David Wallechinsky

This encyclopedia looks at the sexual habits, deviations and quirks of nearly 200 famous, notorious or otherwise distinguished people from all walks of life. Each entry describes the subject's fame and achievements, and within this context examines their sexual activities. The entries are preceded by over 50 lists of sexual characteristics in which the subjects of the biographies are listed under such headings as mother-fixated, masochists and sadists, and endurance and staying power. Characters featured include Henry VIII, Napoleon Bonaparte, Catherine the Great, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin and Mozart.… (más)

The Books of Lists and People's Almanacs by the Wallace/Wallechinsky family were my favourite books growing up in the 1980s, although in those days of my callous youth many of the references went way over my head.

I didn't enjoy The People's Almanac 2 to the extent of its predecessors (a long section on "nations and their rulers" had me wanting to skip a few pages) but there was still much to like, including the entries on buried treasure and footnote people in world history.

There have been many imitators of the Books of Lists and People's Almanacs but none yet that match the originals.… (más)