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Revised Britannica Illuminates a Changing World
Major developments since 9/11, ethnic cleansing, Barbie, Botox included
CHICAGO, April 23, 2003 - The 2003 printing of the Encyclopaedia Britannica,
revised to include the latest developments in culture, medicine and world affairs, is now available,
the publisher announced today.
The new version of the 32-volume reference work reflects the changing world situation
since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. It also includes coverage of the newest
drugs and advances in biomedicine, trends in global crime and punishment and significant developments
in sports, the arts and popular culture.
New people and topics covered for the first time include tennis sensations Venus and
Serena Williams and Mattel’s Barbie, the controversial doll whose enduring popularity has made it a
cultural icon. The list of other new articles reads like a catalog of our changing world: designer
drug, West Nile Virus, ethnic cleansing, ecoterrorism, hate crime, Viagra, Botox, codependency, extreme
sports, Gulf War Syndrome and Swiss army knife.
Besides contemporary events, the latest knowledge on topics such as the United Nations,
Great Britain, the Crusades, film noir, geometry, the Korean War and whales has also been incorporated.
The 2003 Britannica marks the second year in a row the company has revised its flagship
print product, a move that reflects both the brisk sales of last year’s encyclopedia and a renewed
emphasis on book products for the company in general.
"Even in the digital age, the printed word thrives," said CEO Ilan Yeshua. "Last year's
encyclopedia sold much better than we expected, and while we continue to be bullish on the Internet it's
clear that books have a strong future as well."
Last year the editors halted printing of the 2002 encyclopedia to make urgent revisions
in the immediate wake of the September 11 attacks. In response to the welter of developments since, they
made more changes this year, in such articles as New York City, Afghanistan, World Trade Center, George
W. Bush, Manhattan, terrorism, anthrax, Osama bin Laden, Iraq, Pentagon, Guantanamo Bay and U.S. history.
An article entitled "September 11 attacks" has been added, along with entries on Al Qaeda and the Al
Jazeera satellite television network.
"Keeping the Britannica fresh and current is a huge job, but today's world demands nothing
less," said Editor in Chief Dale Hoiberg. "The encyclopedia is a repository of knowledge, not a newspaper,
but nowadays events become history overnight. Our job is to put those events in a context that illuminates
them fully and helps people understand the world."
Hoiberg said the editors have now revised more than 35 percent of the encyclopedia in the
past two years.
Schools, libraries and other organizations interested in the 2003 Encyclopaedia Britannica
may call 1-800-621-3900. Consumers and families may call 1-800-323-1229 or got to www.britannica.com.
About Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. has been the leader in reference and education publishing since
1768. Its products include the 32-volume Encyclopaedia Britannica, Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
and the Encyclopædia Britannica Almanac. Britannica also has a host of digital products for consumers,
schools, libraries and universities, including the Ultimate Reference Suite (CD-ROM/DVD) and Britannica.com
(www.britannica.com). The company makes its headquarters in Chicago and maintains offices around the world.
More information is available at http://corporate.britannica.com.
Contact:
Tom Panelas
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
312-347-7309
tpanelas@us.britannica.com
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