Determining the "most influential books ever" is subjective and depends on cultural, historical, and personal perspectives. However, many scholars, historians, and readers often cite certain books as having profoundly shaped human thought, society, and history. Below is a list of five books frequently regarded as among the most influential of all time, based on their impact on philosophy, science, religion, politics, and literature:

1. The Bible (c. 1200 BCE – 100 CE)
2. Why it's influential: As the foundational text of Christianity (and parts of it for Judaism), the Bible has shaped moral, ethical, and legal frameworks across the world for centuries. Its teachings have influenced art, literature, law, and culture in Western civilization and beyond.

3. Impact: It remains one of the most widely read and translated books, with billions of copies distributed globally.

4. The Quran (c. 610–632 CE)

5. Why it's influential: The central religious text of Islam, the Quran has guided the spiritual, legal, and social lives of over a billion Muslims worldwide. It has influenced Islamic philosophy, art, architecture, and governance.

6. Impact: Its teachings have shaped entire civilizations, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, and continue to play a central role in global religious discourse.

7. "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin (1859)

8. Why it's influential: This groundbreaking work introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection, revolutionizing biology and challenging traditional views of creation. It fundamentally altered scientific thought and sparked debates on religion, ethics, and humanity's place in the natural world.

9. Impact: It laid the foundation for modern biology and continues to influence science and education.

10. "The Republic" by Plato (c. 380 BCE)

11. Why it's influential: This philosophical text explores justice, governance, and the ideal society through dialogues led by Socrates. It introduced concepts like the "philosopher-king" and the allegory of the cave, shaping Western political philosophy and ethics.

12. Impact: Its ideas have influenced political theory, education, and philosophy for over two millennia, inspiring thinkers like Aristotle and modern democratic ideals.

13. "Das Kapital" by Karl Marx (1867–1883)

14. Why it's influential: This critique of capitalism and analysis of class struggle became the intellectual foundation for

Of course. This is one of the most debated questions in the world, as "influential" can mean many things: shaping civilizations, inspiring billions of people, founding fields of study, or changing the course of history.

A list of the "most influential" is inherently subjective, but by looking at impact on global thought, religion, science, and political structures, we can create a powerful and widely accepted shortlist.

Here are five of the most influential books ever written, with an explanation for their monumental impact.

1. The Bible

Area of Influence: Religion, Morality, Western Culture, Art, and Law

It is impossible to overstate the influence of the Bible. As the sacred scripture of Christianity and a key text for Judaism (the Old Testament), it has been the moral and spiritual foundation for Western civilization for two millennia. Its stories, parables, and moral codes have shaped laws, inspired countless works of art, music, and literature, and guided the personal lives of billions. Its translation into vernacular languages (like Martin Luther's German translation) shaped languages and empowered literacy. For better or worse, its influence on world history, from the Crusades to the Reformation to modern ethics, is unparalleled.

2. The Qur'an

Area of Influence: Religion, Law, Philosophy, and Global Politics

The Qur'an is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Its influence is profound and global. It shaped the Arabic language, creating a unified linguistic and cultural identity across the Arab world. It provided the foundation for Islamic law (Sharia), which governs the personal, political, and moral lives of over a billion people. The Qur'an inspired vast empires, monumental architecture, and sophisticated schools of philosophy, science, and mathematics during the Islamic Golden Age, which in turn helped re-ignite European learning.

3. The Republic by Plato

Area of Influence: Philosophy, Political Theory, and Ethics

This single book laid the groundwork for all of Western philosophy. In The Republic, Plato explores fundamental questions: What is justice? What is the nature of reality? What is the ideal form of government? He introduced concepts like the "Philosopher King," the Allegory of the Cave, and the Theory of Forms. Its exploration of tyranny, democracy, and aristocracy has influenced political thinkers for 2,400 years, from the Founding Fathers of the United States to modern political theorists. It

The five most influential books ever, based on broad scholarly and popular consensus, are typically considered to be:

• The Bible
• The Quran (Koran)
• On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
• The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
• The Republic by Plato[1][2][3][4].

These books stand out for their unparalleled impact on religion, science, politics, philosophy, and society.

Context and Supporting Details:

• The Bible has profoundly shaped religious, ethical, and literary traditions for nearly two millennia, influencing Western culture and history more than any other text[1].
• The Quran is the foundational religious text for over a billion Muslims, shaping not only spiritual life but also law, culture, and society in the Islamic world[1].
• On the Origin of Species revolutionized biology and our understanding of life’s diversity through natural selection, fundamentally altering how humans perceive themselves and the natural world[2][3].
• The Communist Manifesto provided the ideological framework for 20th-century socialist and communist movements, dramatically affecting global politics and economics[2][3][4].
• The Republic by Plato established key concepts in political philosophy and ethics, influencing Western thinking about justice, governance, and the ideal society for over two thousand years[3][4].

Alternative candidates occasionally cited include Newton’s Principia Mathematica, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, and various sacred texts depending on cultural focus. However, the five above recur most consistently in academic and public rankings for their worldwide, multi-generational influence[1][2][3][4].