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lou_robertson's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read about famous, infamous and little known people who have in some way contributed or changed the way we live today. Now I’ll know the references made in the Big Bang Theory 😂
stella_starstruck's review against another edition
5.0
A book for dipping into, rather than reading cover to cover in one go...hence the fact that it has taken years to finish this!
I really enjoyed reading about the lives of the greats and not so greats. Humans are interesting!
I really enjoyed reading about the lives of the greats and not so greats. Humans are interesting!
ronanmcd's review against another edition
3.0
A well considered and motley collection of biographies. From the grand and noble to the miserable and down trodden this is a mix of lesser known stories from divergent lives. So far, so good. The trouble is that in making them numerous, brief, salacious and gratifying these lives are almost reduced to soundbites. You can imagine the stories might lose their impact when recounted in a more expansive and balanced manner. But that would take the fun out of it.
snugglor's review against another edition
5.0
A really excellent book, full of trivia you thought you knew and even more that you didn't.
It's a really fascinating look at people we've all heard of and even more that we should have, but who have been relegated to obscurity. It's perfect for picking up and dipping into from time to time and is written in a light and entertaining tone, so it's easy to read.
It's a really fascinating look at people we've all heard of and even more that we should have, but who have been relegated to obscurity. It's perfect for picking up and dipping into from time to time and is written in a light and entertaining tone, so it's easy to read.
atlantabelle's review
3.0
At times interesting, at times boring...But, I can't say I didn't learn anything. Yet more trivia to find room for in my brain. They don't call me the queen of useless knowledge for no reason.
caitie95's review against another edition
5.0
A really fascinating book, detailing the high (and low) lights of many people I've both heard of and not, categorised on what made them so interesting.
jelena_ro's review
2.0
A random collection of interesting stories about famous people. A good read, but don't expect much.
bibliothecarivs's review
4.0
Is biographical compendium a legit genre? Because if it's not, it should be, and more people should be reading it. This book contains the intriguing lives of many people, each described in just a few pages and loosely grouped around ten themes. Even in the secular West, we would do well to heed the truth in the Venerable Bede's 1300-year-old admonition that we must learn from those who went before us:
"If history records good things of good men, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good: or if it records evil of wicked men, the devout, religious listener or reader is encouraged to avoid all that is sinful and perverse and to follow what he knows to be good and pleasing to God."