The Best

The best German beer is brewed in Munich, right? Nope, Dortmund. In this sequel to his 1975 bestseller of the same namea directory of excellence in various categoriesNew York Times editorial writer Passell offers dozens of original items, applying his superlatives this time to the new world of VCRs, SLRs, PCs and world-class shiny-helmet bicycle riding. Alphabetically from A to Z (well, W for Wine Cooler, actually), Passell, in friendly bubbling style, rates automobiles (Hyundai, $6000; Bentley, $90,000; et al.) and appraises such essentials as bone-marrow transplants and Grand Canyon river trips, along with items like peanut butter, ice cream and the original Toll House (chocolate chip) cookie. Fun? You bet. One also learns the best way to win in a lottery, is given the best prediction on a West Coast earthquake (""a doozy'') and the word on the University of California at Berkeley, which is now, mirabile dictu, the best buy for capitalists-in-training. It's an education. 35,000 first printing; first serial to US magazine and the New York Times Syndicate; Literary Guild alternate. (November 2)