Que sais-je?: The World's Largest Paperback Encyclopedia
In the realm of accessible knowledge, few publications hold as much prestige as Que sais-je?. Translated as "What do I know?"—a philosophical nod to the thinker Montaigne—this series has spent decades condensing complex academic subjects into concise, readable volumes for the general public.
The Origins and Vision of the Series
The series was established in 1941 by Paul Angoulvent. His vision was to create a format where specialists could ruminate on specific themes, providing expert insights without the overwhelming length of a traditional textbook. To maintain this focus, each text is limited to a maximum of 128 pages.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Growth and Global Reach
What began as a focused project has evolved into a massive intellectual repository. Today, the collection comprises nearly 4,000 titles penned by approximately 2,500 different authors. This vast library covers an expansive range of subjects, earning it the reputation of being the world's largest paperback encyclopedia.
The influence of Que sais-je? extends far beyond French borders. Many of its titles have been translated into as many as forty-three languages, allowing a global audience to access specialized knowledge in a compact format.
Impact and Statistics
Published by the Presses Universitaires de France (PUF), the series has seen extraordinary commercial success. By 2004, the PUF had sold approximately 160 million copies. For archival and library purposes, the series is identified by the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) 0768-0066.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Paul Angoulvent |
| Year Established | 1941 |
| Maximum Page Count | 128 pages |
| Total Titles | Nearly 4,000 |
| Total Authors | Approximately 2,500 |
| Copies Sold (by 2004) | 160 million |
| ISSN | 0768-0066 |
Key Facts
- Founder: Created by Paul Angoulvent in 1941.
- Format: Concise specialist texts limited to 128 pages.
- Scale: Nearly 4,000 titles written by 2,500 authors.
- Global Reach: Translated into up to 43 languages.
- Sales: Approximately 160 million copies sold as of 2004.
- Publisher: Published by PUF (Presses Universitaires de France).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name "Que sais-je?" mean?
The name translates to "What do I know?", which is a quotation attributed to the philosopher Montaigne.
Who created the Que sais-je? series?
The series was created by Paul Angoulvent in 1941.
How long are the books in this series?
Each volume is designed to be concise, with a maximum length of 128 pages.
How many languages has the series been translated into?
Many of the titles have been translated into up to forty-three different languages.
Who is the publisher of the series?
The series is published by the PUF (Presses Universitaires de France).