Success Story | Book
World records for the global market
What is the fastest wild bird called? The answer to this question, along with many others, was provided by the world's first Guinness Book of Records. Although the questions in the current edition are different, the Guinness World Records book—as it is known today—remains the definitive reference work for bizarre and extraordinary superlatives. Published in 2025, the year of Guinness World Records' 70th anniversary, the 2026 edition once again brings together an exceptional collection of records from a wide range of categories—from outstanding sporting achievements to creative projects.
For many years, Guinness World Records Limited, the publisher of the world-famous title, has relied on Mohn Media’s expertise and capabilities for its production. The various language editions are generally produced according to the same schedule: first, the English-language editions are manufactured, followed by the so-called co-editions—the different language versions for more than 20 markets worldwide, including Italy, Finland, Poland, and Romania. “The main book is a premium-finished, 256-page thread-sewn hardcover published in English as well as in various other language versions,” explains Yannick Laag, Head of After Sales in the Book Market Division. For Mohn Media, production is not only a logistical challenge; it also requires the highest level of process reliability and quality management in printing, binding, and shipping.
Guinness World Records is honoured to have enjoyed such a long and fruitful partnership with Mohn Media. The German edition - along with the French - was the first non-English-language version published by Guinness Superlatives, as we were known back in 1962. Titled Guinness: Rekord Rekord Rekord, it left readers in no doubt as to the book’s contents! Since then, Germany has played a major role in the success of Guinness World Records, contributing thousands of records to our vast database of superlatives. For more than 20 years now, Mohn has ensured that our international bestsellers are printed and packaged to the highest production standards. It's reassuring to know that every stage of these major print jobs - from pre-press through to delivery of the finished products - are in the safe hands of Mohn Media’s dedicated team of account handlers, technicians and operators.
Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records Limited.
Special editions for video games, football, and “Wild Things”
In 2025, the publisher had not only the main title but also the “Gamer's Edition” produced in Gütersloh—a highlight for gaming fans around the world. The original English edition was published as a 192-page perfect-bound paperback, while the international co-editions were designed as thread-sewn softcover or hardcover editions. In addition, the “Guinness World Records Wild Things” edition, which focuses on animal records, and a “Football/Soccer Edition,” devoted exclusively to football records, were commissioned. For both books, a distinction was made between the original English paperback edition and the international co-editions with different binding types—technically similar to the “Gamer's Edition,” but with content focusing respectively on records from the animal kingdom and unusual facts from the world’s most popular sport.
Mohn Media has several months to produce the high-circulation full-color books. Nevertheless, the overall order is highly demanding due to the large number of different editions and language versions. “The diversity of content, languages, quality requirements, and finishing methods makes this project a prime example of Mohn Media’s capabilities and flexibility,” says Laag.
With precision, experience, and passion, Mohn Media makes an important contribution year after year to ensuring that readers around the world can hold the fascination of Guinness World Records in their hands—brought together in high-quality books made in Gütersloh. And, of course, we would not want to leave the question posed at the outset unanswered: It is the peregrine falcon.
