After Years of Rejection, Trump Finally Makes It Into World Book

CHICAGO, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Donald Trump is rarely kept waiting. And he is almost never told no. However, editors of The World Book Encyclopedia have done just that for the past 13 years as they debated whether Trump's biography belonged in the encyclopedia. Up until now, the answer has been "no."

But Trump's long wait is over. Trump's biography has been added to The World Book Online Reference Center, World Book's online encyclopedia ( http://www.worldbookonline.com/ ). Since Trump was first rejected by World Book in 1991, he has reinvented himself several times, most recently as the star of the hit TV show "The Apprentice." In the judgment of World Book editors, Trump finally has earned a piece of valuable real estate in World Book.

"Fortunately for Mr. Trump, there is more available real estate in World Book's online version today than there was in the print version in 1991," commented Editor in Chief Paul Kobasa. "However, he still had to meet stringent criteria to be accorded space even online. When adding biographies of individuals to World Book, our editors assess an individual's 'staying power' and relevance to an understanding of the world as well as his or her accomplishments."

In 2004, dozens of biographies of important people were added to The World Book Online Reference Center, including those of swimmer Michael Phelps, author Don DeLillo, baseball player Jim Palmer, singer and composer Carole King, and Lord of the Rings Director Peter Jackson. Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, and James Bond earned a spot in World Book for the first time, as well.

The 22-volume print version of the 2005 edition of The World Book Encyclopedia, which was published in December, includes biographies of actors Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, singer Wayne Newton, Secretary of State designate Condoleezza Rice, tennis star Andy Roddick, baseball star Alex Rodriguez, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and author Lemony Snicket, among many others.

Since 1917, World Book, Inc. has set the standard for providing accuracy, currency, and reliability in research materials for both children and adults. Based in Chicago, Illinois, World Book is committed to creating learning materials that meet the highest standards of editorial excellence while keeping pace with the technological developments that define the computer age. This commitment has culminated in a wide range of products that include the number-one selling The World Book Encyclopedia, and leading electronic products such as the World Book Online Reference Center.

Web site: http://www.worldbookonline.com/