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Kingfisher Encyclopedias

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

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Kingfisher's encyclopedias are award-winning, information-packed reference books for all the family. The new, updated editions are beautiful versions of these trusted favorites--perfect for gifts and reference alike. If you want one history encyclopedia, this is it!

History leaps from the page in this completely revised and updated edition of the critically acclaimed Kingfisher History Encyclopedia by the editors at Kingfisher. From man's earliest history right through to the technological and social revolutions of the current day, this trusted reference provides a one-stop source for research, and is the perfect companion to any study of world history. The encyclopedia is organized chronologically and then thematically within each time period. A timeline runs across the top of each page for context. Each section includes biographies of important people and key features on the art, architecture, and technology of the period. No more hunting and pecking all over the internet for incomplete or un-vetted information. With 3,500 indexed references and more than 2,000 full-color illustrations, photographs, and source materials, as well as research-friendly back matter and index, this encyclopedia provides a beautiful, authoritative reference that is essential for any home, school, or library.

496 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1998

49 people are currently reading
399 people want to read

About the author

Kingfisher Publications

326 books8 followers
Kingfisher is an award-winning publisher for non-fiction and fiction for children of all ages. Known around the world for its informative and engaging reference and early-learning books, Kingfisher also receives widespread acclaim for its classic anthologies for five- to fourteen-year-olds and original picture books for very young children.

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5 stars
231 (49%)
4 stars
159 (34%)
3 stars
57 (12%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for MischaS_.
783 reviews1,463 followers
May 4, 2019
A couple of months ago I thought that I finally managed to add all the books I've read before I started with Goodreads. And now I found all of these encyclopedias I owned and read. And the amount is a bit frightening.

Looking at this one right now, I read the parts till the 18th century so many times! I still have the post-it stickers in it, after all these years. However, I don't think I ever read the 20th century part.
Profile Image for The Celtic Rebel (Richard).
598 reviews5 followers
February 9, 2019
I saw this at Goodwill several years ago and with my own kids around and now grandkids, I am glad I made the decision to purchase it. It is the best 4 bucks I have spent in a long time. I love history and this is simply written that even children can get something out of it whether it be the articles or the pictures. I love the timeline feature as well as the articles and the abundant illustrations and pictures which are excellent.

With the kids and now the grandchildren, we are constantly referring to it.
Profile Image for Amelia.
102 reviews
April 22, 2021
This was a pretty good school book, though it clearly has some liberal/atheist bias in it.
Profile Image for Keely.
199 reviews29 followers
September 17, 2018
I finally finished this after about 3 years of reading it. Granted I took about a 2 year gap, but I completed it none the less.
This book is good if you are just looking for basic knowledge for historical events and has lots of pictures to get you a better idea of how things were.
Profile Image for Nicole.
284 reviews74 followers
September 29, 2019
This is a great jumping off point for young historians. The illustrations and photography are gorgeous and pique interest to learn more. The accompanying web links are extremely helpful and add a lot to the value of this encyclopedia.
Profile Image for yuzzy.
119 reviews45 followers
September 23, 2017
Very nice and detailed it took me a while to finish
10 reviews
Want to read
June 29, 2013
Lisbeth Rider
Encyclopedia: Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
Call number
R
909
Kinf
Brief Description
The book is divided into ten sections, chronologically from The Ancient World (40,000-500BC) to The Modern World (1950 to the present). 496pp. Its layout is colorful and appealing, with photographs and maps on every page.
Citation for where the item has been reviewed
Ostergard, Maren (2012). Booklist, 109(5), p49.
Criteria:
Content Scope
There are ten sections arranged chronologically from The Ancient World to The Modern World. Each section has highlights on Arts, Architecture, and Science and Technology. The Modern World section has information on terrorism.
Accuracy, Authority, and Bias
Critics have described the work as “concise and intriguing, written in an engaging style. Nothing negative was mentioned in any of the reviews I read.
Arrangement and Presentation
A timeline running along the top of each page is a special feature that makes it easy for students to understand the passage of time while tracking various events occurring simultaneously in different parts of the world. There is a Ready Reference section highlighting important events so students can find facts without reading through the entire text of a section, or even consulting the index.
Relation to Similar Works
This text offers a deeper look at the arts, architecture, science and technology than other similar works.
Timeliness and Permanence
The current edition contains updates about the deaths of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, along with information about continuing terrorist attacks all over the world. There is a list of internet links in order to remain current before a new edition is published,.
Accessibility/Diversity
Presentation of diverse world cultures is one of the outstanding features of The Kingfisher History Encycloedia.
Cost $32.99
Profile Image for Bethany.
61 reviews5 followers
Read
December 1, 2013
Kingfisher. (2012). The Kingfisher history encyclopedia: 3rd edition. New York, NY: Kingfisher.

Citation by Bethany Voight
Type of Reference: Encyclopedia
Call Number: REF 909 Kinf

Accuracy: Critics have described the work as “concise and intriguing, written in an engaging style”. Several review sources are all positive. Another critic wrote that this volume will “have a general appeal beyond reporting”.

Authority: Kingfisher is a reputable publisher of children’s encyclopedias.

Currency: The current edition contains updates about the deaths of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, along with information about continuing terrorist attacks all over the world. There is a list of internet links in order to remain current before a new edition is published.

Format: One volume, 496 pages. Layout of text and illustrations are colorful, concise, and user-friendly. The many color illustrations per page include captioned maps and photographs, illustrations of places, artifacts, events, and people. Each chapter also includes a boxed timeline of major events of the era.

Indexing: Index is research-friendly with over 3500 references in alphabetical order.

Objectivity: There have been no critiques of bias from any of the reviews. Entries seem to be fair and factual, even the ones on modern terrorism.

Scope: Age appropriate for the middle grades. Reviews state grade 5 and up. Each era is covered in uniform manner and also includes contemporary issues in the “modern world” section of the book.

Review source: McGuire, B. (2012). The Kingfisher history encyclopedia. School Library Journal, 58(10), 75.
Profile Image for Kristal.
43 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2010
This is the favorite history encyclopedia in our homeschool. We refer to it often. It is colorful with great photography and info. We just skip over the evolution mumbo jumbo in the beginning. I leave it there so the kids know that's what some people think, rather than tearing that out of the book like some have been known to do!
Profile Image for Aries.
91 reviews28 followers
September 10, 2016
The Encyclopedia is packed with the must to know things in World History. Detailed by a colourlful graphics, maps, and graphs people would not think history as a head aching course.

The books helped me a lot when I was in High School and made me outstanding in the class. Har har
Profile Image for Claudia.
175 reviews13 followers
February 6, 2008
Has some interesting nude illustrations but overall is very informative and interests my kids.
Profile Image for Vân Anh.
1 review14 followers
June 16, 2016
The information in this book is precious and I think everyone should read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
72 reviews
Read
August 12, 2016
A great book for school and a nice review of world history
Profile Image for Summisse.
70 reviews
April 6, 2012
The best history encyclopedia for young scholars, and an essential tool for instructors.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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