Some claim that the bible is the world s most shoplifted book. And it is commonly believed to be the most stolen book as well, but i dont know if theres a database that can answer that. I have not found any real sources to it, that the bible actually is the most stolen book. This is a list of literary works including novels, plays, series, collections of poems or short stories, and essays and other forms of literary nonfiction sorted by the number of languages they have been translated into. What makes the bible the most shoplifted book of all.
Bible dating back 1,200 years seized from smuggling. Guinness records continues to draw around 50,000 record applications every year but only a few thousand are accepted annually, say the hosts. But yes, that is kind of contradictory that someone would steal a bible. Did you know that the bible is one of the most shoplifted books of all time. In 1995, one version of the bible, the good news version that is ed by the bible societies, had sold nearly 18 million copies.
I asked steve bercu, bookpeoples owner, what the most frequently stolen title was. About 50 bibles are sold every minute, and some 1 billion copies of the book have been sold so far. Read gods word at anytime, anywhere using the youversion bible app. But the number one stolen book each year is the holy bible. As usual christians war with muta on live radio but better still this is a school that only clever people come to. News world europe bible dating back 1,200 years seized from smuggling suspects in turkey. Stolen 400yearold bible returns to the us after being. The book alcoholics anonymous is not in the top ten books of all time. Thieves could use the good book s wisdom more than many, i guess. The top seven here include expensive art books, the bible, the guinness book of world records, textbooksreference books exam prep books, and, naturally, books on university reading lists. The 5 most stolen books a survey by publishers weekly. The franchise has extended beyond print to include television series and museums. You did not flat out say that religious people are the only hypocrites, but you implied it by only giving religious examples i.
Other frequently stolen items making the high risk list include meat, chocolate, alcohol, and seafood including caviar. The holy bible is available for free at many places of worship, so perhaps theres less. Leather manuscript with goldencrusted religious motifs may have been stolen in syria, authorities believe. And the printed version is the most commonly stolen book from public libraries, just ahead of the bible. The book itself holds a world record, as the bestselling ed book series of all time. The most stolen library books while theres not a lot of hard data available on what books frequently disappear from library shelves, the fbi compiled a list of coveted titles back in 2008.
Asked in books and literature most stolen book in england in 1978. A survey by the bible society concluded that around 2. The idea was youd be boredthe gideons started their mission long before television start idly rummaging in the bureau drawers and find the bible. The library doesnt keep statistics on the most stolen books, but generally, litle says, the bible, the guinness book of world records, exam prep and astrology books tend to disappear the most. List of literary works by number of translations wikipedia. Though bibles are not free, gods truth is always available for free. According to experts, the bible is the most commonly stolen book. The bible was written in three languages, hebrew, aramaic, and koine greek. The bible is the most widely distributed and bestselling book in the world. Simply enter a name and state to pull up anyones arrest and criminal record. Truthfinder is the countrys leading source for arrest records. According to huber, the most frequently stolen library books are the guinness book of world records, which is a favorite around our house, 1 and the bible. Although it is impossible to obtain exact figures, there is little doubt that the bible is the worlds bestselling and most widely distributed book. Our moststolen authors, in order, are baudrillard, freud, nietzsche, graham greene, lacan, camus, and whoever puts together the wisden almanack.
Theres no doubt about it the bible is one of the world s bestselling books. Landau was arrested on charges of stealing historical documents, including ones signed by abraham lincoln, from the maryland historical society. The holy bible is available for free at many places of worship, so perhaps theres less guilt associated with pilfering a copy. Book store shoplifting is a problem for book sellers and has sometimes led stores to keep certain volumes behind store counters shoplifters at book stores, also known as book shops, may be either amateur or professional thieves.
The 5 most stolen books a survey by publishers weekly this week two spectacular book thefts have gone through the press. A 400yearold bible, one of 321 rare items stolen from the carnegie library of pittsburgh in the 1990s, has been returned after a transoceanic journey. The world s bestselling book is still the holy bible, but it is also the worlds most shoplifted book. The bible is the most purchased book although the guinness book of world records is the most copyrighted purchased book. Professionals target highpriced books and books that are easily resold, such as college textbooks. According to the new york times website, the bible is the most often book stolen from libraries. The bible has been translated into 349 languages, and a survey conducted by the bible society concluded that between 1815 and 1975, around 2. From bookstores, christian or not, to libraries and hotels, the bible is the most stolen book.
The south african public library in cape town, now known as the national library of south africa cape town was the first library in south africa, established in 1818 by lord charles somerset, governor of the cape colony at the time. It is also one of the most frequently stolen books from public libraries in the united states. Quotations from chairman mao zedong, mao zedong, 900 million. Most bible stories are stolen from books before the bible. Also, sports illustrated swimsuit edition and other racy books magazinesmany stolen, perhaps, to avoid the embarrassment of prying librarian eyes. They decided to provide a copy of the bible in every hotel room in america,free. The most stolen library book in the world is the bible, closely followed by the guinness book of world records. Between 1815 and 1975, it was estimated that there could have been 5 billion bibles printed. Available for ios, android, blackberry, windows phone and more.
I have put a lot of effort and time into researching the bible, as so many people have serious hangups because of intense indoctrination with christiainty and the psychic power that has. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. John lloyd and john mitchinson, creators of the popular british show quite interesting, quiz klg. What are the top 10 most printed books of all time. Many pass out bibles for free and some hotels stock bibles in every room. Share scripture with friends, highlight and bookmark passages, and create a daily habit with bible plans. I find it interesting that three out of the top five most stolen items are animal foods considered by traditional societies to be essential for vibrant health. The most stolen item in the world the healthy home economist. And topping the list, in some cities at least, would be none other than the holy bible itself. The most stolen book is the thomas brothers guide maps book. In addition to shoplifting, thievery also has been due to. Why is the bible the most stolen book in the world. Writer james chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book sold over the last 50 years he found.
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