These are the ten most popular books of all time, as compiled by so you wanna.com
How many have you read?
10. In His Steps: "What Would Jesus Do?"
Author: Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon
Copies sold: 28,500,000
The compilation of two original novels about living a "deeper discipleship," this book about Christianity has been on the shelves for years (over 100, to be exact). It makes frequent reference to a book you'll see later (much later) on our list, and how to better interpret it and so forth. The questions, "What would Jesus do about global warming?" and, "What would Jesus do about those Mentos ads?" are not covered in the book, but just ask yourself . . . what would He do?
9. Valley of the Dolls
Author: Jacqueline Susann
Copies sold: 30,000,000
When it debuted in 1966, this novel shocked (and titillated) audiences with its depictions of sex, drugs, and go-go culture, but would now probably be considered quaint, or at least tame. Susann knew whereof she wrote, having lived the life of a Broadway starlet and hobnobbing with the famous. The three characters in the book are rumored to be based on Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, and Marilyn Monroe at an early point in their careers. Yes, it's trashy, but like junk food, oh, so delicious.
8. The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care
Author: Dr. Benjamin Spock
Copies sold: 39,200,000
How many copies of this book have been sold to erstwhile Trekkers, wandering the aisles at Barnes and Noble with slightly glazed looks in their eyes, mumbling Klingon phonics under their breaths? Let us be clear. This is not a book about Vulcans, Vulcan culture, Vulcan language, or Vulcan babies. Well, maybe the Vulcan babies part applies. Dr. Spock's "instruction manual" for child care has been flying off shelves since 1946, giving parents useful advice such as what milestones infants should reach at which ages, how to discipline an obnoxious child, and why dirty diapers smell so bad.
7. World Almanac
Author: Who knows?
Copies sold: 40,000,000
This is not your Farmers' Almanac here. You will not be able to tell the weather from a variety of on-target predictions. Uh-uh. Ever since 1886, this book has provided tons of facts, collected together and organized for quick and easy reference. Yep, facts. Lots of them. Nothing but facts. Let's move on.
6. A Message to Garcia
Author: Elbert Hubbard
Copies sold: 40-50,000,000
This book started out as an essay written all in one night in 1898 by Hubbard, who had a magazine to get out the next day and needed the material. It tells the story of a soldier who is given the task of bringing a message to (guess who?) Garcia, an insurgent leader deep behind enemy lines. But at the same time, it doesn't tell this story, but rather uses it as a launching pad for its diatribe against lazy workers and how best to serve corporate America. Managers loved it and printed thousands of copies for distribution to their staff as a motivational tool. One can only imagine the number of proto-Dilbert cartoons this must have spawned.
We must feel some pity for the author, however, as it must have been traumatic growing up with his mother always going to the cupboard, worrying more about the dog's needs than those of her only son. And Elbert's own son, L. Ron, spawned the whole Scientology cult. Scary stuff.
5. The McGuffey Readers
Author: William Holmes McGuffey
Copies sold: 60,000,000
The McGuffey Readers have been referred to as "the most influential books in the history of American education." In the nineteenth century, these readers were supposed to teach kids reading skills, but taught more about middle class values and McGuffey's ideas about the social order. Originally published in 1879 in six volumes, they were at first a requirement, and later a curiosity for educators across the country. Take that, Dick and Jane.
4. The Guinness Book of Records
Author: Who knows?
Copies sold: 81,000,000
You don't attract charming people with characteristics like "the world's longest fingernails" or "the world's heaviest ball of earwax" unless you're a freak yourself. The fact that this book started out as a collection of barroom boasts and bets (and is published by a beer company) doesn't hurt. Without disgusting pictures, though, would it have been as popular? We think not.
3. American Spelling Book
Author: Noah Webster
Copies sold: 100,000,000
Here's another oldie. Around sinse 1803, the aptly titled American Spelling Book teeches people to spell. The guy who proceded to write the famous Webster's Dicshunary started out just with the speling, and then mooved on to what the words ment. The styel may be a little wooden, but the plot development is griping. Two big thums up.
2. Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung
Author: Mao Tse-tung
Copies sold: 800,000,000
Formerly known as The Red Book, these are quotations from the Chairman himself, and the foundation of today's Communist society in China. We say, read and enjoy, but do not let yourself be lulled into a love of Communism. The danger that lurks there is far worse than even secular humanism. Joe McCarthy knew that.
1. The Bible
Author: God
Copies sold: 6,000,000,000
OK, maybe not 6 billion, but a WHOLE lot. The Bible was clearly a page-turner from the start, and it benefited from good word of mouth publicity, flying off the shelves. The basic plot is that there's this omnipotent deity who creates a planet and some beings to inhabit it. These beings screw everything up, He washes them out with a flood, and then they come back and screw everything up again. As a character, He's a little bit inconsistent; He's a vengeful Guy one minute, then He's answering prayers the next. But you have to give it a chance.
The first chapter is called "Genesis," named after the rock group with the same name (the author was a huge Phil Collins fan). Then comes "Exodus," and in no time we have plagues, sacrifices, miracles, and holy wars all over the place. There's so much blood, gore, and sex, that we're surprised that the thing hasn't been banned by one of those moralistic groups that are always trying to ban something.
Actually, though I read a lot of different books, the only one on the list I have read is The Bible. The rest of them, never even seen one around, except the book of records, seems like a kid had one in school.
And you did not post The ingenious gentleman Don Quixote de La Mancha by Miguel Cervantes?
That book has been translated into more languages, second to the bible, than any other book since its existance. This book has been read more than any other book other than the Bible. Its a classic for sure.
When I went to college that was required reading, it may not be now, but what I am trying to say is that Don Quixote has been around for four centuries and people still are reading his book.
That is amazing.
You must turn on, tune in and drop out.
Timothy Leary
I reserve the right to be ignorant. That's the Western way of life. The Spy who came in from the cold
Mama always said life was like a box a chocolates, never know what you're gonna get.
I have the Bible, the Spock book, and The Guinness Book of Records. Glanced at all of them, at least, and read the Bible... wasn't that fascinating. Feel the most sorry for that Job fellow.
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
I've read a few pages of Guinness book of world records and the American spelling book. Read most of Peter in the Bible. Didn't think much of the second two, but the records book is nifty.
Those are the only ones on the list that I've even seen.
"Man is a marvelous curiosity ... he thinks he is the Creator's pet ... he even believes the Creator loves him; has a passion for him; sits up nights to admire him; yes and watch over him and keep him out of trouble. He prays to him and thinks He listens. Isn't it a quaint idea." Mark Twain
Eh, I'd rather get crucified then see my family slaughtered and be in horribly, agonizing pain for a prolonged period of time. But that's just me.
Speaking of the Guiness World Records, they had the TV show on the other day, where they wanted to see who could roll more Sushi rolls in 2 minutes. The one guy one with 10 rolls (that were up to the required standard).
Funny thing is, I've seen the dudes here and in Japan, they can roll out about 50 of these things in 2 minutes. Why the heck would they call 10 rolls a 'record'?
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
06-28-2006 02:03 AM
Oh yeah... it's gosple alright!!! 
