Author David Wallechinsky Discusses His BOOK OF LISTS and Its Impact on the Internet

In 1977, David Wallechinsky, his father Irving Wallace and his sister Amy Wallace published "The Book of Lists." It was a book that was a compendium of facts, such as "15 People Who Became Words" and "10 Men Who Were Supported By Their Wives." It had detailed explanations and it immediately became a bestseller that spawned three sequels.

Today, over three decades later, "The Book of Lists" has made an impact everywhere. Many websites use lists to tell stories in a simple and easy to digest way. There are lists with topics that range from "History's Biggest Mysteries" to "11 Things You Didn't Know About Spinal Tap."

Wallechinsky, author and creator of AllGov.com, says he isn't mad in the least with how the internet has made use of what his book did years ago. He said, "I was thrilled when the Internet came around," he says. He knows how the list concept can make things easier to understand and he goes on to say, "I'm glad to have done what I could."

Today, Wallechinsky, 66, spends all of his time on AllGov.com, a site all about the business of government. AllGov features the United States, California and France and it has goals to cover every U.S. state and every country in the world. Speaking about AllGov, Wallechinsky says, " "We pride ourselves on accuracy, double-checking. The Internet is so full of junk and not-researched material. ... We try to emphasize policy instead of politics."

CNN spoke to Wallechinsky about AllGov, "The Book of Lists" and more. Read the interview here.

Photo Credit: Norman Seeff

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