From: mgm@world.std.com (michael g moncur)
Subject: FAQ: Books of Quotations (LONG)
Summary: A bibliography of Quotation books.
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 09:50:26 GMT


This is the beginning of a bibliography of quotation books.  These are
simply a few that I have or know of.  If you have a favorite book of
quotations, or any at all, and can add to this list, please send E-MAIL to
mgm@world.std.com, and I'll add it to this list.  (See the bottom of this
list for specific instructions.)  This list will be a part of the
alt.quotations FAQ, which will hopefully appear in the new future.

----
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations 
Published: Original, 1941.  Third edition, 1980.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Editor/Author: Oxford University Press
Scope: All quotations, chosen based on familiarity.

This is one of the "Big Two" quotation books.  Any fan of quotations
should have it available.  Like all quotation books, it is by no means
comprehensive, but it attempts to be, and is at least diverse.  Not a book
to be read cover to cover, but a good reference for looking up particular
quotes.  Quotes are arranged by author.  Also includes a LARGE (approx.
300 pages) and comprehensive subject index. 
 
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations 
Published: (?) 
Publisher: Bartlett (?)
Editor/Author: (?)
Scope: All quotations, chosen based on familiarity.
 
This is the other of the "Big Two."  I don't have it at this point, so I
can't comment specifically.  I'd appreciate hearing from somebody who has
it.
 
The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations
Published: 1991
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Editor/Author: Tony Augarde
Scope: 20th-century quotations, chosen based on familiarity.

A "modern" version of the Oxford Dictionary, centered on quotes by people
who were "still alive after 1900."  As such, the quotations in this
volume may be more relevant to today's concerns.  It is shorter than the
original Oxford, probably due to the absence of Shakespeare and Biblical
quotations.

The Dictionary of Humorous Quotations
Published: 1949.  Was still in print in 1989.
Publisher: Doubleday, originally.  1989 edition - Dorsett Press.
Editor/Author: Evan Esar
Scope: Humorous quotations, chosen by author.

This is one of the many quotation dictionaries that are basically the
collected "favorite quotes" of the author.  It is arranged by author, and
includes a subject index.

The Portable Curmudgeon
Published: 1987
Publisher: NAL Penguin Inc. (US), New American Library of Canada Ltd (CA)
Editor/Author: John Winokur
Scope: Cynical, mostly humorous.  Chosen by author.

These are "outrageously irreverent" quotations from people the author
considers Curmudgeons (Cynical, irascible, cantankerous).  It is
organized by subject, with additional sections devoted to
frequently-contributing curmudgeons (W.C. Fields, Dorothy Parker, Fran
Lebowitz, and Groucho Marx to name a few.)  No index.  A book intended to
be read cover-to-cover.
[NOTE:  There are two sequels to this work, "A Curmudgeon's garden of
Love" and "The Portable Curmudgeon Redux".  Information on these two
would be appreciated, as I don't currently have them.]

The 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
Published: 1982
Publisher: Fawcett Crest / Ballantine (Random House)
Editor/Author: Robert Byrne
Scope: Chosen by author.

Robert Byrne has compiled a volume of quotations which he finds to posess
"insight, surprise, wit, pith, or punch."  No attempt is made to be
comprehensive.  The quotes are arranged in "sequential" order, meaning
that they vaguely relate to the ones around them.  It does include an
index by author and subject, though.  This book, and its sequels, are my
personal favorite collections.

The Other 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
Published: 1984
Publisher: Ballantine (Random House)
Editor/Author: Robert Byrne 
Scope: Chosen by author

Sequel to the above work.  Same concept, new quotations.

The Third-and Possibly the Best-637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
Published: 1986
Publisher: Ballantine (Random House)
Editor/Author: Robert Byrne 
Scope: Chosen by author

Yet another 637.

The Fourth-and by far the Most Recent-637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
Published: 1990
Publisher: Atheneum/Macmillan Publishing Company
Editor/Author: Robert Byrne
Scope: Chosen by author

The cover says that Robert Byrne "Just can't seem to stop", which seems
true.  It's been three years, though - Let's hope there's a fifth volume
coming.  All four of these are of equal value in my opinion.
--------------------------- 
 
This list is by no means comprehensive, but I'd like it to be.  If you
have any books of quotations (any subject or theme), please send me the
following information so that it can be added to this list: 
 
Full Title 
Publication date (original printing and most recent, if possible)
Publisher (and distributor)
Editor or Author
Scope (theme: i.e. Humorous, Patriotic, Feminist, etc.) 
Library of Congress and/or ISBN numbers if available
and a brief summary.  (3-6 lines)

Thanks!  Please send all information to mgm@world.std.com .
-- 
~`~`michael moncur - mgm@world.std.com / sysop@onlybbs.via.mind.org ~`~`

Newsgroups: alt.quotations