What if I told you that there was a book that would teach you everything you wanted to know about the world without letting you use the computer or leave the comfort of your chair?

You wouldn’t believe it, because there shouldn’t be a book like this, but trust me, there is. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2026 is the book that will take you around the world at whatever time you like, depending on how much you are willing to learn.

In a world of brain-rotting videos on YouTube and false information on social media, this book is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Not only is everything in this book unbiased and verified, but it is also part of a legacy dating back to 1868. Remember the almanac that was pivotal to the plot of Back to the Future II? It was one such book that made the villain rich and if you use it wisely, richness will be yours too — the richness of the mind.

The book caters to all kinds of readers — those interested in current affairs will be satisfied with the newsy sections, such as Top 10 News of 2025 and Year in Pictures. Those looking for history will be thrilled to read the profiles of all 196 nations, 53 U.S. states and territories, and 100 American cities.

Not just that, but the past and present celebrities (writers and entertainers) are mentioned in these pages with their date of birth and date of death (if they aren’t alive), giving you information that you only thought the internet could provide. The same goes for the popular awards, deadly disasters and accidents that became news when they happened and are now part of history, a topic this book covers well.

A special section on health and disorders shows that most diseases can be controlled early or even avoided. That’s not all; a coloured map of all the continents, as well as details about all religions, languages and even planets, will surely make you a more informed person by the time you are through with it.

Don’t be surprised to know that Bengali and Hindi are spoken around the world more than Urdu, or that only three FIFA World Cup finals have been decided on penalty kicks.

Some of the sections in The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2026 might be reserved for older readers, such as those on money matters, but they can also appeal to young minds. The sooner they learn about the world, the better and this book is ideal for that.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 25th, 2026