Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time [Most Sold]
by Surya
Updated Apr 21, 2023
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Best Selling Books of All Time
Since our childhood, books have been an integral part of our lives, with tales from the realm of fiction and occasionally nonfiction. Books have come in various sizes, languages, colors, and patterns. Every book, penned since the dawn of time, contains a unique narrative, interwoven with different emotions such as love, hate, compassion, anger, sadness, excitement, and fear.
Each tale, regardless of its genre, has touched the hearts of millions. Even in this age, where video games and online streaming are popular, countless people still prefer reading books. Each book offers an escape from reality and provides a new gateway to the world of imagination and creativity.
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Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time
In recognition of the power of creativity and adventure inherent in books, we have compiled a list of the top ten best-selling books of all time, which you might have already read.
1
Don Quixote
500 Million copies
Miguel de Cervantes
2
A Tale of Two Cities
200 Million copies
Charles Dickens
3
The Lord of the Rings
150 Million copies
J.R.R. Tolkien
4
The Little Prince
142 Million copies
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
5
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
107 Million copies
J.K. Rowling
6
And Then There Were None
100 Million copies
Agatha Christie
7
The Dream of the Red Chamber
100 Million copies
Cao Xueqin
8
The Hobbit
100 Million copies
J.R.R. Tolkien
9
She: A History of Adventure
100 Million copies
H. Rider Haggard
10
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
85 Million copies
C.S. Lewis
S.No
Name of the Books
Sold Copies
Author of the Book
1. Don Quixote
Starting with the top position, we have Miguel de Cervantes' famous Spanish novel 'Don Quixote', which was first published in 1612 and has sold 500 million copies worldwide. The story follows Alonso Quijano, who proves that chivalry will never die, and was originally seen as a parody of chivalric romances.
2. A Tale of Two Cities
In the second position, we have Charles Dickens' well-known novel 'A Tale of Two Cities', which is set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The book depicts the plight of the French peasantry demoralized by the French aristocracy and the brutality shown by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats. It also draws unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same period, interwoven with the lives of the novel's major characters.
3. The Lord of the Rings
At the third place, we have J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel 'The Lord of the Rings', which tells the story of Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring on a quest to destroy the One Ring. The book has been adapted into a multi-million dollar earning movie series, and its prequel 'The Hobbit' ranks at number eight on the list.
4. The Little Prince
Taking fourth place, we have Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved story 'The Little Prince', which is universally cherished by both children and adults. The book represents the free minds of children and their constant urge to seek the mysteries of the universe. It has been translated into 300 languages and dialects and sells 1-2 million copies every year, and has also been adapted into a critically acclaimed Netflix film.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone
At the fifth place, we have J. K. Rowling's highly successful 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone', the first book from the series of seven books. The book introduces us to the beloved Harry Potter, his friends, and the wizarding world, and has been translated into 80 languages. The books, together with the movie adaptations, have earned billions of dollars and sold over 500 million copies.
6. And Then There Were None'
In the 6th position, we have the renowned novel 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. This thriller novel was first published in 1939 and is considered as one of the best of its kind. It follows the story of ten strangers, who are lured to an isolated island by a mysterious host, only to find themselves facing death one by one, just like the nursery rhyme "Ten Little Soldiers". The book has been adapted into a successful film and an HBO series.
7. Dream of the Red Chamber
At the seventh Place, Cao Xueqin penned Dream of the Red Chamber or The Story of the Stone during the mid-18th century, and it is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The novel's intricate plot weaves together the ascent and decline of a family similar to Cao's own, offering insights into the social relationships, aesthetics, worldviews, and lifestyles of 18th-century China. While the novel highlights the patriarch's authority over the family, it also serves as a tribute to the women Cao knew in his youth, including friends, relatives, and servants. Additionally, the author delves into philosophical and religious themes, incorporating elements of plays and novels from the late Ming era and earlier poetry styles.
8. The Hobbit
Ranked at number 8, we find the widely acclaimed novel 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien. The narrative centers on Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who leads a contented, uneventful life and rarely ventures beyond his pantry or cellar. However, his life takes a drastic turn when the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves appear at his doorstep and whisk him away on an adventure filled with raids, battles against malevolent forces, giants, and dragons. The story takes place in the prelude to the events depicted in 'The Lord of the Rings,' and it has been adapted into a blockbuster film under the same title. 'The Hobbit' is the first installment in a trilogy of books.
9. She: A History of Adventure
At the 9th place, we have 'She: A History of Adventure' by H. Rider Haggard. This book, published in 1887, has sold 83 million copies worldwide. It tells the story of a Victorian professor and his adopted son who venture to Africa in search of a lost civilization ruled by an immortal woman of great beauty, power, and cruelty.
10. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'
Moving on to the 10 th place, we have the popular book 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis. The book, which was published in 1950, has sold 85 million copies worldwide and is the first installment in the 7-book series, 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. It was also adapted into a blockbuster film under the same title. The story follows the journey of four siblings who discover the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe in the midst of World War II.
What is the Number 1 Best-Selling Book of All Time?
Of course, The Book is Number 1 because Don Quixote quickly gained global recognition due to its telling of a universal story. The book's depictions of sin and deeds were relatable to people of all walks of life, both in the past and even in the present day. The character written four hundred years ago still resonates with us in the 21st century because the tale is about every human being's search for love and fortune. We all have a tendency to exaggerate our abilities and become consumed by dreams and illusions, some of which come true despite all logic. Although the first book provides many laughs, Don Quixote does not offer straightforward solutions. The book is filled with symbolism and allegories that reveal themselves in different ways upon each rereading.
Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time-FAQs
The best-selling book of all time is Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, and it depicts the plight of the French peasantry demoralized by the French aristocracy and the brutality shown by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats.
'The Lord of the Rings' is a trilogy of epic fantasy novels written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a beloved story that represents the free minds of children and their constant urge to seek the mysteries of the universe.
There are seven Harry Potter books, and the first book is called 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone'.