The People's Almanac Presents the Twentieth Century: History With the Boring Parts Left Out

Rating:
Summary: Lots of fun--truly history with the boring parts left out
Review: Have you ever met somebody at a party who just seems to know all sorts of interesting stories and anecdotes? He's probably read this book. The publishers advertise this as "History with the dull parts left out," and that's exactly what it is. A compendium from three prior "People's Almanacs" published in the mid-70s, this book takes all the material that deals with the 20th century, in many cases updating it since the 1970s. Topics are both mainstream and offbeat: everything from infamous assassinations to famous people in literature, U.S. presidents to notorious kidnappings. The book is filled with off-beat quotes and surprising facts and figures--it's akin to a Ripley's Believe It Or Not combined with a world almanac, only better than both. And for the price, it's a steal. If you want a fun page turner that will also make you a little better-informed every time you read it, a light "popular" history of the 20th century that's most substantive than most other books of its type, this is for you. You might also want to look in used bookstores or online for the original Peoples Almanacs--dated, but still fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of fun--truly history with the boring parts left out
Review: Have you ever met somebody at a party who just seems to know all sorts of interesting stories and anecdotes? He's probably read this book. The publishers advertise this as "History with the dull parts left out," and that's exactly what it is. A compendium from three prior "People's Almanacs" published in the mid-70s, this book takes all the material that deals with the 20th century, in many cases updating it since the 1970s. Topics are both mainstream and offbeat: everything from infamous assassinations to famous people in literature, U.S. presidents to notorious kidnappings. The book is filled with off-beat quotes and surprising facts and figures--it's akin to a Ripley's Believe It Or Not combined with a world almanac, only better than both. And for the price, it's a steal. If you want a fun page turner that will also make you a little better-informed every time you read it, a light "popular" history of the 20th century that's most substantive than most other books of its type, this is for you. You might also want to look in used bookstores or online for the original Peoples Almanacs--dated, but still fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: Everything I've waited for!
Review: I am a "People's Almanac" "Book of Lists" junkie. I own them all. I swear if I took one item with me to a desert island, this would be it. Some people that have read these books cover to cover like I have, may notice some items are the same as in previous books. Who CARES?! This is the stuff of life. I just wish the book wasn't so dang heavy!

Rating:
Summary: Everything I've waited for!
Review: I am a "People's Almanac" "Book of Lists" junkie. I own them all. I swear if I took one item with me to a desert island, this would be it. Some people that have read these books cover to cover like I have, may notice some items are the same as in previous books. Who CARES?! This is the stuff of life. I just wish the book wasn't so dang heavy!

Rating:
Summary: A book that is like peanuts.
Review: Read just one article! I dare you. Tale after tale about the marginal people and events of history. It sucks you on and on, page after page. Although I knew many of the stories, never in such detail, dispassionately told. I'm giving copies to my trivia friends for Christmas.

Rating:
Summary: A book that is like peanuts.
Review: Read just one article! I dare you. Tale after tale about the marginal people and events of history. It sucks you on and on, page after page. Although I knew many of the stories, never in such detail, dispassionately told. I'm giving copies to my trivia friends for Christmas.

Rating:
Summary: Clear an concise
Review: The content of this book is amazing, but most impresssive is the manner in which is laid out. In the various sections you get subheadings with the background, the information and the follow up where deemed appropriate. It is ideal for anybody who has an interest in general knowledge or just enjoys finding out more about specific topics. As with most books of it's type you can put it down and return back to it and immediately be engrossed in the content. Great information on wierd and strange happenings also. Highly recommended