Books

The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference: Revised and Expanded Second Edition

Average customer rating:

The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference: Revised and Expanded Second Edition
Douglas Brinkley
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

History | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The New York Public Library Desk Reference (4th Edition)
The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind
Book of Answers: The New York Public Library Telephone Reference Service's Most Unusual and Enter
The Great American History Fact-Finder: The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of American History, Updated & Expanded Edition
The New York Public Library Literature Companion

ASIN: 0786868473

Book Description

The New York Public Library Desk Reference series, a trusted source for frequently sought information, adds an updated and comprehensive volume on a timely subject-American History-to this bestselling series he fascinating history of America has now been condensed into a compact, easy-to-use overview of the nation's development. The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference is packed with information on a variety of topics from military and foreign affairs to education and science. Information is organized into detailed timelines highlighting events throughout America's history, along with numerous sidebars, photos, maps, brief biographies, and trivia tidbits, making this book the ultimate 'look-it-up' book.

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Fourth Revised Edition

Average customer rating:

Compact and helpful
a treasure trove of knowledge
A Great Portable Reference!

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Fourth Revised Edition
Concord Reference
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia
The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004 (World Almanac and Book of Facts (Paper))
The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2007 (World Almanac and Book of Facts)
Crossword Puzzle Dictionary: Sixth Edition
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary

ASIN: 0451193202

Book Description

Completely updated an expanded Over 1.5 million copies in print The only one-volume mass market paperback encyclopedia available More than 15,000 entries Includes current people and topics such as Bill Gates, Ebola virus, NAFTA and virtual reality Covers virtually every field of knowledge 16-page guide to space, and more than 240 location maps for the United States and foreign countries

Customer Reviews:

Compact and helpful.......2005-12-15

We have found this very helpful to students in our home. They always expect the internet to provide answers now, but this is often faster, and the internet and computer don't always work! The entries are surprisingly thorough and helpful for such a compact book - hence the small print. Portable for a backpack.

a treasure trove of knowledge.......2005-02-26

An enormous amount of information is packed into this one volume, compact enough to keep on one's desk, and though the entries are short, they are quite thorough, on people, places and things of every sort.
For those like me who like to read writing on paper more than on a computer screen, this can be better that a search engine, and more accessible.
As a youngster I used to read the dictionary as if it were novel, and now as an oldster, I find myself going through the pages of this mighty little volume fascinated by its many subjects.

As an example, I will cite an entry for a composer not enough people know about:
"Vivaldi, Antonio (c 1680-1741). Venetian composer, notably for the violin. He wrote vocal music, sonatas, some 450 concertos for violin and other instruments (helping establish the three-movement form; see CONCERTO) and concerti grossi including the famous Four Seasons. His work has sparkling clarity, strong rhythms, and a wealth of melody".
It doesn't go into his life, but you get an idea of who he was, and why he merits an entry.

Yes, you need a good light to read it, and spectacles if your sight isn't all it should be without them; the font size is small, but that is to be expected, with so much packed into a book you can pick up with one hand.
An essential along with a dictionary and thesaurus, this is a reference book that I use constantly, and appreciate.

A Great Portable Reference!.......2001-01-01

I own an older edition of this book (published in 1989), and it helped to get me through my freshman year of college. Granted, it isn't an all-encompassing compendium, you can't expect that from a 1,400 page book that covers 15,000 subjects. However, I found it to be a wonderful resource when all you need is a short, general introduction to a topic.

Amazon.com

This is exactly the type of reference book you'd expect from the New York Public Library--it is packed with tables, charts, timelines, and summaries devoted, in this case, to the African American experience. Chapters cover a variety of topics, including the saga of African American history, politics and civil rights, science and technology, the military and the media. African American Desk Reference opens with a timeline of African American history beginning in 1200 B.C. when, according to a number of scholars, black Africans from Egypt and Nubia sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and had extensive contact with native peoples of the Americas. The timeline spans 22 pages and ends in 1998 with a description of the President's Commission on Race, which looked at issues affecting African Americans, and BET's announcement that it would produce films for the African American market. As readers would expect, slavery is given much attention throughout the nearly 600 pages. And this is where the book's depth of information shines. Not only are slavery's origins, key players, and ultimate demise discussed, there are also tables showing the gender and age of captives taken from Africa between 1600 and 1800; a record comparing occupations in Charleston in 1848 among slaves, "free Negroes," and whites; and a chart of the nationality of ships engaged in the Atlantic slave trade from 1701 to 1800. Lighter topics are also covered, including summaries of the origins of major holidays, as well as the traditions behind family and wedding celebrations. A variety of recipes are also included (Onions, Okra, Corn and Tomatoes; Nola's Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese; Creole Red Beans and Rice), as are explanations of children's games, including the jump-rope contest Double Dutch and the clapping rhyme game Mary Mack. Notable achievements of African Americans are also addressed, including inventors and innovators, recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and winners of major literary prizes. True to its librarian roots, each chapter in the book ends with a list of sources where readers can find additional information. It's hard to imagine, though, that much is left uncovered in this extensive book. --John Russell

Book Description

Covering a wide range of knowledge, The New York Public Library African American Desk Reference is a magnificent resource for home, family, and business, and an essential addition to your personal reference library.

"Indispensable for those interested in the African American experience. We have no better source for quick and reliable information." Cornel West, Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University

"As much about African American culture as one could possibly gain from one volume is now available in this highly readable, easily accessible, genuinely informative desk reference." Johnetta B. Cole, PhD, President Emerita, Spelman College; Presidential Distinguished Professor, Emory University

In over 5,000 fascinating information capsules, this landmark reference captures the most vital people, places, organizations, movements, and creative works of a people, and provides a practical resource for everyday living. In its nineteen chapters, youll find:

Desk Encyclopedia, The New American: Third Revised Edition

Average customer rating:

Desk Encyclopedia, The New American: Third Revised Edition
Concord Reference
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451175662

The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference (New York Public Library Series)

Average customer rating:

Good for Ready & Quick Reference
Great for students

The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference (New York Public Library Series)
Frommer's
Manufacturer: MacMillan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

History | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Teens | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0028613228

Amazon.com

The New York Public Library's fine volume on American history is both scholarly and easy to use. The history is divided into topical chapters ("Territorial Expansion," "Immigration and Minorities," "Military History," and so on), wherein each subject is treated chronologically and comprehensively within its boundaries. "Indigenous Peoples," for example, covers their history from the last great ice age to the 1989 court case of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield, and is followed by an explanation of Indian religion and a short biography of Native Americans in American history. A variety of subjects get the same full treatment. This excellent reference book provides you with detailed and chronological views of religion and science, as well as a unique perspective on American culture.

Book Description

With more than one million copies sold over several titles, The New York Public Library Desk Reference is simply one of the bestselling reference series available. Now, under the auspices of the world-famous New York Public Library, here is the comprehensive-yet-quick-answer guide to one of the most popular topics in family reference: American history. Short topical overviews, easy-reference timelines, and capsule biographies, as well as hundreds of sidebars, maps, and illustrations bring together all of the major events and themes from the early migrations of native peoples to the present age. Organized by social and cultural categories (exploration and colonization, immigration and minorities, military, business and commerce, etc.) and exhaustively cross-referenced and indexed, The New York Completely updated to incorporate the myriad changes that have recently occurred in the world, this user-friendly reference covers 26 categories of the most commonly asked-about subject areaseverything from math and science to sports and games to religion and philosophy. It also features a brand-new atlas reflecting geographic changes.

Customer Reviews:

Good for Ready & Quick Reference.......2001-04-27

This is just what it claims to be: A Desk Reference work on American History. In essence this book is conversational history. In other words, the contents of this work is 'pop' history or typical historical information.

The contents include references regarding Native American (From Ancient to the winning of the West), Colonial history, Territorial expansion, Immigration and Minorities, Military (nice chapter), Government, Politics, and Law (another good chapter), The Development of the American City, Business and Economics, Education, Science and Medicine, Transportation, Religion, and much, much more.

Overall, this is a nice reference work. However, it is not really for the 'serious' historical researcher. Details are not this books forte, and that is just fine for the purpose it serves. Just as the front cover totes, this book is "For the most frequently sought information about American history."

Great for students.......2000-04-23

My son has just entered high school and loves this book. I has really helped him become more interested in school. He really likes the quick and easy synopis it provides.

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Second Edition

Average customer rating:

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Second Edition
Concord Reference
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0452008719

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Third Edition

Average customer rating:

The New American Desk Encyclopedia: Third Edition
Concord Reference
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0452011094

Average customer rating:

THE NEW AMERICAN DESK ENCYCLOPEDIA
Penguin Books
Manufacturer: Signet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I1014Q

Average customer rating:

The New American Desk Encyclopedia
n/a
Manufacturer: Signet Book/ Penguin Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000L0E83O

Average customer rating:

The New American Desk Encyclopedia : Fourth Revised Edition
Concord Reference
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NCVNRE

Books:

Books