Rating: 
Summary: Addicted to knowledge? Get your hit now!
Review: An excellent resource for the knowledge hound and academic question writer.I was hesitant at first about the list concept -- too much almanac, not enough depth, but I am glad to say that those fears were unfounded. This book provides an ecellent one source guide for a variety of fields. It is more accurate and fact checked than the Bathroom Books and is written well. I put this book on par with Panati's series of books though Panati covers less 'academic' material e.g., invention of the flush toilet than this book. They both share clear, pithy writing and in the world of reference books that is *very* nice. I would also recommend this book for people who travel and want doses of information in easy to digest chunks. This one of those books that will make you feel that you were not wasting your time waiting in line or at the airport. It is fun, wonderful resource and if you are into academic competitions this is a definite must have. For the coach who wants his students not to just memorize but actually understand the information this is a great resource. For the student player I would say that every topic in this book will pop up in a tournament from high school through Masters level play. Did I mention that this is a very affordable book even at retail? I usually avoid paying retail for anything but this book got me to veer a bit.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun read for short sittings
Review: Anytime that you have the time, this is a fun book to flip through and choose from a wide variety of topics to be informed about. It will improve your conversation quality and trivia scores! I've bought several copies for friends, and they all love it. There is a little too much religion-based information in it for me, but the rest of it is very informative.
Rating:
Summary: Number please
Review: I found this book absolutely fascinating. Short well written essays filled in details on the history and cultural setting of a wide variety of items from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to the 7 kinds of plane triangles.The topics chosen varied widely over many centuries and many different cultures. While I was familiar slightly with perhaps half of the topics, the essays enriched my understanding of even those about which I thought I was most knowledgeable and informed me on many topics which were previously unknown to me. I could pick up the book and open it to any page and enjoy myself whether I had time for just a single essay or could indulge myself for an hour. Everyone should have fun reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A very entertaining book!
Review: I highly recommend this book. It's fun to look through the lists (presented as questions) and try to guess the answers, but what really sets this book apart from most "list" books are the essays that accompany each list. They are witty and informative. You start reading and don't want to stop. This book would make a great gift for all the "Cliff Clavins" on your gift list. And be sure to get one for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: What an amazing book!
Review: I just finished reading it cover to cover and found it a truly enlightening and FUN read. I have loved these type of books since my first purchase of "An Incomplete Education" many years ago, as well as Charles Panati's books. The format of "What are the Seven Wonders of the World?" lends itself nicely to reading it on short breaks. I was amazed at how much I could learn in so little time. At last, I finally understand the intricate history (and relationships) of all of the Kings and Queens of England - and it was absolutely painless. There's too much good stuff in the book to mention it all here. If you love trivia, or wish to expand your horizons in order to becomes a modern day Leonardo (Da Vinci), this book is for you. I can't wait for the next volume. Now, please excuse me -I have to keep my audition appointments for "Win Ben Stein's Money" and "Jeopardy"!
Rating:
Summary: A ginko-free memory boost
Review: Pity the compilers of garden-variety list books. D'Epiro and Pinkowish have redefined the genre. Reading many of the entries is like visiting old friends. And while you're renewing these old acquaintances, you'll meet some fascinating new ones. Whether or not you've had a liberal-arts education (see page 194), you must have this book. The authors have thoughtfully included an extensive (but not unwieldy) list of suggested readings--and websites--to facilitate further investigation.
Rating:
Summary: Top Drawer & Not Just Another Trivia Book!
Review: There are already 17 excellent reviews here, each one telling how unique this numerical guide to beguiling lists is. My only additional comment is to buy and check out this unique cultural guide! You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: This fun book contains a hundred and one lists organized by number. For example, the chapter known as "Four" includes the following: What are the four voyages of Lemuel Gulliver? What are the four conic sections? What are the four sections of a symphony orchestra? etc. Chapters are: Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Eighteen, Twenty and Twenty-Four. What makes the book more than just a quiz generator is the lengthy explanatory text, anywhere from three to eighteen pages. These pithy essays entertain and inform, and add greatly to the volume's enjoyment. Some questions are really obscure -- what were the five rivers of the classical underworld, anyway? -- but even the easier ones can leave you scratching your head and cursing your memory. Didn't I used to know allthis stuff? Then, after you knock yourself on the head and shout "Of course!", you will have the pleasure of reading a well-written essay by a co-author or one of a small number of contributors. There is also a fourteen page suggested reading list, organized by subject, that includes music and URLs. Rounded out with a good index, this is very nicely done and lots of fun.
Rating:
Summary: Fun overview of significant cultural and historical lists.
Review: This informative, fascinating and entertaining volume presents, in a question-and-answer format, a compendium of 101 easy-to-memorize lists from the fields of history, mythology, religion, literature, art, music, mathematics and science, which are considered to be of great significance for our culture.
Each question is well-organized according to the number of items in its answer, which can vary from three (Who where the 3 Magi, and what gifts did they bring?) to twenty-four (What are the 24 letter of the ancient Greek alphabet?).
Each precise answer, instead of giving a mere list, is accompanied by an engrossing essay that places the list in its cultural and historical context and details some well-researched facts about it that aid our understanding of its meaning.
As a bonus, for those interested in doing further research in a specific topic, the book offers a list of suggested reading, which includes books as well as Web site addresses. A very thorough index is also offered for those interested in looking for a particular subject.
Overall, this is a practical, charming and pleasurable reference to either consult or flip through, recommended for readers of all ages eager to explore our culture's most captivating lists, series and hierarchies.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, lots of information
Review: This is a wonderful book. Great for all the trivia buffs out there. Seven Wonders is filled with a variety of questions and interesting answers. I would love for the authors to compile another like this one. This one is on my top 10 list of great trivia books. Highly recommended to all.
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