Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 1328 pages
- Published by: St. Martin's Press
- Edition: 2nd Edition October 30, 2007
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0312376596
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0312376598
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Book Dimensions:
9.3 x 7.5 x 2.7 inches
- Weighs: 4.5 pounds
Product Review
"This widely expanded update to the original 2004 edition defines nearly every facet of contemporary life—from arts, grammar, mythology and culture to science, economics, and geopolitical issues. Though bearing an authority and informational wealth that might rival the voluminous Oxford Dictionary of English, this surprisingly manageable volume is organized alphabetically by subject and contains thousands of highly accessible essays, tables, and lists, all composed by
New York Times field experts. It also includes an introduction by longtime "On Language" columnist and Pultizer Prize winner William Safire. An essential background referenec for almost every subject: highly recommended for all public libraries."—Library Journal "I wish I'd had this book 25 years ago. It is certain to become an indispensable tool for fact fanatics."—Bill Bryson, author of
A Short History of Nearly Everything"In short, this is the largest, most up-to-date and affordable one volume desk reference available today and is an absolute must for every home, dorm room and library."
—Tucson Citizen
Product Description
A Complete Revision and Thorough Updating of the Ultimate Reference from the Newspaper of Record
Whether you are researching the history of Western art, investigating an unusual medical test, following current environmental trends, studying Shakespeare, brushing up on your crossword and Sudoku skills, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of the world, this book is for you. An indispensable resource for every home, office, dorm room, and library, this new edition of The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge offers in-depth explorations of art, astronomy, biology, business, economics, the environment, film, geography, history, the Internet, literature, mathematics, music, mythology, philosophy, photography, sports, theater, film, and many other subjects.
This one volume is designed to offer more information than any other book on the most important subjects, as well as provide easy-to-access data critical to everyday life. It is the only universal reference book to include authoritative and engaging essays from New York Times experts in almost every field of endeavor.
Reader Reviews
In response to the previous post: Please don't feel alarmed about the missing information. I am certain hundreds of people were contributing to this vast publishing. If there was "an omission" in the history department, science material was not affected. One book will never be able to capture everything considered "essential". Essential for a European is not essential for, say, an American. No one book will make you "essentially informed". I found the depth of this knowledge to be just right, though. I don't care to shine on Jeopardy. My goal is to become aware without getting too deeply into it unless I am really passionate about a particular subject. Instead of noticing what's not there, I've noticed what IS there, and what's there is PLENTY. For example: we all heard about Sunni and Shiites Islaam, but I doubt many, including, and especially, George Bush know the difference. How many of Seven Wonders of the World can you name? Do you know who Pygmalion was? Did you know television was invented in 1927? Did you know that America has the highest rate of STD's of all industrial nations? Do you know why? Do you care? If the examples did not evoke some sort of curiosity, this book, in all likelihood, will seem useless to you. But if you found that your brain lit up with tingly wonder, this book would probably be a good place to start. On the negative side, truthfully, there is nothing unique or incredible about this book that sets it apart from others. It's just like any other almanacs published every year by New York Times. It's just another information-filled book, not better or worse.... This book has over 1300 pages without a single illustration, and of course, is basic, but don't let it fool you, you can still find something new that can send you to the library or the web to satisfy your curiosity. If you are an average American, (not a geek, who probably already knows all this stuff anyway), if you are curious about the world you live in, and would like not to appear dumb when others discuss world's events at a party, you will surely find something fascinating about this "everyday" stuff. Something you probably had heard mentioned as recently as today without really realizing how little you knew about the subject in point. Each category contains 10-15 pages. Topics: philosophy, psychology, Broadway, geology, geography, eath science, history, world wars, music, political science, pop culture, world events and so on... My New Year's resolution: one section a week.
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