Rating: 
Summary: Good Book
Review: Everything you really need to know to sound intellectual, but not really know every subject in enough depth to bore you
Rating: 
Summary: A tongue in cheek synopsis
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of money! A bigger waste of time!!
Review: This book is true to it's title. You'll come away with "An Incomplete Education" if you take the time to read it. The writing is far too breezy to impart any significant information. After reading the flyleaf and the blurbs of the back cover, I thought it was just what I was looking for. What a major disappointment! I'm returning my copy for a refund!
Rating:
Summary: Great gift, even for yourself.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have for Every Family Library!
Review: This is a fabulous book. I'm 24 years old and (as will be no great surprise) I find that I've forgotten much of the information that I studied so fervently back in high school. This book brings all that information back, but presents it in a way that is provocative and truly entertaining. As an owner of this great book, I can't help bt wish that there were a sequel with even more history, science and literature! It's really a great book. You shouldn't even hesitate in buying this one.
Rating:
Summary: The Makings of a Trivia Goddess
Review: it is largely die to this book that I was able to succeed in Teen Tournament Jeopardy tryouts, as well as my school's Scholastic Bowl team. The book is written in a wonderful, witty style, showing how to converse with accuracy about many subjects you had never even considered thoroughly exploring. The book takes a whirlwind tour through many subjects, simultaneously giving enough of an in-depth look at every topic it covers to give anyone with a good memory and a talent at extrapolation an excellent handle on the subjects covered. Essentially, this book is quick high cultural literacy for anyone aspiring to pass themselves off as an intellectual. The subjects covered are myriad (from silent films to superstring theory) and can make one sound more educated than one really is (I may be giving away one or two of my trade secrets here, but that's okay, you're trying to cheat at the intelligence estimation game too). I highly recommend this book to anyone of reasonable intelligence who wants to learn things outside of their normal interest. Who knows, it may help you strike up a conversation with someone remarkable, or at least keep you from looking like a fool when you suddenly become randomly involved in a discourse about bel canto opera. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant book
Review: This books is one of the best I've ever owned. My sister received the original edition back in the late 80's, and when she left for college I had to have my own copy. Of course, it's needs another update for some of the political science stuff, but the rest is still brilliant. And sure, it does tend to pat itself on the back a lot and over-simplify certain subjects (particularly in economics), but hey, if it interests you, go read more about it. It's supposed to inspire greater learning, not replace it.
Rating: 
Summary: Should dispense with the sarcasm
Review: I was wondering around Barne's and Noble when I came across this book and was very impressed with the amount of subjects it covered. I thumbed through it and decided to shop lift it. I started to read and i must say that I was unimpressed with the wit and lack of depth. The book covers a range of topics very well but it is does not go into much depth. A page and a half on Islam and Christianity is not enough to wet my appetite to read further on the subjects. The worst thing about the book is the wit. It makes for very slow reading and throws your concentration completely off. Some of it was funny, but must they make everything so jokey? It is a good thing i didn't pay for it. Looking back, I wished I had gotten arrested.
Rating:
Summary: A worthwhile read, though very American in outlook.
Review: While this book gives the reader a few kilometers' head start on the road of knowledge for several liberal arts fields (Art History, Film, Psychology, etc.) its wink-wink, "isn't it funny" outlook on the book's subject matter that is not, well, American, eventually becomes tiresome. For instance, did the Canada entry in the Political Science section really need an "eh" joke? I thus sulkingly axe one star from my rating. Dispite this gripe, I feel this is a book I'll turn to again and again for factoids and nuggets of knowledge that us science types with hyperspecialized college/university degrees didn't get the chance to learn at school. After all, this book made me discover the painter El Greco. I afterwards even bought a reproduction of his A View of Toledo. How's that for unintentional advertisement?
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read -- Never Mind Your Motives
Review: This book offers a great overview of subjects that you may (or may not) have covered in school and you may (or may not) have forgotten. Whether you're reading it to become a more well-rounded person, or trying to impress your friends, the book gives candid, useful, and memorable insight into the things you should have learned. A GREAT READ!
| 
