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Did David Hasselhoff End the Cold War?: 50 Facts You Need to Know - Europe by Emma Hartley
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2023
This account, which boldly asserts its ability to provide us with indispensable information, falls drastically short in terms of thorough research and factual correctness. It is disappointing to encounter a resource that not only fails to meet the standards of meticulous investigation, but also lacks the necessary foundation of reliable information.
July 1, 2008
Rarely does a book make me as angry as '50 Facts you need to know: Europe'.
Firstly, the blurb says this is a sequel to the book '50 facts that should change the world' but it is nothing of the sort. It is written by a different author and the subject matter has nothing to do with Jessica William's book.
Secondly the title is '50 Facts you need to know: Europe', but many of the chapters are not facts at all. For example chapter 7 'Albania is the worst place in Europe' is a statement of opinion, not fact, as any primary school child can tell you.
Thirdly, the title '50 Facts you need to know: Europe' suggests the facts are important, if not vital, to know. In reality the book should have been titled '50 useless bits of trivia: Europe'. Did I really need to know the there is a railway in Hungary run by children? uh, NO.
Finally, the book is simply poorly written.
Just don't read it.
Firstly, the blurb says this is a sequel to the book '50 facts that should change the world' but it is nothing of the sort. It is written by a different author and the subject matter has nothing to do with Jessica William's book.
Secondly the title is '50 Facts you need to know: Europe', but many of the chapters are not facts at all. For example chapter 7 'Albania is the worst place in Europe' is a statement of opinion, not fact, as any primary school child can tell you.
Thirdly, the title '50 Facts you need to know: Europe' suggests the facts are important, if not vital, to know. In reality the book should have been titled '50 useless bits of trivia: Europe'. Did I really need to know the there is a railway in Hungary run by children? uh, NO.
Finally, the book is simply poorly written.
Just don't read it.
August 16, 2015
Low 1. There are many flaws to this publication, chief of which is its scarcity of objective truths as opposed to subjective interpretation. Many of the chapters do not provide substantial evidence to support the statements made, while some are of little true import. There are brief glimmers of insight, such as the railway in Hungary operated by children and the astonishing lionisation by Stalinist society of the pioneer of the 'Young Pioneer' movement, Pavlik Morozov. At the age of 14 this emblematic figure of loyalty to the state had denounced his father to the secret police for which he was murdered in 1932. The shame is that the vast majority of so-called facts presented here can not be described as information one 'needs to know'. Trade Descriptions Act???
November 25, 2015
50 "facts" you "need to know"
I would say that the most of the articles in this books are not factually correct (or at least not very well researched) or particularly interesting, and left me with a feeling like I was listening to one of my half-drunk friends trying to remember that one documentary he/she watched one week ago that was really great, but can't remember what exactly was it about and you had to be there.
There are so many other books you can read. Skip this one.
I would say that the most of the articles in this books are not factually correct (or at least not very well researched) or particularly interesting, and left me with a feeling like I was listening to one of my half-drunk friends trying to remember that one documentary he/she watched one week ago that was really great, but can't remember what exactly was it about and you had to be there.
There are so many other books you can read. Skip this one.
June 12, 2012
This book got some interesting facts I didn't know about. Main themes include berlin wall, eastern europe, wwII, etc. some other facts aren't that interesting, but it's an easy read so I would give it 4 out of 5.
April 24, 2013
Poor boring and distinct lack of humour that is implied with the title. Too many chapters revolve around the author and 'facts' that are completely dull and uninteresting that I found myself quickly flicking through to the next section.
January 21, 2013
The answer is yes! Okay, not really, but the stories were interesting at times. An interesting take on modern Europe. Fun read for a North American.
September 7, 2019
great book to get a grasp on EU
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews