Atlas, Schmatlas: A Superior Atlas of the World

by Craig Robinson

'Atlas, Schmatlas' is an absolutely silly yet informative and comprehensive atlas of the world which features over 250 entries covering the globe, and is filled with colourful maps, graphs, illustrations and even a quiz to test your knowledge.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810994321
• ISBN13: 9780810994324
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.0" x 11.5"
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Superior - As In Different

Craig Robinson is not a geographer, but he sure makes the facts - as he sees them - fun to read. The brightly illustrated book covers the countries of the world in ways no snobby scholar would. Filled with facts and even more filled with wit, Atlas, Schmatlas: A Superior Atlas Of The World is both funny and informative in the same way as the recently published Borat and Onion's Atlas books. The book is irreverent and turns the concept of an Atlas upside down, but read more carefully and the sarcasm is so true it begins to hurt. It is doubtful many parents would buy this as a present for their children, which is sad because Schmatlas would otherwise inform the reader that Nepal's "Mount Qomolangma can make a rich man's penis bigger" or that after getting rid of the aristocratic Brits, "Americans decided that they'd have a president instead, one that wasn't part of a rich family where fathers and sons ruled the nation and just helped out their rich mates." Good insight indeed (and maps, capitals, population statistics and more too), but whether the book will be referenced too many times is probably a matter of taste. Perhaps knowledge is something that needs to be passed on after all, which makes Schmatlas perfect for regifting instead of resifting.

Atlas, Schmatlas is Great!

If you're not yet familiar with the work of Craig Robinson, you need to be as soon as possible. "Atlas, Schmatlas" is brilliantly illustrated in Craig's signature pixel-oriented style, and the impeccable sense of humor employed on his Website (www.flipflopflyin.com) is in full-force here. I've been a fan for a long time, and it's great to have a book featuring more extensive writing - some of his descriptions of various countries actually had me laughing out loud . . . this book makes for a great gift, and it sure to keep you entertained. Highly recommended!