A new annual that collects nearly 300 of the best of "New York Times" obituaries from the previous year, "The Obits" is a compendium of some of the most fascinating people of the 20th century. Written by top journalists, each entry is a jewel--a miniature, nuanced biography filled with the facts as well as the surprise and serendipity of life. 608 pp. 30,000 print.