Ultimate Biography

Although it rarely advances too deeply into the lives of the two-hundred individuals featured and I did find a typo or two and the occasional miscued date, the facts presented are always interesting and significant to whom these people were and why they deserve to be remembered today. A very good, informative, light read for a wide audience. Never slow-moving, not over anyone's head, and should prove educational for nearly any reader. Nicely illustrated; well-chosen selection of a cross section of human society throughout time. Worth reading and worth owning. Also makes a good gift choice for the history buff on your shopping list.

Here is editors collection of in their words "250 of the moost powerful, revered, infamous, and interesting people who have ever lived." Their profiles of chosen few are excellent. See other reviews which list all categoreies.But how can anyone argue Burt Bacharach over Bach and Beethoven? Or Jennifer Capriatti over Arthur Ashe? In annals of time, this reviewer is convinced there is no comparison. Poor choices in many categories.What is chosen is done very well, with great capsulized profiles, all excellently done with art and photos and crisp journalism. Great reference and starting point, and to debate 250 most influential.

"Ultimate Biography" gives an overview on the lives of 250 influential people throughout history. The individuals are divided by categories: Arts, American History, Human Achievement, World History, and Human Spirit and are further divided into several sub-categories such as founding fathers, gangsters, pop stars, and despotic rulers. As you can see by the categories, people from all walks of life are featured. Each feature has at least one photograph (generally more than one) as well as a brief biography and some "Did You Know?" trivia. Of course featuring so many individuals in one book, there is only a brief biography for each one. It makes a great reference book or a great way to spark interest in the lives of many influential people through history.

The organization is by topic (such as "scientists," "conquerors" and "polar explorers"), rather than alphabetical or chronological. There are major topics then sub-topics. The organization works well and seems to flow. Each bio entry is either one page or two. All entries include color pictures, on the average three color photos to a page. The editors do a good job of bringing out what is interesting about each person. The book's shortcomings are very minor. The table of contents doesn't list the names of the people, just the categories. Anyone could argue the inclusions and omissions, eg, Charlotte Corday (?) is included; Bill Clinton is not. But overall the book is well organized and very interesting to read. For a less illustrated but more detailed approach to the same subject, try "The 100," by Michael H. Hart, also an excellent read.

A & E's "Ultimate Biography" (just published in the spring of 2002) gives a superb look at the world's most influential and important people. With informative mini-biographies, gorgeous color and black & white photographs and interesting "Did you know?" facts about each of the 250 people profiled, this is an extraordinary book for all ages.As soon as I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down! It's so engrossing and no matter how much you know about these people, you'll learn something else about them. There is also a very nice section devoted to America's most famous family, the Kennedys. This is a must have (especially for fans of the Biography show) and you won't regret purchasing it.With categories such as:Arts-Impressionists-Creators of Rock 'n' Roll-Talk Show Hosts-Giants of Jazz-Creators of Television-Showmen-Music Makers of the '60s & '70s-The Great Architects-Pop Stars of the '80s & '90s-DancersAmerican History-Civil Rights-Native Americans-Wild West-Founding Fathers-Gangsters-The Kennedys-Leaders of the Civil War-Harlem Renaissance-Leaders of the Vietnam EraHuman Achievement-Scientists-Tycoons & Moguls-Basic Principles-The Greatest Sportsmen-The Greatest Sportswomen-Healers-Inventors of the Modern World-Makers of the Wired WorldWorld History-Conquerors-Kings & Queens of England-The Renaissance-Communist Revolutionaries-Age of Elizabeth I-The French Revolution-Leaders of World War I-Modern British Royals-Despotic Rulers-Leaders of World War II-Military Leaders of WWII-Assassins-The Fall of the Iron CurtainHuman Spirit-Spiritual Teachers-Those Who Touched the Sky-Those Who Reached the Stars-The Fight for Justice-The Great Explorers-Polar Explorers-Five Major Saints-Sex Symbols-Christian Reformers-Sex On the Mind