DK World Reference Atlas (Revised)

Rating:
Summary: Should be a subscription
Review: One of the best purchases I've made. This reference is an outstanding one-stop-shop of background information on the countries and other political entities of the world.
The editors have done a superb job of distilling essential information about various states and putting it into a format that is quickly digested, formatted to facilitate comparisons with other states, and is well suited to provide a quick snapshot of a broad spectrum of information.
This organization is of immense value when one needs a quick lesson on a state or region with which one is unfamiliar. It is similar in function to the CIA World Factbook, but far superior in at least two respects. First, not being funded by the government, D-K had to make its material more presentable. Second, ironically enough, the D-K version contains a great deal more analysis. Of course, it's not complete or comprehensive; but anyone expecting to get complete and comprehensive in a single volume small enough to carry shouldn't be trusted with books or matches. It's not enough to make you smart, but it's perfect to take the edge off of your ignorance long enough for you to get to the library.
The only shortcoming of the format is that the information is perishable. I feel compelled to purchase a new one whenever it's available, and while this may give the accountants at D-K a warm and happy glow, I'd rather see a loose-leaf format where one could purchase a subscription to annual or biannual updates.

Rating:
Summary: Same book...different title.
Review: This is an amazingly useful atlas of all the countries of the world broken down into various key areas. It is now being published under the title The Financial Times World Reference Atlas. After looking for an updated version of this title for years I came across it on Amazon.co.uk site and it is also available from the US site. Hope this info helps others who have been seeking a recent updated edition also.

Rating:
Summary: Reference Library of the World
Review: Well sorted, and nice book. All th information is well placed with full biodata of country. Plus a well established world Atlas of the world