First published in 1868, this venerable tome is the best-selling U.S. reference work in history, with more than 82 million copies sold. Presidents Kennedy and Clinton kept a copy near their presidential desks. In the movie Double Indemnity, Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson discuss it. It is also mentioned in the movies All About Eve, White Men Can't Jump, Miracle on 34th Street, and Love in the Afternoon. Covering an astonishing range of topics from astronomy to zoology, the editors not only update and revise the annual volume but occasionally add new topics, for example, Offbeat News and Surprising Facts, among other recent entries. The 20 researchers and fact-checkers are meticulous in publishing essential and authoritative facts. One of the few titles that merits the audience description: for all libraries.--Altschiller, Donald Copyright 2018 Booklist

Celebrating its 150th edition, The World Almanac, under the helm of editor Janssen (coauthor, Under the Covers and Between the Sheets), continues to deliver world statistics (summaries of nations, astronomy notes, temperature charts, flags), with an emphasis on subjects likely to be of interest and use to U.S. readers (Medal of Honor recipients; snapshot stats on four-year colleges; sports team records). Three sets of color insert pages add visual interest. VERDICT Excellent for fact checking, browsing, and settling arguments when there isn't a smartphone handy. A great value for the price.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.