The New Penguin Factfinderis the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date general factbook available. Organized in thematic sections that cover topics as diverse as science and technology, sports and culture, and religion and mythology, this invaluable volume is a goldmine of facts, figures, and statistics. Backed by maps, diagrams, and a full index, The New Penguin Factfinderexplores facts and figures on every conceivable topic of current interest, from world climates to musical notation. Whether you are seeking to establish the precise population of Guatemala, the chemical symbol for radium, or a list of Olympic Games medallists, this is the essential source of information.

Our very own 'national treasure' (as declared by John Humphrys) David Crystal brings us yet another quintessential knowledge compendium. The new edition of The Penguin Factfinderhas been fully revised and updated to reflect recent changes in politics, sport, culture and the arts to the end of 2006. In an age where information is easy to find but hard to verify, Crystal brings us a refreshingly straightforward resource. The Penguin Factfinder is about facts - no jargon or flowery descriptions, no error messages or anonymous sources - just the basic facts from one of Britain's most trusted and authoratitive information providers. We believe every word to be true. Where else can you get a guarantee like that?

Thoroughly updated, with much new information, over 360 illustrations, and a substantial index.

A groundbreaking history of worldwide English in all its dialects, differences, and linguistic delights: “Informative . . . distinctive . . . a spirited celebration.” —The Guardian In this “well-informed and appealing” work (Publishers Weekly), David Crystal puts aside the usual focus on “standard” English, and instead provides a startlingly original view of where the richness, creativity, and diversity of the language truly lies—in the accents and dialects of nonstandard English users all over the world. Whatever their regional, social, or ethnic background, each group has a story worth telling, whether it is in Scotland or Somerset, South Africa or Singapore. He reminds us that for several hundred wonderful years, there was no such thing as “incorrect” English—and traces the evolution of the language from a few thousand Anglo-Saxons to the 1.5 billion people who speak it today. Moving from Beowulf to Chaucer to Shakespeare to Dickens and the present day, Crystal puts regional speech and writing at center stage, giving a sense of the social realities behind the development of English. This significant shift in perspective enables us to understand for the first time the importance of everyday, previously marginalized, voices in our language—and provides an argument too for the way English should be taught in the future. “A work of impeccable scholarship [that] could easily serve as a standard textbook for students of linguistics, but Mr. Crystal, reaching out to a more general audience, recognizes that even the most avid reader might flinch at the sections on Old Norse grammatical influence. Cleverly, he has sprinkled the book with little digressions, set apart in boxes, that address historical mysteries, strange loanwords, interesting etymologies and the like.” —The New York Times “Learned and often provocative . . . demonstrates repeatedly that common conceptions about language are often historically inaccurate—split infinitives bothered no one until recently (likewise sentence-ending prepositions).” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Simply the best introductory history of the English language family that we have. The plan of the book is ingenious, the writing lively, the exposition clear, and the scholarly standard uncompromisingly high.” —J.M. Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature

An authoritative reference that every family and office needs, "The Penguin Encyclopedia" contains more than 28,000 entries on the facts, events, issues, people, beliefs, and achievements that make up the sum of human knowledge and experience. Timely entries include SARS, Ozzy Osbourne, the war in Iraq, and weapons of mass destruction. 0-14-051543-7$35.00 / Penguin Group

The bestselling Penguin Book of Facts is the most comprehensive and authoritativegeneral factbook available - brought right up to date for this new edition. International in scope and easy to use, it is a goldmine of the latest facts and figureson all major areas of knowledge - from science and technology to sport and culture, to religion and mythology. Amazing valuefor money for anyone who needs to check facts at work or at home, this is the ultimate one-stop resource. Ideal for crossword, quizand trivia addicts, students and browsers Provides a thematic contentslist and over 100 pages of index to help you quickly track down the information you need Includes contributions from over 250experts Illustrated throughout with mapsanddiagrams This is an updated edition of The New Penguin Factfinder.

Of all the decisions a new parent makes, choosing that special name is the most significant and the most rewarding. A new reference book for prospective parents, this clear, helpful and easy-to-use A-Z guide gives you thousands of brilliant suggestions for picking the perfect name for your new arrival. It also includes appendices of the top ten names through the centuries and the most popular celebrity names.

World-renowned linguist and reference editor, David Crystal, brings us the third edition of Penguin's Concise Encyclopedia. This abridgement condenses the core material in the third edition of the Penguin Encyclopedia which has already reached a world sales total of over 23,000 copies in hardback. David Crystal has a gift for clarity and concision which enables him to illuminate even the most intricate concepts. Here he offers over 22,000 alphabatised entries on the facts, events, issues, people, beliefs and achievements that make up the sum of human knowledge. Entries have been written by over 350 specialist contributors from universities, museums and other institutions of excellence around the world. The Concise Encyclopedia is part of the Penguin Reference Library and draws on over 70 years of experience in bringing reliable, useful and clear information to millions of readers around the world.

Have you heard the one about the man who walked into a bar? (Ouch!)... Penguin Pocket Jokes is essential (and hilarious) reading for anyone searching for the perfect joke. Whether you want a snappy wisecrack or a longer rib-tickler when making a speech, this easy-to-use guide will provide the perfect witticism.

Over three million copies and 25 years later, Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is revised and updated with the latest facts, figures, and technologies. Covering more than 380 topics from dinosaurs to digital technology, this highly visual guide engages young readers with photographic spreads and illustrations annotated with amazing trivia. Featuring full-color photographs, maps, cutaway diagrams, charts, and more, Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is written in a clear and child-friendly style with updates that include recent space missions, scientific breakthroughs, and the latest significant events. Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is perfect for reports, homework, and independent research. A great addition to any bookshelf, Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is the essential book for curious young readers who want to know about everything.