[yarddog]

I have picked up around fifteen full sets of Encyclopedia Britannica, World Book, etc. for around 10 dollars per set. These contain thousands of very good even if brief biographies and historical references.

These old Encyclpedias are generall written by some of the foremost authorities on each subject.

I would suggest the older the better as far as history is concerned. They are far less Politically Correct than most newer ones.

BTW I once got a full set of Britannica in almost new condition for free. They were at a thrift shop and was missing one volume. When I asked for the price, the clerk said I could just have them. The next day I picked up that missing volume for a quarter at goodwill where they had a large number of loose volumns.

I make book cases for them and they look pretty nice in the living room, den, and even bedrooms.

Even with the internet, I think encyclopedias are a very under-rated source of info.

[tang-soo]

I recently heard a broadcast of Radio Liberty (www.radioliberty.com) that the 1911 (I think that is the correct year) publication of Encyclopedia Britannica is the best. Not sure why that year, something about after that, agendas and rewriting of history became more prevalent. According to the person being interviewed, this set is highly sought after by historians.