Covering the cultural figures you feel you ought to know about, but don't - Sappho, Talleyrand, JK Galbraith etc - this book concisely describes the achievements of 250 people whose names are frequently dropped in intellectual discourse. Arranged by attribute, under headings such as Hermits, Stinkers and Militant Atheists, this is an informative guide to the peaks and troughs (such as mistaking Rimbaud for Rambo) of clever conversation.