Amazon.co.uk Review
Parents have always bought
National Geographic magazine to expand their children's horizons as much as their own. Both will find an almost inexhaustible source of information and entertainment in
The Complete National Geographic, an astounding collection of every article, photograph and advertisement from 110 years of the magazine's history.
For those of us who suffered through sunny afternoons spent with the Dewey decimal system--or, heaven help us, the microfiche machines--the marvel of a century's worth of this impressive magazine on CD-ROM can't be underestimated. The pictures come alive on the screen, and a robust search engine delivers spectacular results. (Especially in these days of watered-down and inappropriate search results, the National Geographic Library is a perfect synthesis of information and modern technology for wary parents.)
Of course, with this much information, it's impossible to package the material easily--the collection holds over 30 CDs, and interchanging discs based on the date can be a painful process. Be sure not to lose the installation CD either, as it's the key to the set. Some technical disappointments appear, too, typical of print sources that make the jump to high tech; in particular, the print is difficult to read unless enlarged--and when enlarged, the pages don't fit without scrolling, even on a larger screen.
Even with that in mind, this is a set not to be missed. A literal library, it impresses with its heft and panoramic view of the world--and, sometimes, of the universe. A must for fans, a treat for kids and adults, The Complete National Geographic is an inspirational compendium.--Acton Lane
Manufacturer's Description
This CD-ROM set features 110 years of the National Geographic magazine--every page of the magazine printed since 1888. Discover the remains of the Titanic. Explore the lush beauty and lurking dangers of the Nile. Learn little-known secrets of the wild panda. Stand on the breathtaking rim of the Grand Canyon. For the first time on CD-ROM, National Geographic Interactive brings every exotic corner of the universe explored by the magazine right to your desktop.