The Alchemist, Author: Paulo Coelho

 

# of sold copies: 65 million

 

First edition: 1988

 

"When you want something, all the universe conspires¹ in helping² you achieve it". I don't know how does the original in Portugese sound, so the translation will have to suffice. The point is that Paulo Coelho tells us that if you want something real badly, you shall have it.

 

The Alchemist tells a story of a young shepherd boy who overcomes love and danger on his quest for a treasure. Apparently³, the story is so good that it had to be translated into 67 languages and breaking a Guiness record in translations for a living author.

 

What might especially young people find very appealing is that Paulo Coelho encourages people to use peer to peer networks, because he perfectly⁴ understands that people are honest and they will pay for good work - eventually.

 

Harry⁵ Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Author: J. K. Rowling

 

# of sold copies: 44 million

 

First edition: 2007

 

Yet another fairy tale made it to our list, people might like fairy tales after all... anyway, a lot of children around the world grew up on the stories about Harry, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Hogwarts. As expected, the final piece of the Harry Potter puzzle with its quite original name Deathly Hallows was quite successful.

 

Only time will tell whether the Harry Potter series has the qualities of say Lord of the Rings or it will fade with the upcoming seasons. On the other hand, no one can deny Miss Rowling a great impact on both children and their parents - that has to count for something...

 

War and Peace, Author: Leo Tolstoy

 

# of sold copies: 36 million (in the USSR)

 

First edition: 1869

 

Leo Tolstoy, a Russian writer, decided⁶ to demonstrate his beliefs that there is some greater power forming our history. Along with the fact he didn't like popular history and being a war veteran, he then wrote one of the largest and most popular novels in the world literature, War and Peace.

 

This jewel among books is divided in four volumes, each being a follow up of the previous one. War and Peace has indeed a lot of characters, both fictional⁷ and real historic figures. The plot is set in the beginning of the 19th century when Napoleon invades Russia.

 

Interesting fact is that although War and Peace is clearly a Russian literature from a Russian author, parts of the book are written in French - probably because most of the story is focused on 5 noble families and nobility in Russia used to speak French in that particular era.

 

Think and Grow Rich, Author: Napoleon Hill

 

# of sold copies: 30 million

 

First edition: 1937

 

There are tons of motivational books these days. Some are better, some are worse and it's up to you to choose the one that can really help you. Think and Grow Rich is probably a safe bet, because it takes a bit of ingenuity⁸ to write something everybody knows these days - only 70 years ahead.

 

The best way how to become successful is to find out what others did before success came to them - and that's exactly what Napoleon Hill did. According to his mentor's (A. Carnegie) advice, he studied the life paths of 16 wealthy individuals and pointed⁹ out their steps to victory.

 

If you're looking for personal development tools, Think and Grow Rich should be on the top of your priorities.

 

Nineteen Eighty-Four, Author: George Orwell

 

# of sold copies: 25 million

 

First edition:1949

 

History has shown us that mankind is capable of both terrible and good things and it's a matter of conscience which side prevails. George Orwell took the liberty to tell us how what the world look like if despotic and oppressive regimes took the upper hand.

 

In the imaginary year 1984 the Earth is divided among three major nations which constantly wage war against each other. The main character named Winston Smith lives in Oceania ruled by one party - called The Party. Everything is scarce, basic human right and emotions are constantly being twisted and above all, The Big Brother is always watching.

 

Although 1984 is quite gloomy and despairing, we have to acknowledge that it's still in our "grasp" to create such a scenario¹⁰. It needed to be said out loud in order to realize how absurd and sick such totalitarian practices are.

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