The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

You can argue endlessly about which book is the best in the world - at the expense of everyone the opinion, moreover, criteria to uniquely identify the artistic value of a novel, simply does not exist: Who will undertake to prove, for example, that "The Idiot" Dostoevsky in all respects better, "Anna Karenina" Tolstoy? These are two completely different in style and product issues and compare them would be foolish. However, although the literary tastes differ and there can not, there is a more or less objective thing as selling books - they can be used to determine that like most of the reading public. We present our top 21 best-selling books, not only belong to the golden fund of world literature, but also literally get rich of their authors.

"Don Quixote", about 500 million copies

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The immortal masterpiece by Miguel de Cervantes tells the story of the Spanish, who are so carried away chivalry that he decided to become a noble knight. "The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" was first published in 1612, the year, and this book, as they say, turned the presentation of the reading public about literature. "Don Quixote" was one of the first well-known works, which can be called fiction - to him almost all the published books have been devoted to theology or science. For more than four centuries, generations are read a story about the misadventures of a crazy gentleman, tried to help an injured and oppressed, Cervantes' novel has become one of the most popular books in the history of mankind.

Of course, the exact number of sales can not be determined, so far has not been preserved virtually any information about the first editions of the book. The figures of 500 million, of which some researchers say the writer's work is also very rough, but without a doubt, "Don Quixote" deserves a mention on the list - this is one of the greatest works of world literature.

"Xinhua Tszydyan" 400 million

Explanatory Dictionary of Chinese characters, first published in 1953, is still required reading for Chinese students. "Xinhua Tszydyan" - perhaps the most popular dictionary in the world and the only reference, which boasts hundreds of millions of copies sold.

"A Tale of Two Cities", 200 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

In his novel, published in 1859, the year Charles Dickens, a recognized classic of world literature explores the class struggle, which became the cause of the French Revolution. The Briton was among the first rulers of the literary thoughts suggested that revolutionaries often behave much worse than they hated the bourgeoisie: "It was the best time, it was the worst of times" - Dickens wrote in "The Story".

Over the last 150 years of this work were published dozens (if not hundreds) of times, so the number of books sold, you can say very roughly, but most experts agree that there are at least 200 million - not surprising, since in many countries, "A Tale of Two Cities "included in the school curriculum for compulsory reading books.

4. 'The Lord of the Rings ", 150 million

Epoch-making work of John Ronald Tolkien can be called a fundamental piece of incredibly popular nowadays fantasy genre. Initially, the "Lord of the Rings" was conceived as a single novel, but it is the first publisher in 1954 decided to divide rather voluminous work on three books. Most of the editions of the novel were sold in the form of a trilogy, including - in gift sets.

5. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", approximately 107 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The circulation of the first volume of the series about the adventures of the young wizard created by British author JK Rowling is still unknown, despite the fact that the novel "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was released in 1997, (the premiere was held exactly 17 years ago, 30 June), when there were already tracking sales methods. Publishers from different countries often do not provide reliable data on the number of copies of the novel, so it would be better to specify the number of books sold as "107, plus or minus 20 million."

6. "Ten Little Indians", 100 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The first copies of the next brilliant detective novel by Agatha Christie appeared on the shelves of bookstores in 1939. The book describes a series of murders, each of which corresponds mysteriously comic episodes nursery rhyme. Virtuoso plot and beautiful style "Queen detective," leave no one indifferent, not to mention the end of the work, in which everything is explained.

As is the case with books of other popular writers, the sales figures are approximate. Agatha Christie is one of the most popular authors in the world - the circulation alone "Negrito" more than 100 million copies, and the total number of sold works of the writer is about 1 billion.

"Dream of the Red Chamber", 100 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The novel, which tells of a Chinese family, who lived during the reign of the Qing Dynasty, was released in 1791, the year. Thanks to this work the author Cao Xueqin (Cao Xueqin) became one of the classics of Chinese literature. "Sleep" are devoted to numerous studies and monographs, but despite his "academic", the novel still remains in demand - this eloquent book sales. "Dream" enjoys wide popularity not only in China but throughout the world, and many experts believe that the number of copies sold several understated.

'Little Prince', 80 million (more than 200 mn)

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

Love reading public to the weird, but charming parable about the adventures of the little prince, caring for capricious rose, cleaned every morning our planet and carefully searching among the painted sheep desired, can only be explained by magic. "Prince," first published in 1943 in the home of the author, in France, since the book has been translated into many languages ​​and has survived more than a dozen editions, and in honor of the lyrical novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, even one of the asteroids is named. Researchers have different assessments of the number of sold copies of "The Little Prince" - according to some sources, there are about 80 million, others say 200 million, one way or another, a wonderful novel was and remains one of the world's most popular works, it is here that linguists advise start learning French.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," 85 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The first book of the series "The Chronicles of Narnia", created by CS Lewis, was released in 1950. Was originally conceived as a product for children, a love affair with the religious-mystical bent, written during the Second World War, it became one of the most important works in the world of fantasy. The "Lion" drew his inspiration, including the author of the Harry Potter books.

There has been a surge of interest in Lewis' fantasy saga by the general public, not least thanks to the colorful Hollywood version.

"The Da Vinci Code", 80 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

mystery novel by Dan Brown, released in the year 2003, for several years a bone of contention for critics and readers. Some praise the artistic merits of "code", others spit on historical mistakes and a few strained plot twists. After the release of the eponymous films with Tom Hanks (Tom Hanks) in the title role the Catholic Church has taken a very tough stance in relation to the film and will serve as the basis for his novel, Dan Brown that rendered a good service - book sales skyrocketed.

"Think and Grow Rich", 70 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

Guide for beginners oligarchs authored by Napoleon Hill American psychologist for more than 70 years is one of the most sold books in the world. The work was published in 1937, in the midst of the Great Depression - economic crisis, it has a devastating impact on the economy of the United States, but positive impact on people's desire to be wealthy and as a result - sales training this book. Hill's work is considered the pioneers of books containing various formulas to achieve success in business, in love and in life in general - today such tomes just overwhelmed with all the shelves, without exception, bookstores, and in each of them with varying degrees of freedom are interpreted ideas Hill.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", 65 ml of

The sixth book in the series about the young magician in popularity not too inferior to the first novel - in her Rowling recounts the childhood of the main villain of the saga, Lord of Lord Voldemort and his terrible death. The book is one of the champions not only in quantity but also in terms of sales rate - only for the first day after the release of the novel in 2005, the year of its customers found nearly 9 million copies.

"The Alchemist", 65 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

When writing of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho certainly enjoyed by the ancient knowledge of the masters of alchemy - what else can we explain such an impressive circulation of the novel in the Portuguese language, which was released in 1986, and translated into English, only seven years later, in 1993- m?

The plot is an allegorical story about a young shepherd Santiago, went into the wilderness to find his destiny, based on European folklore. With all the artistic merits of the novel critics point out that the interest in it is largely due to the upcoming film adaptation of, work on which began in 1994 year, but so far on the future of the film practically nothing is known.

"Harry Pottre and the Chamber of Secrets", 60 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The second novel, which tells about wizard Harry was released in 1998, a year after the release of the first book - some visionaries like George Martin, it would be necessary to learn from a British speed work on the books, although the works of Rowling and Martin are, if so to speak, in different weight classes.

It's hard to say what specifically related difference between sales of various series of books, but if you do not take into account the pilot book, the spread does not exceed 10-15 million, so it can be considered as a simple error of assessment runs or cranky general reader.

"The Catcher in the Rye", 60 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

masterpiece creation Jerome Salinger, no doubt, essential reading, especially for teenagers. Since its launch in 1951, the year and to this day the novel is one of the most significant works of the aspirations and doubts that torment the young heads. "The Catcher in the Rye" is often included in the school curriculum, so that most likely, the real popularity of the novel is much higher than the official numbers of sales.

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," 55 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The fourth book in the Harry Potter is also among the best-selling books of all time (in confidence - these are all novels series). Then there just is not: competition between mages different schools (the so-called Tournament of the Three Wizards), the machinations of the evil enemies Potter and of course, the first meeting Harry and Lord Voldemort face to face - it is not surprising that the book is so loved by the masses, and the film version Of course, only increased the popularity of the novel.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", 55 million

In the fifth book, dedicated to the young magician, describes the creation of a secret society whose members are struggling with growing power Volan De Mort. 55 million copies - not too accurate, but quite plausible evaluation edition of the book. Due to customers' excitement around Potter novels by JK Rowling has become one of the richest women in the world - its capital is about $ 1 billion.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", 55 million

The third volume of the series "Harry Potter" was released in 1999, the year. If you consider yourself a fan of the young wizard with a scar on his forehead, that dedicated his work, as well as the other six, no doubt, to peruse Vaima length and breadth, for those who are just starting their familiarity with the fantastic universe of JK Rowling, it is worth mentioning that in the novel "Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban," they read about the adventures with werewolves, time travel, and the tragic fate of Harry's parents.

"Ben-Hur: The Story of Christ," 50 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

Based on the biblical events of the novel authored by American writer Lew Wallace was first published in 1880. In his work the author "sees" the times of the Roman Empire through the eyes of the first coming of Judah Ben-Hur, one of the followers of Jesus Christ.

Unlike many religious works of art and historical focus, Wallace's novel is replete with authentic details and details describing the life of people of that era. Thanks to the thoroughness of the author and his attention to detail the book became a bestseller of its time, though the interest of readers to the novel declined somewhat in recent years.

"Lolita", 50 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The scandalous novel by Vladimir Nabokov, released in 1955, it is now expressed, "blew up the brain" readers - nothing more frank and sensual, they have not seen before. The buzz surrounding the book has provided her excellent advertising, but a lot of "Lolita" Show pornography - not everyone will want to delve into all the details of sexual relations of the protagonist and his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Be that as it may, the novel regularly included among the most popular books in the world, and numerous reissues and millions of readers, it only confirms.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", 50 million

The best-selling book in the history of printed literature

The point in the final book in the saga of Harry Potter by JK Rowling was set in 2007 and just one year selling novel reached the impressive 44 million copies. After the book was published in paperback version was sold several million copies, so that the mark of 50 million sales of the product has overcome quite quickly.

It is also necessary to mention the best-selling book that sales inferior to the final novel in the Harry Potter very few, among them - "The child and care for him," authored by the American pediatrician Benjamin Spock and "Heidi: years of wandering and learning" from the pen of the Swiss writer Johanna Spyri.