Encyclopedia of World Biography, 26 Volume Set (Repost)

Covering nearly 7000 notable figures from many cultures and time periods right up to the present day, this update of a standard resource is readable, often very lively, and extremely informative. The set incorporates the first edition and the supplemental volumes that appeared thereafter, all updated and revised, in addition to 500 new articles. The alphabetically arranged entries contain brief summary paragraphs, longer essays about the subjects' lives and work, short lists for further reading, and, in most cases, black-and-white portraits. The most impressive aspect of this work is that the essays provide not only the basic biographical information but are also often quite insightful as to the position and importance of a particular individual.