Trivia Books

One of the great weaknesses in the teaching of history, by and large, is to believe that we need not be creative in how we go about it. With this book, Gibson has researched and documented a collection of Nevada stories from ancient times to the late 1990s.

These thirty quick reads are arranged chronologically and cover events ranging from Anasazi times to the Comstock Lode to the modern speed record attempts at the Salt Flats. The array of topics touched upon is too broad to list here, but ranges from aboriginal to judicial to economic to industrial to political and beyond. In addition to a lengthy bibliography, a nice collection of Nevada-related facts wraps up the book.

I find Gibson's approach to debatable historical topics (such as, for example, the fate of Butch Cassidy) to be refreshingly dispassionate; I do not get the impression that she was ever predisposed to any conclusion, and was open to whatever she might discover--an approach too many historical writers fail to emulate. The result is high credibility for that which she presents to us.

Maybe some of the greedmongers who run Las Vegas can give a little back to their state by purchasing enough of these for every school in the state of Nevada--it would be a welcome way to interest children in history. Recommended, in any event, for those who appreciate Western history presented with hardly a preconceived notion or bias to be found.

This book will make the perfect gift for a friend. Find out what It's a Wonderful Life has in common with Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street, Ivory Soap, and Alfalfa of Our Gang. In addition to the trivia there are passages written by cast members and staff. These contributions will take you behind the scenes without spoiling the magic. Buy one for yourself and one as a stocking stuffer for a friend. Remember, "each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole."

my second year using this calendar with my mother, I understand that there is no end to knowledge and that with knowledge comes the risk of being egotistic but this is still fun.

I was extremely impressed by this book. It is set up in a very readable format which many trivia style books are not. The information is varied and not repeated. The level of erudition suprised me. I was constantly informed. On virtually every page I learned something new and important. The choice of Yiddish words which are explained are never the obvious ones but they are also not the obscure either and I found that section particularly interesting. Shapolsky is clearly an exceptionally erudite indivual in a number of fields. Who knew that Leon Uris had flunked high school English? The mood is responsible but never lecturing. I strongly recommend this book to all.

Nice large colorful pictures of cute pigs. Gave this calendar to a friend that loves pigs, she thought it was great!

This book gives data on all the trek programs and books, personal information about Duriga's time dealing in trek items, and a 1980s interview with Scotty (Jimmy Doohan); its an excellent addition to any trekker's library. My copy is the 3rd edition, but I understand that an expanded 4th edition is coming out which includes the latest movie and enterprise.

For anyone who is interested in facts and figures about the world we live, this is an incredible book. As a learning tool for kids (using interesting lists to find these places on a map of the world) this would also be valuable.

In general, there is everything you wanted to know and more about the world: find out the antipodes (where you end up if you drill through the center of the earth) of places around the world; discover the earliest or latest sunrises and sunsets; all the cities mentioned in songs that hit the Billboard Top 40. In other words, its hard to believe this data exists, let alone that someone was able to think of all the interesting ways to use it.

Looking through this book you'll learn more about our world and the people in it in a short time than you'll find anywhere. Some of the lists are particularly poignant: want to know the 7 countries that apply the deat penalty for crimes that happen when a person is under 18? CONGO, IRAN, NIGERIA, PAKISTAN, SAUDI ARABIA, YEMEN and, of course, THE UNITED STATES. Makes you think...

I read this book many years ago. I had been collecting information on lefthandedness for a long time with the thought of writing a book of my own. Well Leigh beat me to it! Although it is marketed as a lighthearted look at lefties, all the information is there. I cannot find my copy so I'm going to order 5 of them for myself and my lefty friends.jk

Well, obviously I am left handed to read this book. In fact, I think right-handed people who read this will be very offended. But hey, they deserve it. Lefties are so underrepresented, they need something to cheer them up. The viciously funny cartoons are a real knee-slapper.

This book is great, if you are left handed or want to know how it feels to be left handed. Which everyone should.

The title, though funny, is misleading. This is one of the most thoroughly researched books of trivia knowledge that I have ever seen. John P. Campbell has collected trivia on just about everything, including religion(s), animals (cats, dogs, horses, etc.), sexual subjects and just about everything else except the kitchen sink. It is a marvelous read that you can look at, put down and resume at any time. This book is on my list of Christmas gifts I will give to friends, but I am keeping my own copy and not sharing it.