An Incomplete Education: 3,684 Things You Should Have Learned but Probably Didn't

There is no story here, just short reminders of interesting things long forgotten. None are very useful for dealing with daily life in and of themselves. But collectively, the define our culture and character. I enjoyed making my way through these almost random facts and remembering when they were first introduced to me and by whom. It is also interesting to take note of my initial reaction and my current concepts after almost 80 years of living with them forgotten in the basement of my life. I suppose the surprise was that education and facts provide only the bare skeleton for living. The flesh of life comes from our interaction with friends, family and nature.

Perhaps I did not read the details enough, but I did not realize this was a hardcover. This makes it even better. I have always thought of myself as a bit of a renaissance man and I know that I am an autodidact. This book affirms the latter and the former through a wealth of knowledge. Each subject reads like an article off of Crack.com, mixing humor with knowledge efficiently. Highly recommend for men or women looking to round out or sharpen their minds. A must for young adults as especially.

Have you longed to be able to pick up a reference book for an instant, uncomplicated answer to that vexing question Do you shrink from discussing such topics as why all of Shakespeare's comedies are not "thigh slappers"? Or maybe you caught yourself referring to Evelyn Waugh as "she". An Incomplete Education is just the sort of book that provides a framework in twelve areas of knowledge including the Arts, Philosophy, Political Science, World History, Music and much more. The original edition was published in 1987; the third updated and expanded edition came out in 2006. It's a book of knowledge that is also very well paced and entertaining. For example, in the literature section, they identify "twelve fictional characters with whom you should have at least a nodding acquaintance"; in political science: "What you need to know before answering a personals ad in the International Herald Tribune". According to authors Judy Jones and William Wilson, "In a world of bits and bytes, of reruns and fast forwards, of information overloads , . . it feels good to be grounded." Clearly, this is not a COMPLETE Education. To wit: the title. After all, how would anyone define what might be a COMPLETE education. Rather, the book is a useful volume which helped me to organize my thinking. It is a companion that sits on my bookshelf "at the ready" when questions arise, (what do I really understand about the difference between Shiites and Sunnis) or when a Lexicon is needed to settle the question of whether continual or continuous is the appropriate word. It is a great addition to anyone's library, or a gift for someone who asks a lot of questions. I found myself savoring--and chuckling over-- each section.

Physical book was in fairly good quality. The substance of the book was very much lacking. Either that, or I had an unlikely amazing public high school and community college education. Maybe if your school was a long time ago or you got your GED, it would be informative.

A book of snippets about some important and some not so important things could be a jumbled mess more reflecting the authors and their tastes rather than a pocket full of miracles which is what this book is. I had my shoulder in a sling following a total replacement and needed something to read that didn't require me to remember plot elements, wasn't spiritually uplifting but yet rose above best seller list trash, memoirs of the unimportant and books aimed at self improvement; Given surgical help, I'd been as improved as, for that time, as I wished to be. Of the thousands of articles, many with illustrations, there's not one that could not be said to have value at some point in some way. Sure, you may never wander into a dinner party where the topic is the Dialogues of Plato but, should that happen, you'll be at least a leg up and not think that Plato is a Greek restaurant or a brand of yoghurt. Even subjects that have some depth are treated with a lighter touch, not dismissive or as parody, but they keep you reading just to see where it's going. Which is another great point; Nothing in here is to long that, looking at it, you're immediately persuaded that, even if it were started, it would never be finished. Think of it as the book to take to the beach when you want more than romance and triviality. It doesn't demand to be read but suggets it's a good idea. perfect gift for a teenager who thinks they know everything; this will persuade them otherwise. But, I think, its greatest gift to the reader is to inspire curiosity, to go on to find out what happened after the article ended. I have it by my bed and still, just before I turn out my light, open it randomly and always find something I didn't know but am glad to learn.

Once in a while we get a little smug. We think we know all there is to know about all there is to know.My Daughter bought a copy of AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION about 20 Years ago and I never have read it "page to page"...But anytime I open the cover I learn something in spite of my Dummy mentality. For example in my edition I just randomly flipped open to page 251 to find a Greek Literature Discussion of the The Iliad and the Odyssey,on page 318 a synopsis of Schopenhauer's take on Philosophy,on page 560 the life and loves of Louis XIV, and on and on. These random examples in and of themselves may not be your idea of an "Education" but it showed me how much I had either "forgotten" or just never knew. I recently purchased a "newer" edition and sent to a good friend. The "magic" still works 20 years later. My friend "called me" to rave about the "gift that keeps giving". I highly recommend this volume of over three thousand answers to trivia,substance and reference materials We are never so dumb as when we think we "know it all". [...]

Love love love this book, great for someone like me. I call this my jeopardy book, I love knowing little bits of everything. This book is great because it gives so much info but doesn't go into incredible detail, which is great for people who just want an overview of each topic.and aren't interested in reading an entire thesis on it. Plus with all the different sections it's easy to put down and pick up without getting lost or forgetting anything

Definitely not what I expected, but I may have just interpreted the description wrong. I was looking for a useless knowledge type book or something like 'Uncle John's', but this book is a more like a Clffsnotes just more in depth. It basically helps fill in the gaps for topics of conversation for people who might know a little about everything as far as college subjects go. A lot about classic painting and literature, the authors and the meat and potatoes of their work. What I enjoy is the humorous way the authors explain what you need to know and how to present it, should you end up in a conversation with a hoity-toity sort. Fun read.

It has been a good book for a quick snapshot of key historical events. Great Read.

This book is for everyone who wants to learn. Its very good and easy to understand.

reads like an instruction, does not have much depth at all, no pictures, almost a list of facts.

Fantastic for filling in holes in your education...Have read and re-read it many times...4th time I've bought this and given to friends..

I admit I came across this book while googling "gifts for guys" - so I won't complain that it's written for a 25 year old male audience - I will just point it out. Hard to believe a woman is the main author of this book - maybe she got her teenage son to jazz it up after she was finished. E.g. after defining several german words commonly used in English, the book says "the German's blew their wad on the nouns, so there are only a few adjectives..." That kind of thing is peppered throughout. What I will complain about though is that I can't trust the facts . Being Canadian, I flipped with interest to the section on Canadian politics. It says we have a party called the Progressive Democrats, also referred to as Red Tories. (for non-Canadians reading this: this is not accurate, the party was (the book is a few years old) called the Progressive Conservatives, and red tories are members of this centre-right party who lean more towards the left. Small detail but if they couldn't fact check Canada - when we speak the same language and live right next door - then how can I believe the facts in the section on Cambodia? If there was a more credible book that does the same thing as this one I would buy it instead, but I don't know that such a book exists. This one is fun to read if you can get past the guy talk.