Anedcotes entertain, highlight history and reveal character. William Ellery Channing even claimed that, One anecdote of a man is worth a volume of biography . A good collection of anecdotes shows just how diverse people's minds can be. Bartett's conducts the reader on an informal tour through history and human nature at their most entertaining and instructive. Featuring more than 2000 people, past and present from around the world, in all fields of endeavour, the short anecdotes provide insights into the human character. They range from the humorous to the solemn, spanning ancient history, recent politics, modern science, and the arts. Each entry includes a brief biography followed by one or more notable, lively and insightful anecdotes. This volume is a handy reference for students, a resource for public speakers and a bookshelf pot pourri for the curious browser, offering something for almost everyone.