Thoroughly revised and updated for 2010!
Here are thousands of the most up-to-date facts on a world of topics -- answers that address almost every subject on earth. Every page is illustrated with photographs, illustrations, maps or charts, and every corner of the book is packed with the newest lists and rankings, the unexpected and the astonishing.
Firefly's World of Facts is extensively updated and covers a rich diversity of topics arranged by subject, including the natural world and life sciences; science and technology; world cultures, countries and beliefs; language, literature and education; art, music and entertainment; and much more.
The book has been improved to include new sections and better ways of presenting the facts, including:
Readers of all ages will be fascinated by the abundance of facts in this remarkable and up-to-date reference.
Introduction About this book
Index Acknowledgements
Introduction
This new edition of Firefly's World of Facts has been updated from cover to cover. Inside, you will find thousands of amazing facts and hundred of exciting pictures. Keep up-to-date with the most recent world record-breakers, cutting-edge scientific and medical breakthroughs and gadgets and gizmo from the latest e-readers to the cleverest robots.
Facts and figures
Firefly's World of Facts is divided into 20 sections -- Planet Earth, People, World History and space to name but a few. It includes information on a huge range of subjects, with data from authoritative sources and specialists on every subject under the sun -- and beyond. Among the countless new entries are features on the world's tallest building and the biggest ship, miraculous rescues and grisly torture methods, child soldiers and child film stars, the smallest mobile phone and the smallest snake, animal heroes and toilets in space as well important anniversaries coming up in 2010.
Inside information
Detailed lists and charts show global comparisons, while special features and fact disks provide fast information, revealing everything from the countries with the most computers to the highest-earning animated films, from the greatest achievers to the most popular social networking websites. You will also discover an array of oddities, including a time-eating clock with no hands, a lord whose carriage was pulled by zebras, a flying friar and people who dine in mid-air!
A section on countries gives essential information, including population, capital city and currency for every country in the world, as well as the flag of each one.
Timelines on subjects such as communications, astronomy, war and inventions give a see-at-a-glance overview and pinpoint important milestone up to the present day.
Useful maps, tables and formulae include conversions, mathematical symbols and scales, from Beaufort (weather) to Richter (earthquakes).
Other features
Web link boxes suggest useful websites to help you explore subjects further. See also boxes guide you to information on a particular subject elsewhere in the book. There is an extensive index at the back of the book, as well as a list of sources.
Whitaker's World Website
You can write to me with comments, suggestions and corrections at the publisher's address on page four.
Russell Ash
Inside Firefly's World of Facts, you will find hundreds of amazing facts and pictures. Keep up to date with the most recent world record-breakers, the hottest new technologies from the iPhone to YouTube, the latest and greatest achievements (and failures!). Find out about today's biggest celebrities and the most important events that shape our world.
Everything you want to knowFirefly's World of Facts is divided into 20 sections -- Space, Planet Earth, Human Body, World History People and Conflict and Crime, to name but a few. It includes information on a huge range of subjects, from the Solar System to the world's biggest and smallest populations, with data from authoritative sources and specialists on every subject under the Sun -- and beyond.
Inside informationDetailed lists and charts show global comparisons. Features and FactDisks provide information on such things as the fastest animals, types of insects, all the U.S. presidents, every astronaut who has been to the Moon, the highest-earning films, child inventors and other young achievers, the latest electric cars, and global warming. Many surprising unique facts are revealed in a range of One and Only entries, from the one and only flight of the "Spruce Goose" to the one and only female saint to have grown a beard!
A section on countries gives essential facts and figures including population, capital city and currency for every country in the world, as well as the flag of each one.
Timelines on subjects such as telecommunications, astronomy, weapons and inventions give a see-at-a-glance overview and pinpoint importantmilestones.
Useful maps, tables and formulae include conversions and scales, from Beaufort (weather) to Richter (earthquakes).
You will also discover a huge range of bests and worsts, oddities from the smelliest flower to the biggest robberies, the strangest museums and the craziest inventions, the deadliest creatures and the longest names.
Other featuresSearch boxes suggest useful websites to explore subjects further. See also boxes guide you to information on a particular subject elsewhere in the book. There is an extensive index at the back of the book, as well as a list of sources.
Russell Ash
Overview
Thoroughly revised and updated for 2010!
Here are thousands of the most up-to-date facts on a world of topics -- answers that address almost every subject on earth. Every page is illustrated with photographs, illustrations, maps or charts, and every corner of the book is packed with the newest lists and rankings, the unexpected and the astonishing.
Firefly's World of Facts is extensively updated and covers a rich diversity of topics arranged by...