What is the greatest book(any type of literature)
And why

Hmm my top five are
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. - it was so ahead of its time, scarely so.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky - a tense physcological thriller, murder, mental anguish a cat and mouse standoff. The whole book is just superb, you get something new out of it evertime you read it.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, so much darker than any adaptation I've seen. Great for showing how you can take vengeance too far.
Transpotting by Irvine Welsh, it has a very interesting writing style, without a linear narrative and often in phonetic scots. It reminds me of A Clockwork Orange themewise but is more humourous.
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller I also like the non linear storytelling in this novel, along with the slight surreal touch. The characters are all well developed and I really like the military dark humour.

I don't think it is possible to determine the greatest book as it is a matter of opinion. What do you think the greatest book you have read is?

The bible is the most printed book in the world, with more copies and one of the most read books in the world.

Its teachings have formed governments, overthrown others and its teachings the base for many other religions along with the laws of many governments.

The veda.
Swallows and amazons.
But the veda has to be top dog.

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the most printed book in the world, with more copies

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With each reprint comes new edit.

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It holds the answers to everything

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Then how come it contradicts scientificly proven facts.
Behavior takes precedence over belief...

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Originally Posted by raggablue

then how come it contradicts scientificly proven facts.

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It doesn't. Plus, the Bible isn't a science book anyway.

It isn't a science book. It's a story book

While its not my favorite book, since the question was what was the greatest book, I think I have to agree that the Bible qualifies.

Actually the bible proves science because over time science changes because new discoveries are being made but the bible never changes if anything science changes and proves the bible is right

How can you choose just one of Shakespeare's plays?

My top three are:

The Taming of the Shrew
Hamlet
The Merchant of Venice

Ooo... Macbeth and The Winter's Tale, too! :)

Macbeth? Urrgh... what happened to the Dreams place on that list?

I am an Emerson and Thoreau fan. Even though they write essays more or less. I think one of the most powerful things ever written is Emerson's Self-Reliance. It should be required reading for everyone. If you haven't read it... go grab it... the thing about this writing is that it definitely has the power to change the way you think and act and your views of life.


THere is a reason these two men are some of the most quoted writers of all time.

Terry Pratchet, anyone?
Dale Carniege...
Gerald Durrell

They are all good, but definitely not on my GREATEST LIST ;-)

Not even Gerald? Have you read the donkey rustlers?

Angelas ashes, about a boy, three muskateers, ivanho, and too many others to count

Three Musketeers, definitely...

But for literature.. as much of a Shakespeare addict that I am, I'd have to say my favorite literature book is The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Edmusa Orczy. Amazing book. The Pimpernel and Rosemary is good, as well. :)

I love everything by Kate Atkinson.