Encyclopedias:
* Encyclopædia Britannica: A long-standing and highly respected general encyclopedia.
* Encyclopédie Larousse: A French encyclopedia, also available in other languages.
* World Book Encyclopedia: A popular choice known for its accessibility.
* Wikipedia: While not a traditional printed book, it's a massive and widely used online encyclopedia. It's crucial to note that Wikipedia's accuracy varies and should be cross-referenced.
Dictionaries:
* Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: A standard American English dictionary.
* Oxford English Dictionary (OED): The most comprehensive historical dictionary of the English language.
* Webster's Third New International Dictionary: Another comprehensive American English dictionary.
Atlases:
* National Geographic Atlas of the World: A well-regarded and visually appealing atlas.
* Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World: Another popular choice known for its detail.
Yearbooks/Almanacs:
* World Almanac and Book of Facts: A yearly publication with a wide range of statistics and facts.
* Britannica Book of the Year: A yearly supplement to the Britannica encyclopedia.
Other General Reference Books:
* Roget's Thesaurus: A book of synonyms and antonyms.
* Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: A collection of famous quotations.
* The Guinness Book of World Records: A compendium of world records.
This list is not exhaustive, and many other specialized reference books exist depending on the field of interest (e.g., medical dictionaries, legal dictionaries, etc.). The best "general" reference book for you will depend on your needs and preferred style.