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Reference
Books Bulletin/Booklist
The Book Report
Choice
Review from:
Reference
Books Bulletin/Booklist
Encyclopedic in coverage and
comprehensive in scope, this reference work is "a record of first
happenings, Discoveries, and inventions in world history" and serves
as a companion to Wilson's well-known Famous First Facts (5th ed,.
19971 According to Anzovin and Podell (who, incidentally, are also
responsible for the latest edition of Famous First Facts, Facts
about the States, and other Wilson reference. titles), Famous First Facts, International Edition was developed in response to
suggestions from readers who requested that the format of Famous First
Facts be applied to a reference book examining the world at large,
Aimed at historians. researchers, librarians, students. and teachers, as
well as the general reader, the book's content is accessible to almost any
audience.
The 5.000-plus entries are grouped
under alphabetically arranged subject categories and, when needed,
subcategories. For example, the subject heading "Food and Drink"
is further divided into "Alcohol," "Coffee and Tea,"
"Cookbooks," "Dairy," and "Packaging," to
name a few. Some subcategories contain even further subcategories. Entries
are arranged chronologically within each category or subcategory, and each
is assigned a four-digit indexing number, beginning with 1001. Length of
entries varies from a single sentence first espresso machine) to
more than 250 words (first ball game). There are five indexes at
the back of the book, taking up almost half of the volume's total pages.
These include a subject index (abbey to Zulus) of topics
mentioned in entries, an index by years (3.5 billion B.C. to 2001), an
index by days, an index to personal names, and a geo- graphical index,
which is a listing of key modern locations (Afghanistan to Zimbabwe) by
nation, state or province, and city. The "How to Use This Book"
page is helpful to readers not familiar with the intricate arrangement
used previously in Famous First Facts.
The editors acknowledge the research
assistance of librarians "and others in their effort to compile the
data included in the volume, though no specific works, print or
electronic, are cited. It is conceivable that Web sites lacking authority
and accuracy may have been used by those who submitted data, which is of
course a concern. Although the information contained in this book may be
found In numerous encyclopedias, almanacs, history books, and the like,
this expansive, thorough, and accessible (not to mention time-saving)
compilation is a valuable new reference tool recommended for purchase by
most libraries.
Review
from: The Book Report
Date reviewed: November/December 2000
With more than 5,000
entries covering the entire range of known human history and representing
nearly every nation in the world, this intriguing resource is packed with
a wealth of information organized into categories and subcategories for
easy access. Such topics as diseases, languages, sports, Nobel prizes, and
a seemingly endless array of others are included. The extensive indexing
is comprised of five indexes arranged by subject, year, day of the month,
name, and geographic location. This reference book invites perusing and
answers questions quickly and easily. It can also be used to help students
choose research topics. Recommended.
—Brooke Selby Dillon,
English/Reading Teacher, Tahoma (Washington) Senior High School
Review
from: Choice
Date reviewed: October 2000
Unlike its predecessors that focused primarily on US
history, the latest volume in Wilson's "Facts" series selects historical
events from all countries. Like its US-focused counterpart, Joseph Nathan
Kane's Famous First Facts (FFF; 1st ed., 1933), this source compiles some
5,000 brief facts about discoveries, inventions, scientific and
technological advancements (e.g., the cellular telephone system), and
origins of ordinary objects such as chocolate and newspapers. The time
period covered extends from 3.5 billion BCE to 2001 CE, the year the first
building over 1,500 feet tall (World Financial Center, Shanghai) is to be
completed. Using the same arrangement as the 5th edition of FFF (CH,
Jul'98), this international edition arranges broad subject categories and
subcategories alphabetically, with individual entries listed
chronologically to show the development of a field or endeavor and
numbered from 1001 (Agriculture) to 6138 (Weapons). Five indexes (subject,
years, days, names, and geographical--nearly 50 percent of the book) help
locate specific entries. Several entries from earlier FFFs are updated. A
welcome companion to FFF, highly recommended for all levels of readers and
a wide range of libraries, especially general reference collections.
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