The ''Complete Idiot's Guides'' ("''The Idiot's Guide to'' ..." series) is a product line of how-to and other reference books published by
Dorling Kindersley
Dorling Kindersley Limited (branded as DK) is a British multinational publishing company specialising in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 63 languages.
It is part of Penguin Random House, a subsidiary of German media cong ...
(DK). The books in this series provide a basic understanding of a complex and popular topics. The term "idiot" is used as hyperbole, to reassure readers that the guides will be basic and comprehensible, even if the topics seem intimidating. The approach relies on explaining a topic step-by-step, using basic terminology, definitions of words, and profiles of people.
The first Complete Idiot's Guides were published in 1993 on technical subjects, namely
DOS
DOS (, ) is a family of disk-based operating systems for IBM PC compatible computers. The DOS family primarily consists of IBM PC DOS and a rebranded version, Microsoft's MS-DOS, both of which were introduced in 1981. Later compatible syste ...
and
PCs. They have since expanded into a wide range of topics such as
time management
Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities—especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
Time management involves demands relating to work, social ...
, learning languages such as
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas
**Spanish cuisine
**Spanish history
**Spanish culture
...
,
public speaking
Public speaking, is the practice of delivering speeches to a live audience. Throughout history, public speaking has held significant cultural, religious, and political importance, emphasizing the necessity of effective rhetorical skills. It all ...
, and
feng shui
Feng shui ( or ), sometimes called Chinese geomancy, is a traditional form of geomancy that originated in ancient China and claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. The term ''feng shui'' mean ...
. Circa 2000, there were approximately 3 million Complete Idiot's Guides sold per year.
Alpha Books
Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Random House, is an American publisher best known for its Complete Idiot's Guides series. It began as a division of Macmillan. Pearson Education acquired Macmillan General Reference (MGR) from Simon & Schuster ...
, publisher of the Complete Idiot's Guides, is a member of
Penguin Group
Penguin Group is a British trade book publisher and part of Penguin Random House, which is owned by the German media company, media Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Bertelsmann. The new company was created by a Mergers and acquisitions, mer ...
. It began as a division of
Macmillan.
Pearson Education
Pearson Education, known since 2011 as simply Pearson, is the educational publishing and services subsidiary of the international corporation Pearson plc. The subsidiary was formed in 1998, when Pearson plc acquired Simon & Schuster's educatio ...
acquired Macmillan General Reference (MGR) from
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster LLC (, ) is an American publishing house owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts since 2023. It was founded in New York City in 1924, by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. Along with Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group US ...
in 1998 and retained the line while the rest of MGR was sold to
IDG Books
International Data Group (IDG, Inc.) is an American market intelligence and demand generation company focused on the technology industry. IDG, Inc.'s mission is centered around supporting the technology industry through research, data, marketi ...
. Alpha moved from
Pearson Education
Pearson Education, known since 2011 as simply Pearson, is the educational publishing and services subsidiary of the international corporation Pearson plc. The subsidiary was formed in 1998, when Pearson plc acquired Simon & Schuster's educatio ...
to
Penguin Group
Penguin Group is a British trade book publisher and part of Penguin Random House, which is owned by the German media company, media Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Bertelsmann. The new company was created by a Mergers and acquisitions, mer ...
in 2003. Alpha became part of sister company DK in 2012, and relaunched the Complete Idiot's Guide series under the name "Idiot's Guide" in 2013.
Notable authors of Complete Idiot's Guides include
Cory Doctorow
Cory Efram Doctorow (; born 17 July 1971) is a Canadian-British blogger, journalist, and science fiction author who served as co-editor of the blog ''Boing Boing''. He is an activist in favour of liberalising copyright laws and a proponent of th ...
,
Thomas David Jones,
Steven D. Strauss,
Sheila Lowe,
Taylor Mason,
John Kenrick,
Roshumba Williams, and
Frank Sargeant.
The line parallels the ''
For Dummies
''For Dummies'' is an extensive series of instructional reference books that strive to present non-intimidating guides for readers new to the various topics covered. The series has been a worldwide success, with editions in numerous languages.
...
'' books. The editorial offices for the two competing series are both located partially in Indianapolis.
See also
* ''
For Dummies
''For Dummies'' is an extensive series of instructional reference books that strive to present non-intimidating guides for readers new to the various topics covered. The series has been a worldwide success, with editions in numerous languages.
...
'' – a similar series of how-to books from
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
* ''
Découvertes Gallimard
(, ; in United Kingdom: ''New Horizons'', in United States: ''Abrams Discoveries'') is an Collection (publishing), editorial collection of Book illustration, illustrated monographic books published by the Éditions Gallimard in Pocket edition, ...
'', a similar series in French of introductory books, noted for its fine illustration. Some titles are translated in other languages.
*
FabJob
FabJob is a book publisher based in Calgary, Canada, and Seattle, United States. It was founded in 1999 by sisters Tag Goulet, Tag and Catherine Goulet.
History
The company's guide books initially began as electronic titles in e-Book and CD-RO ...
– a similar series of how-to-books for starting a business or dream career
*
Teach Yourself – another similar series published by
Hodder Headline
Headline Publishing Group is a British publishing brand and former company. It was founded in 1986 by Tim Hely Hutchinson. In 1993, Headline bought Hodder & Stoughton
Hodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hac ...
* ''
Very Short Introductions
''Very Short Introductions'' (''VSI'') is a book series published by the Oxford University Press (OUP). The books are concise introductions to particular subjects, intended for a general audience but written by experts. Most are under 200-page ...
'', a similar series of introductory books published by the
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press (OUP) is the publishing house of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world. Its first book was printed in Oxford in 1478, with the Press officially granted the legal right to print books ...
.
References
{{Reflist
External links
The ''Complete Idiot's Guides'' websiteTextbook Study
Handbooks and manuals
Book series
Study guides