Guinness World Records Archive

Dive into our archive: discover the past editions of Guinness World Records, from the very first one to the most recent snapshot of our world.

2023 GWR Book Cover2023
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2023 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 70 (2024 edition)
  • Published: 15 September 2023
  • The fourth and last installment of the Rod Hunt's trilogy. Leaving the sky to explore the ocean, Guinness World Records dives into the sea to discover the underwater world with its wonders, its records and its secrets.
  • Nine chapters, once again revised and renamed.
  • The topic of this year's book is the ocean and the water.
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2022 GWR Book Cover2022
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2022 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 69 (2023 edition)
  • Published: 15 September 2022
  • The third installment of the Rod Hunt's trilogy. As we move away from the colourful city landscape of the two previous editions, Guinness World Records explores the space and its amazing records.
  • Nine chapters, once again revised and renamed. Bonus content section was added to expand on the regular text on the book, offering extra videos and links to social media posts.
  • The topic of this year's book is the space, with its mysteries and many wonderful records. Professor Brian Cox talked to Guinness World Records about Space in a special interview.
  • Video trailer
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2021 GWR Book Cover2021
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2021 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 68 (2022 edition)
  • Published: 16 September 2021
  • The second installment of the Rod Hunt's trilogy. As the continuation of the previous year, it represents a colourful city with amazing record holders
  • Ten chapters, once again revised and renamed
  • The topic of this year's book is the environment, an issue that involves everyone and that was further explored through a partnership with Earthwatch Europe.
  • Video trailer
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2020 GWR Book Cover2020
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2020 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 67 (2021 edition)
  • Published: 17 September 2020
  • First one of the Rod Hunt's trilogy, showcasing a colourful world jam-packed with incredible record holders.
  • About Rod Hunt's cover, editor in chief Craig Glenday said: "Rod's illustrations are perfect for Guinness World Records, because they capture the fun and spirit of what we do, and they allow us to celebrate that vast spectrum of record-breaking and all the fascinating characters involved."
  • Against the clock section with many new records to try at home.
  • Video trailer
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2019 GWR Book Cover2019
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2019 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 66 (2020 edition)
  • Published: 5 September 2019
  • Released alongside the 13th edition of the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition, the global authority on all things videogames.
  • The cover for 2020 marked a huge departure for Guinness World Records: from the shiny colours of the lens foil to an '80s throwback. The neon shades and 80s vibes nod to the many pop culture products that opted for a true 'The Goonies' throwback during 2020 (beloved TV show 'Stranger Things' among them).
  • To kickstart the decade, robotics expert Evan Ackerman leads the readers through a feature dedicated to robots: their history, facts and curiosities. 
  • To celebrate London, which has always been the home of Guinness World Records, the 2020 Snapshot feature imagines how would it look if some iconic records – such as the tallest statue or the largest space station – were placed next to the city’s most famous landmarks.
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2018 GWR Book Cover2018
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2018 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 65 (2019 edition)
  • Published: 28 August 2018 (US and Canada), 6 September 2018 globally
  • This edition celebrates the record-breaking “Maker” movement with a special feature to celebrate the inventors, dreamers, crafters and creators who devote their lives to amazing projects. 
  • New "Do this at home" feature.
  • "This year’s edition is designed to inspire readers as much as amaze them." - Craig Glenday
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
1956 GWR Book Cover1956
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1956 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 4 (after three impressions of the previous edition)
  • First UK edition published in January 1956, with an Oxford Blue cover.
  • Pages: 198
  • The first US edition is published in September as The Guinness Book of Superlatives with a run of 50,000 copies
  • First corporate edition published, for Grosvenor Motors Ltd
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1958 GWR Book Cover1958
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1958 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 7
  • Published: November 1958
  • The12th section of the book was renamed 'Sport, Games and Pastimes'
  • For the first time the book acknowledges the partners and people who helped create it
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1960 GWR Book Cover1960
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1960 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 8
  • Published: November 1960
  • Pages: 277
  • First time Norris and Ross McWhirter's signatures appear on the preface page
  • 500,000 books sold to date
  • Editior: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1961 GWR Book Cover1961
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1961 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 9
  • Published: April 1961
  • Pages: 277
  • Possibly the first mention of, 'According to the Guinness Book of Records...'
  • For the first time we see a list of editions on the copyright page
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1962 GWR Book Cover1962
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1962 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 10
  • Published: November 1962
  • First French edition is published, as well as the second US edition, published as The Guinness Book of World Records
  • 'The Universe' section is renamed 'The Universe and Space'
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1964 GWR Book Cover1964
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1964 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 11
  • Published: November 1964
  • Pages: 277
  • 1 million books sold across all edition and languages to date
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1982 GWR Book Cover1982
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1982 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 29 (1983 edition)
  • Published: 15 October 1982
  • Pages: 350
  • Foreword says, '... global sales of this book ... have surpassed the 45,000,000 mark'
  • First Turkish edition published
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1969 GWR Book Cover1969
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1969 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 16
  • Published: October 1969 and November 1969
  • Pages: 367
  • The Guinness Harp logo on the front cover is replaced by the Superlatives logo
  • 'The Guinness Book of Records' on the spine is inverted compared to previous editions
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1965 GWR Book Cover1965
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1965 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 12
  • Publication: November 1965
  • The preface to the 1965 edition states: 'It is the first time since 1956 that a new edition has appeared at an interval of only twelve months after its predecessor. Such is the pace of modern record breaking that annual production may well become our rule'.
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1966 GWR Book Cover1966
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1966 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 13
  • Published: October 1966
  • Pages: 344
  • First edition with colour plates
  • 1.5 million copies printed
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1967 GWR Book Cover1967
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1967 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 14
  • Published: October 1967
  • Pages: 342
  • The note at the beginning states that first Japanese, Spanish, Danish and Norwegian editions are published. 
  • "More than 2,500,000 copies have been sold in all editions throughout the world since the book first appeared in 1955."
  • The parts are now called "Chapters"
  • The McWhriters found a printing company in Trowbridge, UK - Redwood Press - to print the editions; within four years, Redwood Press is printing 1 in 9 of every book produced in the UK
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1968 GWR Book Cover1968
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1968 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 15
  • Published: October 1968
  • Pages: 349
  • First Swedish, Finnish, Italian and Southern African editions published
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1970 GWR Book Cover1970
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1970 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 17
  • Published: 24 October 1970
  • Pages: 317
  • This is the first of the larger books, with a different cover design each year
  • First 'Facts and Feats' book published: 'Air Facts and Feats'
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1971 GWR Book Cover1971
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1971 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 18
  • Published: 28 October 1971
  • Pages: 317
  • Chapters: 12
  • Foreword says, 'We have now produced more than 6,000,000 copies'
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1972 GWR Book Cover1972
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1972 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 19
  • Published: 31 October 1972
  • Pages: 317
  • First Australian edition published
  • Foreword says, 'We have now produced more than 7,000,000 copies'
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1973 GWR Book Cover1973
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1973 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 20
  • Published: 31 October 1973
  • Pages: 349
  • Inside front cover is 'Circus Records'
  • An 8-page colour picture section inserted between the copyright and contents pages
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1974 GWR Book Cover1974
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1974 GWR Book Cover
  • Editions: 21
  • Published: October 1974
  • Pages: 349
  • The Guinness Book of Records becomes the biggest-selling copyright book in history with sales to date totalling 23,950,000!
  • First Portuguese edition is published
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1975 GWR Book Cover1975
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1975 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 22
  • Published: 31 October 1975
  • Pages: 349
  • First Czech edition published
  • Foreword says, '... in November 1974 with sales of 23,950,000 our titles qualified as the world's all-time best seller among commercially sold books'
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1980 GWR Book Cover1980
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1980 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 27 (1981 edition)
  • Published: 17 October 1980
  • Pages: 349
  • Contents page now has consistent initial capital letters for chapter headings
  • Norris McWhirter is awarded the CBE in the New Year's Honours List
  • First Indonesian edition published
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1978 GWR Book Cover1978
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1978 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 25 (1979 edition)
  • Published: October 1978
  • Pages: 350
  • Inside front cover is 'How the records have changed over 25 editions'
  • First Slovenian edition published
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1977 GWR Book Cover1977
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1977 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 24 (1978 edition)
  • Published: 31 October 1977
  • Pages: 350
  • 'Animal and plant kingdoms' chapter renamed 'The Living World'
  • First Hebrew, Serbo-Croat, Icelandic and New Zealand editions are published
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1976 GWR Book Cover1976
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1976 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 23 (177 Edition)
  • Published: 28 October 1976
  • First Canadian edition published
  • 'Guinness Book of Answers' series launched
  • First book after the death of Ross McWhirter. Page 3 has '(Ross McWhirter 1955-1975)'
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
2015 GWR Book Cover2015
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2015 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 62 (2016 edition)
  • Published: 1 September 2015
  • Iconic records, like tallest married couple and largest feet on a living person (male)
  • “By providing a mix of the newest, most amazing records and a splash of the classic titles that readers know and love, the 2016 edition is a great cross-section of humanity’s greatest accomplishments.” - Craig Glenday, editor in chief
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
1979 GWR Book Cover1979
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1979 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 26 (1980 edition)
  • Published: 19 October 1979
  • Pages: 350
  • Page 4 has a list of current and planned Guinness Museums
  • Foreword says, '... global sales of this book ... have surpassed the 36,000,000 mark'
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1981 GWR Book Cover1981
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1981 GWR Book Cover
  • Editions: 28 (1982 edition)
  • Published: 16 October 1981
  • Pages: 350
  • Foreword says, '... global sales of this book ... have surpassed the 42,000,000 mark'
  • First Chinese edition published
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1988 GWR Book Cover1988
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1988 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 35 (1989 edition)
  • Published: October 1988
  • Pages: 310
  • 60 millionth book sold for charity at a party in HMV Oxford Street, raising £60,000
  • Back cover says, 'Since the first edition in 1955 The Guinness Book of Records has become a household name and - dare we say it - a national institution'
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1984 GWR Book Cover1984
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1984 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 31 (1985 edition)
  • Published: October 1984
  • Pages: 352
  • This edition was slightly different in size to previous editions
  • There is no contents page
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1985 GWR Book Cover1985
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1985 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 32 (1986 edition)
  • Published: October 1985
  • Pages: 350
  • The theme for that year was space. 'The Records' series launched with 'Rail: The Records', 'Horse Racing: The Records', 'Space Flight: The Records' and 'Soccer: The Records'
  • Contents page returns
  • "This was my first time picking up a Guinness World Records book - or technically a Guinness Book of Records, as it was known then," said the current editor in chief of Guinness World Records, Craig Glenday. "As a 13-year-old boy obsessed with space travel, it really caught my eye."
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1987 GWR Book Cover1987
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1987 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 34 (1988 edition)
  • Published: October 1987
  • Pages: 320
  • The Guinness logo on the spine of previous editions replaced by a medal logo
  • The 1987 edition is published in 31 languages, covering more than 3.2 billion of the world's population!
  • Back cover says, 'Since the first edition of the Guinness Book of Records in 1955 over 135,000 new records have been created'
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1983 GWR Book Cover1983
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1983 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 30 (1984 edition)
  • Published: October 1983
  • Pages: 349
  • Inside front cover is 'Olympic Venues 1896-1988'
  • Editor: Norris McWhirter
1986 GWR Book Cover1986
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1986 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 33 (1987 Edition)
  • Published: October 1986
  • Pages: 320
  • First book after Norris McWhirter's retirement
  • Alan Russell becomes Editor
  • Norris McWhirter stays on as consultant
1989 GWR Book Cover1989
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1989 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 36 (1990 edition)
  • Published 13 October 1989
  • Pages: 310
  • Various chapters are merged (or renamed) in this edition, reducing the count to 11 for the first time
  • First Russian edition published
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1990 GWR Book Cover1990
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1990 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 37 (1991 edition)
  • Published: October 1990
  • Pages: 313
  • Chapters: 11
  • The Guinness Disc of Records launched and Guinness Fact Book launched
  • First Polish edition published
  • 'Guinness Superlatives' renamed as 'Guinness Publishing Limited'
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1991 GWR Book Cover1991
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1991 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 38 (1992 edition)
  • Published: October 1991
  • Pages: 311
  • Chapters: 11 - renamed and reorganised
  • This edition returned to the size of the 36th edition
  • Cover designed by 14 year old Joanne Bloomer
  • 'Guinness Book of Records Museum' opens in Hollywood, Los Angeles
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1992 GWR Book Cover1992
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1992 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 39 (1993 edition)
  • Published: October 1992
  • Pages: 300
  • 'The Human World' chapter moves yet again. Minor chapter title renaming
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1993 GWR Book Cover1993
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1993 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 40 (1994 edition)
  • Published: October 1993
  • Pages: 310
  • The final page list has a list of 87 collectors with 30 editions or more
  • 'The Diana Ross Commemorative'  edition published
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1994 GWR Book Cover1994
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1994 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 41 (1995 edition)
  • Published: October 1994
  • Pages: 311
  • No Guinness logo on the spine
  • The final page has details of the Guinness Gold Club (167 members)
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1995 GWR Book Cover1995
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1995 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 42 (1996 edition)
  • Published: October 1995
  • Pages: 311
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1955 GWR Book Cover1955
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1955 GWR Book Cover
  • The first edition of The Guinness Book of Records is published.
  • Publication date: October 1955, it had four impressions between 1955 and 1956
  • Pages: 198
  • First print run: 50,000 copies. By Christmas it became a bestseller in the UK.
  • The book contains 12 parts: "The Universe", "The Natural World", "The Animal Kingdom", "The Human Being", "The Human World", "The Scientific World", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", ”Accidents and Disasters", "Human Achievements" and "Sport".
  • A copy was available for each member of the brewery at two shillings and six pence, half the retail price.
  • Editor: Norris and Ross McWhirter
1996 GWR Book Cover1996
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1996 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 43 (1997 edition)
  • Published: October 1996
  • Pages: 350
  • Guinness harp logo printed on the spine, and some editions had a holofoil jacket
  • The Welcome page states that Guinness World Records has gone digital: "Records are now derived from an automated database"
  • This edition reached 610,000 copies in the UK, the highest sale in twenty years, while total worldwide sales of the combined 1997 editions exceeded 1.5 million copies
  • Norris McWhirter retires
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1997 GWR Book Cover1997
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1997 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 44 (1998 edition)
  • Published: October 1997
  • Pages: 352
  • Chapters: 14, all reorganized and renamed
  • Final page is now 'Getting into the book'
  • The Guinness Book of Answers was re-branded and re-launched as Guinness Book of Knowledge
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1998 GWR Book Cover1998
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1998 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 45 (1999 edition)
  • Published: October 1998
  • Pages: 335
  • Chapters: 12 - reorganised and renamed
  • Final pages are now, 'Getting into the Book' and the book's history
  • Editor: Alan Russell
1999 GWR Book Cover1999
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1999 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 46 (2000 edition)
  • Published: September 1999
  • Pages: 288
  • The Guinness World Records 2000 book is printed in a single run of 2,402,000 copies, achieving the record of largest single print run of a case-bound book in colour
  • After 45 editions, the book title changes to Guinness World Records
  • Chapters: 10 - completely reorganized and renamed
  • Editor: Alan Russell
2000 GWR Book Cover2000
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2000 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 47 (2001 edition)
  • Published: September 2000
  • Pages: 288
  • Some copies present a golden text instead of the silver one
  • Some chapters were abandoned: the book counts one hundred and fourteen record sections, with a key of seventeen categories and six other sections
  • Editor: Alan Russell
2001 GWR Book Cover2001
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2001 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 48 (2002 edition)
  • Published: September 2001
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 9 - chapters made a return
  • Editor: Alan Russell
2002 GWR Book Cover2002
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2002 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 49 (2003 edition)
  • Published: September 2002
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 13 - revised and renamed
  • A special set of Top Trumps cards was produced to promote this edition
  • Editor: Alan Russell
2003 GWR Book Cover2003
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2003 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 50 (2004 edition)
  • Published: September 2003
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 9 - revised and renamed
  • This edition marks 100,000,000th copies of Guinness World Records sold!
  • Editor: Alan Russell
2005 GWR Book Cover2005
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2005 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 52 (2006 edition)
  • Published: September 2005
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 8 - revised and renamed
  • There are two 'special fold-out features'
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2004 GWR Book Cover2004
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2004 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 51 (2005 edition)
  • Published: September 2004
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 9
  • This edition is dedicated to Norris McWhirter MBE (1925-2004), who died on 20 April 2004
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits the office and receives a copy of the 50th anniversary edition from GWR CEO Alistair Richards
  • Craig Glenday joins as Editor-in-Chief
2006 GWR Book Cover2006
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2006 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 53 (2007 edition)
  • Published: September 2006
  • Pages: 288
  • Chapters: 9 - revised and renamed
  • Michael Jackson visits the office to receive his many GWR certificates, and Craig Glenday presents his award for 'Thriller' with Beyoncé Knowles at the World Music Awards
  • There are two 'special fold-out features'
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2007 GWR Book Cover2007
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2007 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 54 (2008 edition)
  • Published: September 2007
  • Pages: 286
  • Chapters: 11 - revised and renamed
  • Launch of a new Gamer's Edition: the annual edition focused on all things gaming
  • This edition features six 'special glow-in-the-dark fold-out features'
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2008 GWR Book Cover2008
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2008 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 55 (2009 edition)
  • Published: September 2008
  • Pages: 287
  • Chapters: 11 - revised and renamed again
  • There are six 'special fold-out features' and many 3-D pictures. In our copy, the 3-D glasses are inserted between pages 84 and 85
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2009 GWR Book Cover2009
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2009 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 56 (2010 edition)
  • Published: September 2009
  • Pages: 287
  • Chapters: 11 - revised and renamed again
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2013 GWR Book Cover2013
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2013 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 60 (2014 edition)
  • Published: 12 September 2013
  • Chapters: 12 - revised and renamed
  • A series of companion e-books (Awesome Animals (free), Incredible People and Colossal Construction) are also available for this edition
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2012 GWR Book Cover2012
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2012 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 59 (2013 edition)
  • Published: September 13 2012
  • Chapters: 12 - revised and renamed
  • A bonus chapter was also available as an e-book
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2011 GWR Book Cover2011
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2011 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 58 (2012 edition)
  • Published: September 2011
  • Pages: 287
  • Chapters: 11 - revised and renamed again
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2014 GWR Book Cover2014
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2014 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 61 (2015 edition)
  • Published: 9 September 2014
  • Year of the 60th anniversary of Guinness World Records
  • This edition had one bonus chapter available as an e-book
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2017 GWR Book Cover2017
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2017 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 64 (2018 edition)
  • Published: 7 September 2017
  • Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals published for the first time
  • The main Guinness World Records edition was published with other titles in the Guinness World Records Collection, including the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2018
  • Posters from this edition were also available for download online
  • "Always a must-read" - Mirror Online
  • Video trailer
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2016 GWR Book Cover2016
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2016 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 63 (2017 edition)
  • Published: 8 September 2016
  • Released with the Guinness World Records Gamer's edition 2017
  • Records including most tattooed senior citizens (male & female) and youngest female with a full beard.
  • Editor: Craig Glenday
2010 GWR Book Cover2010
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2010 GWR Book Cover
  • Edition: 57 (2011 edition)
  • Published: September 2010
  • Pages: 287
  • Chapters: 11 - revised and renamed again
  • This edition is dedicated to Michael Jackson (1958-2009) and He Pingping (1988-2010)
  • Editor: Craig Glenday