The New York Public Library Desk Reference [Hardcover]

Paul Fargis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786868465 | ISBN-13: 978-0786868469 | Publication Date: November 20, 2002 | Edition: 4 Sub

urious to know about the wind chill factor or how to make a Rob Roy or locate the time in China? Why not peruse a list of common crossword-puzzle words, catch up on the latest computer terms, learn how to carve a turkey the right way, or find out who invented what and when? The most reliable, useful, and entertaining information is once again just a page-turn away in the fourth edition of The New York Public Library Desk Reference. This timeless resource originates from one of the world's great storehouses of knowledge. With collections totaling over 50 million items, The New York Public Library's vast collections continue to expand at a rate of approximately 10,000 items per week. Fully updated with more than 1,000 pages, The New York Public Library Desk Reference is packed with answers to the most frequently asked questions, as well as easy-to-read charts, graphs, and tables, insightful sidebars, full-color maps, and illustrations, plus cross-references and web addresses to aid more in-depth research. From the serious to the trivial, the most frequently sought information from more than 50 reference books is readily at hand in this one comprehensive and accessible guide.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1024 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 4 Sub edition (November 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786868465
• ISBN-13: 978-0786868469
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, November 3, 2003

By 

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New York Public Library Desk Reference (Hardcover)

You can't get a better book than this to page through on a whim. From a list of major composers to the basic rules of mathematics to traveling tips, this fat reference volume has entries that surprise me every time I open it. You want to know the symptoms and treatment of food poisoning? It's in there. The addresses of major U.S. passport agencies? Got it. How about the names and reigns of every Roman Catholic pope? How to set financial goals for retirement? The length of a day on Pluto? You'll find those answers here as well. The sheer amount of trivia is staggering. If you want to know the answer to a question, no matter how ordinary or obscure, look here first.

Dictionary readers will switch their allegiances once they get a hold of this desk reference. All others will refer to it at surprising times. A must have for every reference shelf.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brimming with an array of facts, tables, and instructions, March 30, 2004

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The New York Public Library Desk Reference (Hardcover)

The New York Public Library Desk Reference is a high-density information source brimming with an array of facts, tables, and instructions. The strength of this book is its preponderance of "evergreen" facts such as lists of U. S. presidents, major holidays from around the world, cooking tips, financial and legal information, astronomical events, grammar, etiquette, first aid, tables of weights and measures, and stain removal instructions. Other information, such as URLs for Internet sites, various telephone numbers, and addresses will be outdated

As some have noted, there are some shortcomings and typos, but while puzzling, such flaws should not deter folks who want fast access to data, facts, dates, and schedules from including this volume to their desktop reference set.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Quick Source of Information, February 24, 2006

By 

Victor J. Van Walleghemto (Suburban Kansas City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New York Public Library Desk Reference (Hardcover)

This is an excellent resource for a short description of a very wide variety of subjects that one sometimes is curious about. In addition it makes an interesting book to page through as there is information about subjects that almost anyone will find interesting and it will broaden a persons general knowledge.