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An Incomplete Education: 3,684 Things You Should Have Learned but Probably Didn't
An Incomplete Education: 3684 Things You Should Have Learned but Probably Didnt | 
 enlarge | Authors: Judy Jones, William Wilson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy Used: $15.99
You Save: $19.01 (54%)
New (28) Used (18) from $15.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  97 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 3
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 720
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.8
ISBN: 0345468902
Dewey Decimal Number: 031.02
EAN: 9780345468901
Publication Date: April 25, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Great Buy!! Like New Book...5 Star Seller!!
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Amazon.com Review
You'll find everything you forgot from school--as well as plenty you never even learned--in this all-purpose reference book, an instant classic when it first appeared in 1987. The updated version takes a whirlwind tour through 12 different disciplines, from American studies to philosophy to world history. Along the way, Judy Jones and William Wilson provide a plethora of useful information, from the plot of IOthello/I to the difference between fission and fusion. It's not a shortcut to cultural literacy, the authors write in their introduction, but it's an excellent "way in" to the building blocks of Western civilization: the "books, music, art, philosophy, and discoveries that have, for one reason or another, managed to endure." Think of it as finishing school for your brain; study up and you'll gain a lifetime's worth of cocktail conversation--as well as a new list of books you simply Imust/I read.
Product Description
When it was originally published in 1987, An Incomplete Education became a surprise bestseller. Now this instant classic has been completely updated, outfitted with a whole new arsenal of indispensable knowledge on global affairs, popular culture, economic trends, scientific principles, and modern arts. Here#8217;s your chance to brush up on all those subjects you slept through in school, reacquaint yourself with all the facts you once knew (then promptly forgot), catch up on major developments in the world today, and become the Renaissance man or woman you always knew you could be!brbrHow do you tell the Balkans from the Caucasus? What#8217;s the difference between fission and fusion? Whigs and Tories? Shiites and Sunnis? Deduction and induction? Why aren#8217;t all Shakespearean comedies necessarily thigh-slappers? What are transcendental numbers and what are they good for? What really happened in Plato#8217;s cave? Is postmodernism dead or just having a bad hair day? And for extra credit, when should you use the adjective continual and when should you use continuous?brbrAn Incomplete Education answers these and thousands of other questions with incomparable wit, style, and clarity. American Studies, Art History, Economics, Film, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Science, and World History: Here#8217;s the bottom line on each of these major disciplines, distilled to its essence and served up with consummate flair.brbrIn this revised edition you#8217;ll find a vitally expanded treatment of international issues, reflecting the seismic geopolitical upheavals of the past decade, from economic free-fall in South America to Central Africa#8217;s world war, and from violent radicalization in the Muslim world to the crucial trade agreements that are defining globalization for the twenty-first century. And don#8217;t forget to read the section A Nervous American#8217;s Guide to Living and Loving on Five Continents before you answer a personal ad in the International Herald Tribunei./i brbrAs delightful as it is illuminating, An Incomplete Education packs ten thousand years of culture into a single superbly readable volume. This is a book to celebrate, to share, to give and receive, to pore over and browse through, and to return to again and again.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 92 more reviews...
 The only thing I learned in college June 13, 2000
103 out of 105 found this review helpful
The thing I most remember from ALL my college courses is this book. AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION is truly a wonderful supplement to any person's knowledge.pThis book is basically an intellectual history overview with a lot of helpful charts and guides. It's written in a very humorous tone, and it hits the humor target more often than not. If you feel that you lack knowledge, this is the book for you. It's not in depth, but it does tell you what you SHOULD know in all areas, including history, philosophy, music, art, and even film. My personal favorite features are the Latin abbreviations and the Words you pronounce wrong but if you pronounced them right, you'd be considered a pretentious snob feature. pFor a good time (and to increase your IQ), read this book. It's tongue-in-cheek, but it's a wealth of information.
Great gift, even for yourself. December 29, 2000
108 out of 112 found this review helpful
After giving this book to my daughter upon her graduation, I found I couldn't resist buying another copy for myself. Whether you're interested in a refresher or in a quick briefing on an academic area you never had time for--film studies, for example--or structuralist and post-structuralist criticism--you're likely to find the field treated in this lively, fascinating, edifying volume. The authors provide definitions, canons of the essential works, profiles of major contributors to the field, and judicious evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each major thinker or artist. When an individual, text or movement is overrated or becoming passe, the authors are not afraid to say so. And unlike similar collections--the Dummies books, for example--this text is far more than an accumulation of trivia. The authors manage to provide narrative continuity to each academic area and, above all, a sense of perspective. Since their judgements strike me as on target in the areas with which I'm familiar, I'm inclined to trust them in those disciplines I don't know much about. The only reason not to pick up the book right away is the possibility that a new edition is just around the corner.
Fun and fascinating! July 12, 1999
39 out of 42 found this review helpful
The people here who gave this book a negative review clearly just didn't get it. This book is not intended as an education itself (hence the title), but as an introduction and overview that will hopefully send you off to learn more. But the best thing about this book is its wit. Saying that the authors should have dispensed with the comments and gotten down to information misses the whole point! I love this book, and recommend it to all my friends.
Entertaining and Educational. Outstanding reading. January 4, 1999
31 out of 35 found this review helpful
I'm buying this book to replace the 2 copies that were borrowed by friends who forgot to return them. I've learned my lesson -- I'm going to hide this copy. Simply put, I love this book. I don't understand the customer reviewers who didn't appreciate the fact that this isn't simply a dry compendium of facts. There are plenty of books out there (can you say encyclopedia?) that fit that bill. In fact, this book is specifically designed for people who don't like to read serious books full of dry information because, well, think about it; if you liked serious books full of dry information, you wouldn't be reading this book because you'd already know all the stuff that's in it. Does that make sense? No? O.K, try his: buy the book. You'll like it.
An Incomplete Education, Revised Edition January 15, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have found this book to be very readable and user-friendly. It is an excellent reference for anyone who is curious about many different topics. I used the original edition several years ago when I taught Humanities class in high school, and my students found it to be a valuable resource. I particularly like the way the book is organized in broad topics and then in alphabetical order within those topics. br /br /Another valuable resource along the same vein is A Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.
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