The New York Public Library Desk Reference

by New York Public Library

Curious to know about the wind chill factor or how to make a Rob Roy or locate the time in China? Why not peruse a list of common crossword-puzzle words, catch up on the latest computer terms, learn how to carve a turkey the right way, or find out who invented what and when? The most reliable, useful, and entertaining information is once again just a page-turn away in the fourth edition of The New York Public Library Desk Reference. This timeless resource originates from one of the world's great storehouses of knowledge. With collections totaling over 50 million items, The New York Public Library's vast collections continue to expand at a rate of approximately 10,000 items per week. Fully updated with more than 1,000 pages, The New York Public Library Desk Reference is packed with answers to the most frequently asked questions, as well as easy-to-read charts, graphs, and tables, insightful sidebars, full-color maps, and illustrations, plus cross-references and web addresses to aid more in-depth research. From the serious to the trivial, the most frequently sought information from more than 50 reference books is readily at hand in this one comprehensive and accessible guide.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Travel, Education, Literature, New York, History

1016 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleaning my bookshelves is always dangerous because I end up wanting to sit down with every other book and get lost in it. The NYPL Desk Reference is particularly tempting. Google be damned, this book - full of all sorts of helpful &/or fascinating charts, lists, graphs, signs, symbols, useful addresses! cloud nomenclature!! - is delicious. I'm on the net as much as anyone, probably more than many, but you'll have to pry my paper books out of my clutching dead hands. And even then I might slug you.

[Kaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New York Public Library Desk Reference by the New York Public Library is the most information packed book I have ever read. With many weird and wacky facts, this book is probably one of the best for general information. It is meant to be used to look up facts at leisure, but one can use it in any way one wants. Although some sections of the book are mildly boring, this is definitely the best nonfiction book I’ve ever read.
With many, many chapters full of interesting stuff, The New York Public Library Desk Reference provides general information on almost every subject. Don’t expect too complicated information, though, because this book provides just the basics. One should go to other sources if one wants to learn more about a specific subject.
This is my most favorite nonfiction book because I can flip through it at leisure and find any information I want. The New York Public Library Desk Reference contains tons of different information, from the best chemical to use if a dog pees on the rug to signs one should signal to a helicopter if one is stuck in the wilderness. It also contains great sources one can go to for more information. The only downside of it is that it doesn’t contain more than the basic information, but one can use the internet or other books to get that. My conclusion is that this is the best nonfiction for general information, and one should always have a copy somewhere for general use.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. In the days before Wikipedia (or even really the heyday of the internet), it was the ultimate reference book, covering everything from letter formats to government and business listings to miscellaneous pieces of information about science, technology and the humanities that you might want to clarify. Still quite useful if you don't have the internet or just to have on hand in an office.

[Sophiebird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book when we first got it. Great not only for reference, but brief reads on an array of topics... but alas... the internet has entered my life these days and a quick click to the next topic is the method of choice these days.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in pretty constant use at our house. It is usually easier and faster to get this off the shelf and look something up instead of firing up the computer and teaching. Latest search was for roman numerals.

[Michelle Devidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every home should have one! Where else can you learn about philosophers, astronomy, time zones, state flowers and how to set a table for a wedding? Thank you Heather for the best gift ever!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy was a gift from Heather, and it is truly an awesome reference guide without which I do not like to be.

[Leonard Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is sort of an agglomeration of handy charts, graphs, statistical tables, and other data that was incredibly handy for your writerly type before the invention of the internet.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this as much as the Almanac. It has EVERYTHING!

[Thom Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine is the Third edition, has this cover. Compares favorably with Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Readable, too.

[Freak]

Soft cover rather than hardcover.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is not the house of speculation" is commonly heard at home. If you're going to be stranded somewhere without internet, be sure to have a copy of this with you.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned about this in library school.

[Lisa]

The New York Public Library Desk Reference (4th Edition) by Paul Fargis (2002)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conpendium of information, statistics, & demographics.

[keereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read

[Bmankiewicz]

Paperback. Spine creased.pages yellowed. Brigitte will take.