Guinness World Records® 2011

The global authority on all things record-breaking returns today with Guinness World Records 2011! The latest edition of the best-selling copyright book of all time comes to stores exploding with completely updated records and 100% new photographs. Loaded with more than 4,000 new and updated records that are sure to spark wonder and awe, Guinness World Records 2011 is available in bookstores today. With more American content than ever before, the 2011 edition includes spreads on "American Heroes," "Route 66" and "American Wildlife" boasting a new poster-style look complete with Wild West-themed lettering.

This year's edition includes wonders from the animal kingdom like Fluffy, the "Longest Snake Ever" at 24 feet, and Colo, the "Oldest Gorilla in Captivity" at 53 years old. Not to be outdone, humans are making their way into the record book as well. Janet Esteves has the "Largest Collection of Mickey Mouse Memorabilia" with 2,760 different items amassed since 1960. On the more extreme end of the spectrum, Wei Shengchu earned the title for "Most Needles in the Head" when he had 2,009 needles stuck into his skull. Of course, Guinness World Records 2011 also measures the outliers of human anatomy, as is the case with the Jay Sloot. He holds the record for "Widest Tongue," which measures 3.1 inches across!

To help celebrate the release of the 2011 edition, Guinness World Records has also arranged the first meeting between "Giant George" — the new "World's Tallest Dog" — and the "World's Smallest Dog" Boo Boo. George stands at an astonishing 43 inches tall and tips the scales at 245 pounds, while Boo Boo could fit into the palm of a hand at merely four inches tall. The canine stars of Guinness World Records 2011 will herald the book's release in world class fashion as they get acquainted in New York City's famed Central Park.

"The Guinness World Records 2011 edition focuses on American records to showcase some of the country's most unbelievable and laudable achievements," said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief. "From the Space Shuttle program to incredible animals like 'Giant George' and Boo Boo, America is a land of great record breakers."

The Guinness World Records 2011 edition includes many new features and records that reflect the ever-changing global culture we live in while looking to the past:

Special American Edition — Records dedicated to Route 66, "Mr. World Record Breaker" Ashrita Furman, American Heroes and more highlight American ingenuity and creativity
Animal Magic Section — Highlights extreme pets from the Tallest Domestic Cat to the Dog with the Longest Tongue to the Longest Snake, to name just a few
Massive Pop Culture Section — Features spreads on 3D Cinema, music, celebrities, comic books and graphic novels, Dr. Who and more
City-by-City Records — Like a record-breaking GPS, the book travels the globe, revealing amazing achievements from diverse locations scattered around the Earth
Quizzes and Trivia — Test your world record knowledge with quiz questions and be astounded by the jaw-dropping trivia spread amply throughout the book
Cutting-edge holographic book cover is Guinness World Records' first multi-color design since 1999

This world renowned and celebrated annual, Guinness World Records 2011, contains the most comprehensive collection of the greatest and most amazing accomplishments from this past decade and beyond. A "must-have" for both knowledge-seekers and aspiring record-breakers of all ages, Guinness World Records 2011 is available in the U.S. on September 15th for the suggested retail price of $28.95, while UK and international readers can buy the new edition in stores on September 16th. For more information about Guinness World Records 2011, to find out how you can participate in Guinness World Records Day 2010 or to vote for your favorite records, visit our website at: www.guinnessworldrecords.com

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.