Why the name change from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in the UK to "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States ?

Mick Gilbert, Long Beach, USA

• American kids (and parents) are far less likely to have heard of the Philosopher's Stone, since (like most European myths) these are diluted in US education for the very valid reason that American history and myth takes their educational place. They will therefore look at the word without context and it doesn't make sense that way, not in a book about magic. Also the American Hollywood-driven market is producing a generation dependent upon "thrill", and a sorcerer is more compatible with that than a philosopher!

  M B Drennan, Oxford UK

• Regardless of Mr Blake's anti-American arrogance, the decision was not based on American's supposed ignorance. A poll of British children between 9 and 14 four years ago would likely have revealed a similar familiarity with the term 'philosopher's stone.' In the same vein, according to director Nicholas Hytner, the change in title of Bennett's Madness of George III was not based on the supposition that Americans would think it a sequel, but on the simple desire to include the word 'king.' The change in the Rowling title was, as Mr Drennan suggests, rooted in excitement rather than in knowledge.

  Scott McKinstry, NYC USA

• Having worked with American kids for 2 years, I would imagine the thought behind it is that 'philosopher' is too highbrow, and that 'sorcerer' is much more mystical and appealing...

  Philippa, Wimborne UK

• These answers seem somewhat harsh on Americans when the true villains are the marketing people. I have no doubt that the connotations of the Philosophers Stone are completely alien to kids in most countries (including the UK). In fact recent surveys have shown our youngsters to be every bit as ignorant of recent history as anyone else.

  It is the merketeers in the US who seem to refuse to accept that popular arts can educate and improve the mind, so as soon as they see any sort of a barrier to instant access they attempt to remove it. I'm sure very few Americans understood what "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" referred to but it was still a massive success.

  I think the name change was simply because some suit in a US publishing house decided Philosopher was a hard word and Sorcerer, bathed as it is in the culture of Mickey Mouse, was more accessible. It was an error of judgement and I'm glad to hear the author, with the power that comes with success, is refusing to accept this sort of nonsense with the movie.

  Mark, Bristol, UK

• This isn't answering the original question, but I've heard that "The Madness of King George" was so called because there was only ever one King George of America, so the Americans don't call him George III.

  Andrew Cosgrove, Bath UK

• Not that this is really an answer to the question but I just wanted to add something more about changes made. As I am still only a teenager I have had the oppurtunity to read all of the books and I have seen the American versions (in Canada it remains Philosopher' Stone) and the title is not the only thing changed. Throughout the book in the U.S. words are Americanized to include popular names or brands that children in the U.S. can relate to (in the book pudding is changed to Jello). And whether it was corporations and media mougals who made the desion to do this or not, the fact still remains that most children in the U.S. don't have enough knowledge to relate to all things from different countries.

  Hillary, Canada

• I don't see the big deal here. First it's a book/movie and the names are interchangeable. Philosopher's/Sorcerer's stone, the red stone, the elixir of life, the Green Lion at one point it has been called Virgins milke and by many others. Names are changed continuously as media changes cultures. Some are probably better suited for a children's book then others.

  Chris, Chicago USA