The People's Almanac

This book is a treasure for the predictions alone. They lead off the book in chapter one "the other side of the looking glass: predictions of present-day psychics". It also has predictions by psychics of the past and modern day scientists. Notables include the Berkeley Psychic Institute, Nostradamus, Leo Tolstoi, Daniel Bell-Sociology prof at harvard, Arthur C. Clarke, Paul Ehrlich of Stanford who wrote the population bomb, Orville Freeman- former secty of Agriculture, Herman Kahn- the 300 pound economist, Margaret Mead, McGeorge Bundy, and Roger Revelle: Dean of research at the Univ. of Calif. and Al Gore's original mentor on the environment. The rest of the book is chock full of interesting tidbits. The self-purported difference between this Almanac and others is that this one avers that it gives you facts with truth and honesty. That is to say it avoids special-interest propaganda and government double-talk. The authors present it as a reference book that tries to be entertaining while giving the reader in-depth material on selected topics rather than endless, dry, bare-bones dates and figures on all subjects. Buy it and be the judge. This is a collector's item for all aging hippies from the Age of Acquarius.

David Wallechinsky holds a special place in my heart because he is an author who makes both well known and obscure history interesting. People's Almanac III, the final piece of the PA trilogy, is another book, along with The Book of Lists series, that is enjoyable and interesting. By the time this book came out it appeared that the authors were starting to rehash some of the material that was featured in the two earlier books of the series. I nevertheless consider this book well worth the money and a good read. Mr. Wallechinsky's interest and research pertaining to history, and the effort he made producing these books, was appreciated by me, and on behalf of those who read all three books, I would like to offer my gratitude. Anyone who has the desire to impress their friends as being an intellectual would be well served by reading these three books, as they serve as a crash course in history while being entertaining as well. Producing these is an achievement in which Mr. Wallechinsky and his associates can take great pride.

I bought my copy of this great book over twenty years ago as a teen. What I love most is that it is not a dry compilation of facts, but a wonderful collection of information presented in a fascinating and entertaining way. After all this time, I still get it down from my bookcase and read for the hundredth time about "Footnote People in U. S. History" or "Man-Made Disasters." If you can find a copy, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace have compiled a veritable tome of useful information, widely held and little known facts, and astonishing revelations about the world around us. But it's not merely a fact book or a reference book, it has personality, humor and a kind of charm. It feels like an old friend whenever you consult it. This book is indispensable for your home book collection. Read through this book and you'll find you can't put it down. I've owned this book since it was first published in 1972(?) And find myself consulting it frequently ever since. It's quite tattered and taped now, having been loaned out and re-read so often, but it's still my favorite book.

I have had this book for 8 years. I have read it more than 3 times, and it never gets boring. Put this book in your collection; you will not be sorry.