Pears cyclopµdia, 2013-2014 : a book of reference and background information for all the family (One hundred and twenty second edition)

The 122nd edition of Pears', Britain's favourite encyclopaedia The quintessentially British bookshelf essential, Pears' Cyclopaedia continues to inform and intrigue generations of readers with its unique mix of solid facts and fascinating gems.

Now in its 122nd year, this ultimate almanac offers clear and concise information on such wide-ranging subjects as global events, Norse mythology and modern cinema.

Updated regularly by editor Chris Cook and his panel of experts, this handy and beautiful edition includes new entries for all major events from 2013-2014, a revised and expanded section on the history of the Bible, plus all the traditional favourites - from public figures and celebrities, through medical matters and classical mythology, to a gazetteer of the British Isles and the latest tax advice.

This is a world of knowledge rolled into one must-have volume - the Swiss army knife of reference books.

About the author: Dr Chris Cook has been editing Pears' Cyclopaedia since 1977: the year of the Queen's silver jubilee, James Callaghan and The Clash.

The world has changed since then, but Pears' remains the only book of its kind to be updated and revised annually. Dr Cook is helped in his yearly task by a varied team of expert contributors - and by his love of reference books, compulsive reading of media and formidable academic record.