NF World Book Encyclopedia (Ci-Cz)

[Sheltowee]

My first exposure to a written history of the ACW came via the good ol' World Book Encyclopedia. I really enjoyed just browsing through the volumes on a rainy day. Absolutely loved the article on the war.

So got me to thinking. Anyone else grow up reading encyclopedias? If so, wonder which one had the best summation of the war. Maybe Brittanica?

Curious if any opinions.

 

[Pollaco]

We had 3 sets in the house when I was growing up. For the life of me I don't know how my parents paid for them.

 

[east_beast]

Yep, I'd lay in the living room floor and literally read the encyclopedias. A good bit if my completely worthless trivial knowledge comes from those days.

 

[donna]

We had Brittanica.

 

[Virginia Dave]

I came from a poor family. We could not afford either, so I read them at school. Loved them.

 

[SJU]

We had 2 sets. Before we had Wikipedia we had the encyclopedia.

 

[jackt62]

Loved World Book Encyclopedia. It was probably my first source of information about the CW.

 

[Sheltowee]

I guess I would like like to review the ACW article from the set we had- kinda' mash it up against what I know now. Based on the timing, wonder how much Lost Cause influences?

Still occasionally see our set at flea markets, etc. Will have to look.

Would anyone consider one encyclopedia's coverage of the war superior to others? Are any still being printed today?

 

[Library Lady]

This is the World Book set my library just purchased for the Kids Room. These volumes are reference and don't circulate. Volumes from the set it replaced can be checked out.

World Book Encyclopedia - Essential Knowledge for 2024 | World Book

As the only general reference encyclopedia still published today, The World Book Encyclopedia 2024 provides authoritative content on almost every topic to learners of all ages, from school-age readers (9-18) to adults. Whether you are looking up information to understand a subject or checking a...

www.worldbook.com

 

[donna]

I wish I still had our old set. My Mom gave away many years ago. I will have to check at our library and see what they have.

 

[infomanpa]

Loved reading encyclopedias when I was a kid. I sure learned a lot about all fields of study.

 

[infomanpa]

This is the World Book set my library just purchased for the Kids Room. These volumes are reference and don't circulate. Volumes from the set it replaced can be checked out.

World Book Encyclopedia - Essential Knowledge for 2024 | World Book

As the only general reference encyclopedia still published today, The World Book Encyclopedia 2024 provides authoritative content on almost every topic to learners of all ages, from school-age readers (9-18) to adults. Whether you are looking up information to understand a subject or checking a...

www.worldbook.com

I'm surprised that any publisher still sells print copies of encyclopedias. Britannica stopped a few years ago.

 

[Library Lady]

I'm surprised that any publisher still sells print copies of encyclopedias. Britannica stopped a few years ago.

To be honest, I'm not sure there is a set upstairs in the adult and teen area. I'm trying to picture it, but I'm drawing a blank. I'll have to look the next time I go into work. It may be that a print encyclopedia is reasonable for young patrons who might not be allowed on the Internet at home or might have more of a problem finding age-appropriate information there if they are. Plus, although my county is considered to be well-to-do, that's certainly not the case for everyone living here. There are families that can't afford the Internet, and the COVID-inspired subsidy program for it is about to end.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

We had an encyclopedia published by Funk and Wagnalls. Sort of obscure, but mom picked it up at an estate sale and we enjoyed reading it. I liked reading about foreign countries. All I knew about the civil war I learned from my elders.

On the down side, I recall the encyclopedia of one of my friends had a section on various human races that included several pages showing how the shape of the skull, length of the nose, shape and color of the eyes, etc. could be used to categorize people… I think it said there were 53 identifiable races. It was confusing because all those things varied even in the families that I knew!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Anyone else grow up reading encyclopedias?

I did !
I loved WB.

We had Brittanica.

A few of my childhood friends had Brittanica. But I liked World Book better.
WB had many color photos and Brittanica didn't ... (such things were important for a kid back in those days).

We had an encyclopedia published by Funk and Wagnalls

We had two volumes of Funk and Wagnalls.
"A" through half of "B" ... and I'm thinking volume "Q & R".
Mom got them free at a local supermarket promotion.

Speaking of encyclopedias, did anyone have the 1950/60's set of "Golden Book Encyclopedias" ?

As a very young little fellow, those probably had the greatest influence on my love for all things history.
(just enough of commentary written in way elementary kids could understand, along with elaborate
illustrations).

 

[1st New Jersey Brigade]

Yes, grew up enjoying World Book. White and Green were the colors. Don't know what happened to them, but loved them.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

White and Green were the colors. Don't know what happened to them, but loved them.

I had forgotten about the different colors.
Ours were white and brown.

I still have that entire set.
Not only is it a "trip down memory lane " but also amusing to read those old entries about everything.

Moreover, each year World Book would publish a "year-in-review" volume that would update changes
over the previous 12 months. Those are fun to look at as well. My parents ended that particular subscription
during the early 1980's.

But at that time, such published updates were very important.

No one dreamed of the technology that was to come in the not too distant future.

 

[donna]

I remember when I was in school trips to the library were so important. I still enjoy going and checking books out. I been noticing more at the library these days. Hope kids take advantage of it as I did and my kids did.

 

[redbob]

My first introduction to the world was through a set of encyclopedias that the A&P sold. They came as a new volume every month, so I had time to cover one before a new one arrived.

 

[Sheltowee]

I remember when I was in school trips to the library were so important. I still enjoy going and checking books out. I been noticing more at the library these days. Hope kids take advantage of it as I did and my kids did.

Yep- library day was the bestest day. And ordering paperback books from the Scholastic flyer.

Libraries have done a phenomenal job of modifying their services in this digital age. Our local even offers fishing rods for loan.

Thankfully, a lot of people can be found there, on any day.