Dr. Christopher Grey-Wilson, for many years at Kew Gardens and now secretary of the Alpine Garden society, living in Norfolk. Much-travelled, he is one of the country's best-known gardeners and botanists.Majorie Blamey is by far the most successful illustrator of wild flower books in Europe. Her books have sold well over a million copies. This book is unquestionably the peak of her achievement.

Michael Bristow has been co-editor of National Anthems of the World since 1984 and this is the 6th edition that he has worked on. He is also editor of the State Songs of America. He now lives in Hungary.

Salvatore Calabrese is the acclaimed Bar Manager at the Lanesborough Hotel in London. He was awarded the title of Campari Bartender of the Year 1993 and is holder of both the Chevalerie du Verre Galant de Cognac 1993 and the Chevalier l¿Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne 1992. Author of the best-selling Classic Cocktails, Salvatore Calabrese is a popular guest on television lifestyle programs and his opinion is sought after by both radio and print media. He currently resides in London.

Thomas Fink holds a theoretical physics professorship at the Curie Institute in Paris, and contributes numerous papers to such scientific magazines as Nature. He was previously a don at Cambridge.

Katherine Lapworth worked at the BBC for six years as a Producer and Director in both radio and television before launching her own copywriting business. She is also a founder member of Maverick Media the sister company to Maverick Television, established to exploit all the print and video opportunities arising from Maverick's broadcast work.

Forms part of the Little Giant® Encyclopedia series.

Martin H. Manser has been a professional reference book editor since 1980. He has compiled or edited more than 150 reference books, particularly English-language dictionaries, thesauruses, and Bible reference titles. He is also a language trainer and consultant with national companies and organizations. He and his wife live in Aylesbury and have a son and a daughter.

David Pickering is an experienced reference book compiler, freelance since 1992. He has contributed (often as sole author or chief editor) to around 200 books in the fields of general reference, English language, the arts, history and popular interest. He has also broadcast many times on a variety of subjects on radio and television. He lives in Buckingham with his wife and two sons.

Tony Ross is one of the most popular and successful of all children's illustrators, with many picture books to his name. He has also produced line drawings for many fiction titles.

See above. Writing the book with Yeltsin will be the former journalist Valentin Yumashev