International Book of Days Review

American Reference Book Annual 2006
Library Media Connection, November/December 2005
Christian Library Journal, December 2005
Reference Reviews (UK), September 2005, Vol. 19, # 6
School Library Journal, August 2005
Choice, July 2005
Library Journal, March 1, 2005
Midwest Book Review, March 2005
Curled Up with a Good Book, December 2005

Review from: American Reference Book Annual 2006

Imagine a combination of the Chronicles of the World and Chase’s Calendar of Events might look like and you will have an idea of this newest entry into the field of chronologies combined with religious and secular holiday celebrations. This new title, a companion volume to the author's The American Book of Days covers significant international events for every day of the year. The criteria for inclusion is broad: “to provide readers with information on historical events of military, scientific, ethnic, political, and cultural significance from around the world.”

The 1,500 entries run from 100 to 200 words and cover events, holidays, and people from 125 countries. They are organized by month and day. There are two to eight entries for each day. Each month's section begins with an essay on its length, weather, the origin and history of its name, and the gem or birthstone associated with it. Random entries for each day follow…. Well-written, informative essays….

On the positive side, even the briefest entries manage to capture the essence of what makes each event notable and provides added value through the accompanying text. For example, the entry for the first recorded lunar eclipse (March 19,721 B.C.E.) discusses ancient astronomical history and beliefs and compares them to modern scientific findings. It also gives an explanation of an eclipse and describes the three types. Political and military events are succinctly explained and key issues, the impact, and resolution are all incorporated in the text. Biographical entries give the person's vital statistics and brief background, and go on to illustrate why he or she is important. Events and people important in American history have brief entries and the user is directed to The American Book of Days for a more extensive article….In addition to the 35-page index there are 6 appendixes. Three deal with the history of the calendar, the concept of an era, and the names of the days of the week, respectively.

Review from: Library Media Connection, November/December 2005

This title is H.W. Wilson’s companion volume to its American Book of Days (2000). The encyclopedia work covers a day-by-day record of important events throughout the world, including historic, religious, political, and ethnic events from 125 countries. Maps and photographs add to the coverage. Appendices include explanations about today’s calendar and common era, the days of the week, the charters of The United Nations, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the North Atlantic Treaty. An in-depth index with cross-referencing helps the user locate information easily. This work is a good purchase for a public or college library. It is also useful for the high school library.

Review from: Christian Library Journal, December 2005

This encyclopedic work is H.W. Wilson’s companion volume to its American Book of Days (2000), accompanied by a first-class 46-page double-columned index. It includes more than 1,500 political and cultural events, holidays and celebrations, and birthdays for each of the 366 days of the year (including February 29th). The opening 22-page summary of all the events covered is followed by 800 some pages of well-written essays between 200 and 1,000 words and enhanced by nearly 400 photographs and maps. Appendices include helpful information about today’s calendar and Common Era, and the days of the week. The lucid writing and scholarly research makes this a work worthy for any public library, and for school libraries where students research important events throughout the world. Those having The American Book of Days will find minimal repeating of information. Helene Henderson’s Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary (Omnigraphics, 2005) is less detailed. Overall, a unique reference tool likely to be used many times.

Review from: Reference Reviews (UK), September 2005, Vol. 19, # 6

The International Book of Days is a companion volume to the fourth edition of The American Book of Days (Christianson and Hatch 2000), and is "designed to provide readers with information on historical events of military, scientific, ethnic, political, and cultural significance from around the world." For each of the 366 days of the year, several substantial essays describe significant events through their anniversaries or other relevant dates. Thus for March 3, there are page-length essays on Serfs are Emancipated in Russia, First Performance of Bizet's Carmen (with photograph of Bizet's Dust), Liberation Day (Bulgaria) with a map, and Throne Day (Morocco) with a photograph of the Tomb of Kings in Marrakesh. June 30, another day picked at random, features Death of Montezuma, Toscanini Makes His Conducting Debut,

London's Tower Bridge Opens, Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity in Published, and Giant Meteor Strikes Siberia. Essays of between 200 and 1,000 words rather than one-sentence or summary descriptions are given, so this book is not merely a record of events, but a handbook of history. This is supported by cross-referencing and an extensive index. In all there are over 1,500 lives and events featured.

The book commences with a 22-page summary of all the events covered in the following 800 pages. The quality of the entries in the main sequence is excellent, with information-rich prose and nearly 400 photographs and maps. The text is both scholarly and lucid. The entry on Edward the Confessor (October 13) would impress any historian with the careful analysis of this chaotic period in English history, and the author of First

Commercial Computer (went into service on June 14) knows his/her INIVAC, ASCC and ENIAC The opportunity taken to relate events to their wider background and indicate their significance. For that reason the book is an excellent informational and educational tool. The 46-page double-columned index is also first class.

After New Year’s Eve on page 814—British East India Company is Chartered and the Death of Roberto Clemente…follow six appendices….The Calendar, The Era, The Days of the Week….the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and The North Atlantic Treaty.

Review from: School Library Journal, August 2005

Grades 9 and Up: This companion to The American Book of Days (H.W. Wilson, 2000) includes more than 1,500 political and cultural events, holidays and celebrations, and birthdays of individuals over the course of human history. A sampling of the entries, which are arranged by month and day, offers a look at the range of topics covered: "League of Nations Is Established" (January 10), "Phagwah, Hindu Festival of Colors" (March 11), "First Use of Lunar Rover" (July 31), and "Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella" (October 18). Within a few paragraphs or half page, substantial biographical and historical information is provided. However, as with any book of this type, readers may wonder why some events and festivities were included and others omitted. Also, there is no explanation for including the full texts of the "Charter of the UN," "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," and "The North Atlantic Treaty." Overlap between The International and The American Book of Days is minimal. Helene Henderson’s Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary (Omnigraphics, 2005, 3rd ed.) is generally less detailed. Most libraries will want all three titles.

Review from: Choice, July 2005

International Book of Days for 2004 chronicles some 1,500 of the most important lives and military, political, religious, and cultural events in world history. Arranged by month, with a brief, informative essay about each month, then by day, this reference emphasizes national and religious holidays and momentous dates in the ancient and modern histories of over 125 countries. The potpourri of entries covers birthdays of significant historical figures (Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Michelangelo, Sun Yat-sen), a wide assortment of events (Mussolini's execution, Elvis Presley's appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the opening of the Holland Tunnel, Elizabeth II's coronation), and includes some cross-references to other essays in the book and to essays in its companion volume, The American Book of Days, 4th ed. Both informing and enlightening, the book is enhanced by 400 photographs and maps. It is easy to read and has an index that makes fact finding simple.

Summing Up: Recommended. Public and academic libraries.

Review from: Library Journal, March 1, 2005

A companion volume to the fourth edition of The American Book of Days, also by Christianson, this fun-to-browse book presents an international tour of holidays and major historical events. Organized by day of the year, the book covers some 1,500 key events in world history: December 15th, for example, is the date the Bill of Rights was ratified, jazz musician Glenn Miller disappeared while flying over the English Channel, and Communist rule in Romania crumbled. The book...features an extensive index and a highly legible format.

Review from: Midwest Book Review, March 2005

The International Book of Days is a companion volume to the fourth edition of The American Book of Days. For each of the 366 days in the year (including February 29th), The International Book of Days remarks on extraordinary and pivotal events in world history, as well as international holidays and observances, from the debut of Beethoven's first symphony to Evacuation Day commemorated in Egypt (celebrating the withdrawal of British colonial forces) to Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. A unique and useful reference, especially recommended for public, school, and private library collections, enhanced with appendices and a straightforward index.

Review from: Curled Up with a Good Book, December 2005

This interesting historical almanac of all times and places in the traditional almanac format from January 1st to December 31st. It covers when historical people were born or died, when unusual things occurred—like the Beatles arriving in the United States, Abraham Gesner patent on kerosene, Big Ben’s first chime—and other interesting and odd facts.

Christianson starts the book with a table of contents of sorts giving the date and the entries for that date with the page number for quick reference. Each month has an introduction and the entries follow. Besides the historical entries, Christianson has included black-and-white maps and, in the appendices, explanations on the calendar, the era, and days of the week—and he provides the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and The North Atlantic Treaty. The book concludes with an index.

There are more than 1,500 articles in this book, entries 200 to 1,000 words long depending on the topic. This book is in the tradition of The American Book of Days by Christianson and published also by H.W. Wilson, a reputable publisher of reference books and other resources.

Stephen G. Christianson is a graduate of Oberlin College (1984) and received his J.D. from the Marshall-Whythe School of Law of the College of William and Mary in 1987. He is the author of How to Administer an Estate (2004), The American Book of Days (2000), now in its fourth edition, and Facts About Congress (1996).

The International Book of Days is a great reference resource for public and academic libraries. Individuals interested in trivia would also like this very readable book for themselves.