The 20th Century, 1901-2000 (Great Lives from History) Set of Ten Hardcover Series [Hardcover]

Robert F. Gorman (Editor), Frank Northen Magill (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—These objectively written profiles of 1348 subjects run from three to five pages each. Of that number, 1033 are reprinted from previously published Salem Press sources; the remainder are new or significantly updated. They include introductory statements that identify the people and their achievements, followed by examinations of their early lives, a lengthier "Life's Work" section, and a "Significance" portion showing historical context. Although many of the articles are about Americans, there are entries about people from all parts of the world, including developing countries; 245 are women. The wide variety of occupations includes political and military leaders, authors, artists, athletes, scientists, religious leaders, and even criminals. Each entry has an annotated list of additional sources, most include a black-and-white portrait, and there are numerous sidebars and maps. Cross-referencing, both within this set and to books in the rest of the series, will encourage users to seek more information, and there are four extensive indexes. This set combines biographical information with historical context, thus offering enough detail to make it helpful to beginning researchers.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High, Rolla, MO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This set is the eighth installment in the Great Lives series, which is a revision and expansion of the publisher’s 10-volume Dictionary of World Biography (1998–99). The scope of the set is extensive: 1,334 alphabetically arranged essays covering 1,348 individuals. Some 288 of the entries are new, and 166 have been “heavily or completely updated.” According to the “Publisher’s Note,” the set has “an extra concentration of new or updated material on women and ethnic and racial minorities.”  The essays are organized in a straightforward manner. Each is prefaced with the subject’s occupation, nationality, dates of birth and death, and area of achievement. The main body of the essay includes sections entitled “Early Life,” “Life’s Works,” and “Significance.” An annotated list of additional resources follows each essay. Cross-references tie the entries to content in the companion Great Events from History: The 20th Century.  A number of useful features support the text. For example, maps appear in all volumes, as do the set table of contents and list of maps and sidebars. The last volume contains a list of rulers and heads of state, a chronological list of entries, and lists of entries by category and geographical location, as well as personage and subject indexes.  Like other of the publisher’s recent offerings, purchase of this set entitles a school or library to free access to Salem History, which offers the content online. Once they purchase this set, libraries that already own previously published titles in the Great Lives series quality for free online access to the earlier works. Recommended for high-school, college, and public libraries.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 5200 pages
• Publisher: Salem Press; 1 edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587653451
• ISBN-13: 978-1587653452
• Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 11.4 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 32.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,857,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)