I found this treasure with the magazines by the check-out stand at my local grocery store. The publication makes it clear that those represented are not the 100 people who changed the world, but rather features a collection of individuals who contributed to the world in memorable ways, people who shaped history.
LIFE’s special edition is organized into four realms: philosophy (which includes religion), politics (including the politics of war or dominion), invention, and culture. Within each category, the people are listed in chronological order. Typical of LIFE, the pictures are splendid, some replications are very old and many in brilliant color.
The Religious Figures & Philosopher Kings section includes 13 notable figures dating from 2100 B.C. to 2011, ranging from Abraham, to Jesus, to Mohandas Gandhi, to Mother Teresa. (This was my favorite section.)
Leaders: Elected and Not dates from 2551 B.C. to present day. The 23 listed include Alexander the Great, George Washington, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.
Scientists, Inventors & Innovators dates from around 1300 to 2011 and the 25 listed include Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Graham Bell and Steve Jobs.
Cultural Icons list 39 people dating from 1000 B.C. to present day, including Homer, Helen Keller, The Beatles and Muhammad Ali.
I think everyone would find persons of interest in this book. I read every entry, but some might enjoy simply browsing the glossy pages. This is a well thought-out, attractive and interesting publication.
You left out Nikola Tesla. Turn on a light, AC electricity. Break your arm, x-ray. Turn on your TV, remote. Microwave oven, even your cell phone can be credited to him. Marconi used 17 of Tesla’s patons to make his radio. Tesla’s inventions impacts our lives daily. Curious why he wasn’t included in the list.
Suzanne, thank you for commenting. Because this was simply a review and because there would be no way in a review to discuss so many outstanding people, I felt the best I could do would be to note the categories. I no longer have this book in my possession–I pass books on to our local library–I imagine that someone as outstanding as Nikola Tesla was mentioned in the “Scientists, Inventors & Innovators” category.