Average customer rating:
- Oh that's how it works!
- Mediocre implementation of a good idea . . .
- Facinating.
- Perfect for Fact Junkies!
- The ULTIMATE refernce book.
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The Order of Things: How Everything in the World Is Organized into Hierarchies, Structures, and Pecking Orders; Revised Edition
Barbara Ann Kipfer
Manufacturer: Random House Reference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Dictionaries & Thesauruses
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ASIN: 0375701648
Release Date: 1998-03-31 |
Amazon.com
Barbara Ann Kipfer has outdone herself with the taxonomy of the world's everything. Organized by subject (such as "Life Sciences," "Technology," "Religion," "General Knowledge," and "The Arts"), life's schema and constructs spell out the various ways man orders his existence. Take "Domestic Life," for example. It lists anniversary gifts (paper for the 1st, tin for the 10th), birthday stones, and zodiac qualities, clothing sizes (coats, shirts, shoes, socks, and such for men, women, and children, by U.S., U.K., and European systems), luggage sizes (steamer trunk to cosmetic case), and kitchen tools by type of use. Gem cuts are illustrated, bed sizes are charted (with dimensions) from crib to California king, and steel wool grades are defined, from super fine to extra coarse. The only notable omission from The Order of Things: How Everything in the World is Organized into Hierarchies, Structures, and Pecking Orders is The Order of Things itself, which belongs foremost among the world's great reference books. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
Your reference search begins and ends here
The Order of Things is a new kind of reference book for a new information age. Whether you're disputing answers to your favorite board game, helping your child prepare for a test or freshening up on your party trivia, this will be the only reference book you'll need to consult.
This brilliantly conceived and eclectic compilation of hard-to-find information is an unprecedented new resource -- perfect for game buffs, know-it-alls and lovers of knowledge.
Classification expert Barbara Ann Kipfer gives you more than 400 informative lists, hierarchies and illustrations divided into thirteen essential areas of knowledge:
Earth Sciences
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Mathematics and Measurements
Technology
Religion
History
Social Sciences
Business and Economics
The Arts
Domestic Life
Sports and Recreation
General Knowledge
A sampling of the information you'll find uniquely compiled in this single volume:
the arrangement of the human skeleton
the dimensions of a tennis court
table settings
phases of the moon
the significance of the digits on a check
hierarchy of angels
Customer Reviews:
Oh that's how it works!.......2007-10-08
Great way to see the "big picture" without having to do a lot of research!
Mediocre implementation of a good idea . . ........2003-06-27
In theory, this is a terrific idea for a library ready-reference book: pages and pages of lists of every kind and classification of thing you can imagine. The design and execution is a good deal more problematic, however. Some of the selected topics are obvious -- Roman and Japanese emperors, weights and measures, the Ten Commandments, Newton's Laws of Motion -- but many others (I'm tempted to say "most others") are not in any way hierarchical and are seldom naturally structured. In fact, they often seem artificial and arbitrary, meant only to fill up space to produce a book large enough to market. At the least, they strain the rubric. For example: "Circus attractions" is just a incomplete collection of types of acts; "Employee benefits" is merely one sample list; "Motion picture genres" includes an apparently arbitrary forty-one types of films (who says?); likewise the "areas" of the performing arts; likewise the topics in a household budget. And why is the list of topics used in the _Macmillan Visual Dictionary_ a valid universal list? Finally, even some of topics I personally would have considered obvious are omitted, like a list of the traditional logical fallacies. If you remember the Wallaces' highly idiosyncratic and very browsable _Book of Lists_ series from the 1970s, . . . well this is nothing like that. Finally, it pains me to observe that the book's designer saw fit to commit the amateurish font-sin of setting the titles of publications in the blurbs on the back cover in ALL SWASH.
Facinating........2002-08-27
Pick it up, turn to a random page, read for a while. This is by far my favorite book to thumb through. Useful as a reference book in a few rare situations, but best used as a book left in your book bag to make time fly when commuting, waiting or generally killing time.
It gives you a basic understanding of a variety of subjects in quick, facinating format.
Perfect for Fact Junkies!.......2000-12-29
I picked this book up after seeing it mentioned in David Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day" - he had referred to it as an excellent source for verifying just about any fact or figure you can think of, and he was right. The Internet can answer just about any nagging reference question you may have, but here you will have it in a handy volume you can also pour over just for fun. Excellent for settling debates with know-it-alls and Cliff Clavens everywhere.
The ULTIMATE refernce book........2000-06-26
OK, I admit it, I'm a reference book geek. I love to have as much information crammed into the smallest space possible. The Order of Things does just that, and it does it exponentially well. This is an invaluable reference for anyone who wants to know "How is X related to Y" or "Which of these is better, older, more important..." Any trivia, history, or fact buff would love to find this under their birthday wrapping paper.
Book Description
This gargantuan gift book for trivia lovers is packed with lists of nearly everything imaginable: from card games, guns, mental states, and shapes to greetings, mushrooms, citrus fruits, artificial sweeteners, and stars. The casual browser will love this impulse buy for its unexpected treasures—such as the 22 types of animals that camouflage themselves and the 25 highest-scoring Scrabble words. Fact-finders will love it for its practical A-Z format and thorough index.
• Special oversized gift book package
• More than 1,200 lists containing more than 50,000 items
• A great resource for writers, journalists, researchers, and puzzle-solvers
• Alphabetically organized and indexed
• Addictive and fun to browse
Barbara Ann Kipfer is a lexicographer, archaeologist, and the author of more than 25 books, including How it Happens, 4,000 Questions for Getting to Know Anyone and Everyone, 14,000 Things to Be Happy About and The Order of Things.
Customer Reviews:
I find it useful.......2007-03-23
As an advertising copywriter, I find this book extremely useful. I'm not looking for obscure information. I'm looking for a quick way to find comprehensive lists of items and/or words pertaining to a given subject. This book does just that, and does it well. I'm keeping it alongside my thesaurus and books of quotations as a helpful tool for discovering the intersections of two or more thoughts. As a reference of this kind, I'm giving the book four stars.
From the Author.......2007-01-16
Hi. I wrote this book. I wrote introductory paragraphs (blurbs) for each of the 1000 lists, but the publisher removed them. They would have added so much for the readers. I was also appalled when I saw all the added white space in the galleys, which "cheapens" the book while fattening it up. I did not condone either of these and I apologize to my readers. I spent a lot of time working on this book; it was a labor of love.
Not quite what I expected.......2007-01-11
The book is just basically lists of things. I bought it for a gift and was hoping it was informational and colorful. There are no pictures. The text is large so it doesn't really list nearly everything in the universe.
Not at all what I expected.......2006-12-28
This book was not what I anticipated. I purchased it as a gift for my trivia-loving dad for Christmas hoping he could spend hours purusing through. Although he could have spent hours as the book is so large, it would have been quite boring for him, I'm afraid. It truly is a book of list after list after list of miscellaneous things. Not a sit down and enjoy reading type of book. No paragraphs or questions or chapters, only pages of lists. I was very disappointed with the lack of description on Amazon about the book from the start.
Disappointing.......2006-12-15
When I ordered this book, I expected it to be big and packed with interesting, entertaining and obscure information. At 640 pages, it is big, but it is far from being packed with information. The lists are spread out very sparsely and crudely on each page. A typical page holds a mere 116 words instead of the average of 400 or 500 words that a typical book page holds. In the introduction, this book compares itself to Roget's Thesaurus. A typical word count on a page of Roget's Thesaurus is 518 words. At 1316 pages, Roget's Thesaurus gives you 681,688 words, compared to 74,240 words in this book. Roget's Thesaurus has a great index; this book has no index. Roget's Thesaurus (6th Edition) costs $14.93 in hardcover from Amazon; this book costs $16.47 in soft cover. Which is the better buy? The irony is that Roget's Thesaurus is edited by the same editor as this book!
A brief survey of the lists included in this book shows them to be far from comprehensive. Charles de Gaulle complained about how hard it was to govern a country (France) with 265 cheeses. How many cheeses does this book list? A mere 128. The list of 'Disney Characters, First 100' fails to mention Peter Pig, who was Donald Duck's sidekick in his first cartoon appearance in The Little Red Hen. 'Book Types' is missing palimpsest. 'Parasite Types' is woefully inadequate, and is missing obvious ones like the botfly and the Guinea worm. The military is sadly neglected with no lists for basic items such as tanks or landmines. Under 'Parliament Countries', Canada is missed. A list of chess openings and chess champions would have been welcome. 'Pasta Shapes and Types' is missing cavatappi. Etc. Etc. If you want a book that you can study so as to be well prepared for trivia games or contests, this isn't it. Basic lists like the ten highest waterfalls or the ten longest rivers are not there. This book looks like it was thrown together quickly. Not only is it short on information, the information it does provide is presented in a plain, bland manner, not much better than a bunch of words pecked off on an old manual typewriter and arranged in columns of 4.
There are some good things in this book, such as 'Nixon's Enemies List' and 'Snoopy's Siblings', but not nearly enough to make up for its shortcomings. The idea of this book is a good one, but a lot more work needs to be done to make it entertaining, definitive and worth the money it costs.
Book Description
Are you one of the millions of television and movie viewers who scours the shelves for Mafia movies—both new and old? Do you ever wonder how much of these Hollywood dramas are real? Do they accurately capture this remarkable—and often sordid—world?
The Everything® Mafia Book takes you away from fiction and tabloid and introduces you to the true-life accounts of the major players in the American Mafia. From Al Capone to John Gotti, you'll learn to separate truth from myth and gain a better understanding of America's most notorious crime families.
Features colorful information on:
·The Sicilian Mafia
·The Mustache Petes
·The "real" Untouchables
·The mob and politicians
·The five New York "Families"
·Infamous rats
Packed full of real-life photographs and up-to-date gangster information, The Everything® Mafia Book will have you understanding—and speaking—Mob "Slanguage" in no time!
Customer Reviews:
Everything Mafia Book; not quite everything.......2003-12-31
This book is an excellent peripheral examination of organized crime from its beginnings to its current state.
For beginiers, this book will teach lessons and stories about the tentacles of organized crime and explain the overall themes and issues.
For mafia experts, this book is nothing more than a regurgitation of issues and theories lacking the supporting facts and details of heavy investigation.
direct&straight to the point.......2003-09-15
alot of Books try to paint a certain Picture about the Mafia but this Book just comes at you directly&doesn't miss a beat.you get the 411 on who did what when&where&How.if you are interested on Mafia Culture&whatnot then this is the Book for you.
Breezy and Informative Overview.......2003-03-29
I was drawn to this book because of its catchy cover with the crime scene tape. I was pleased that the interior lived up to the alluring cover with its compelling and informative narrative. I especially appreciated the author's whimsical touch in chronicling the colorful history of a bunch of hoodlums. He displayed a delightful sense of humor without glorifying the mob, as some of these books do. If you are looking for a single title to give you a fast overview of the shadowy Mafia, I highly recommend this book. In addition to Mafia history, there are get quirky chapters devoted to the "Leadership Lessons of Don Corleone" and "The Mafia on Television." Overall, the book was an enjoyable, edifying read from cover to cover, without getting lost in the sometimes intricate world of organized crime.
Book Description
This amazing, one-of-a-kind reference book has been revised and completely updated. Called "a definite reference must" by King Features Syndicate,
The Order of Things is an illustrated collection of orders and classifications in science, religion, history, business, the arts, sports, technology, mathematics, society, and domestic life.
Includes:
• Over 400 informative lists, hierarchies, and illustrations, from the ancient past to today -- divided into 13 major areas of knowledge.
• Extremely well-organized and accessible, from the Table of Contents to the extensive and all-encompassing index.
• Unique information that is useful, surprising, and enlightening. Here, reader's will find the 64 emperors of Byzantium; ranks in the British army; how a television dish is operated; the different layers of soil; coal sizes; the various ice ages; how your ear hears something; how all the languages in the world are organized -- and much, much more.
• Illustrated with graphs, models, drawings, and portraits to make complex subjects understandable.
Customer Reviews:
A mildly entertaining, decent reference book........2006-03-28
This book is full of information - lists of all kinds. Unless you are a human encyclopedia, much of it is certainly useless, but a person can probably find juicy lists for their particular field or interest. It is nice to have on the shelf.
David Sedaris mentioned it.......2003-12-02
I first heard about this book in an old David Sedaris piece; I believe it was 'Me Talk Pretty Someday'. It's an interesting way of looking at sets and sub sets, that has led to other associations in my own writing. I'd reccommend it to anyone who doesn't hold a death grip on what contents might might follow such a title. It can't meet anybody's expectations preciscely because there isn't another book quite like it - which is the good part. It's a useful, very readable and frequently amusing reaseach tool. The editorial reviews nailed it. Trust me. I am not the author but I am AN author.
A re-issue would be welcomed.......2003-09-03
Found this book in my friends bookshelf and was intrigued. Unfortunately, there was a lot of incomplete and mis-categorized information. None-the-less, this book really deserves to be re-worked. Possibly a great reference tool for adults and adolescents alike.
Found a few items almost useful enough to get this as a unique reference.
For the layman or expert.......2003-07-27
I had high hopes with this book. Would I be able to bring order to my chaotic world with the information within the book's covers? Unfortunately, the answer is a definite "NO!"
The first page I turned to (page 265) included descriptions of the meaning of the numbers on a bank check. Section described as "along bottom of bank check" indicates six areas whereas the example check shows only two along the bottom of the check. The section described as "after check has been cashed/cancelled, bottom right of bank check" indicates one area "the amount of money you wrote the check for." Shouldn't the number refer to the "6" on the check?
Page 317 displays nicely drawn pictures of nuts. The picture of the square nut is obviously wrong. The angles do not indicate a square nut but rather a pentagon shape.
Page 83... Saturn's rings... the picture shows six rings. The written listing of Saturn's rings lists seven rings.
I give the book a big MINUS but the ratings only let me choose a one as the lowest. Accepting the information within the book as true would not be possible due to the inaccuracies.
Book Description
Does your inbox over-flow'eth? Let's face itmost of us don't like filing, and we really don't like rethinking our organizational methods (or lack there of). Most of us are stuck in a rut, be it a constantly messy desk, a workspace that always feels too cramped and cluttered or a persistent queasiness when faced with organizing an event at work, running an efficient home office or even sorting the mail, let alone our dresser drawers. Filing, it seems, is a metaphor for all the little things we dont want to bother with. Finally there's someone we can count on! Sharon Mann is a fun-loving but practical figure for those swamped by work and life. Known for her informative wisdom and sassy sense of humor, her I Hate Filing Club has thousands of members who look to her to take organization past the drab, boring details, giving this so-called chore some sparkle and pizzazz.
Customer Reviews:
She's selling her filing system.......2007-01-22
Ho hum advice, always geared toward having you buy new supplies of her product.
Amazon.com
Balancing the serious work of survival with an upbeat tone, The Cancer Patient's Workbook maintains a positive outlook while avoiding pointless platitudes. As a survivor of Stage 4 lung cancer, author Joanie Willis is all too familiar with both the spiritual trials and the daily frustrations that cancer can bring. Her book is fundamentally pragmatic, but incorporates alternative healing, humor, and personal reflections. Divided into seven sections, the format is thoughtfully laid out with information broken down into easily digestible boxes. If you prefer to maintain your privacy, the paper cover slides off to reveal calming photos--with no telltale title in sight.
Chapter 3, "Navigating the Medical Maze," is filled with questions for your doctors, and includes informative glossaries of medical terms. The questions are broken down by type of medical provider, and cover surgeries, diagnostic tests, and personal medical history. There is plenty of space provided to write the answers directly in the book, and separate pages are included to create a pain diary. Illustrations are provided when relevant, such as in this diary section, allowing you to color in the exact locations of pain on a human's outline. "Nature's Pharmacy" covers alternative therapies and dietary suggestions, and includes short quizzes, as well as notes on substances that have been shown to be harmful. "On My Own Terms" is a tough chapter, but one that allows you to get your wishes down in writing in case of death. Here, you can plan everything from your funeral service to particular bequests, and Willis provides poems, song lyrics, and plenty of writing space to help you through.
Providing both practical and emotional support, this workbook is like a friend who's been there, done that--and is just waiting to help. --Jill Lightner
Book Description
When the diagnosis is cancer, regardless of what type, the patient is immediately struck by the bewildering amount of information that he or she must accumulate and absorb. The Cancer Patient's Workbook helps keep track of it all in one place, in a practical format that ensures a clear understanding of what to expect at every juncture and helps patients answer important questions including: What questions should I ask the doctor and when? How do I make sure that I'm getting the most appropriate medical treatment for my condition? who pays for what? Where can I find the most reliable information on my disease? What are the best online sites and support organizations? The Cancer Patient's Workbook is an organizational guide to meeting the challenges of cancer. This interactive guide is vital to helping the person with cancer stay organized. It offers straightforward advice on living with the disease, and tips on learning about and seeking the best treatment possible. It also offers laymen's explanations of medical terms and treatments, inspirational and humorous insights, and practical guidance for facing the daily challenges. A variety of worksheets help keep track of doctor visits, when to use medications, and what organizations to contact. A unique flip-off cover allows patients to keep their workbook private if desired.
Customer Reviews:
The Gift of Information.......2003-02-07
I bought the Cancer Patient's Workbook for myself when my colon cancer reoccured. It has been so valuable to me that now I give a copy to friends, family or aquaintances whenever they receive that dreadful diagnosis.
Excellent Resource.......2002-07-16
I bought this book for my mother the week following her diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer. This book was a blessing in the early days of diagnosis. It offered hope and guidance. Joanie Willis provides excellent information on nutrition, diet, exercise and vitamins which doctors often don't address. We have used many of her suggestions and have found them helpful as we, as a family, battle this disease. Ms. Willis also provides hope which you need after receiving devastating news. I would recommend this book to not only patients, but family members. This is the first book I would recommend to family members after their loved one receives a diagnosis.
Cancer Survival.......2002-06-28
As newly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer with spread to the brain I found The Cancer Patients Workbook to be the best one- stop source of information I have discovered.
Everything from what to expect from treatment side-effects to experimental treatments is covered as well as great material on coping with the diagnosis of cancer.
I would highly recommend the book to anyone looking for a way to deal with the beast that is cancer.
Fabulous Resource.......2002-05-21
This book has been an invaluable resource to me as I navigate the maze of lung cancer material, treatment options, clinical trials, etc. Joanie has done a fabulous job of covering every topic, no matter how painful, from begining to end of this painful journey. Three of my family members also have the book so we can all refer to it prior to treatment and for questions that arise. I highly recommend the book.
A Valuable Aid!.......2002-01-15
The Cancer Patient's Workbook has one of the largest collections of cancer-related websites that I have seen in any health book. Mrs. Willis maintains a website, cancerpatientsworkbook.com that includes links to all of the websites found in The Cancer Patient's Workbook. The websites are laid out exactly like they are found on the pages in the book. It is just one more tool that makes using the workbook incredibly simple.
Average customer rating:
- What a wonderful book! It helped me finally get organized!
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Everything's Organized
Lisa Kanarek
Manufacturer: Career Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Time Management
| Skills
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
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Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| General
| Guides
| Interviewing
| Job Hunting
| Job Markets & Advice
| Resumes
| Vocational Guidance
| Volunteer Work
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
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ASIN: 156414254X |
Customer Reviews:
What a wonderful book! It helped me finally get organized!.......1999-01-29
This book outlines in easy to follow steps how to get papers under control and how to find what you have easily. It has excellent tips on how to organize your home office and make your workday more productive. It was just what I was looking for.
Book Description
Everything You Need to Know about Garage & Yard Sales: Be Better Organized, Have Fun, and Sell More provides you with the information you should consider when deciding to have a garage or yard sale, as well as easy step-by-step guidance on organization and management.
The useful tips and strategies in Everything You Need to Know about Garage & Yard Sales is the only reference you need to get started and accomplish your desired level of success. Author Jon Fulghum provides ideas for advertising, promotion, and display to help attract potential shoppers. He also explains:
· Reasons for having a garage or yard sale
· Types of garage or yard sales
· When to have a sale
· Types of shoppers
· What items shoppers look for
· How to price items
· Appropriate conduct during the sale
· How to handle awkward situations
Because most garage and yard-sale organizers are also buyers, Fulghum provides basic guidelines for fruitful negotiation. Whether you're a shopper or a seller, Everything You Need to Know about Garage & Yard Sales is an essential resource for your success.
Book Description
When Miami psychic Sonny Murray is pressed by syndicate boss Meyer Lansky to make a deal with Fidel Castro to keep the casinos open, he is thrust into Havana's gambling and revolutionary underworld. There he meets the stunning insurgent Mireya Aldama, an expert on goddess religions and an Afro-Cuban priestess, who guides Sonny from his cool philosophy of detachment to a full-bodied Tantric realization that prepares him for his confrontation with the rebel leader.an encounter that changes the course of history.
Books:
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
- The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- Time Management from the Inside Out, second edition: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule--and Your Life
- Who Will Cry When You Die? Life Lessons from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Lonely Planet Peru
- Dirty Wow Wow and Other Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare Companions of Childhood
- Sense & Respond: Capturing Value in the Network Era
- The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
- This Land: The Battle over Sprawl and the Future of America
- Coaching for Improved Work Performance, Revised Edition
- A Man Most Worthy
- Revival of the Fittest: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Managers Remake Them
- The REPO Handbook
- Thirty Poisonous Plants of North America
