Several months back when the latest Harry Potter book came out, this question came out in my household. That book was widely publicized as having had the biggest advance publishing in history; my librarian aunt was curious about what other books would make the list. I thought it would be a simple matter to find out on google, but to my astonishment after multiple searches, I couldn’t find the list. The closest I could find was a mention that one of Rush Limbaugh’s books at the time of its initial publication had the biggest advanced publishing in history. Beyond that – zip. Extremely frustrating; the first time I couldn’t find something of that nature on google. So I bring the question to you dopers: do any of you know, or have a more clever way of googling it (knowing, perhaps the proper terminology to look for that I lack?)? Have at it!
I’m going to feel really stupid if it’s suddenly very easily google-able; I haven’t tried it again, because my intense annoyance from my previous experience lingers on.
Gonna bump this if you don’t mind – someone’s gotta have an answer.
I can add “Who Moved My Cheese?” at #2.
I’m having problems with your use of “advance publishing.” Harry Potter had no advance publishing at all: it was released on one day at the same time everywhere. This is the standard practice for all books.
I suspect you’re talking about one of two things: largest first printing, of which Harry Potter was probably #1; or, largest advance orders, again probably good old Harry.
Maybe this will help with searching.