2010 Britannica Book of the Year

Though the year 2009 was a gloomy one in terms of the deep recession that gripped the globe and the H1N1 flu pandemic that infected hundreds of thousands, the year also offered a chance to reflect upon the 200th anniversary of the births of two historical giants—Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin—who were born on the same day in 1809, as well as the 40th anniversary of the musical experience that became known as Woodstock. Though Mexico grappled with ferocious drug wars, Pakistan battled Islamist extremists, and the recruitment of child soldiers remained a scourge, the future looked promising in some respects. China prospered; electric cars geared up; and unmanned aerial vehicles helped fight wars and defend borders. In the sciences, autism therapies were tailored for youngsters, primate research became a key to understanding what it means to be human, and “Ardi,” a possible ancestor older than the hominin skeleton Lucy, captured headlines. All of these topics are featured in Special Reports.