Macmillan published the first edition of this text in 1985. It is a detailed reference to world leaders, monarchs, presidents and their equivalents, executive leaders plus other positions with authority vested in them heads of ruling communist parties, military junta heads and some leaders with no formal post, but who wield supreme authority. The text is a reference to leaders, past and present, of the countries of the world. The second edition updates the first and includes the far reaching political changes which have taken place in Eastern Europe and the emergence of new states. The scope of the book has been broadened to include more international organizations, more regional government leaders, more governments in exile and colonial governors of the 20th century.