DOS for Dummies turns five; Yes, you can call people 'Dummies' and get away with it! Dummies Press Celebrates Publishing Revolution: 30 Million Books in Print Worldwide

Business Wire, Nov 11, 1996

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1996--On Nov. 12, 1991, the "Berlin Wall" separating the computer-savvy from the befuddled masses collapsed with the publication of DOS For Dummies(R) by a gutsy, new publisher called IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.

DOS for Dummies, written by Dan Gookin, made the cryptic DOS language understandable and even friendly for millions of people struggling to master their computers. With humor, helpful icons and lots of cartoons, that first ...For Dummies(R) book unleashed a publishing phenomenon. In five years, DOS for Dummies has sold over 2.4 million copies worldwide and is still going strong.

The story doesn't stop there. Today there over 30 million ...For Dummies books in print on over 230 technology, business and general topics ranging from The Internet for Dummies(R) to Sex for Dummies(tm). ...For Dummies books are published in 32 languages around the world including Japanese, Hebrew, French and Turkish.

The success of Dummies Press was not predicted. In fact, the publishing industry at first laughed its founder out of their offices. "You mean you want to call yours readers 'Dummies'? Are you kidding, that book will never sell," the industry experts said. But President John Kilcullen persisted because he understood that people were frustrated and frightened by technology and needed a fun and friendly guide to take the fear out of learning.

"We believe Dummies is a term of endearment," Kilcullen said. "We understand that our readers are smart, busy people who are frustrated by all they need to know to keep pace in the 90s. They want to quickly learn what they need to know and get on with their lives. We recognized this trend, embraced it and so we have become leaders in the knowledge revolution."

Today, the ...For Dummies series has become a part of the popular culture, remarked on by David Letterman and Jay Leno, imitated and parodied by other publishers, captured by cartoonists and presented with awards from Advertising Age as well as from the computer industry. It has also been a financial blockbuster, making IDG Books Worldwide one of the fastest growing publishers in America with 1996 revenues already exceeding $100 million.

From USA Today to Business Week to Publisher's Weekly, Dummies books are regulars on the bestsellers lists. Windows(R) 95 For Dummies(R) has sold over 1.4 million copies. Golf for Dummies(tm) has sold over 300,000 copies since its introduction in April 1996. And Personal Finance for Dummies(R), in its first edition, sold over half a million copies and has been on the BusinessWeek Bestsellers list almost non-stop. The new, 2nd edition of Personal Finance For Dummies has just been released.

Other new Dummies Press titles are Dogs For Dummies(tm), Cooking For Dummies(tm) and Chess For Dummies(tm) as well as a slew of Windows, Java and Internet books. Whatever the topic, if people don't know how to do it, they know that reading a ...For Dummies book is the fastest way to get smart.

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and is an International Data Group Company. IDG Books Worldwide publishes the bestselling ...For Dummies(R) series, with over 30 million books currently in print in 30 languages around the world. There are over 230 ...For Dummies titles which cover software, hardware, the Internet, business, hobbies, and personal development topics. See http://www.dummies.com. ...For Dummies is a registered trademark and the IDG Books Worldwide logo is a trademark under exclusive license to IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., from International Data Group, Inc.

CONTACT: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.

Mimi Sells, 415/655-3150