh out loud joy.

It is a call to bring back `Attention Spans'; `the Jitterbug'; `Eccentricity'... and it calls in a MOST amusing manner. As I lounge on my bed, indulging in her sublimely chosen words and anecdotes, I am whisked back to not only my grandmother's enchanted world of 'Wind-up Phonograph Players' and 'Monocles' (`Wearing one can make you look very opinionated even you have nothing to say for yourself' - wise tip - I shall purchase one immediately), but also my own, of `Eggbeaters' (`They look like good exercise' - yes, Ms Blume, they are) and the word `Kerfuffle' (`An amusingly prim and old-fashioned word for commotion, particularly amusing if the kerfuffle in question is not particularly prim' - as they never were), and, of course, a world of truly extinct objects; I especially like the entry for `Plumed Helmets': `An insidious approach to warfare: your opponents will die of laughter'.

I can absolutely agree with J Guild's admiration of this "tome" as a gorgeous "trip down memory lane" for many, but certainly not with the idea that "If you are under 40, you won't find much in this book that will ring your bell." I am well under 40 and my bell is ringing constantly. An absolute must for all.

A Great Nostalgia Trip, December 21, 2010
I loved this book. It reminded me of things I'd forgotten and taught me about things I was unaware of. Besides, Lesley Blume's humor is fantastic.

Charming, Wicked, and Witty, December 16, 2010
I bought this book for my sister for Christmas, and when it arrived, I couldn't help start reading it. By the time I got to the middle of the book, it was clear that I was going to keep it for myself (yes, I bought her another copy). There is so much to love about this book. As its content was very vast - from 1950s kitchens to 1920s Hollywood to ancient Rome - I will just pick a few things that I loved: the passages about bringing back "discreet voices," "handwritten thank-you notes," the word "acquaintance," "calling cards," "the language of flowers", "winter picnics," and "top hats," to name a few. I also laughed out loud more than once, when coming across passages about things like "duels" ("because litigation is so cost-prohibitive, and takes too long as well"), "curses and hexes," and the word "slattern."

Finally, I loved reading all of the contributions by people like Nora Ephron, Kate Spade, Letitia Baldrige (who was Jackie Kennedy's White House Social Secretary), Janie Bryant, and James L. Brooks. Ted Koppel also had a very poignant passage about bringing back "Outdoor Childhoods." Each one of these guest passages was so distinctive, and it made me realize that everyone really is nostalgic for something.

Like some of the other reviewers, I also wish that the font was a little bit bigger, but on the whole I thought the book was beautiful and different from anything else I've seen. I like that it didn't have a paper cover; its textured cover was very unique.

Anyway, it's not just a great holiday gift, but something to keep on your bedstand throughout the year. Amazon, hurry up and get more in stock! I have many people in my life who will treasure this book.

We NEED this book, December 7, 2010
How I love this book. I've always been a lover of vintage fashion and Old Hollywood, but I learned so much from its pages. Wonderful, rich, unlikely anecdotes about everyone from the Marx Brothers to surrealist designer Elsa Schiaparelli to the ever-naughty Mae West. Yes, the book is officially an encyclopedia - but it often reads like prose. So witty! Wonderful turns of phrase - infinitely quotable.

Another important thing about Let's Bring Back: beneath all of these entries -- which provide a rich tour of American social, culinary, and cultural history -- is a quiet call for a return to a civilized code of behavior. A return to mannered living, as it were. Not stuffy, rigid codes of behavior, but rather it calls for a resurgence of respectful behavior. In bygone eras, we used to honor certain experiences by dressing for them: dinner, theater, ballet performances, flying. These days, casualness has gone too far -- and we're worse off because of it. This book arrives not a moment too late - we need reminders like this, about what we've thrown away and what we're missing.

Also, it's a lovely, unusual-looking book. The illustrations and other art were beautiful, sometimes strange, and sometimes funny as hell. All in all, this book radiates a particular, quirky, and unique personality -- someone you would have loved to have invited to a dinner party in the old days. Highly recommended reading.

This book brings back the charm!, December 3, 2010
You can tell that a great deal of love and thought went into writing this book. I'm about a third of the way through and find myself nodding and smiling at the turn if every page. I've long felt that I was originally from another era and think the author probably was as well. We have exchanged far too many good behaviours in for what have become slovenly comforts and bad manners. We've traded in politeness, backbones and thoughtfully handwritten letters for hunching over mobiles during dinner dates. We've lost a sense of self-pride in dressing for work, shopping, travelling by instead wearing our pajama pants in public. I hope by reading this that people will bring back bits and pieces of the past into their own lives. I think we'll all be better people for it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The creators of the New York Times best-selling Encyclopedia Prehistorica series offer a mythic look at the mysteries of the past with an entire pantheon of remarkable pop-ups.

For all of recorded history, humans have sought to understand Earth’s mysteries in the realm of the divine — and aspired to conduct themselves as heroes. Only gods, of course, could push the sun across the sky,forge entire continents, and impel mountains to touch the clouds. In this stunning volume, the incomparable team of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda take us to Ra-Atum’s land in Ancient Egypt; above the Grecian clouds to Zeus’s Mount Olympus; up to Norse god Odin’s frozen north; to the Far East, where the Jade Emperor sits in the heavens; into the wilds of Oceania, where Pele’s volcanic rage simmers below the earth; and to many more lands and times, all rich with sacred myths and legends. ... Read more

Reviews

The Best One Yet, January 21, 2010
I have collected pop-up books for over 30 years. This is the best one yet! It is a combination of imaginative and mind boggling artwork. The illustrations combined with information works to a great degree for all ages. I highly recommend this as a great gift for anyone for yourself or a loved one.
Sara F.

An irresistible treasure and a very special look at the stories and figures of ancient and indigenous mythology, June 14, 2010
The myths of the ancient world hold much fascination for readers of all ages. Children especially seem drawn to tales of the Olympian deities, Viking legends and Mediterranean heroes. Couple this interest with the fantastic engineered paper books by Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda, and you have a book kids can truly experience. In Encyclopedia Mythologica's GODS AND HEROES, the bestselling duo teams up again for a three-dimensional exploration of the tales of the ancient world.

The book starts in Egypt, and opening to the first page releases a large pop-up of the falcon-headed god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris and the god associated with the ancient pharaohs. A smaller page on this double-page spread tells Horus's story with several moving parts (look behind that for Imhotep's pyramid). Next it's off to Greece, where the castle of Mt. Olympus springs forth as does the legendary city of Atlantis and the figures of several Greek goddesses. The section on the "Kingdoms of the Mighty North" features a fierce Viking and a glimpse of Freyja as she leads her Valkyries into battle and a lovely pop-up illustration of the mythical cosmic ash tree called Yggdrasil.

Unlike so many children's books introducing mythology, GODS AND HEROES doesn't stop at Europe and Egypt but takes readers farther east to Asia and Oceania and to the Americas as well. Spider Woman, from Native American mythology, holds a web made of silvery thread, adding an interesting new textural element to the book. Refreshingly, Reinhart and Sabuda also give female deities and figures equal attention, like the violent Polynesian volcano goddess Pele, who seems to be spewing and flowing out of the volcano in the center of the page.

The text is both exciting and easy to understand; the Norse god Odin is introduced as the "grizzled lord of wisdom and magic." We are told that in the Iroquois story of the Celestial Woman, after falling from her home in the sky, "gazing up from below, a giant turtle took pity and softened her landing, while other beasts offered protection." The writing is just as illuminating, informative and enchanting as the visuals!

While young readers may be initially drawn to the amazing Viking ship and colorful Aztec-plumed serpent Quetzalcoatl, there are even more amazing delights hidden in the book. The story of Japanese folk hero Momotaro is secreted behind another pop-up panel, and a peach opens to reveal the tiny infant. This whimsical scene is one of the best in the book, and in just a few sentences readers will be intrigued by the charming tale.

As with other marvelous Reinhart and Sabuda books, this one may be easily damaged by little hands. Special care needs to be taken in turning pages or putting scenes back into folded place. But the construction is sturdier than you might think, and even if torn and worn over time, GODS AND HEROES is an irresistible treasure and a very special look at the stories and figures of ancient and indigenous mythology.

Heroic indeed!, January 19, 2010
WOW! Matthew Reinhart has done it again! He, along with partner Robert Sabuda have, in the past, set the standard for paper engineering and artwork in their amazing repertoire of pop-up books, and this time they may well have surpassed themselves. Each spread is a lavish display of technological creativity, while at the same time imparting facts and intriguing information with the text. The little side pages which one expects to see from these artists/authors is, in this case, each a little gem unto itself. This is an amazing book. It would spoil the fun for me to describe what you will find in between its covers. Instead, I encourage you to purchase this treasure and get the enjoyment of an amazing experience for yourself. I wish I could give it twenty stars. Bravo, Matthew Reinhart! See other favorites here: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the GalaxyCinderella: A Pop-Up Fairy Tale The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)A Pop-up Book of Nursery Rhymes (Limited Edition): A Classic Collectible Pop-Up

BEAUTIFUL!, October 1, 2010
This book is amazing! So much to see! Several different "pops" on every page. And just enough reading to give a good bit of background on the heroes and gods. Worth every single penny!

Another wonderful pop-up!, February 25, 2010
I absolutly love all the Sabuda and Reinhart pop-ups. Gods & Heroes is no exception- amazing detail, fun way to learn mythology. Many different cultures' mythology is included- Egyptian, Norse, Greek, Asian, South American & Native American. Would make a wonderful gift as well. A wonderful addition to my pop-up collection! ... Read more

Editorial Review

When it was originally published in 1987, An Incomplete Education became a surprise bestseller. Now this instant classic has been completely updated, outfitted with a whole new arsenal of indispensable knowledge on global affairs, popular culture, economic trends, scientific principles, and modern arts. Here’s your chance to brush up on all those subjects you slept through in school, reacquaint yourself with all the facts you once knew (then promptly forgot), catch up on major developments in the world today, and become the Renaissance man or woman you always knew you could be!

How do you tell the Balkans from the Caucasus? What’s the difference between fission and fusion? Whigs and Tories? Shiites and Sunnis? Deduction and induction? Why aren’t all Shakespearean comedies necessarily thigh-slappers? What are transcendental numbers and what are they good for? What really happened in Plato’s cave? Is postmodernism dead or just having a bad hair day? And for extra credit, when should you use the adjective continual and when should you use continuous?

An Incomplete Education answers these and thousands of other questions with incomparable wit, style, and clarity. American Studies, Art History, Economics, Film, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Science, and World History: Here’s the bottom line on each of these major disciplines, distilled to its essence and served up with consummate flair.

In this revised edition you’ll find a vitally expanded treatment of international issues, reflecting the seismic geopolitical upheavals of the past decade, from economic free-fall in South America to Central Africa’s world war, and from violent radicalization in the Muslim world to the crucial trade agreements that are defining globalization for the twenty-first century. And don’t forget to read the section A Nervous American’s Guide to Living and Loving on Five Continents before you answer a personal ad in the International Herald Tribune.

As delightful as it is illuminating, An Incomplete Education packs ten thousand years of culture into a single superbly readable volume. This is a book to celebrate, to share, to give and receive, to pore over and browse through, and to return to again and again. ... Read more

Reviews

The only thing I learned in college, June 13, 2000
The thing I most remember from ALL my college courses is this book. AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION is truly a wonderful supplement to any person's knowledge.

This book is basically an intellectual history overview with a lot of helpful charts and guides. It's written in a very humorous tone, and it hits the humor target more often than not. If you feel that you lack knowledge, this is the book for you. It's not in depth, but it does tell you what you SHOULD know in all areas, including history, philosophy, music, art, and even film. My personal favorite features are the Latin abbreviations and the "Words you pronounce wrong but if you pronounced them right, you'd be considered a pretentious snob" feature.

For a good time (and to increase your IQ), read this book. It's tongue-in-cheek, but it's a wealth of information.

Great gift, even for yourself., December 28, 2000
After giving this book to my daughter upon her graduation, I found I couldn't resist buying another copy for myself. Whether you're interested in a "refresher" or in a quick briefing on an academic area you never had time for--film studies, for example--or structuralist and post-structuralist criticism--you're likely to find the field treated in this lively, fascinating, edifying volume. The authors provide definitions, canons of the essential works, profiles of major contributors to the field, and judicious evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each major thinker or artist. When an individual, text or movement is overrated or becoming passe, the authors are not afraid to say so. And unlike similar collections--the "Dummies" books, for example--this text is far more than an accumulation of trivia. The authors manage to provide narrative continuity to each academic area and, above all, a sense of perspective. Since their judgements strike me as on target in the areas with which I'm familiar, I'm inclined to trust them in those disciplines I don't know much about. The only reason not to pick up the book right away is the possibility that a new edition is just around the corner.

A tongue in cheek synopsis, January 9, 2001
I first ran across this book on a friend's coffee table. After thumbing through it, I knew I had to have a copy of my own. It is witty, humorous and surprisingly accurate. The authors intentionally don't take the subject matter seriously in deference to those legions of name droppers and intellectuals who do.

Each chapter covers a specific subject area ("Art history", "Film", "Music", etc.) which is further broken down into essential "need-to-know" sections like "A Trio of Geographical Clarifications for a Nation that, Frankly Would Rather Skateboard" or "A Night at the Opera: manners and morals for the MTV Generation." The writing itself is similarly tongue-in-cheek. In a section titled "How to Tell Keats from Shelly" the authors write, "Keats is the one you'd play racquetball with. He wasn't happy, exactly, but he was better adjusted and less the outcast then Shelly and it shows."

I certainly got a kick out of reading it. If you are searching for a good laugh that is also enlightening, (and will fill the holes in your college education), this is the book for you. But PLEASE don't take this book too seriously.

Great book but don't take it too seriously!, April 20, 1999
This book was given to me as a gift upon completion of my MBA to "round out" my education. I read it cover to cover and enjoyed it very much (I am ordering a new copy because a friend "borrowed" it). I had great fun with the witty commentary. In fact, at times, I thought that absurd analogies actually helped explain esoteric and abstract concepts in a more simple and understandable manner (maybe my philosophy prof should consider these methods). I understand the criticism of many people who claim that the book is a shallow and "incomplete" coverage of the topics - it absolutely is. Reading the section on opera by no means makes one an expert or replaces the experience, nor does it intend to. Instead, I think it either gives a novice a fun introduction or presents the expert with a funny perspective on what they already know. So, having been to both Wagner and Mozart operas, I enjoyed reading how they could contrast the two in layman's terms (a great chapter, I might add). Simply put: If you are capable of not taking it too seriously, you'll love this book. If not, don't take yourself too seriously, and then buy it!

Fun and fascinating!, July 12, 1999
The people here who gave this book a negative review clearly just didn't get it. This book is not intended as an education itself (hence the title), but as an introduction and overview that will hopefully send you off to learn more. But the best thing about this book is its wit. Saying that the authors should have dispensed with the comments and gotten down to information misses the whole point! I love this book, and recommend it to all my friends.

An Armchair Education, November 9, 2006
Have you longed to be able to pick up a reference book for an instant, uncomplicated answer to that vexing question Do you shrink from discussing such topics as why all of Shakespeare's comedies are not "thigh slappers"? Or maybe you caught yourself referring to Evelyn Waugh as "she".

An Incomplete Education is just the sort of book that provides a framework in twelve areas of knowledge including the Arts, Philosophy, Political Science, World History, Music and much more. The original edition was published in 1987; the third updated and expanded edition came out in 2006. It's a book of knowledge that is also very well paced and entertaining. For example, in the literature section, they identify "twelve fictional characters with whom you should have at least a nodding acquaintance"; in political science: "What you need to know before answering a personals ad in the International Herald Tribune".
According to authors Judy Jones and William Wilson, "In a world of bits and bytes, of reruns and fast forwards, of information overloads , . . it feels good to be grounded."
Clearly, this is not a COMPLETE Education. To wit: the title. After all, how would anyone define what might be a COMPLETE education. Rather, the book is a useful volume which helped me to organize my thinking. It is a companion that sits on my bookshelf "at the ready" when questions arise, (what do I really understand about the difference between Shiites and Sunnis) or when a Lexicon is needed to settle the question of whether continual or continuous is the appropriate word. It is a great addition to anyone's library, or a gift for someone who asks a lot of questions. I found myself savoring--and chuckling over-- each section.

Useful, in quite an unexpected way, June 3, 2007
I found this book to be entirely unlike what I expected. I was hoping for a book that gives snippets of information that adults could use in everyday life but are missing, regarding issues such as grammar, etiquette, law, and so forth. That is not what this book deals with.
Laid forth are the histories of various fields, with respect to the creators, movers, and shakers of the classics and masterpieces. While there is some trivia as such, what you learn from this book is not only how things such as economics, popular music, literature, etc., got started, but the major courses they traversed, i.e., WHY THINGS ARE THE WAY THEY ARE TODAY.
This book won't give you much to boast about at a cocktail party, but will give you an overall understanding of the state of the arts, politics, and the rest of the world in general, which may be of more use than what I had intended on buying in the first place.

Entertaining and Educational. Outstanding reading., January 3, 1999
I'm buying this book to replace the 2 copies that were "borrowed" by "friends" who "forgot" to return them. I've learned my lesson -- I'm going to hide this copy. Simply put, I love this book. I don't understand the customer reviewers who didn't appreciate the fact that this isn't simply a dry compendium of facts. There are plenty of books out there (can you say encyclopedia?) that fit that bill. In fact, this book is specifically designed for people who don't like to read serious books full of dry information because, well, think about it; if you liked serious books full of dry information, you wouldn't be reading this book because you'd already know all the stuff that's in it. Does that make sense? No? O.K, try his: buy the book. You'll like it.

An Incomplete Education, Revised Edition, January 15, 2007
I have found this book to be very readable and user-friendly. It is an excellent reference for anyone who is curious about many different topics. I used the original edition several years ago when I taught Humanities class in high school, and my students found it to be a valuable resource. I particularly like the way the book is organized in broad topics and then in alphabetical order within those topics.

Another valuable resource along the same vein is A Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.

Missing the point, July 23, 2002
I think those who are critical of this book would benefit from reading the introduction. If they did so, they would find that it is not really meant to replace an in-depth knowledge of the topics covered. On the contrary, this book is meant as something of a sampler: it gives just enough to pique the reader's interest, and the reader is then expected to research further the topics in question on his or her own. To criticize the discussions in this text for being shallow is thus completely misguided, I think. I believe that it's similarly unfair to criticize the authors for not covering every topic under the sun -- it is an 'incomplete' education, after all. I also am surprised at the level of annoyance other reviewers have expressed at the tone of the writing in this book. Unlike these reviewers, I found the book humourous and the writing suitably light, considering the stated aims of the authors. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From elite bodybuilding competitors to gymnasts, from golfers to fitness gurus, anyone who works out with weights must own this book -- a book that only Arnold Schwarzenegger could write, a book that has earned its reputation as "the bible of bodybuilding."

Inside, Arnold covers the very latest advances in both weight training and bodybuilding competition, with new sections on diet and nutrition, sports psychology, the treatment and prevention of injuries, and methods of training, each illustrated with detailed photos of some of bodybuilding's newest stars.

Plus, all the features that have made this book a classic are here:

Editorial Review

From the world's preeminent paper engineers comes an awe-inspiring tribute to the world's most beloved extinct animals and their 180-million-year reign on the planet!

More than 35 complex and stunning pop-ups include a massive T. Rexthat springs out, flashing a startling jawful of jagged teeth.Turnthe page and a ravishing raptor unfurls and appears to fly off theedge of the book.

This breathtaking pop-up book offers up-to-the-minute information on more than 50 dinosaur species.Six multi-layered spreads each feature one spectacular, large pop-up and several booklets of smaller pop-ups and text. ... Read more

Editorial Review

What would Apollo's online profile look like? What would Aphrodite say if she had her own blog? Greek mythology hall of famers meet the modern age in a new series that brings the superstars of Greek myth to life with stories that put them in the pantheon! Complete withprofiles, headshots, family trees, fascinating sidebars and irreverent surprises, Mythlopedia is for readers who love action, romance, power struggles and more! ... Read more

Reviews

Fun look up book, December 28, 2009
I bought this book for my son (age 9) after reading the first Percy Jackson book. My son wanted to learn more about the Olympians and the Greek Gods. I gave him the book after school and he immediatly started to look through it. He spent the next half hour reading (choosing the book over his video games). He really enjoys the book and the colorful cartoons are fun and entertaining (at least for my son) As a quick look up reference guide, it's a fun book to have.

Great intro to mythology, January 13, 2010
Finally a fun new introduction to Greek mythology for the new millenium kids! Oh My Gods! goes a long way to capture the excitement and the fascination of those incredibly dynamic Mt. Olympus beings. I've loved Greek mythology since 1958, when my grandmother dusted off D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths for me. D'Aulaire is still on my library's shelf -- and it's still just as dusty! Oh My Gods!, with its great graphics and photos, pop-up factoids, and crammed texts, will be greatly appreciated by kids raised on Dorling Kindersley layouts. This is a great addition to any mythology section, and it's the first book I'll give my grandchildren on the subject. Although not the last. As an introduction and a companion guide, Oh My Gods! is a lot of fun, but it just begins to scratch the depths of this fascinating subject.

OMG! It's Great!, April 12, 2010
After reading the first of the Percy Jackson books, and being a lover of the Hercules and Xena television series from years back (am I old???), I realized that I could use a little supplemental knowledge regarding Greek mythology. But, I wasn't prepared to read The Odyssey!
This little book is a great way to begin to introduce Greek folklore to both young and old alike. It's presented in a light but logical fashion with lots of pictures and fun details. Don't pass it up...!!!

Great for Percy Jackson fans, March 1, 2010
I bought this book and What A Beast! for my son as he read the first Percy Jackson book. He had many questions about the origin of the characters and their stories. No doubt Rick Riordan opened up a new world of mythology for many children. There are background stories that are alluded to in the series that interested my son. This book engages the children with fun short descriptions of each of the Gods. Everytime a new God was introduced in the series, my son turned back to this book for more info. It was very helpful to him and he has spent hours reading it so far. Not an indepth view of Greek Mythology if that is what you are looking for here. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Where were Venetian blinds invented?
What color is the black box on a commercial airplane?
Where did India ink originate?*

Most of us know more than we think we know. We also think we know more than we actually do-because some of what we think we know simply "ain't so." We all harbor misconceptions that are accepted not only because they are popular but also because they make sense.

It makes sense to believe, for example, that German chocolate originated in Germany rather than the truth: that German chocolate is so named because it was created by Sam German. It seems logical to believe that Mercury is the hottest planet because of its proximity to the sun, or that buttermilk contains butter, that Danish pastry is from Denmark, and that the boat race America's Cup was named after the United States of America.

In Sorry, Wrong Answer, Rod Evans takes readers on a tour of misleading trivia, debunking commonly held assumptions and sharing surprising "right" answers.

*Answers: Japan; Orange; China ... Read more

Reviews

A Treasure Trove of Right Answers, June 7, 2010
Rod Evans proves himself to be the master of trivia - and a true debunker-artist - with this outstanding collection of questions that, as the book's subtitle says, "even know-it-alls get wrong." There's something here to stymie every one of your "know-it-all" friends, family members, work colleagues, or acquaintances, with questions arranged in diverse topics, including American history, geography, science, sports, literature, music, the Bible, and religion. I particularly liked the two sections on quotations, which debunk misconceptions about the origins of such famous sayings as "Give me liberty or give me death!," "That government is best which governs least," and "There's a sucker born every minute." What makes this book stand out from all other trivia quiz books is not just the quality and diversity of the questions, but the thoroughness of the answers. Encyclopedic in its coverage, Sorry, Wrong Answer not only explains the right answers but also gives the reasons why so many people get them wrong. Seldom is so much accurate information presented in so interesting and entertaining a way as in this book.

Better than Dessert, June 24, 2010
Consuming the juicy morsels in this book is better than "pigging out" on dessert -- without the calories! You can partake of as little or as much as you have time for and come away feeling satisfied and edified. Filled with interesting facts artfully presented, this book provides hours of entertainment, alone or in a group. I learned something from every page. Even when I knew the correct answer to a quiz question, I eagerly turned to the full answer and invariably found yet another juicy morsel. One cannot have too much of the knowledge captured in this book. As usual with Dr. Evans's writings, his use of language is precise and informative. Both the style and the content of Sorry, Wrong Answer make it a worthy addition to the library of every curious reader.

Rod Evans hits it out of the park!!, June 17, 2010
This is truly a treasure trove of general knowledge origins and trivia. Well researched, referenced and written, it brings to light many common misconceptions about everything from the meaning or origin of everyday words and phrases to historical events. The answers are detailed and thorough. If you have a "Know-it-All" friend, this is the book to stump them with. Rod Evans has knocked it out of the park with this one!

Reviewed by Tom D., June 15, 2010
This book deals with truly useful trivia and should be regarded as a valuable resource and reference item. It will make a fun and practical library addition for anyone who pays attention to american culture and the english language. Rod Evans is a very talented guy who really does his homework. Good job.

Fun for Everyone, July 7, 2010
Which group started the "British Invasion" in the early 60s? ....Who is the only past U.S. President to head a labor union?...How did Mama Cass really die?....Which was the longest military war in U.S. history?...Who was the last Fuhrer of Nazi Germany?....Is Wellington, New Zealand actually EAST of western Alaska? And which state's nickname is "The Land of Opportunity?". These and some 593 other questions are posted here in "Sorry, Wrong Answer". Author Evans has compiled a book of fun and challenge. 30 sources are listed in the bibliography as testament to authenticity. A high point is the detailed answers to many of the questions, such as the one on the origins of the Baltimore Oriole-the bird not the baseball team. Readers may enjoy SWA more by digesting the contents slowly over a few readings. The answers to the Qs above are: The Tornadoes, with the instrumental "Telstar" in 1962; Ronald Reagan, who headed the Screen Actors Guild; Mama Cass (of the Mamas and Papas) suffered a fatal heart attack at age 32. She did NOT choke on a ham sandwich; the war against the various Apache tribes spanned between 1840 and 1886; Admiral Karl Donitz, who succeeded Hitler for 8 days in 1945; Wellington is actually east (!) of the westernmost Aleutians and Arkansas, as per the old Glen Campbell song. Only a curmudgeon could fail to find some entertainment here. Is the title a play on the old film noir classic ("Sorry, Wrong Number") with Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster? Somehow that would be fitting.

An exercise in humility, June 22, 2010
Reading one of Professor Rod Evans' masterpieces (and I kid you not, this is truly a masterpiece) is an exercise in humility. Just when you're beginning to feel a bit smug with the accumulated wisdom of your years, along comes Professor Rod to burst your bubble by demonstrating that much of what you think you know just isn't true. So, whether you're looking to correct your reservoir of knowledge or merely to acquire ammunition to humble a know-it-all acquaintance, you will treasure this book.

What people invented kilts?, June 18, 2010
This accessible and very engaging collection of trivia will delight most anyone and in virtually any setting. From food to famous people, sports to literature, the book spans over two dozen topics. And whether one is given to taking a long flight, keeping the banter rolling at a party, or just has a natural curiosity about cultural literacy... "Sorry, Wrong Answer" is sure to have broad appeal. What I like most about the book is the variety of the selections and also the thoroughness of the explanations. I can only imagine all the exhaustive work that went into compiling this collection. So wonderful of Mr Evans to turn out yet another stellar read!

As for who invented kilts... it wasn't the Scottish but the Irish.

No references to back it up, December 8, 2010
Small book, not very interesting. I was hoping for more background on the origin on these facts, but most of the answers are short. Chapter format is awkward, using double lists kept me going back and forth.

"okay", November 3, 2010
The idea is good, but I'm often disappointed with books like this. This book reviewed things that are less interesting than I'd hoped and didn't review things I wanted answers to. It's also somewhat a dry read. Could have used more humor or anecdotes.

That's nice, now go away., November 9, 2010
Have you ever been to a party where someone wants to play "Trivia?" What he means is, this is his first social engagement in 3 years and during his long periods of social dormancy, he memorizes useless bits of information, like the capital of Tasmania and the name of that so-called extinct fish that wasn't really extinct. And now he wants to impress us with this "knowledge."

It could be worse. Someone could suggest going building a human pyramid in the living room.

Now, I must confess, I am as geeky as they come. I too, find useless knowledge and dusty memoirs utterly fascinating. I not only know what a giviak is, I could whip one up for you. The Richard Burton I think was sexy never heard of Liz Taylor, and I can, just off the top of my head, recite the seven signs of imminent birth in most ungulates. But here's the thing...I'm not gonna do it. Trust me here. If word leaks out that you know Anne Bancroft's real name and what bumper sticker "code" was used by Barry Goldwater supporters, you must take immediate and drastic action. Start a counter rumor to distract people...like that you've slept with Kim Il Jong. Twice. If necessary, actually sleep with Kim Il Jong. Just do something.

See, here's the deal. Nobody wants to hear your trivia. Your fellow geeks already know about that amazing little stunt that seahorses can do--and frankly, unless one happens to be a seahorse, this information is utterly useless. And if one is a seahorse and one is not aware of this particular rite of passage, one is in for a really big surprise and it would be a shame to spoil it. All geeks already know about the origins of German chocolate and croissants, and why goats can balance on their hind legs only during the first two weeks of the summer solstice. And no one else cares about these things. No one. Zip, zero, nada. And if you force this information upon them, you will be shunned.

Look, if you want to spend the next 117 Saturdays faux finishing your nails, babysitting your neighbor's iguana or trying to sneak into the Bingo Frolic at the local senior citizen facility, it's no skin off my nose (which is on my face, which has 20,000 pores), go ahead. Impress people by asking them "What's "The Wedding March" really called, why can't you sail to the Isles of Langerhans, and why are Aces and Eights known as 'the dead man's hand?' Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Oh, and about this book, it's not that good, just a recycle of most of the trivia that true geeks already know. If you are new to the game, you'll pick up a lot of minutia to add to your compendium. But do yourself a favor, take up some other hobby. Something hipper, more cutting edge. Like ham radio. Look, I'd like to help you more, but I gotta Run. Kim Il can be so impatient...
... Read more

Editorial Review

How do we get from the polis to the police? Or from Odysseus’ sirens to an ambulance’s? The legacy of ancient Greece and Rome has been imitated, resisted, misunderstood, and reworked by every culture that followed. In this volume, some five hundred articles by a wide range of scholars investigate the afterlife of this rich heritage in the fields of literature, philosophy, art, architecture, history, politics, religion, and science.

Arranged alphabetically from Academy to Zoology, the essays—designed and written to serve scholars, students, and the general reader alike—show how the Classical tradition has shaped human endeavors from art to government, mathematics to medicine, drama to urban planning, legal theory to popular culture.

At once authoritative and accessible, learned and entertaining, comprehensive and surprising, and accompanied by an extensive selection of illustrations, this guide illuminates the vitality of the Classical tradition that still surrounds us today.

Reviews

A Compilation of Lectures on The Relevancy of The Ancients, November 25, 2010
Did you ever wonder what college professors of Ancient Western Culture did to keep their Chairs at the universities when the students in the 70`s and subsequent generations exhibited their disdain for studying all things which had to do with western culture by boycotting their classes? Well, they adapted, willingly or not. As such, you may want to consider this book to be a compilation of all of the important lectures they subsequently presented in order to keep students attending their classes.

First of all, what this book is not. It is not a reference book on ancient western classical thought or history per se. It is a reference book on the derivative impact and relevancy of Ancient Classical Western (principally Greek and Roman) culture on subsequent (including current) world culture.

For example, You will find no account of the Peloponnesian War here. When you search in the index for it, you will be referred to (for some strange reason) "Achilles" where you will find in the discussion of the "idea" of Achilles the notion of a disillusionment with the concept of Achilles because of the "general decay of values during the Peloponnesian War." (p.4)

What about Athens? The information on Athens begins, "Various cities and regions of the ancient world became symbols of self actualization in the collective consciousness of modern Western civilization...In this sense Athens competes for prominence with Egypt, Jerusalem, and especially Rome." (p. 97) Further on it states that, "Athens has achieved a unique status in what is generally called culture,...as a singular term of value, in terms of high or low culture." And again, "Athens` role as an icon of the classical per se begins not in the Middle Ages or modernity but in antiquity."

What about Alexander The Great? Surely some accounting of his exploits would be included. However, under his name, believe it or not, in the second sentence there is a discussion of Oliver Stone's "epic film, "Alexander." It notes that the movie "may have bombed with the American critics and failed at domestic box offices, but it went on to recoup around the world even more than the staggering $155 million it had cost to produce." (p. 25)

By this inherent widely-focused design it is not systematically organized into neat chunks of information. I dare you to compile the following under a large section: pornography, meteorology, Jesuits, sexuality, suicide, tragedy, music, glass, Deus ex Machina, comedy and the comic, etc.

In essence it takes the form of a potpourri of knowledge compiled by classical scholars in a single, finely bound, and affordable volume of theirs and other contributors lectures on how the Classical tradition influenced subsequent human activity. The list of contributors takes up a whopping seven and a half pages, single space list. If you wish to broaden your understanding of the influence of classical history or classical thought, this may make for a very handy compilation of useful information.

Finally, it is not designed to be read from beginning to end. Weighing in at over five pounds, it is organized alphabetically and comes with a handy index in the back. Given its heft I doubt that it would be pragmatic as a bedside reader or for (heaven forbid) "john reading."

A big beautiful sumptuous book, November 1, 2010
Anyone interested in Western classical history would like this book. 1000 pages of entries from Aesthetics to Zeno's Paradoxes. No need to read from cover to cover, just open it up and be enlightened and entertained. It's no small thing these days to find a book beautiful presented, with a good binding and attractive pages. Something would be lost if it were an "e book". A nice gift for a history buff.

Most interesting, December 20, 2010
In a time, when Classics are loosing ground, this book is a most welcome reminder of the classical period's profound influence on Western Culture and Society.

Overwhelming Reference Book, December 23, 2010
This book covers the classical tradition of ideas that we know today. It is certainly no history book of Greece and Rome. It weighs a hefty 6 pounds and is rather large at 12 inches. It covers a vast number of subjects in some detail as an encyclopedia does. However, most all of the information appearing in the book could be gleaned from the internet from such web sites as Wikipedia and Britannica. Indeed these web sites remain more current (updated) than a published book. The politically correct (and somewhat controversial) dating system BCE/CE in place of BC/AD is used throughout the book. Our great thinkers in life continue to fix things that are not broken in order to be "modern". Note also that the font used in the book is somewhat smaller than most books.

In spite of the low price of $29.97 which included shipping, I still returned the book to Amazon.com. I must admit that Amazon.com has an excellent return policy. Two days after shipping, a notice of the initial charge reduced by $3.99 for return shipping was emailed to me and a day later the credit appeared on my credit card balance. It is no surprise that Amazon.com has done so well over the past years due to its excellent customer relations and integrity.

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