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 enlarge | Authors: Mangesh Hattikudur, Elizabeth Hunt
Creator: Will Pearson
Publisher: Collins
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $3.52
You Save: $11.43 (76%)
New (32) Used (48) Collectible (4) from $3.52
Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 24826
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 345
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 7.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0060568062
Dewey Decimal Number: 031.02
EAN: 9780060568061
ASIN: 0060568062
Publication Date: April 27, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Good used condition.
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| Customer Reviews:
Comment- BC/AD vs. BCE /CE August 20, 2005
24 out of 82 found this review helpful
To the reviewer that mentioned that object to the use of the terms BCE and CE ( Before Common Era / Common Era Vs. Before Christ and Anno Domini - BC/AD) . I would like to say that this IS a very important change in my mind ( and in many others as well!) It is not as you say just a PC term. ( though on the surface it may seem so. It's about the fact that our study of Western History has always been based on a male, Christian point of view! That has been very important to how we've understood the past several thousand years. In order to take a new look at that history and to not continue to make those mistakes historinas are attemting to take a more inclusive point of view. Addmitedly this can sometimes ( perhaps often) go too far the other wayin one way or the other. The neutral term though of CE, and BCE I think make it so that we are at least making a nod to the fact that the defining moment in the history of the world ( in Christian religion yes, but not the history of the world in a larger view) is not the birth of Jesus! I think that's a very important point! I'm sure that many Christians wouldn't want to be measured by a dating system based on the birth of a Roman Emperor ,Muhammad, A Druid Priest , or the supposed birth date of Merlin??? I know many would argue- that it's not the same thing at all, but others might. SO the neural system is a good idea. Just as are many aspects of chaging the perspective with which we look at history.
 Perfect bathroom reading. (Which is a compliment. Really!) August 12, 2005
13 out of 18 found this review helpful
This is a book filled with interesting facts, and its fair share of factoids. Tough to read in sequence, Condensed Knowledge is most entertaining when hopscotched back and forth from section to section. No, you won't feel smart again after reading it, but you'll be amused.
For the significant segment of population that does a lot of "bathroom reading," this is the perfect book.
 A Genuinely Fun Overview May 21, 2005
21 out of 24 found this review helpful
I love this book. From Physics to Art History to Literature, what's most impressive about Condensed Knowledge is that it's actually fun to read. It's a great mix of introductory information about various topics and hilarious anecdotes about historical figures. Just the headlines are worth the price of admission: Countries That Made Atlas Shrug; Religious Mysteries Solved by Chemistry; etc.
As another reviewer said, this is the rare reference book that you can actually _read_ without your eyes glazing over. If, like me, you're never going to pull an A. J. Jacobs and read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, Condensed Knowledge is a fun way to feel (and get!) smarter.
 Dismayed... May 14, 2005
18 out of 40 found this review helpful
I bought the book after learning that Newsweek commented on it as "a lot like that professor of yours who peppered his tests with raunchy jokes: it makes learning fun". I was hoping to expand my knowledge with some fun facts that I can actually use...the sad truth is: anyone who has gone through high school should be ashamed of himself if this book teaches him anything new, let alone the fun facts.
Those giving this book anything better than a star are really in need of a major brush-up. Academia or even valuable knowledge gathering was a complete anathema for the writers. I am absolutely dismayed and appalled and I give thanks that none of my professors were from that community college where facts like these were irreverent and really peppered the tests.
Fluffy and bland May 4, 2005
24 out of 49 found this review helpful
This reads like a magazine and (unless I'm being overly optimistic) horribly underestimates the intelligence of most people. If you are really looking to get a quick grasp of the entire gamut of academia, this is going to be a VERY disappointing purchase.
It's trying to do the same thing as "An Underground Education," but it isn't as interesting or innovative. Actually, it's unclear whether this book is trying to be a compendium of fun factoids and lists, or an actual quick-guide to the basics you "should know" within several different areas of study. The finished product falls somewhere in the middle and the result is mediocre compared to similar books out there.
The art history section is really awful - being able to name Picasso, Van Gogh and Michelangelo will NOT make you appear cultured! They could have added a list of commonly ignored-yet-masterful artists (comprising, ahem, women and racial minorities), but this book boringly sticks to the white, european, masculine paradigm in virtually every subject.
The attempts at humor are condescending and the whole thing reads like a Stuff or Maxim (without the pictures of babes and cars, natch). If they are going to pander to the lowest common denominator, they might as well have some visuals, right?
Basically, this left a bad taste in my mouth. "An Underground Education" or "The Big Book of Racism" (don't worry, the title is facetious and the book is AMAZING and funny) are worlds apart and, while easy to read, actually have some interesting perspective and anecdotal knowledge to offer.
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