Customer Reviews

The Guinness Book of World Records 1998 (Guinness Book of Records, 1998)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Not only is this little gem now on the best-seller list, it's also handy to have around to settle arguments - a bargain too. Keep in mind, a new edition comes out every year. In case you're using it to settle an argument, you'd better know the year you're arguing about.

Brainchild of Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of Guinness Brewing in 1951, the book is a worldwide success. Published in 77 different countries, 38 different languages. The 1994 edition sold over 100 million copies. It's published by a host of editors and writers who strive mightily for accuracy. You are challenged to beat a record in the current edition of the book and the back pages tell you how to go about it. The editors are very upfront in their advice: "We are a very small editorial team, and receive hundreds of letters every week. "Please submit your request at least two months before your attempt so that we can give your inquiry the attention it deserves." As for the records themselves.., they cover almost every human activity and make for fascinating reading anytime, anywhere. Some samples...

CASSEROLE OF ETERNAL LEFTOVERS: The world's largest delicacy is roasted whole camel, a Bedouin wedding dish with eggs stuffed into the fish, the fish stuffed into cooked chickens, and the chickens stuffed into a roasted sheep's carcass and the sheep's carcass stuffed into a whole camel.

LARGEST MULTIPLE-MIRROR TELESCOPE: The MMT (multiple-mirror telescope) at the Whipple Observatory at Mount Hopkins, Arizona uses six 72-inch mirrors together, giving a 1ight-grasp equal to a single 176-inch mirror.

MOST BORDER CROSSINGS: The most frequently crossed frontier is the border between the United States and Mexico, with over 500 million crossings each year.

MOST FREQUENTLY SUNG SONGS: in English are, in order, `Happy Birthday to You" (1893); "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" (1781); "AuId Lang Syne" (1759).

Canning Youth Action Team was on a canoe trip. During the third day, they were portaging, and decided to stop for lunch. It clouded over and started to rain. They hid under a tarp, and were holding hands (for grace). The lake beside them was struck. The energy traveled through the lake and then up through the roots that they stood on. All twelve members survived, and only had a few symptoms. (Nausia, wrist, and chest pains).

I have to say that this book is good, but not as exciting as the past editions. I remember some of the records from back in the 80's and I see most of them have been broken. I am glad to see that my hometown, Chicago, has set some records. That I haven't seen in the past editions. I love this book. Only problem........ need more pictures!! I would even liked it better if it was a hardback book.

Not entirely satisfactory. Needs more salt at the last minute to really bring the taste out. I Tried the '97 edition on a bed of shallots with a red current jus but it too let me down when the guests turned up. Still, not worth worrying about now is it?

Personally I'd recommend hanging in for the 2000 edition as it's bound to be more meaty, with soft subtle fruit flavors penetrating right through the flesh. I'm looking forward to trying in with a nice glass of d'Yquem '58 and pins in my eyes.

The World Records in this book are sometimes only a paragraph long.Get the 1999 edition or watch the show every Tuesday,Saturday and Sunday night.My favorit record on the show was were the yogi fit into a tiny box and was submerjed in water in it for six minuits!However it was on tv live one night.The first record was the longest a person was set on fire without oxygen which was a little more than I minuit and tightrope walking with a blindfold on.

i think this book is for people of all age, size, and shape! I loved it very much! It had many intresting facts that will intrest you. When you pick it up you can't put it down. I think everyone should have this book!

i thought it had lots of intriging informatio

I really like to read about cool amazing, and even gross facts and world records.It's fun to read The Guinness Book Of Records and then I get to go tell my friend and family.

Very good book for teenagers. Fun and intresting to read. A must hav

I love The Guiness Book. It is so interesting to read..if only for the pictures. Once you start you can't put it down.