Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bible here, but more of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and other non-Christian texts, except for the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu where Bartlett's has 34 entries to 19 for the Oxford.

Another feature that the Oxford has that will be handy for some is its "Special Categories" which are "Advertising Slogans" (mostly for products sold in the UK), "Misquotations," "Newspaper Headlines and Leaders," "Political Slogans and Songs," and fifteen more. These are text boxes appearing alphabetically among the quotations. Curiously they give the rather staid Oxford reputation a bit of a colloquial feel that may surprise some people.

So how to choose between these two very excellent works of reference? I like them both and if I had to part with either, I would reluctantly let the Oxford go. However if I were English I would part with Bartlett's and keep the Oxford. I really think they are that close in quality. For a secondary consideration, I would prefer the Oxford since its slightly smaller size is a bit handier, especially when balanced on one's chest as one reads in bed!

Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without either this or Bartlett's. Next to a dictionary a book of quotations is my most consulted work of reference. To solve the dilemma, I recommend that you splurge and get them both!

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bible here, but more of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and other non-Christian texts, except for the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu where Bartlett's has 34 entries to 19 for the Oxford.

Another feature that the Oxford has that will be handy for some is its "Special Categories" which are "Advertising Slogans" (mostly for products sold in the UK), "Misquotations," "Newspaper Headlines and Leaders," "Political Slogans and Songs," and fifteen more. These are text boxes appearing alphabetically among the quotations. Curiously they give the rather staid Oxford reputation a bit of a colloquial feel that may surprise some people.

So how to choose between these two very excellent works of reference? I like them both and if I had to part with either, I would reluctantly let the Oxford go. However if I were English I would part with Bartlett's and keep the Oxford. I really think they are that close in quality. For a secondary consideration, I would prefer the Oxford since its slightly smaller size is a bit handier, especially when balanced on one's chest as one reads in bed!

Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without either this or Bartlett's. Next to a dictionary a book of quotations is my most consulted work of reference. To solve the dilemma, I recommend that you splurge and get them both!

Not only the funny ones , 29 Jul 2006
This topically arranged dictionary of quotations is more than a collection of humorous quotations. perhaps it should be titled, Sherrin's Favorite Quotes. For reference to sources it is not a patch on Nigel Rees.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bible here, but more of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and other non-Christian texts, except for the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu where Bartlett's has 34 entries to 19 for the Oxford.

Another feature that the Oxford has that will be handy for some is its "Special Categories" which are "Advertising Slogans" (mostly for products sold in the UK), "Misquotations," "Newspaper Headlines and Leaders," "Political Slogans and Songs," and fifteen more. These are text boxes appearing alphabetically among the quotations. Curiously they give the rather staid Oxford reputation a bit of a colloquial feel that may surprise some people.

So how to choose between these two very excellent works of reference? I like them both and if I had to part with either, I would reluctantly let the Oxford go. However if I were English I would part with Bartlett's and keep the Oxford. I really think they are that close in quality. For a secondary consideration, I would prefer the Oxford since its slightly smaller size is a bit handier, especially when balanced on one's chest as one reads in bed!

Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without either this or Bartlett's. Next to a dictionary a book of quotations is my most consulted work of reference. To solve the dilemma, I recommend that you splurge and get them both!

Not only the funny ones , 29 Jul 2006
This topically arranged dictionary of quotations is more than a collection of humorous quotations. perhaps it should be titled, Sherrin's Favorite Quotes. For reference to sources it is not a patch on Nigel Rees.

For true fans, a treasure of a book., 17 Oct 2004
This is a very beautiful little book. As a complete fan of Paulo Coelho, this book is a treasure to me. It brings together some of the best quotations from his work, plus some previously unpublished quotations. There are also beautiful drawings by Anne Kristin Hagesaether, to complete the package.
However, despite my total love for this book, I am not sure what other people, who have only read maybe a couple of Coelho's novels, would get from it. Maybe some would be able to take the quotations for what they are, but I have the fear that some may expect things from this collection which it just cannot give. As with many of his novels, you have to bring soemthing to the readings of his words. Think about what the quotation is saying, how it relates to your life.
For me, this really is something I will treasure, I hope others do too.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bible here, but more of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and other non-Christian texts, except for the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu where Bartlett's has 34 entries to 19 for the Oxford.

Another feature that the Oxford has that will be handy for some is its "Special Categories" which are "Advertising Slogans" (mostly for products sold in the UK), "Misquotations," "Newspaper Headlines and Leaders," "Political Slogans and Songs," and fifteen more. These are text boxes appearing alphabetically among the quotations. Curiously they give the rather staid Oxford reputation a bit of a colloquial feel that may surprise some people.

So how to choose between these two very excellent works of reference? I like them both and if I had to part with either, I would reluctantly let the Oxford go. However if I were English I would part with Bartlett's and keep the Oxford. I really think they are that close in quality. For a secondary consideration, I would prefer the Oxford since its slightly smaller size is a bit handier, especially when balanced on one's chest as one reads in bed!

Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without either this or Bartlett's. Next to a dictionary a book of quotations is my most consulted work of reference. To solve the dilemma, I recommend that you splurge and get them both!

Not only the funny ones , 29 Jul 2006
This topically arranged dictionary of quotations is more than a collection of humorous quotations. perhaps it should be titled, Sherrin's Favorite Quotes. For reference to sources it is not a patch on Nigel Rees.

For true fans, a treasure of a book., 17 Oct 2004
This is a very beautiful little book. As a complete fan of Paulo Coelho, this book is a treasure to me. It brings together some of the best quotations from his work, plus some previously unpublished quotations. There are also beautiful drawings by Anne Kristin Hagesaether, to complete the package.
However, despite my total love for this book, I am not sure what other people, who have only read maybe a couple of Coelho's novels, would get from it. Maybe some would be able to take the quotations for what they are, but I have the fear that some may expect things from this collection which it just cannot give. As with many of his novels, you have to bring soemthing to the readings of his words. Think about what the quotation is saying, how it relates to your life.
For me, this really is something I will treasure, I hope others do too.

A Treasure Trove of Humour, 30 Oct 2008
I work as a speechwriter, so I'm always looking for titbits to liven up a presentation. Rawson has gathered together an erudite and witty collection of laws which keep you thinking for days. What I like about it is that it's humour with intelligence. Each law offers an insight into human affairs, be it frivolous or profound.

You can follow up the laws and find out about writers and theorists you've never heard of - giving you hours of pleasure.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bible here, but more of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and other non-Christian texts, except for the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu where Bartlett's has 34 entries to 19 for the Oxford.

Another feature that the Oxford has that will be handy for some is its "Special Categories" which are "Advertising Slogans" (mostly for products sold in the UK), "Misquotations," "Newspaper Headlines and Leaders," "Political Slogans and Songs," and fifteen more. These are text boxes appearing alphabetically among the quotations. Curiously they give the rather staid Oxford reputation a bit of a colloquial feel that may surprise some people.

So how to choose between these two very excellent works of reference? I like them both and if I had to part with either, I would reluctantly let the Oxford go. However if I were English I would part with Bartlett's and keep the Oxford. I really think they are that close in quality. For a secondary consideration, I would prefer the Oxford since its slightly smaller size is a bit handier, especially when balanced on one's chest as one reads in bed!

Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without either this or Bartlett's. Next to a dictionary a book of quotations is my most consulted work of reference. To solve the dilemma, I recommend that you splurge and get them both!

Not only the funny ones , 29 Jul 2006
This topically arranged dictionary of quotations is more than a collection of humorous quotations. perhaps it should be titled, Sherrin's Favorite Quotes. For reference to sources it is not a patch on Nigel Rees.

For true fans, a treasure of a book., 17 Oct 2004
This is a very beautiful little book. As a complete fan of Paulo Coelho, this book is a treasure to me. It brings together some of the best quotations from his work, plus some previously unpublished quotations. There are also beautiful drawings by Anne Kristin Hagesaether, to complete the package.
However, despite my total love for this book, I am not sure what other people, who have only read maybe a couple of Coelho's novels, would get from it. Maybe some would be able to take the quotations for what they are, but I have the fear that some may expect things from this collection which it just cannot give. As with many of his novels, you have to bring soemthing to the readings of his words. Think about what the quotation is saying, how it relates to your life.
For me, this really is something I will treasure, I hope others do too.

A Treasure Trove of Humour, 30 Oct 2008
I work as a speechwriter, so I'm always looking for titbits to liven up a presentation. Rawson has gathered together an erudite and witty collection of laws which keep you thinking for days. What I like about it is that it's humour with intelligence. Each law offers an insight into human affairs, be it frivolous or profound.

You can follow up the laws and find out about writers and theorists you've never heard of - giving you hours of pleasure.

Assembling the dissenters, 04 Oct 2008
Producing books on "a-theism" have become something of a cottage industry. There are scholars such as Atran, Boyer and Lewis-Williams examining how humans deal with the spiritual realm. General science has finally entered the fray by demonstrating the lack of evidence for gods with Richard Dawkins' recent book. And philosophers have at last conceded religion is a proper topic for research investigation. Nearly all these works are by individual writers and an anthology of those works is now overdue.

This little tome offers readers a different tack, both in approach and style. On the bookstore shelf, the first thing one notices is the lack of an editor's credit. Fitting, as it's in line with the example set by its predecessor. There is no opening essay to explain or justify the publication of the book. A short disclaimer notes that some citations are from works of fiction and that authors don't always use fabricated characters as a mouthpiece for their own views. This, of course, immediately raises the question of out of context quotes. Each citation must, therefore, be considered on its face value.

The citations, which are derived from a broad chronology of human expressions, are arranged in "Books of" with a particular topic or individual as the focus. Some, such as "Genesis", bear little resemblance to the original model. Neither whipping up a universe, staffing it with an "Original Couple", and human submission to divine wrath appears. Instead, the issue of whether that scenario, or the idea that humans create their own gods should prevail is the central theme.

Other Books are more tightly focussed. One is given over to examining the role given women by the original combined with declarations of women over the years concerning that role. Several Books are lists of quotes by particular authors, notably Ambrose Beirce, Mark Twain and Robert Ingersoll - leading commentators on the topic. Konner has thoroughly combed the literature to glean a fine harvest of material for this book. Its slim size must not deceive the potential reader into thinking there's little of convincing value here. Quite the reverse. Anyone wondering why there is such a thing as "a-theism" should consider taking this up - a treasure of answers will bring Enlightenment [p. 16]. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Thoughts from a humanist, 09 Dec 2007
This book should be prescribed reading for anyone who has doubts about their faith. For the atheist/agnostic it is meat and drink. I had no idea that so many illustrious people were of a similar mind to me. But if you are committed to a religion and also feel threatened by criticism then this book is definitely not for you.

Quite the best book of quotations!, 03 Nov 2008
What a great book - packed with gems of wit and wisdom. Only the interesting-facts QI team could deliver such a great collection and do it so well. Clearly a real labour of love for those who put it together.
A veritable treasure trove. An ideal present for almost anyone on almost any occasion.

Just as good as the TV show..., 23 Oct 2008
I absolutely love this book. I have hundreds of quotation books, but they almost all lack the editorial style of Messrs Lloyd and Mitchinson. The big difference is that quotation books are normally only really reference books, this one flows so that you find yourself absorbed and taken along by it.

Other reviewers suggest it's nothing to do with the TV show QI. I don't agree. John Lloyd and John Mitchinson dreamed up and produce the QI TV show, and you can tell the humour and approach is from the same place. The great thing about the TV show is nothing is off limits. If it is interesting and it is funny, it is in. From Greek philosophy to the profane and odd, anything goes. The same applies to this excellent book, and that, along with the Johns' comedy and editorial talent is why this is different from the others.


Interesting. Amusing. Ideal for dipping into., 12 Oct 2008
This book is simply a collection of amusing quotations from the famous - and the not so famous. It doesn't really appear to have anything more to do with QI than having the series name on the cover. It's a great book for dipping into but hardly something you'll want to tirelessly read from cover to cover. Ideal as a bathroom reader or to amuse others with.

And I quote..., 10 Oct 2008
Ever stumbled a cross a quote or saying that rang so true, you've decided to write it down and tuck in a pocket for future reference? Well, this book's full of them.
Quotes are powerful things. They can make us happy, sad, laugh, cry, can comfort us, annoy us...the list goes on. As such, this book is a rollercoaster of opinions and witticisms, some of which are infamous, some of which are lesser known.
It's difficult to review such a book because...well...it's a bit of a nothingness. It is, quite simply, a collection of quotes from famous people, A-Z by subject. That's it. The overall product feels rushed, too - on my first thumb through, I noticed 3 spelling errors! - and I don't appreciate having the QI brand slapped on it. A foreword by Fry it may have, but it has very little to do with the show.
That said, is does what it's meant to do, and it does it well - it's a big volume, the kind that warrants dipping into, despite perhaps not seeming to be great value at first, I can imagine this book lasting years, always worth opening up to find a quote to inspire (or infuriate) you.

The funniest Thing You Never Said., 15 Nov 2008
I saw this book on this lovely site, read the front cover and thought they'd be ideal for my Dad and my friend Scott's Christmas presents last year. They were huge successes. I think everyone in my house has sat and read huge chunks of it and laughed out loud. And Scott says he didn't manage to start it for a week because his mum found it, read a page and wouldn't put it down!It's a fantastic book and absolutely hillarious.

Laura, 15.

brilliant, 02 May 2007
I love collecting quotations so what better than a whole big book of them?! To top it off with a cherry they're all hillarious. The books is divided into different topics and sometimes further subdivided which should help you find ones appropriate to an occasion if necessary. There are quotes from Presidents to singers, actors and, lo and behold, comedians. A great mix for different tastes.
If you know anyone who tends to sway towards books like this as opposed to novels I'd strongly recommend it as a gift.... and then get one for yourself. :)

A Coffee Table Classic, 23 Jan 2005
My partner got this book for Christmas and never got a look in! Once I had picked it up I couldn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover.

You will find quotes on every subject imaginable and they range from droll observations to cleverly witty to downright pee your pants hilarious! Only the totally humourless wouldn't find themselves laughing out loud.

This book makes an excellent gift.

A big book for big laughs!, 23 Jan 2008
Large, extremely amusing book with the capacity to keep the reader laughing for hours.

Would make an enjoyable present for any avid golfer - or even someone who just likes to have a laugh about golf and golfers.


Quotesville, 04 Aug 2008
A wonderfully engrossing tome. Time zips by as you turn page after page of the witty, the profound and the historical soundbites uttered by the great, the good and the infamous. A book for both pastime and education.

An essential reference, but..., 05 Apr 2008
I would not be without this reference book, and enjoy an occasional "flick through" it to read the erudite, profound or witty sayings or writings of men and women from throughout history to the present day, not to mention some anonymous ones, advertising slogans and catchphrases. The first quoted may be Homer, from the 8th Century BC, although some verses from the bible are probably the oldest expressions listed.

I find it less successful when I am trying to identify who it was who first used an expression or saying, but this must inevitably be the case. While biased towards the English language - there are 50 pages of Shakespeare's alone - there are quotations from the whole world, and even in 850 pages or so (the index occupies another 300 pages) no one can realistically include more than a small proportion.

I do wonder, therefore, why the editors include the Latin as well as the English translations of those quotations that originated in that language, but not, generally, the French, German or other foreign langauges of others.

While Wikipedia and the internet is a valuable resource as well, this is not a book that you will ever regret buying.

A must for all writers, 29 Jul 2007
Its very size is comforting: my old one was becoming dog-eared so I invested in a new one. I find it difficult to believe there aren't more reviews of this because I would have thought it almost essential for anyone writing a book, screenplay, article, short story or speech, especially for material out of copyright.

Yes, the internet can be useful but is rarely authoritative. This is. If you're serious about the creation of literary works in whatever form, avoid this at your peril...

A quote!! A quote!! My kingdom for a quote!!, 01 Jan 2006
This is the most amazing collection of quotations I have got my hands on. Look up quotes by keywords, by the authors or partial phrase if you only sort of know how it goes but want to read the whole quote.
Worth every penny and it will be a long time getting through it!

Best choice for Brits, 07 Oct 2003
The question for most people looking to purchase a book of quotations is whether to get Bartlett's Familiar Quotations or The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. So perhaps it would be a good idea to compare them and see which might better meet your needs.

Both are important works of reference; both are authoritative. Bartlett's latest edition, the 17th is from 2002 while this, the latest Oxford, is from 1999 with a reprint with corrections from 2001. So both are relatively up to date. Bartlett's is a slightly larger book with perhaps 300 more pages; however the number of actual quotations is not that different. Both books quote over 3,000 authors and contain over 20,000 quotations.

The most significant difference between them, to my mind, is that in the Oxford, English authors are favored both in terms of number included and entries by, which is to be expected since the Oxford is an British publication while Bartlett's is an American publication. A quick check shows that British mathematician and philosopher Bertram Russell, for example, has more entries in the Oxford than he does in Bartlett's, whereas both Mark Twain and the Baltimore sage, H. L. Mencken, have more entries in Bartlett's than they do in the Oxford. France's Voltaire commands just about the same space in either book.

The next most important difference is that the quotations are presented alphabetically by author in the Oxford while Bartlett's presents them chronologically beginning with the oldest. Both sources give author's dates. Personally I find the alphabetical arrangement preferable because it often saves me a trip to the alphabetical "Index of Authors" in Bartlett's that I have to make before finding the author I am interested in. When one is looking for a quote by keyword, which often happens, Bartlett's is slightly to be preferred. Its Index is definitely longer (accounting for most of the difference in length between the books) and it is more extensively cross-referenced. In looking up Marx's "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" I found the quote in the Oxford from the keywords "according," "abilities," and "needs." In Bartlett's "according" did not work, but "each," "abilities," and "needs" did. So that was a standoff. However I found the Golden Rule and its source in Bartlett's without any trouble by looking under "Golden Rule" and under "do unto." In the Oxford neither "Golden Rule" nor "do unto" were in the Index of keywords. Both books give Matthew 7:12 as the source.

The Oxford has a slightly more international approach to religious texts. There is a little less of the Bibl