The People's Almanac

by David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace

The People's Almanac...the first reference book ever prepared to be read for pleasure...one million words...25,000 major entries...952 special articles. It probes behind the facts to offer inside information as well as constant entertainment.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, History, Trivia, Science

1481 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

David Wallechinsky is an American populist historian and television commentator, the president of the International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH) and the founder and editor-in-chief of AllGov.com.

Reviews

[Andy]

A perfect a snapshot of the remains of the American counterculture in the mid-1970s. The Almanac was compiled to be a one-stop source for the informed, progressive citizen's informational needs, and in that spirit covers basic facts about world history and geography. But reflecting the expansive, slightly paranoid tenor of the post-Nixon era, it's also full of psychic predictions, conspiracy theories, alternative history, analyses of contemporary events, book excerpts, lists of mail-order resources and notable trivia.

John Hodgman's three volumes of fake almanacs are based closely on this model, down to the extensive use of the Futura typeface, but even his imaginative digressions aren't as profoundly weird and wonderful as the Almanac's vision of the world circa 1975.

[Julie]

I read this book over and over as a child. Especially the sections on murder and strange deaths. Fascinating! I still can't get myself to get rid of it. Love it!

[Jim Leckband]

A sign of a misspent childhood. I devoured this book.

[David Ward]

The People's Almanac by David Wallechinsky (Doubleday 1975) (031.02). This is billed as “the first reference book made to be read for pleasure. It was a sheer pleasure to wallow for hours in this fascinating book; there had never before been anything like it. My rating: 8/10, finished 1976.

[Sarah]

whoopdee do! i remember loving this as a kid. It wasn't the pretty coffee table book in the living room, rather the meaty coffee table book in the den. good for reading during tv commercials...

[N.K.]

Yes, dated in certain areas but still just a lot of fun to read through. Hours and hours of 'No kidding??, Wow! and Huh?" packed in there.

[Terry]

Long ago, but it had a nice edge to it for the people and against the oligarchs.
Listed corporation in with countries, which was very realistic for the 70s.

[Bob Box]

Read in 1980. A reference book to be read for fun.

[Donald]

There is something for almost everyone in "The People's Almanac." Along with their popular "Book Of Lists" series, Irving Wallace and his son David Wallechinsky produced some very readable pop culture books in the 1970s-1980s. They aren't great literature and some of the material is already dated, but their books are less dry and far more interesting than any conventional almanac. I think most readers would like the "The People's Almanac" and the other works by the same authors.

[Snowfire]

It's very 70's, but it's got a ton of weird eclectic information and self-contradiction information and viewpoints chaotically thrown together. Provides light reading material for ages. Especially funny is the Psychic prediction's section, made in the 70's. Apparently, the interplanetary conference in Vegas in 1982 or whatever must have been canceled. Definitely recommended.

[Ron]

Interesting book back in the 1970's, but as I got older I saw this as far too political. As in left wing political. Kind of a post-Watergate victory lap for this bunch. Interesting chapters and well laid out but the indoctrination gets to be a bit much.

[Jennifer]

Reading this as a teen started me on the path to reference librarianship. Best reference book ever!

[Tori]

I read this book over and over as a child. I spent a lot of time reading through it and loved every second.

[Relax]

goos reference read

[Amanda Naud]

This book is well laid out. Sections include short interesting family Bios on US Presidents in Chron order. There are mini outline stories on people such as Lizzie Borden or events such as events like Boston tea party raid. It is full of information you are better for knowing. Its a reference book.