Top 10 of Everything 2008

by Russell Ash

Overview

With annual sales of 200,000 copies, The Top 10 of Everything is clearly the place people go to get the lowdown on what or who was the best, worst, richest, fiercest, deadliest, or simply biggest of practically anything. It features 600 lists on a diverse range of subjects, from blockbuster movies and music to stellar universities, from crime and punishment to popular drinks. Find out which stars of stage and screen shone the brightest and which terrestrial animals weigh the most. See which habitable buildings are the tallest and which bodies are the largest in the solar system. Check out stats on airlines, crops, natural disasters, and sports. Some of the lists are entirely new; some are updated with the latest news, and all appear on attractively illustrated spreads with excellent background information. “First” and “Fast” fact boxes pinpoint the pioneers and the most recent achievers in various endeavors. It’s entertaining and educational!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780600616788
Publisher:	Hamlyn
Publication date:	07/01/2006
Series:	Top Ten of Everything Series
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	1.00(w) x 1.00(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	6
	The Universe & The Earth
	Star Gazing	12
	Asteroids, Meteorites & Comets	14
	Space Firsts	16
	Space Explorers	18
	Waterworld	20
	Islands of the World	22
	The Face of the Earth	24
	World Weather	26
	Out of This World	28
	Natural Disasters	30
	Life on Earth
	Extinct & Endangered	34
	Land Animals	36
	Marine Animals	40
	Flying Animals	42
	Cats, Dogs & Pets	44
	Creepy Crawlies	46
	Trees & Forests	50
	The Human World
	The Human Body & Health	54
	Diet & Fitness	56
	Births, Marriages & Deaths	58
	What's in a Name?	60
	World Royalty	62
	The Political World	64
	Human Achievements	66
	The Nobel Century	68
	Criminal Records	70
	Murder File	72
	Military Matters	74
	Air Wars	76
	World Religions	78
	Town & Country
	Countries of the World	82
	World Cities	84
	The States of the US	86
	Place Names	88
	The Tallest Buildings	90
	Bridges & Other Structures	92
	Culture & Learning
	Word Power	96
	Children in School	98
	Higher Education	100
	Book Firsts & Records	102
	Bestsellers & Literary Awards	104
	The Press	106
	Toys & Games	108
	Art on Show	110
	Art on Sale	112
	20th-Century Artists	114
	Objects of Desire	116
	Music
	Chart Hits	122
	Record Firsts	124
	Chart Toppers	126
	Hit Singles of the Decades	128
	Hit Albums of the Decades	130
	Female Singers	132
	Female Groups	134
	Star Singles & Albums	136
	Pop Stars of the 90s	138
	Music Genres	140
	Gold & Platinum Albums	144
	Oscar-Winning Movie Music	146
	Soundtrack Smashes	148
	Music Awards	150
	Classical & Opera	152
	Stage & Screen
	All the World's a Stage	156
	Box-Office Winners	158
	Movie Hits	160
	Movies of the Decades	162
	Movie Genres	164
	Oscar-Winning Movies	166
	Oscar-Winning Stars	168
	And the Winner Is	172
	Leading Men	174
	Leading Ladies	176
	Character Actors	178
	Character Actresses	180
	The Directors	182
	Movie Outtakes	184
	Animated Action	186
	On the Radio	188
	Top TV	190
	Music on TV	192
	Top Videos	194
	The Commercial World
	Workers & Inventors	198
	The Financial World	200
	Wealth & Riches	202
	Advertising & Brands	204
	Imports & Exports	206
	Communication Matters	208
	Energy & Environment	210
	Accidents at Home & Work	212
	Industrial & Other Disasters	214
	Food for Thought	216
	Sweet Treats	218
	Alcoholic & Soft Drinks	220
	World Tourism	222
	On the Move
	Speed Records	226
	Cars & Road Transportation	228
	Road Accidents & Disasters	230
	Rail Transportation	232
	Water Transportation	234
	Air Records	236
	Air Transportation	238
	Sports
	Olympic Records	242
	Sporting Heroes	244
	Football Feats	246
	Athletic Achievements	248
	Basketball Bests	250
	Combat Sports	252
	Baseball Teams	254
	Baseball Stars	256
	International Soccer	258
	On Two Wheels	260
	Auto Racing	262
	Golfing Greats	264
	Horse Racing	266
	Hockey Headlines	268
	Tennis Triumphs	270
	Team Games	272
	Water Sports	274
	Winter Sports	276
	Sports Trivia	278
	Index	280
	Acknowledgments	288

Editorial Reviews

Full of fascinating facts and intriguing trivia that explore every facet of human achievement and natural wonders, The Top 10 of Everything 2001 is a compendium of knowledge and entertainment. Featuring more than 400 colorful illustrations, it has more than 1,000 lists on subjects ranging from Oscar winners to the world's richest people, from speed records to rail and transport disasters. This annual review is No. 1 for anyone looking to rank the best of the best.

bn.com

Outrageous, entertaining fun.

Asbury Park Press

There are at least six top reasons for purchasing this entertaining and browseable book. First, your library reference books budget includes a little extra this year for something not entirely necessary but definitely fun. Second, DK's shiny cover and glossy format rival the millennium edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for packaging coolness with its gorgeously reproduced photographs and impeccable design. Third, reading aloud from any page in Ash's book of lists would be an effective advertising tool for it during a junior high booktalk. Fourth, the content of the lists themselves is widely varied, including inventories of the "Youngest Female Singers to Have a Number One Single in the U.S." and "Top 10 Kevin Spacey Movies." Fifth, "Pop-Up Video"-esque squares along the lower margin of select pages offer still more trivial information about the subjects listed on the page. And sixth, Readers can check the box on page 223, "World Tourism," to discover the home of the first roller coaster. The aforementioned impeccable design will draw browsers irresistibly and possibly even encourage reluctant researchers. One can consider Ash's Top 10 to be a cram sheet and guarantor of success in the Teen Trivial Pursuit challenge of your library. To ensure a librarian win, do not display book until after the trivia game. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001 (orig. 2000), DK, Illus. Photos. 288p. Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Amy S. Pattee VOYA, February 2001 (Vol. 23, No.6)

VOYA

The "Top 10 of Everything" series from Sterling (published annually) continues to be popular and entertaining, offering definitions and source notes that warm the cockles of every librarian's heart. Lists for the most performed cosmetic procedures, the highest carbon dioxide-emitting countries, and the top mockumentaries make it hard to put this volume down. Series editor Ash qualifies the ground rules for each category and cites the source. Some entries are annual updates, while others, e.g., the lightest and heaviest elements, are likely to remain closed rankings. With over 10,000 lists in play, each year's collection is a surprise. Big, colorful photographs and pertinent historical tidbits add to the addictive mix. There is also a list of web sites for further inquiry. The official web site offers special features like a trivia quiz.
—Kelli Perkins

Library Journal