Rating: 
Summary: Contraversial, but a heck of a lot of fun.....
Review: Anytime you start rating people (or anything else, for that matter), you are going to get some feedback (shall we say) from those who disagree with your rankings. Michael Hart rates those who,in his opinion, qualify as the 100 most influential people in history, not the greatest, or the smartest or the nicest, but the most influential. Impossible to get agreement on, but before you dismiss Hart's rankings, you should read his reasons...Reading over the list of names, it is easy to say, "Oh, that's nonsense!! What is he doing here?" But in these short bios, Hart tells you WHY he thinks this person belongs on the list, and his reasoning is well thought out, thought provoking and difficult to just dismiss. It is an interesting mental excerise to change his listing, then defend YOUR choice as clearly as Hart does, (and doing that is tougher than it sounds, by the way). Hart's book does exactly what a book of this nature should do, it makes us THINK and that fact alone qualifes it as an excellent book and one that should not be missed.....
Rating:
Summary: A superb distilation of people of historical consequence
Review: This is a superb distilation of people of ultimate consequence. The author not only has the audacity to put together a ranking "the most influential persons in history", but he provides a solid, thoughtful rationale in each case. This book is very informative, and is an easy read, particularly for those of us who are trying to broaden their general knowledge of history, significant events, and of course historical figures. There's no doubt that you'll disagree with his ranking of some of those listed among the most influential, or disagree with their placement in the 100, but that's just half the enjoyment of the book... as one reads it, you look critically at his rationale and his list, and you start to put together your own list and - following the author's lead - start to devise your own criteria for what constitutues influence and who deserves (for better or worse) to be listed as among history's greatest. With a broad scope that dips into science, religious, art, military conflict, and politics, this book will turn even the most culturally deficient of us into almost-scholars with a fair smattering of knowledge of events and people of consequence. ..... Excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Uh, the structure of DNA?
Review: I admit, I've only read the Table of Contents. But, shouldn't James Watson and Francis Crick (and maybe Wilkins and Franklin) be on the list, considering some of the people that did make it. I mean the discovery of the structure of DNA and how it codes for genetic information has had a large impact on the world already.
Rating: 
Summary: Very well done Research by Mr. Hart
Review: When I heard about this book I went to book shop and bought a copy for myself. The reason I bought this book was the No.1 placement of Prophet Muhammad. I was surprised as well as moved by this man's work (by the way he is not a Muslim).First of all, why I was surprised? Because by placing Prophet Muhammad to No.1 he is proving to everybody out there that he has really done a good job, why? Because I believe if he didn't know much about Prophet Muhammad and has not done enough research, he would probably put Jesus Christ or Neuton to first place. So being a non-Muslim and putting a Muslim Prophet on No.1 means that he just had to present the truth in correct way, whether people oppose it religiously or politically and whether we like it or not. Prophet Muhammad indeed the Most Influential Man in History (and in Future). For every person who does not agree with Mr. Hart's placement of Prophet Muhammad to No.1, I would suggest that they search Amazon and pick up a book on Prophet Muhammad and read it, upon completion of the book I am sure you will have some idea why he is the No.1 (Because what most Westerners know of Prophet Muhammad is far from truth, for years Islam has been misinterpreted by Orientalists. And when they (people who have been influenced by Orientalist's works) see books like this one, they just cannot believe or accept it.) But at the end: Truth Prevails! However, I would like to correct Mr. Hart on his mistake that he has written about Prophet Muhammad, he mentioned that he is the author of Quran (Islamic Holy Book). It is not correct, Quran was revealed to him and not written by him. He is just a Prophet who has spread the God's Words. Another thing, Mr. Hart has said about him: "... became an immensely effective political leader." While this is true, Prophet Muhammad is considered more than an effective politician only, he is the most successful leader, commander, scholar, politician, businessman, statesman, orator...etc.
Rating:
Summary: Both Fun and Important
Review: I first read this book nearly 10 years ago when a friend lent it to me. Since that time, I have referenced his "logic" in ranking the top 10 people (in particular) so many times that I had to buy the book for myself and my family. Many will disagree with Hart's ranking (Christians especially are often appalled that Jesus was ranked third behind Muhammed and Isaac Newton), but the reasons are so compelling that it might actually be a force for change! Beyond that, this book is an exceptional little collection of mini-biographies of 100 influential people in history, and is a great reference book for families. My teenagers have been reading it and talking about it, and for that alone, it was worth purchasing! (Um...it's an excellent "Bathroom Book!")
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Choice but need to learn more..
Review: As a Muslim,I fully agree with his opinion.Muhammad is the perfect & most influential person,and this is so true.Even though u're not a Muslim,if u read about him,u'll never find anything bad on him.What he did is always for good & became a success.Maybe Hart should learn & understand more about Islam & Muhammad before write about Muhammad.Muhammad didn't write the Qoran.He's a prophet & pass God's words(Allah) to guide people.And believe me,if everyone in the world learn from Muhammad,we'll live in peace,harmony&success.Read Qoran after u read Hart's book,believe me....
Rating:
Summary: Both Fun and Important
Review: I first read this book nearly 10 years ago when a friend lent it to me. Since that time, I have referenced his "logic" in ranking the top 10 people (in particular) so many times that I had to buy the book for myself and my family. Many will disagree with Hart's ranking (Christians especially are often appalled that Jesus was ranked third behind Muhammed and Isaac Newton), but the reasons are so compelling that it might actually be a force for change! Beyond that, this book is an exceptional little collection of mini-biographies of 100 influential people in history, and is a great reference book for families. My teenagers have been reading it and talking about it, and for that alone, it was worth purchasing! (Um...it's an excellent "Bathroom Book!")
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Choice but need to learn more..
Review: As a Muslim,I fully agree with his opinion.Muhammad is the perfect & most influential person,and this is so true.Even though u're not a Muslim,if u read about him,u'll never find anything bad on him.What he did is always for good & became a success.Maybe Hart should learn & understand more about Islam & Muhammad before write about Muhammad.Muhammad didn't write the Qoran.He's a prophet & pass God's words(Allah) to guide people.And believe me,if everyone in the world learn from Muhammad,we'll live in peace,harmony&success.Read Qoran after u read Hart's book,believe me....
Rating:
Summary: Uh, the structure of DNA?
Review: I'll admit, I have just read the table of contents. But I question the exclusion from this list of James Watson and Francis Crick (and maybe Franklin and Wilkins), who discovered the structure of DNA and the way it codes for genetic information. Surely their discovery has had a large impact on history in just a short time, more so than that individuals like JFK and Mao. Other than that, I'm very tempted to buy a copy anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, thought-provoking
Review: An interesting and fun way to kill a couple of afternoons. The author makes it very clear that his purpose is to throw his opinion into the ring, and doesn't expect anyone to regard his choices as definitive. Having said that, I fully agree with his logic in having scientific and technical innovators figure so prominently in the list; in fact, I would have ranked Newton #1, although I am in general agreement with his reasoning in putting Mohammed at a very high rank. One unfortunate flaw is the author's acceptance of the Shakespeare authorship "controversy" nonsense, but it doesn't really interfere with the main purpose of the book, and it is forgivable as I've seen many intelligent and well-meaning people fall for the "Oxfordians". An entertaining read, recommended.
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