Let me quote JKJ's own introduction to the later editions of this classic: "The world has been very kind to this book. The sales of the English editions in their various forms have exceeded a million and a half. In Chicago I was assured many years ago, by an enterprising pirate now retired, that the sales throughout the United States had exceeded a million; and although, in consequence of its having been published before the Copyright Convention, this brought me no material advantage, the fame and popularity it has won for me among the American public is an asset not to be despised."

"It has been translated into, I think, every European language, also some of those of Asia. It has brought me many thousands of letters from young folk, from old folk; from well folk, from sick folks; from merry folk, from sad folk. They have come to me from all parts of the world, from men and women of all countries. Had these letters been the only result I should feel glad that I had written the book. I retain a few blackened pages of one copy sent me by a young colonial officer from South Africa. They were taken from the knapsack of a dead comrade froun on Spion Kop…"

A breezv little volume, this one. Enjoy :)