American Biographical Institute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Biographical Institute is a United States based company based in North Carolina that professes to gather biographical information about people based on their achievements. It is however a form of vanity press that includes people's names in its publications both free and for a fee.
| “ | Participants in the American Biographical Institute's books write their own biographies and submit their own photos, according to the preface of the Great Minds of the 21st Century. | ” |
Their website claims that it is: One of the world’s leading biographical reference publishers and authorities on global contemporary achievement. Founded in 1967, the Institute has exposed the biographies of outstanding men and women, the world over, in more than 150 separate reference volumes. During its nearly forty-year history, the ABI has recognized the deeds of outstanding men and women through the acknowledgement of professional documentation, and the tradition of biographical research and record. [3]
Despite stating clearly that Inclusion in an ABI reference title is based on personal achievement alone and is not available for purchase, [4] the company operates by writing to individuals who have been cited elsewhere and invites them to be included for a 'contribution' fee [2] In addition to compiling biographical entries, that ABI sells in its books (The World Book of Knowledge retails for US$795 [3] ), the Institute is perhaps best known for selling a range of titles and certificates. [4]
Contents |
[edit] Awards and titles sold
Amongst the titles for sale from the Institute are:
- Ambassador of Grand Eminence
- American Medal of Honor
- American Order of Excellence Medal
- Commemorative Medal of Honour (issued annually) [5]
- Community Leader of American [6]
- Continental Governor for the United States of America
- Congressional Medal of Excellence
- Contemporary Elite
- Deputy Governor of the American Biographical Institute Research Association
- Distinguished Leadership Award [7]
- Einsteinian Chair of Science
- Gold Record of Achievement
- Genius Laureate of the United States
- Great Minds of the 21st Century Award
- Great Women of the 21st Century Award
- International Medal of Vision
- International Peace Prize (United Cultural Convention Award) [8]
- Key Award
- Legion of Honour (United Cultural Convention Award)
- Man of Achievement
- Man of the Year
- Member of the World Institute of Achievement
- Most Admired Man of the Decade [9]
- One of the Genius Elite
- Order of International Ambassadors
- Outstanding Man of the Century
- Outstanding Man of the 21st Century
- Outstanding Professional Award
- Platinum Record for Exceptional Performance
- Presidential Seal of Honor
- Register of the World's Most Respected Experts
- The Statesman's Award
- Woman of the Year
- World Lifetime Achievement Award
- World Laureate of the American Biographical Institute
- World Laureate of the United States of America
- World Lifetime Achievement Award
- World Medal of Freedom
- 20th Century Achievement Award
- 25 Year Achievement Award [10]
- 500 Leaders of Science Award
- 500 Leaders of Influence Award
- 1000 World Leaders of World Influence Award
- 2000 Millennium Medal of Honour
- 2000 Universal Award for Accomplishment
- 5000 Personalities of the World Award
New awards are continually created and marketed. Most awards are available for between US$195 and US$495 depending on their level of prestige and the quality of the printing on the certificate.
In 2005 the Institute awarded 200 Man of the Year Awards at between US$195 and US$295 each. [5]
[edit] World leaders with American Biographical Institute awards
- President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh. His official CV showing the awards]
- President of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. Biography showing her award]
[edit] References
The ABI does not provide a consolidated list of all the awards, medals, diplomas and certificates it issues and therefore the titles of the 'honours' are only able to be identified through recipients use of them in their resumes. An internet search on any of the 'honours' above will identify many recipients.[11]
- The Tribune Saturday Plus Sucker of the Year Award by Rajesh Kochar 16 Jan 1999
- Are you Man of the Year? by Don Burleson 8 Oct 2006
- The Awards Scam 10 August 1999
- Copies of letters sent to a recipient of ABI awards - June 2006
- Photos of some of the ABI medals
- Scam of the Year, a Snip at $195 by Richard Baker, State Political Reporter, The Age
[edit] Notes
- ^ Paying for Prestige - the Cost of Recognition
- ^ Should I Accept this American Award?.
- ^ Me in the World Book of Knowledge!
- ^ Parliament of New South Wales Peace Prize Scam [1]
- ^ http://medicine.osu.edu/neuroscience/345.cfm
- ^ http://medicine.osu.edu/neuroscience/345.cfm
- ^ http://medicine.osu.edu/neuroscience/345.cfm
- ^ The International Peace Prize cost US$295 in 2005. See: [2]
- ^ http://medicine.osu.edu/neuroscience/345.cfm
- ^ http://medicine.osu.edu/neuroscience/345.cfm
- ^ A typical CV listing awards
