The Alchemist, Author: Paulo Coelho
# of sold copies: 65 million
First edition: 1988
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping 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. Apparently, 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 perfectly understands that people are honest and they will pay for good work - eventually.
Harry 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
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, decided 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 fictional 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 ingenuity 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 pointed 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 scenario. It needed to be said out loud in order to realize how absurd and sick such totalitarian practices are.
相关单词：conspires
conspires解释：密谋( conspire的第三人称单数 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致
conspires例句：
You speak as if all Sparta conspires against you. 你说得好像整个斯巴达在共谋对抗你。
The mystical organization syndicate, conspires to harass the social order. 神秘组织辛迪加，密谋扰乱社会治安。
相关单词：helping
helping解释：n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的
helping例句：
The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
相关单词：apparently
apparently解释：adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
apparently例句：
An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
相关单词：perfectly
perfectly解释：adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地
perfectly例句：
The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
相关单词：harry
harry解释：vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼
harry例句：
Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。
相关单词：decided
decided解释：adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
decided例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
相关单词：fictional
fictional解释：adj.小说的，虚构的
fictional例句：
The names of the shops are entirely fictional.那些商店的名字完全是虚构的。
The two authors represent the opposite poles of fictional genius.这两位作者代表了天才小说家两个极端。
相关单词：ingenuity
ingenuity解释：n.别出心裁；善于发明创造
ingenuity例句：
The boy showed ingenuity in making toys.那个小男孩做玩具很有创造力。
I admire your ingenuity and perseverance.我钦佩你的别出心裁和毅力。
相关单词：pointed
pointed解释：adj.尖的，直截了当的
pointed例句：
He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
相关单词：scenario
scenario解释：n.剧本，脚本；概要
scenario例句：
But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。
