March 23, 2005 07:00 AM US Eastern Timezone
New Britannica Keeps Pace with Change; Revised Encyclopedia Boosts
Coverage of People, Science & Changing World
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2005--New and revised articles
spanning science and technology, literature and the Middle East are at
the center of the just-published Encyclopaedia Britannica for 2005.
Among the new articles included in the 32-volume work are a substantial
number in science and medicine, such as SARS, monkeypox, nanotechnology
and computer crime.
There is even an article on earth-impact hazard, the science of
predicting the probability of astronomical bodies hitting the planet.
Several notable people receive their own entries for the first time,
including U.S. Senator John Kerry, novelist and Nobel laureate J.M.
Coetzee, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and philosopher John Rawls. Socrates is the
subject of a lengthy new treatment that reflects the latest scholarship
on the Greek philosopher.
There are fresh, new articles on German literature, the Vietnam War and
democracy. The cultural impact of the Great Depression is presented in a
new article by the noted historian Richard Pells.
As they have in recent years, the editors have again revised entries
related to the evolving post-9/11 world, the fight against terrorism and
the Iraq war. Articles in other areas, such as eugenics, electronics,
evolution, Catholicism and the entries on a number of countries have
undergone substantial revision.
According to editor Dale Hoiberg, the revisions are part of an effort to
keep the Britannica on the cutting edge of knowledge and world
developments at a time when the demand for reliable information is
greater than ever.
"The world is awash in misinformation," said Hoiberg. "We continue to
revise and improve the encyclopedia because people need a place to go
for the right answers."
Schools, libraries and universities interested in the 2005 Britannica
may call (800) 621-3900 or go to
www.eb.com. Consumers may call (800)
323-1229 or go to
www.britannica.com.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. has been a leader in reference and
education publishing since 1768. The company is known for the 32-volume
Encyclopaedia Britannica, the 26-volume Compton's by Britannica and its
pioneering work in electronic publishing. Its many digital products
include Britannica Online School Edition. Recently published printed
products include My First Britannica, Britannica Discovery Library and
the Britannica World Atlas. Britannica makes its headquarters in
Chicago. More information is at
http://www.britannica.com.
Contacts
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Tom Panelas, 312-347-7309
tpanelas(a)us.britannica.com