THE BEST SELLING BOOKS IN HISTORY

BEN-HUR: A TALE OF THE CHRIST – 50 MILLION

The first fictional book to be blessed by a Pope (Leo XIII),

“Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ” recounts the story of a fictional

Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur, enslaved by Roman rulers.

Vowing revenge on the Romans, Judah becomes a charioteer

and Christian, all while living in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ

was emerging at the same time. Lew Wallace’s knock-out novel,

“Ben-Hur” is known as “the most influential Christian book of

the 19th century” and won 11 Academy Awards in

1960 for its film adaptation.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES – 50 MILLION

The most popular book written by a Canadian author, “Anne of

Green Gables” follows the life of a 11-year-old Anne Shirley

with her adopted parents (who originally wanted a boy). Selling over

50 million copies, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s book has become

one of the best-selling books in history. Montgomery drew on

the popular “formula Ann” orphan stories of her time to

create Anne and used her own childhood on

Prince Edward Island for the setting.

THE MARK OF ZORRO – 50 MILLION

Johnston McCulley’s classic “The Mark of Zorro” has become a

cult icon in pop culture. The American equivalent of Robin Hood,

Zorro is the secret identity of Californian noble Don Diego de la Vega

who defends the common man and humiliates corrupt officials.

A widely popular 1920 film solidified Zorro’s place in our

psyche as a masked crusader of justice.

THE COMMON SENSE BOOK OF BABY AND

CHILD CARE – 50 MILLION

One of only three non-novels on this list, “The Common Sense Book

of Baby and Child Care” by Dr. Benjamin Spock (unrelated to the

Star Trek character of the same last name) was published in 1946.

The best-selling book in America during the 20th century, this

tome was written for parents, especially mothers, as a manual

on child care. Post-World War II, Baby Boom mothers found

great relief in Spock’s uncomplicated, supportive tone.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB – 50 MILLION

A children’s classic especially after being made into a film by the

same name, “Charlotte’s Web” tells the story of young pig Wilbur

and his spider friend Charlotte who spins her web to convince

the farmer to keep him alive. Written by E.B. White, the book is

listed as the best-selling children’s paperback in history

by Publishers Weekly.

THE GINGER MAN – 50 MILLION

A prolific writer, J.P. Donleavy demonstrated the skill of Irish

(American) writers in his first and most popular novel,

“The Ginger Man”. Published in 1955, the book was banned by

both his ancestral (Ireland) and birth (U.S.A.) countries for being

too obscene. Set in Dublin, this top-seller follows the adventurous

life of Sebastian Dangerfield as he pursues women, booze and

a rogue lifestyle while avoiding his studies at Trinity College.

LOLITA – 50 MILLION

Written by Russian-native Vladimir Nabokov, “Lolita” was originally

written in English before being translated into Russian by the author.

Forming a classic part of 20th century literature, the book follows

protagonist Humbert Humbert (a 38-year-old year professor)

as he develops a sexual relationship with his new 12-year-old

stepdaughter Dolores Haze (commonly known by his nickname

for her, Lolita). Since then, “Lolita” has been made into two operas,

two ballets, and a Broadway musical. In pop culture, the name

“Lolita” often refers to a girl who is sexually more mature

than her age.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE – 50 MILLION

The only Spanish book on this list is Colombian Gabriel Garcia

Márquez’s landmark “Cien Años de Soledad” (English: “One

Hundred Years of Solitude”). Selling over 50 million copies, this

magical realist novel follows the Buendía family: the founders of

Macondo, a metaphor for Colombia. Translated into 37 languages,

this widely read book is a primary example of the Latin

American Literary Boom of the 1960’s and 70’s.

WATERSHIP DOWN – 50 MILLION

A fantasy novel with talking rabbits (though very different from

stories of Br’er Rabbit), “Watership Down” is Englishman

Richard Adams’ flagship novel. The anthropomorphized bunnies

journey to find a new home after one of them has a vision their

homeland will be destroyed. The story draws parallels between

freedom and tyranny (as does Orwell’s “Animal Farm”)

and between reason and emotion.