What Are the Seven Wonders of the World? : And Other Great Cultural Lists - Fully Described - Softcover

9781900512770: What Are the Seven Wonders of the World? : And Other Great Cultural Lists - Fully Described
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
Can you name Newton's three laws of motions? The four horsemen of the Apocalypse? The five pillars of Islam? The six wives of Henry VIII? The seven voyages of Sinbad the Sailor? The eight beatitudes? The ten plagues of Egypt? This is a packed compendium of culturally significant lists from the fields of mythology, religion, history, literature, science, art and music. Witty and thoughtful essays accompany each list, making the book both an invaluable reference and highly entertaining read.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
Historic trivia is fascinating stuff. The secret to great trivia reporting is not just in the gathering of the details, however, but in the presentation. Organization is vital, because without an appealing structure, the mind won't grapple with the facts. The human brain needs an inviting presentation to wrap around any new information, and this is what D'Epiro and Pinkowish have done. It's why their compilation of 107 cultural questions is so beguiling.

The elemental secret of their innovative table of contents is the use of numbers. Starting with three and working their way up (with a gap here and there) to 24, they pose a series of intriguing questions which are then answered to everyone's satisfaction on the indicated pages. What are the three Laws of Thermodynamics? Who were the three Furies? and What are the three ages of Vico's historical cycle? These are the sorts of queries they present in the chapter entitled Three. Further chapters inquire after the four properties of a musical tone, the six flavors of quarks, the seven Virtues, the 12 Labors of Heracles, the 14 Points of Woodrow Wilson, and the unofficial Homeric titles of the 18 chapters of Ulysses.

While the questions are appealing in and of themselves, the answers are even better. Going far beyond mere lists, they delve into the histories and texts, the theories and significance of each. The question is the hook, but the answer is the prize, riveting you with more information than you'd anticipated, reminding you of the joy of learning. --Stephanie Gold

From the Publisher:
So...you think you're smart.

You kept your notes from college. You read the whole newspaper and not just the movie listings. You have subscriptions to the New Yorker and Harper's. You've read all of Shakespeare's plays and did not skim a single line of The Odyssey. You never miss an episode of "Nova." You won the Science Fair...twice.

That's just great.

But just to prove what we all already know--that you took Alan Turing in a fight in the sandbox and gave Harold Bloom that whole "Canon" idea--try this quiz. If you know the answers, you get to keep your Mensa card. If not...

We have just the book for you.

Questions:

1. Who are the 3 gods of the Hindu Trinity?
2. What are the 4 conic sections?
3. Who were the Russian composers known as the Mighty Five?
4. Who were the 6 wives of Henry VII?
5. What are the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?
6. What are the 8 Beatitudes?
7. Who were the 9 Muses, and what were their associated arts?
8. What were the 10 major U.S. wars and their dates?
9. Which were the 11 states of the Confederacy?
10. Who were the 12 Knights of the Round Table?

Answers are below...

Answers:

1. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
2. Circle, Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola
3. Mili Balakirev, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Aleksandr Borodin, Modest Mussorgsky, and Cesar Cui
4. Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr
5. The Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halinarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes, and The Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria
6. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are
persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
7. Calliope (epic poetry), Urania (astronomy), Clio (history), Terpsichore (dance), Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy and pastoral poetry), Euterpe (lyric poetry and flute music), Erato (love poetry), Polyhymnia (sacred songs)
8. Revolutionary War (1775-83), War of 1812 (1812-15), Mexican War (1846-48), Civil War (1861-65), Spanish-American War (1898), World War I (1917-18), World War II (1941-45), Korean War (1950-53), Vietnam War (1961-73), Persian Gulf War (1991)
9. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee
10. Lancelot, Galahad, Bors, Perceval, Gawain, Tristan, Lamorack, Torre, Kay, Gareth, Bedivere, and Mordred


"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherMetro Publishing
  • Publication date1999
  • ISBN 10 1900512777
  • ISBN 13 9781900512770
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages404
  • Rating
Buy Used
Condition: Very Good
This book is in very good condition... Learn more about this copy

Shipping: US$ 5.67
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to Basket

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780385490627: What are the Seven Wonders of the World?: And 100 Other Great Cultural Lists--Fully Explicated

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780385490627
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1998
Softcover

  • 9780884865261: What Are the Seven Wonders of the World & 100 Other Great Cultural Lists Fully Explicated

    Bristo..., 1656
    Hardcover

  • 9780965068062: What Are the Seven Wonders of the World

    Double..., 1998
    Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro, Mary Desmond Pinkowish
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Softcover Quantity: 2
Seller:
AwesomeBooks
(Wallingford, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9781900512770

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.47
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.67
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro; Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Publishing (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
MusicMagpie
(Stockport, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1631898999. 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM. Seller Inventory # U9781900512770

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.23
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 6.93
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

DEpiro, Peter and Pinkowish, Mary Desmond
Published by Metro Books, London (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Reuseabook
(Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Seller Inventory # CHL1134733

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 2.54
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 9.30
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro, Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Books,London (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Goldstone Books
(Llandybie, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006204418

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.38
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 7.56
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro, Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Books,London (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Goldstone Books
(Llandybie, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0002229106

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.38
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 7.56
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter d'Epiro,Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Publishing (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Half Price Books Inc.
(Dallas, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_383613197

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 9.74
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.49
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro, Mary Desmond Pinkowish
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Softcover Quantity: 2
Seller:
Bahamut Media
(Reading, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781900512770

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.47
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 8.81
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter d'Epiro,Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Publishing (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
HPB Inc.
(Dallas, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_391026736

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 9.74
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro & Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro, London (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Soft cover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Westwood Books
(Cramlington, United Kingdom)

Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Metro, London, 1999. Pictorial soft cover. Book Condition : Very Good, clean unmarked text, appears little read. Book will be sent by UK postal service. Inventory #01605. Seller Inventory # 016505

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 10.40
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 14.51
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter D'Epiro; Mary Desmond Pinkowish
Published by Metro Publishing (1999)
ISBN 10: 1900512777 ISBN 13: 9781900512770
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Hay-on-Wye Booksellers
(Hay-on-Wye, HEREF, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Good. Cover is worn, scuffed and scraped from use with some small marks to the textblock and covers from use. Edges of the cover are worn. Seller Inventory # 138683-5

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 1.30
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 25.23
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book