Overview

From the most widely used languages and scripts, to the great religious communities, to the giant structures and the technological successes of the modern age - this volume offers a fascinating overview of the records and achievements of civilisation in their entirety and diversity. More than 3000 colour photographs taken by top photographers around the world celebrate the cultural and technological touchstones of human history. Ranking lists provide at-a-glance overviews while descriptive captions give substantial information on a number of topics. Concise text tells of the economic developments and population growth in our megacities, the pioneering work done in science and technology, and the remarkable innovations in the construction of museums, theatres, libraries and sports venues, among many other human achievements. The book is set out in ten chapters, each covering dozens of topics laid out in double-page spreads filled with brilliant photographs of structures and technology. Fascinating browsing, essential reference, and a tremendous documentation of contemporary achievement, Terra Maxima is a unique compilation of the ultimate. AUTHOR: Wolfgang Kunth is a prominent publisher of illustrated reference books. He lives in Germany. ILLUSTRATIONS: 3100 colour photographs and charts

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9781770852426

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Reviews

(starred review) The best way to describe this book is to just say it simply: this is a compendium of all of the big things on planet Earth. This stunning and unique volume is comprised of more than 3,000 full-color photographs...that showcase the biggest and the best religious, cultural, and technological marvels of the world... The narrative material is made up of lists...and of photo captions that illuminate interesting facts and figures... Meant as a browsable volume rather than a reference book, this is a prime example of how books can trump the Internet--readers who pick up this volume will want to spend time flipping through the pages, marveling at the facts and figures within, in a totally different experience than they can get from following links through Wikipedia or searching Google Images. The visual appeal and excellent price point make this book highly recommended for libraries of all types and sizes.-- (12/01/2013) A highly enjoyable and thoroughly informative hybrid that combines the facts and figures of a record book with the visual beauty of a coffee-table book. High-quality photographs (and) succinct portions of text (allow) for easy reading and browsing... Highly recommended.-- (05/01/2014) This hefty volume, whose title translates as world's greatest, presents listings of the tallest buildings, longest tunnels, fastest trains, and other monumental achievements of our race... The emphasis is on the visual, with sumptuous color photographs printed on heavy stock, many appearing on full spreads. The text, while minimal, is nevertheless informative... Nine major sections cover broad areas of human endeavor (and) for the ranked lists, the entries vary greatly in number, from as few as three (longest bridges) to as many as 17 (largest countries), and specify units of measure and location...While Guinness has had the records market cornered for decades, many of them do not pass the so what? test. Here are records that matter and that inquisitive minds will actually want to know about. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.-- (12/15/2013) This reference is intended to celebrate humankind's technological achievements through the presentation of records, which are organized as lists.... Although it is technically a reference title, it is best used for browsing since it can also function as a coffee-table book due to the beauty of its copious photographs.... Highly recommended... Very reasonably priced.-- (09/01/2014)

This hefty volume, whose title translates as world's greatest, presents listings of the tallest buildings, longest tunnels, fastest trains, and other monumental achievements of our race... The emphasis is on the visual, with sumptuous color photographs printed on heavy stock, many appearing on full spreads. The text, while minimal, is nevertheless informative... Nine major sections cover broad areas of human endeavor (and) for the ranked lists, the entries vary greatly in number, from as few as three (longest bridges) to as many as 17 (largest countries), and specify units of measure and location...While Guinness has had the records market cornered for decades, many of them do not pass the so what? test. Here are records that matter and that inquisitive minds will actually want to know about. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.--Michael Bemis Library Journal (12/15/2013)

A highly enjoyable and thoroughly informative hybrid that combines the facts and figures of a record book with the visual beauty of a coffee-table book. High-quality photographs (and) succinct portions of text (allow) for easy reading and browsing... Highly recommended.--S. Markgren, Purchase College, SUNY Choice Vol. 51 No. 09 (05/01/2014)

Author Information

Wolfgang Kunth is a prominent publisher of illustrated reference books. He lives in Germany.

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