Great Lives: Incredibly Wealthy

Purchasers of this set receive complimentary access to the online version of the content through the Salem History Database. Three volumes profile 446 people (of whom 43 are women) in essays written specially for this reference. Most have not been previously profiled in the publisher's "Great Lives From History" series, and if they have, the emphasis here--on how much wealth and how they got it--is new. Editor Bromberg (law, U. of Michigan) provides an introductory essay. Each signed entry begins with a brief summary then focuses on early life, first ventures, mature wealth, and legacy--in two to four pages (750 to 2,000 words). Some entries include sidebars; all contain references and cross references. Arrangement is alphabetical. The third volume contains several worthwhile appendices beginning with one-paragraph entries for an additional 154 wealthy individuals--perhaps not wealthy enough for the more developed profiles. Also appended is a chronological grouping of individuals by date of birth: the ancient world, the middle ages to 1400, and then each century after that, and each decade of the 20th century, through to 1971-1980 (Sergey Brin and Tiger Woods). Following is an annotated listing of electronic resources (free and subscription web sites, and business databases), and a bibliography arranged by geographic locale as well as key industries and businesses and some major themes (e.g. women, philanthropy). The category index groups entries by approximately 50 themes--areas of enterprise that enriched the profiled individuals, such as agricultural products, artwork, banking, mining, retailing shipbuilding, telecommunications, and transportation systems. The geographical index groups entries by country, and the subject index provides additional access. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)