Thread: About the different book editions...

Hello everyone!

I just created this thread following the numerous posts you can read here and there.

I sent an email to the Admin Team of the Quest.
Here is was I asked: (I edited some parts of that mail in respect of my privacy.)

Hello!
Since I learned that -at least- two versions of the book were on the market, I have some questions.
- Can I buy a second book? (If so, how? FYI, the website is showing 'out of stock')
- Can I use that new registration number for my name or someone's else -like my wife-?

Thank you for this great hunt (and a lot of headaches ;>)))
Jamyphx.

The next day, I received this reply: (also edited...)

Dear Jamyphx,
Yes, you can buy a second book, I can't guarantee that it won't be the same as the one you have.
The only book that is out of stock at the moment is the hardcover version.
Yes you can register a second book, you just need a different e-mail address.
Hope this helps.

The Admin Team
The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt

What I 'like' in this reply is the part "I can't guarantee that it won't be the same as the one you have."

So, implicitly, it's a confirmation that there are -at least- two versions of the book.
I don't know how I feel learning that.

If Mr. Ron Shore could give us all an explanation about that strange fact, I think we would have our minds reassured.

Thank you for your attention (and, please, excuse my poor English, French is my natural language!)

Jamyphx.

You want him to give you the order of the keys too? Would that make it easier for you as well?

Originally Posted by BoatDaddy

You want him to give you the order of the keys too? Would that make it easier for you as well?

Boatdaddy,

In my humble opinion, I think that a game like this one should be the same for anyone.

Who knows if I -or you- wouldn't be more 'pleased' with the other(s) edition(s)?
The same for those having that other one: maybe they would prefer 'my' edition.

I don't want to create a polemic about that fact.
I just wanted to let everybody know for sure what they suspected.
I am sorry if I did hurt someone's belief doing so.

Friendly,
Jamyphx.

If you think about it, the experience will be the same for everyone.....

Some people might be more 'pleased' to find it on their own too vs. having it posted in the forum

IMHO we should be asking "why" are there more than one edition? Cheryl and I discovered last summer that our Chapter 2's were completely different...just the story,not the questions. As hard as we worked...we could never figure out the answer to "why" did he do this.

At one point I wrote to Ron and asked him. As I recall his answer was...and I'm paraphrasing...it's just one of the mysteries that will be unearthed.

I ordered another book hoping that there would be a "third"...I received "mine".

Originally Posted by ksteph

IMHO we should be asking "why" are there more than one edition? Cheryl and I discovered last summer that our Chapter 2's were completely different...just the story,not the questions. As hard as we worked...we could never figure out the answer to "why" did he do this.

At one point I wrote to Ron and asked him. As I recall his answer was...and I'm paraphrasing...it's just one of the mysteries that will be unearthed.

I ordered another book hoping that there would be a "third"...I received "mine".

Hello,
As I have stated earlier, I have the early edition Chapter 2. (We went to, get it first.) I see on the video on the great hunt website that this is the version that Ron is showing. This version has drug references in it, I wonder if they cleaned up the second version to make it more family friendly.
Good luck all,

Greetings on a hot southern morning on vacation in Dallas, TX!

I've solved enough of the puzzles to recognize the handiwork--there's TWO different versions of chapter TWO.

Two different TWO's.

This is a clue for the golden eagle level of the puzzle, and I'm not concerned very much about it at present.

I'll try to show you what I'm talking about:

'Chapter 13 1/2' isn't 'correct'--it's a clue, and it's for the golden eagle. One of the several bits of information you need to glean from this is that 1/2 = .5. So, '13 1/2' can be restated as 1 3 .5.

1 3 .5 = A C E. As you're well aware, and 'ace' is inherently the first of 13. This is one of those 'first = last' things that should clue you to look further, and it will involve the 13 'chapters'.

I don't know why the Harry Potter 'prequel' is equivalent to chapter 12 (that's one of those first = last things again), but the question at hand is TWO different versions of chapter TWO.

'TO BE or not TO BE' might be the real question at hand if you're looking for 'two different versions of 2' to associate with Chapter 2.



My point is this: I've seen enough of his puzzles to recognize his handiwork when I see it. Two different versions of the text of chapter 2 is a clue, and it's going to be for the golden eagle level of the puzzle. Since we're currently a LONG ways away from that, just tuck this info away and be aware you might have a leg up on the competition. If it's really important for the golden eagle, I'm sure it will be made public at the appropriate time.

Doc

Hello Doc,

Please try to keep answers or direct references out of online posts. Private messaging is fine and does not ruin it for others completing the quest. Again, it is one thing to give clues about something or subtle hints ... it is entirely a different situation when you post direct references. Please be more careful in the future. Had I not already finished all the questions, I would have been greatly disappointed solving this chapter while knowing this.

Ednel,

Fair enough.

I'm certainly not trying to be a detriment to anyone or anything--the problem is that a significant percentage of folks working on the hunt had all 240 questions answered over a year ago and have hit a proverbial brick wall. Discussing answers we've already deduced might show a way forward, but I'll definitely refrain from posting direct answers to the 240 questions in the future.

I'm trying to be helpful in sharing ideas, not hurtful in any way.

Back to the topic at hand--were any other differences noted between the two versions of the book other than the text of chapter 2?

I doubt that both Chapter 2s are *required* reading. That just doesn't seem like that's something an author/publisher would want to be known for: "Hey, I'm the guy who made everyone buy my book twice!". Makes no sense. That's not going to buy you many friends.