This convenient and affordable little reference provides essential information about the world's most influential men and women. It includes nearly 7,000 entries covering people from all eras and nations. The book also covers major historical and contemporary figures, providng the spelling and pronunciation of names, birth and death dates, and career accomplishments. It also includes adjectives and nouns derived from propr names.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
This handy little reference reads like a virtual who's who of world history. Whether you want to know the date Napoleon died or just the names of some of Chekhov's most famous plays, you'll find what you're looking for in this book's pocket-sized pages. More than 7,000 entries chronicle the lives, deaths, and achievements of historical figures from Attila the Hun to Andy Warhol, including major works, prizes won, and principalities conquered. There's even a pronunciation guide to help make sure you don't suavely drop that reference to the work of Mies van der Rohe, then make his first name rhyme with "skies."
About the Author
The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir, who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on September 24, 1847.
Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition, only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25 years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.
The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk, General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000 copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing companies.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Three-Dollar Book,
By August McCarthy (Virginia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Pocket Biographical Dictionary (Pocket Reference Library) (Paperback)
You couldn't ask more of a book that fits into a shirt pocket. Thousands of entries with pronunciations, dates, and even parts of speech. For instance, if you might want to describe someone as Comtian, then you'll not only know what Comte did and when he did it, but you'll also know how to spell the adjective. History is swarming with too many figures to remember; it's nice to have them all handy. Did I mention how cheap the book is?
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very very helpful,
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This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Pocket Biographical Dictionary (Pocket Reference Library) (Paperback)
This dictionary helped me sooo much in my history class it has soo many biographies and all the info u need to know.
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