A Superlative Book 英三 1 1 st Apr. 2014

Summary The Guinness Book of World Records is a compilation of the highest, and sometimes lowest, achievements in every imaginable category. It contains facts, as well as human achievements.

Summary If the number of copies sold is a guide, the Guinness Book of World Records is one of the most popular books in the world. About 94 million copies have been sold since it was first published in 1955, making the book second in popularity only to the Bible. It has been sold in 100 different countries and translated into thirty-seven languages.

Summary The Guinness Book of World Records was begun for the purpose of settling disputes in bars. The idea belonged to Sir Hugh Beaver.

Summary Sir Hugh Beaver thought a book that could answer questions about superlatives (the tallest, fastest, etc.) would not only be popular but could help to market his company’s product as well.

Summary Norm and Ross McWhirter compiled a list of facts, and the first edition, called The Guinness Book of Superlatives, was publish in August 1955.

Summary David A. Boehm went to Britain to obtain the rights. He renamed the book the Guinness Book of World Records because he thought Americans wouldn’t be able to understand the word “superlatives” In 1989, Boehm sold the book rights back to Guinness for eight million dollars.

Summary Many of the facts in the Guinness Book of World Records are concerned with science and the natural world and are, therefore, unlikely to change. But in the area of human achievement, records will continue to be made and broken—a fact that has given hope to a great many people who want to be noticed.

Summary This combination of strangeness and achievement is perhaps one of the most appealing and enduring aspects of the Guinness Book of World Records.

True or False ____ The Guinness Book of Superlatives was begun to make money. ____ The Guinness Book of Superlatives contains only facts. ____ Bible is the book second in popularity only to the Guinness Book of Superlatives.

True or False ____ The Guinness Book of World Records was begun for the purpose of setting disputes in bars. ____ The first edition was published in December 1595.

True or False ____ Many facts in the book are unlikely to ever change. ____ Norm and Ross McWhirter, who ran a London research agency. They produced Guinness Stout.

True or False ____ Sir Hugh Beaver envisioned the book as a Guinness marketing tool. ____ The book has been translated into more than 100 different languages.