1. Introduction
The world of books is vast and varied, and the sheer number of books available can be overwhelming. But one thing that stands out among all the books is the thickness of certain volumes. Whether it’s a hefty encyclopedia or a massive collection of poems, there are some books out there that are just plain thick. In this article, we’ll take a look at the thickest book in the world and explore some of the other thick books out there. We’ll also discuss the controversy surrounding thick books and their potential impact on the publishing industry. So if you’re curious about the world’s thickest book, read on!
2. The Most Expensive Book in the World
The world’s most expensive book is the Codex Leicester, a collection of scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. It was bought by Microsoft founder Bill Gates in 1994 for $30.8 million. This makes it the most expensive book ever sold.
The Codex Leicester is a 72-page notebook written by da Vinci in the 16th century. It contains his thoughts on a variety of topics, including astronomy, water, rocks, and fossils. It is written in da Vinci’s characteristic mirror writing and is believed to be the only surviving example of his scientific writing.
The book was originally purchased by Thomas Coke, the Earl of Leicester, in 1719. It was later purchased by Armand Hammer, the American industrialist, in 1980 for $5.6 million. In 1994, Bill Gates bought the book at auction for $30.8 million.
The Codex Leicester is kept in a climate-controlled environment and is not available for public viewing. However, Gates has made digital copies of the book available online. In 2010, he also released a special edition of the book that includes a DVD with a 3D model of the book.
The Codex Leicester is a unique and valuable book, and its high price tag reflects that. It is a reminder of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
3. The Thickest Book in the World
The Guinness World Records recognizes the title of the thickest book in the world as the “Atlas of the World, 10th Edition”, published by Oxford University Press in 2014. This book has a total of 2,240 pages and measures 30 cm (12 in) in thickness. The Atlas of the World is a comprehensive reference book that covers physical, political and cultural geography.
The Atlas of the World is not the only book that has earned the title of being the thickest in the world. The Bible is another book that has been recognized as having a great number of pages. The King James Bible contains over 1,500 pages and measures 25 cm (10 in) in thickness.
Other books that have been recognized as having a large number of pages include the Encyclopedia Britannica, which has over 40,000 pages and measures 24 cm (9.5 in) in thickness, and the Oxford English Dictionary, which has over 21,000 pages and measures 20 cm (8 in) in thickness.
The Guinness World Records also recognizes the title of the heaviest book in the world, which is the “The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature”, published by Oxford University Press in 1989. This book has a total of 1,844 pages and weighs 16.5 kg (36.4 lbs).
Despite the fact that the Guinness World Records recognizes the titles of the thickest and heaviest books in the world, there is still some controversy surrounding this topic. Some people argue that the title of the thickest book should be awarded to the Bible, as it is the most widely read book in the world. Others argue that the title should be awarded to the Encyclopedia Britannica, as it is the most comprehensive reference book.
In conclusion, the Guinness World Records currently recognizes the title of the thickest book in the world as the “Atlas of the World, 10th Edition”, published by Oxford University Press in 2014. This book has a total of 2,240 pages and measures 30 cm (12 in) in thickness. The Guinness World Records also recognizes the title of the heaviest book in the world, which is the “The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature”, published by Oxford University Press in 1989. This book has a total of 1,844 pages and weighs 16.5 kg (36.4 lbs). Despite the controversy surrounding this topic, the Guinness World Records has officially recognized these books as the thickest and heaviest books in the world.
4. Other Thick Books
While the Guinness World Record for the thickest book in the world is currently held by the 18-volume set of the Klencke Atlas, there are several other books that come close in thickness. One of the earliest thick books was the 9th century Codex Amiatinus, a Latin Vulgate Bible that is 3.5 inches thick. This Bible is currently housed in the Laurentian Library in Florence, Italy.
Another thick book is the 14th century Codex Gigas, also known as the Devil’s Bible. This book is 36 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 8.75 inches thick. It is the largest surviving medieval manuscript and contains the entire Latin Vulgate Bible, plus other texts such as medical treatises, astronomical tables, and magical formulas.
The Codex Gigas is not the only thick book with a supernatural theme. The 16th century Malleus Maleficarum, or “Hammer of Witches,” is a book written by two German monks about the persecution of witches. This book is 8 inches thick and is considered to be one of the most influential books in the history of witch hunting.
Other thick books include the 17th century Dictionnaire de l’Académie française, which is 8 inches thick, and the 18th century Encyclopédie, which is 11 inches thick. Both of these books are considered to be important works of French literature.
Finally, there is the 20th century Encyclopedia Britannica, which is 17 inches thick. This encyclopedia is considered to be one of the most comprehensive works of knowledge ever assembled, and it is often used as a reference book in schools and libraries.
These are just a few of the thick books that have been written over the centuries. While the Klencke Atlas may hold the record for the thickest book in the world, there are many other books that come close in thickness and importance.
5. Controversy Surrounding Thick Books
The concept of a thick book is not without its controversies. On one hand, some argue that thick books are a waste of resources and are unnecessary. They argue that thick books are often expensive, and the extra pages are unnecessary and can be replaced with digital versions. In some cases, thick books can be difficult to store, transport, and handle.
On the other hand, some argue that thick books are an important part of the literary culture. They argue that thick books are often the result of extensive research and are a reflection of the author’s commitment to their work. Furthermore, some argue that thick books provide a tactile experience that digital versions cannot.
The debate over thick books has been further complicated by the emergence of e-readers and other digital devices. While e-readers are becoming increasingly popular, there are still many people who prefer the experience of reading a physical book. Furthermore, some argue that e-readers may not be able to adequately replicate the experience of reading a thick book.
The debate over thick books has also been complicated by the emergence of self-publishing. While self-publishing has made it easier for authors to publish their work, it has also made it easier for authors to publish overly-long books. This has led to some authors publishing books that are excessively long and have unnecessary content.
Finally, there is the issue of quality. Some argue that thick books are often overpriced and of lower quality than thinner books. While some thick books may be of high quality, there is the risk that some thick books may be of lower quality due to the lack of oversight and the presence of too many pages.
In conclusion, the debate over thick books is complex and has many different viewpoints. While some argue that thick books are a waste of resources and are unnecessary, others argue that they are an important part of the literary culture and provide a unique experience. Furthermore, the emergence of e-readers and self-publishing has further complicated the debate. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide if they prefer thick books or not.
6. Conclusion
The thickest book in the world is a matter of debate, and there are some contenders for the title. The Codex Gigas, also known as the Devil’s Bible, is the largest surviving medieval manuscript and is believed to be the thickest book in the world. Other contenders for the title include the Guinness Book of World Records and the Bible. While the Guinness Book of World Records is the thickest printed book, the Bible is the thickest book in terms of total pages.
No matter which book holds the title of the thickest book in the world, it is clear that books can come in all shapes and sizes. Thick books are often seen as a symbol of knowledge and power, and they can be used to convey important messages. At the same time, some people argue that thick books are a waste of paper and resources. Ultimately, the debate over the thickest book in the world is likely to continue for years to come.