Grade 10 Up. Most of the information in this paperback has been culled from The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia (Cambridge Univ., 1994). The preface explains that efforts were made to ensure more comprehensive multicultural coverage and to include more figures from 20th-century popular culture (e.g., Madonna, Dr. Seuss, Fran Tarkenton). A "How to Use" section explains the format and cross-references, and includes a pronunciation guide. The entries are brief?with the exception of world political leaders such as Napoleon I, George Washington, and Adolf Hitler?and include major activities or contributions. In some cases, persons associated with the figure appear in bold type within the text. Cross-references are listed at the end of the articles. They are confusing at times because not all the names cross-referenced have entries. Paul McCartney and John Lennon are cross-referenced to one another, George Harrison has no cross-references even though he has an entry, and Ringo Starr does not appear in the book. There are other omissions. Rodgers and Hammerstein are included but Joshua Logan is not; John Jacob Astor is profiled but Isidor Straus is not. Still, this volume would be a good purchase for quick facts and ready-reference questions.?Maureen Connelly, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
The Cambridge Biographical Dictionary is the outstanding paperback reference guide to the world's noted personalities, living and dead. From Aeschylus and Alexander the Great to Franco Zeffirelli and Louis Zukovsky, from Chinua Achebe and Larry Adler to Zhuangzi and Zoroasta, this alphabetical book provides the essential details on more than 14,000 people from the past and present - some generally famous, others recognised within specialised fields throughout the arts, sciences and sport. By offering year of birth and (where appropriate) death, place of birth, profession, a succinct description of achievement, and in many cases pronunciations and cross-references to other personalities, the entries in this book amount to the most accurate and up-to-date compendium of world biography available in paperback.
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