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Title: The New York Times 2003 Almanac by John W. Wright ISBN: 0-14-200169-4 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: U.S.-centric, out of date; 'Nations of the World' redeems it
Comment: This 'Almanac of Record' from the 'Paper of Record' struck me as excessively U.S.-centric, save for an almost 200-page review (in a 1000-page book) in its mid-section entitled 'Nations of the World.' This part alone was a redeeming factor and made me feel that I got some value from my purchase. These country-by-country write-ups are - for the most part - outstanding & help place each country's recent history and vital statistics in appropriate context.
Here's an example: I had to do some research on Ghana. I pulled another book from my shelves as a starting point. That one recited facts like the country's impressive 1998 economic growth (twice the African average), its eye-poppingly high female work participation rate (at 51%, only Cambodia's is higher), and its relatively low rate of registered unemployment.
Reading the NYT 2003 Almanac's review of Ghana, I got a totally different *and more realistic* picture. Placing all these facts and figures in context, the Almanac revealed that:
- In 1998 the Ghanian economy had nowhere to go but up after 5+ years of brutal stagnation. Plus, the World Bank got involved that year and put together a restructuring program that actually seemed to jump-start things.
- The situation got so bad in the 80s and 90s under Lt. Jerry Rawlings' rule that a fair percentage of the workforce fled to Nigeria to look for work (thus the high female particpation rates and low rate of 'official' unemployment).
So kudos to this Almanac for revealing the stories behind the figures.
Of course, this is not done without some irritation. This same write-up on Ghana - in a 2003 guidebook, mind you - quotes major city population figures from 1988. Similar books have 1998 figures. Obviously, the differences between the two estimates are material.
Rating: 2
Summary: QUITE SOME EFFORT; BUT NEED SOME WORK
Comment: John Wright and team put up a brave effort here. However, some of the statistical data they tendered are too old. Again, this is not the type of almanac to purchase if your quest for information is with a global outlook. This book brims with excellent U.S. coverage, but that is all! It gave poor coverage to most other countries. Intending almanac buyers whose interests include versatile global data should not rely on it. Look for something that touched the four corners of the world. For sure, a reputable encyclopaedia may cost more, but would be of better value than this almanac. The choice is yours!
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Title: The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2003 by Ken Park ISBN: 0886878829 Publisher: World Almanac Books Pub. Date: 23 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Time: Almanac 2003 (Time Almanac, 2003) by Borgna Brunner ISBN: 1929049951 Publisher: Time Almanac Pub. Date: 15 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $10.99 |
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Title: The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004 (WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS) by William A. McGeveran ISBN: 0886879108 Publisher: World Almanac Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: The New York Times Almanac 2004 (New York Times Almanac, 2004) by John W. Wright, Reporters of the Times ISBN: 0142003670 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Encyclopaedia Britannica Almanac 2003 (Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac (Paperback)) by Encyclopaedia Britannica ISBN: 0852299230 Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica Pub. Date: 06 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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