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Haven't many traditionally published books been altered, before publication by editing, reprints, some due to changing ethical, moral, or political views? I think Dickens wrote several different endings to one book IIRC because a friend didn't like the first one?
There are multiple versions of the Bible I believe, so which is the 'real' one?
Without a copy of the very first edition or the authors submitted manuscript how do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the book has not been modified.
Sure we have archival libraries, but how can they guarantee beyond a shadow of a doubt their version is the original especially if a book was published and printed several times before they existed with handset type which was prone to errors.
I bought a new hardcover once with 3 pages missing. The paperback had the missing pages but it was the 2nd or 3rd printing I think.
Doesn't keep me up nights I'm afraid, although it might if it was a textbook for instance and I was student. Luckily they only change those annually and do include an edition number so you know to spend the big bucks again.
Helen
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