The bible, which ranks as the worlds most read book, has sold 3. The question asks sold but then includes what is given away. The 21 bestselling books of all time howstuffworks. Sep 22, 2006 to make the bible the most printed book you have to add up all its flavors. This list is not as much a measure of how many copies have sold, but a measure of books popularity. Feb 02, 2018 of course, the bible stills remains the worlds most purchased tome, at 6 billion copies sold, according to guinness world records. The third group considered it as the mostprinted and mostdistributed book. What is the second best selling book of all time after. Used bibles new american standard bible study books alibris. Another group upheld it as the worlds most read books. The third group considered it as the most printed and most distributed book. Surveys and searches suggest the translation that most americans are reading is actually not the. Bible records online is a collection of images and transcripts of family bible genealogy. According to guinness world records, the bible is the bestselling book of all time, with over 5 billion copies sold and distributed.
Most of holmans contributors either graduated from or. Record your notes and illustrations in a decorative journaling bible, and share the word with economy outreach bibles available in a variety of languages. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most bibles distributed by the gideons and most family bibles are rarely opened and never actually read. The graph presents data on the popularity of the versions of the bible read in the united states as of january 2017. In the american book prices database, it is easy to find a similar example of this bible that sold in 2010 for approx. Esv journaling bible, kjv journal the word bible, niv journal the word bible, and more provide a way to journal about the scripture inside the bible. Many devout christians are quick to assert that the holy bible is the worlds bestselling book, for all time. With a sixfigure price tag, most people might be surprised to learn that on a list of the ten most expensive mormon books, a first edition book of mormon does not rank at the top. According to guinness world records as of 1995, the bible is the best selling book of all time, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed. Add to that, for a few hundred years your family was nothing if they didnt have their ow.
Chapman created the list by examining how many individual copies of the books had been printed and sold over the last 50 years. Guinness world records 2017 is bursting with allnew records on topics as diverse as black holes, domes, owls, and killer plants. The most popular and fastest growing bible translation isn. The book itself holds a world record, as the bestselling ed book series of all time. Although this marks an improvement over the 2017 figure, religious presses are prone to yearly fluctuations in. The book s phenomenal popularity, however, is due to the fact that it was essentially an unofficial requirement for every chinese citizen to own, to read, and to carry it at all times under.
Enhance the security of your identity, health, finance, family data when searching, browsing, shopping, using dating apps, and communicating. Want to know the highest anyone has travelled on a skateboard, or the largest looptheloop completed in a car. It is safe to say that the bible is the best selling. While the flaws are not identical, they are comparable. The bible tops the list of the most read books in the world. With thousands of translations, over forty original authors, and a two millennium history, lets take a look at the trails, tribulations, changes, and status of the worlds most popular book. Hebrew, greek, aramaic many copies of the holy bible have been freely given away during missionary work. Harry potter becomes bestselling book series in history. Sign up for bookish emails and get a coupon for your first purchase.
I personally have more copies of the bible than i can count as did my father as did his father. With all those caveats in mind and not including e book sales, here are the 21 bestselling books. For a long time, it was one of the very few printed books available for purchase. Sep 17, 2012 therefore, when looking for an accurate appraisal, most serious dealers turn to the auction records as a benchmark. Jun 24, 2012 the new yorker also pointed out that in 2005 the number of bibles sold in the us alone was conservatively estimated at 25 million and barna research indicates that 92% of all american households have at least one bible and typically own three. New shoestrinity womens womens running saucony shoes vyki10f912290 top brand. Between 1815 and 1975, it was estimated that there could have been 5 billion bibles printed. The new york times best sellers april 19, 2020 authoritatively ranked lists of books sold in the united states, sorted by format and genre. While its true that many neglect reading this book, and its probably because they dont want to hear the message of coming judgment, revelation is not the least read book. The book s phenomenal popularity may be because it was essentially an unofficial requirement for every chinese citizen to own, to read, and to carry it at all times during the latter half of maos rule, especially during. The bible is the worlds best selling book, having sold more than five billion copies.
Researcher james chapman has compiled this look at the top 10 mostread books in the world. Additionally, since the bible is sold worldwide, calculating exact numbers becomes tricky. The ten most expensive mormon books meridian magazine. Copies of the quran were handwritten in large quantities, from very early on. The ultimate annual book of records is back and crammed with more than ever before. Quotations from chairman mao authored by mao zedong book sales. Feb 17, 2017 granted someone purchased the bibles to give away but maos book was a mandatory possession. Although it is impossible to obtain exact figures, there is little doubt that the bible is the worlds bestselling and most widely distributed book. Could it be true that the bible is the bestselling book in. The fastest selling book in history is harry potter and the deathly hallows, the seventh and final novel in jk rowlings uk harry potter series, which sold 8. The new yorker also pointed out that in 2005 the number of bibles sold in the us alone was conservatively estimated at 25 million and barna research indicates that 92% of all american households have at least one bible and typically own three. Many devout christians are quick to assert that the holy bible is the worlds best selling book. The bible has been translated into 349 languages, and a survey conducted by the bible society concluded that.
Which has sold more copies, the bible or the koran. The book itself holds a world record, as the best selling ed book series of all time. Although it is impossible to obtain exact figures, there is little doubt that the bible is the worlds best. Harry potter becomes bestselling book series in history with. Most scholars agree that the greatest works of world literature were written by homer, shakespeare, cervantes and goethe. American bible society is pleased to offer licensing rights to a variety of bible texts, artworkillustrations, scholarly editions, bible atlasmaps, and videoaudio in the following bible translations, reinavalera 1960. May 25, 2017 more than 2,100 languages have at least one book of the bible in that language. The familiar observation that the bible is the bestselling book of all time.
Just to remind some of the commentators, this is number of books sold in all time according to sources of wikipedia. Mar, 2014 the most popular and fastest growing bible translation isnt what you think it is niv vs. The huffington post article actually named 16 books that have sold the most copies worldwide, noting that the bible is the top seller in the world. Youll often be told that the bible is the best selling book ever written, but is this true. A survey by the bible society concluded that around 2. Discover the best christian bibles in best sellers. The familiar observation that the bible is the best selling book of all time obscures a more startling fact.
Writer james chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book sold over the last 50 years he found. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Researcher james chapman has compiled this look at the top 10 most read books in the world. For the record, the excluded books have sold an estimated hundreds of millions of copies each several billion, in the bibles case and would have taken most of the top positions on the list.
It is categorized into the old testament and the new testament. Writer james chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book sold. Bloomsbury did not immediately respond to an email from syfy wire, while a rep for rowling declined to comment. The book of psalms easily wins, probably because it is both the longest book in the bible 150 chapters and it covers every human emotion and every circumstance in life. Nov 15, 20 researcher james chapman has compiled this look at the top 10 most read books in the world. May 09, 2008 is the bible the best selling book of all time. For the record, the excluded books have sold an estimated hundreds of millions of copies each several billion, in the bible s case and would have taken most of the top positions on the list. The bible course offers a superb overview of the worlds best selling book.
They are a onesizefitsall solution to the problem of what to buy for a loved one. Although it is impossible to obtain exact figures, there is little doubt that the bible is the worlds best selling and most widely distributed book. The franchise has extended beyond print to include television series and museums. That means most of the 25m bibles are being sold to homes that already have at least one and likely more. Over 100 million bibles are sold or given away for free every year in the world, according to the economist. Aug 26, 2014 there are over 1,000 diffrent types of bibles. It is also one of the most frequently stolen books from public libraries in the united states. Most people will guess that book of revelation is the least read book in the bible. At one time mein kampf was the number one produced book in germany. Worlds best selling book holy bible london world records. The purpose of this book is to present the records of the life of jesus in that form which will make most fully available the contributions of the several sources, both individual and collective, to an understanding of the actual career of jesus. Then there was a fire in my mums house about a week before i was. And then it is only a vague guess, probably inflated by the xtains. The holman christian standard bible study bible, for example, is currently one of the best selling study bibles on.
However, many more copies have been given away for free, meaning the actual number of bibles in circulation is unknown. Millions and millions, say in carl sagan style voice for extra effect, of bibles are printed, but how many are actually sold, rather than given away. During the survey, 31 percent of the respondents stated they most often read. A book is also a considerate option when giving to an acquaintance such as a coworker.
It addresses inward, private thoughts and feelings, as well as outward, publicly expressed words and actions. Thomas nelson has a history stretching back to 1798, and, in the. The guinness book of world records gives a more standard type of book the. Jun 11, 2018 the bible receives its alltime bestseller title mainly by cheating. More objectively, according to guinness world records, the bible is the bestselling book of all time with over 5 billion copies sold and distributed as of this year. My bible when my mum was pregnant with me, my parents read psalm 121 a lot. Genesis, written by moses, is the first book, while revelation, written by john the apostle, is the last book. On the other hand, it seems quite likely that most books being sold are not read. Oct 17, 2012 one group claimed the bible as the worlds bestselling book. The following is an alphabetical list of fiftytwo popular english bible translations and versions, many of which are presently the most popular, and the corporations which publis. I can readily accept that it has been the most widely owned book in history, but how many people actually buy bibles. Could it be true that the bible is the bestselling book in history, with.
In 1995, one version of the bible, the good news version that is ed by the bible societies, had sold nearly 18 million copies. Similarly, many notable book series that sold very widely are poorly documented or consist of multiple subseries. The guinness book of world records estimates that more than 5 billion copies of the bible have been printed. The bible sells best because it is living, powerful and universally desired the bible is often said to be the worlds best sold book but search the best seller lists and you wont find it anywhere, top to bottom. A list of best sellers is interesting only if the top spot is up for grabs so. A bible also owns the record for least amount of sales per year a. Owaheson laceup sneaker training shoes mens womens bulgaria flag national emblem romika victoria. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Book of mormon sets new record for most expensive manuscript ever sold this article is more than 2 years old founding text of the church of jesus christ of. According to guinness world records as of 1995, the bible is the bestselling book of all time, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed. Theres no doubt about it the bible is one of the worlds best selling books.
I feel that goodreads should sponsor its own list of best selling books of all time. I dont know if that number includes gideons bibles. Bibles are sold in the united states is a virtually impossible task, but a conservative estimate is that in 2005 americans purchased some twentyfive million bibles. Trinity womens womens running saucony shoes vyki10f912290. Still, to a lot of rowlings fans, all seven harry potter novels are like bibles to them. They are items that provide hours of enjoyment for the recipient. Of course, the bible stills remains the worlds most purchased tome, at 6 billion copies sold, according to guinness world records. After the bible, which book has sold the most copies. We encrypt all your data and keep no records of your individual activities online. With all those caveats in mind and not including e book sales, here are the 21 bestselling books of all time, as far as we can tell.
The harry potter series sold almost a halfbillion books in one decade. We work with leading global brands and businesses to break world records as part of bespoke marketing campaigns. One group claimed the bible as the worlds best selling book. He found that the bible far outsold any other book, with a whopping 3. To make the bible the most printed book you have to add up all its flavors. Numbers of books sold is a good thermometer to guide book readers. Unsurprisingly, the most popular book of all time has an interesting history. Im not here to talk about the bible or whether its true, i just want to know if the bible is the best selling book ever, and if it isnt, which book is. Theres no doubt about it the bible is one of the worlds bestselling books. What does that mean anyway if it was produced in the biggest number. As of 042005, there are over 1100 bibles, most with online images.
Best selling books of all time 100 books goodreads. Shop bibles new american standard bible study books. The estimated number of copies in print exceeds 900 million. Is bible the worlds bestselling or mostread or most. If you dont count that harry potter books then you cant count the bible either, because they are counting it as all the versions, new and old, king james, picture, gideon etc. The most popular book of all time christian universities. The bible is the most widely distributed and bestselling book in the world.
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