Facts and Figures Books

This books provides the best collection of cliches ever.
With some historical background for eac cliches, it's enjoyable as a book.

The first cliche I looked up wasn't even in the book. I have now started making a list on the back cover of the cliches NOT in the book. What a waste of time and effort. If you're buying this book used, check the back cover!

I'm now shopping for a replacement.

Love the opening when it says not to beat around the bush or hedge the bet, this is a must-read for every Tom, Dick and Harry under the Sun-- by PEOPLE magazine. Origins of almost every phrase you've ever heard. It's the cat's meow. I'm a writer of books and articles and it is one of half dozen books I keep on the desk, not the shelves-- Great when you want to ROCK THE BOAT or are afraid to RISK LIFE AND LIMB -- fun for using when coming up with a title for an article or when you've got writer's block. Even if you're rolling in the money you need to roll with the punches and get the show on the road....gives the origin, derivation and a sentence as to how the phrase is used . Compact little book 370 pages packed with hundred-- maybe thousands of phrases...don't miss it.

It has a lot of cliches listed but not enough for me though. But I still enjoy flipping through it.

This informative, well-researched and amusing reference explains the meaning, origin and subsequent usage of over 2000 cliches, sayings and expressions made familiar through their continued, and sometimes exaggerated, use. It's a wonderful resource for writers, researchers and editors, for trivia enthusiasts, and for people who just love words, language and slang.
Each entry in this comprehensive collection is presented in a paragraph-length format, and is written in a clear, concise and humorous style that invites browsing, but is also appropriate for easy consultations, for which an index of cross-references is also included. Here you'll find the well known "head over heels," "fit as a fiddle" and "right as rain" and also the not so common "eager for the fray" and "Simon pure."
Although not all the cliches ever used are contained in this volume, it is by far the most complete compilation of its kind available on the market today.
Overall, this book is a delightful trip of exploration and discovery into the treasury of our language's most colorful remarks.
--Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

Very detailed book about the world oil reserves, level of production, and projections on future projections. Provide a good understanding about the world oil supply, and expalins global peak oil.

A useful update on peak oil to get more info and precision

What's the state gem of Alaska? What movies have been filmed there? How many species of whale are found in the state's waters? How did the town of Chicken get its name? What is a "bidarka" or an "oogruk" or a "pingo"? Who was Russian John Zarnowsky? If you're from "Outside," perhaps you've never heard of "breakup" or "termination dust." Whether you're an Alaska resident, a first-time or returning visitor, or simply someone who dreams of visiting the Last Frontier someday, this great book from the editors of the MILEPOST is choc full of great information.

The book is formatted somewhat like a light encyclopedia, with topics in alphabetical order. Most of the entries are short and to-the-point; the longest are only slightly over one page. It's interesting to read cover-to-cover, or you can just look things up as you need to. Residents of the state will already know some of the material, but there are also plenty of lesser-known facts included. I lived in Alaska for thirteen years and still learned several new things. My only criticism is that I wish they'd included a few more topics. For instance, there is no information on the Alaska Zoo, the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, or Joe Redington, Sr., to name a few.

For the information "Alaska A to Z" does contain, however, I still highly recommend it. Published in 1997, it's a little bit old, so things like population figures are not quite current, but most of the entries are still applicable. The text is also interespersed with a selection of black-and-white photographs from the MILEPOST archives and quotes about Alaska from the famous and the not-so-famous. At the back of the book are two pages of contact information for various resources you might want to turn to for additional information. This is an excellent little reference for anyone with an interest in Alaska, resident or not.

Mr. Streissguth's work is a welcomed effort to begin someone on the path to understanding Dr. Franklin. Though brief, Mr. Streissguth includes many salient points often left out of simple biographies. Points include the difficulties he faced in politics, the failures he knew, the mistakes made. Although written for the young reader, he writes with thoughtfulness and respect. The book never has the "baby-talk" voice found in some young reader books.
This biography allows the reader to understand Dr. Franklin was a real person living in difficult times. One of the better mini-bio's on Dr. Franklin I have read with 98% accuracy on the details of his life and accomplishments.
G.Robin Smith ben@ben-franklin.org

I can see this book being useful to someone trying to look up things in the Bible by subject rather than words in the verses. I didn't get anything useful out of it myself however.

There have been a few books written about Black scientists that are as interesting as the one before you. Black Scientists profiles eight African-Americans who made significant contributions to the field of applied and pure science. Some of the individuals profiled are well known while others have faded into the backdrops of history. These African Americans who took on the field of science had to overcome many obstacles in obtaining their education, finding positions and acquiring funds for their research. All of them met the mark of excellence and we have become the beneficiaries of their work.

Unlike other biographies of Black scientists, the author dispenses with the well worn myths surrounding these figures. She focuses on what the individual actually contributed to their field other than being the "first" Black. You are in for a surprise when you find out the impact that one man had on the field of medical education for Black doctors and nurses. You will be astounded at the work done in chemotherapy, chemistry and computer science by highly assertive African-American men and women.

Learning about these great people is an eye opener. Science is a field wide open in which anyone can participate regardless of race. Their inspiring achievements and contributions tell us that African-Americans can and will continue to make strides in the area of science. Read these stories and consider walking in their footsteps.

Yes, Virginia and all other 49 states, we once
had real football here in the good old USA and
it wasn't the National Facsist League either!
And low and behold, the Baltimore Stallions
ACTUALLY won the Grey Cup! Praise the lord!
I still go to the Grey Cup every year and
it gets better every time. On the horizon,
2012? The 100th Grey Cup, the oldest Pro
Football Championship on planet earth!
Simply the truth!

1990 was a good year for the CFL
and they even put out a video I
have on the League for that year.
Actually two, but one was just with
a different cover. The Fact and Re-
cord Books for the CFL, Ar.FL, Af2
are good reads!

Tom Streissguth's book gives a brief biography of Jesse Owens from his childhood days in Alabama in the early 1900s to the 1984 Olympic ceremonies memorial service honoring him. Owens attended Ohio State University where he excelled at track. After university he qualified for the 1936 Summer Olympic in Berlin, Germany. In Germany Owens was subjected to the racist ideals of Adolf Hitler. Hitler dramatically undermined the four gold medals Owen won solely because Owen was an African-American. But when Owens returned home to the United States he continued to be discriminated against purely because of his skin color.

Jesse Owens set the world record for the long jump and won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He truly is an American hero. Yet, he also conquered many other battles regarding racism and discrimination. Tom Streissguth's book is a multicultural book because it exemplifies an African-American man and the hardships he had to overcome to succeed in a society that judged him by his race. The photos illustrate Owens accomplishments. The book is free of negative stereotypes and describes the importance of accepting all people regardless of any difference they may have.

The book "Magic on Ice" is great for a figure skater OR a big fan of the sport. It includes pages on famous skaters, behind the scenes at competitions, judging, stretching, warming up, and skating on the ice. I gave it four stars because it's a good book but could be a little longer.