Isaac Asimov was unquestionably one of America's greatest scientific writers--from his mind came the awe-inspiring Foundation trilogy and the classic I, Robot. It hardly comes as a surprise then, that the brain of Asimov was overflowing with facts, statistics, and millions of trivial tidbits. His Book of Facts comprises 3,000 of these little information snippets. To organize this wealth of data are distinct subject areas--ranging from chapters titled "Art" and "Medicine" to more obscure ones such as "Salty Facts" and the amusing "Strange Rules, Laws and Customs." Did you know, for instance, that the Tinguian people of the Philippines have a very unique way of kissing? They put their lips close to each other's faces, and then quickly inhale. Or that in the Middle Ages the Europeans put their disobedient animals on trial? Well, you know now! Asimov's Books of Facts immerses the reader into a humongous vat of information. Asimov feeds the brain. --Naomi Gesinger


Book Description
Within the pages of Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts are many hours of entertaining and informative reading—little-known facts that will make you exclaim, time and again, "I didn't know that!"
Here are some of the intriguing facts you will find in this book:
-Emperor Caligula appointed his favorite horse as a consul of Rome.
-Eskimos use refrigerators to keep food from freezing.
-For distances of up to 150 feet, an alligator can outrace a man.
-In 1896, two men rowed across the Atlantic.
-The number of possible ways of playing just the first four moves on each side in a game of chess is 318,979,564,000.
-Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital.


From the Inside Flap
Within the pages of Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts are many hours of entertaining and informative reading—little-known facts that will make you exclaim, time and again, "I didn't know that!"
Here are some of the intriguing facts you will find in this book:
-Emperor Caligula appointed his favorite horse as a consul of Rome.
-Eskimos use refrigerators to keep food from freezing.
-For distances of up to 150 feet, an alligator can outrace a man.
-In 1896, two men rowed across the Atlantic.
-The number of possible ways of playing just the first four moves on each side in a game of chess is 318,979,564,000.
-Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Some of the world's best reading comes from books like this! Jam-packed with nearly 3,000 intriguing facts arranged in more than 100 categories (ranging from "America's Revolution'' and "Art" to "Women's Rights" and "Words"), this treasure trove of trivia will provide five minutes of totally satisfying bedtime browsing or hours of uninterrupted study; it will entertain and stimulate the imagination, as it slakes the dilettante's unquenchable thirst for "useless knowledge." Compiled by Isaac Asimov, a recognized expert in science, the Bible, Shakespeare, and other areas, this compendium of fascinating tidbits examines the world from the inside out--illuminating the lives of kings and queens, presidents, scientists, entertainers, and dozens of "just plain folk'' who prove not only that it takes all kinds to make a world, but that it takes all kinds to make it interesting! (Wings) 504pp. HC

ANNOTATION

Fascinating treasury of 3,000 interesting, entertaining, fantastic, unbelievable and unusual facts. Art, history, religion, science--a delight for browsers and an inexhaustible source for trivia lovers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER