Schotts Sammelsurium 2008

by Ben Schott

Schott’s Almanac redefines the traditional almanac to present a record of the year just past and is designed to be read, not merely consulted. Practical and entertaining, it tells the real stories of 2006, from the winner of American Idol to the Supreme Court nominations (including how different justices have voted), from baseball and football statistics to the founder of amazon.com’s new private rocketship factory. In an age when information is plentiful but selection is rare, Schott’s Almanac offers both the essential facts and the lucid, provocative analysis. It is comprehensive, innovative, endlessly engaging – in short, indispensable.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Trivia, Society, Contemporary

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to read some non-fiction & maybe to help with trivia games.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like almanacs. I liked this one. This book taught me that Mickey Spillane was dead, that I wasn't the one who coined the term "cyberchondriac," and that Alan Alda was among the least likely celebrities to sign an autograph, according to Autograph Signers magazine. And when he refused to sign my copy of "Free to Be You and Me," I learned that this book was accurate.

But a lot of the info came from 2005, which didn't seem acceptable for a 2007.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun almanac with all matters of useless and useful info. I don't think I've sat down and work steadily through this book. Instead I found myself randomly turning to different pages and learning something new. Want to learn about "pimp chic"? How about some causes of theatrical bad luck? Do you know what opsigamy is? You will after you read this book.

[Maggie Nowakowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most unusual almanac. For example, in the middle of 2006 weather data, you get a section on Rain Gods of Note. A great book to leave someplace in the house where you often have a moment or three to read something interesting but don't want to get caught up in anything long.

[Breck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit overwhelming, but a great book to spend 5-10 minutes per day with. Doing so should just about get you through it in time for the next year's edition. It's just a wonderful selection of information.

[Kate Harvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full of all kinds of info from arts and letters to sports...perfect for the subway (or the bathroom).

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great to flip through -- I slowly worked my way cover-to-cover, though, which was great for learning lots of new things, but that I'm not sure whether or not I will repeat next year...

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just for fun, really.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book; full of fascinatingly useless information.

[Kristian · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautifully typeset and researched, Schott's Almanac is a great piece of pop-culture history.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly fascinating book of miscellaneous information and tidbits from 2006.

[Tattered Cover Book Store]

This book will tell you about USPS slang, the Hindu Trinity, the FBI's top ten art crimes and the most literate cities of the U.S. (Denver is one of these.)

Emily

[Lysergius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long lists of things and factoids that are somehow more satisfying in this form than Google or whatever. Get it every year. Its a must...

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became addicted to this annual almanac. What happened to it?

[Winifred]

great book if you like facts

[Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old Schott's, you can't beat it.