US vs. UK versions

[Marvin Long, Jr.]

No: HPFGUIDX 9385


Please forgive me if this is a subject that's been done to death, but it
takes an awfully long time to slog through the archives....

To any who have read both the British and American editions of the HP
books, how different are they?  I've just raced through the US versions of
all 4 books and loved them, but something feels like it's missing, some
idiomatic spark...I'm not sure how to explain, except for pointing out the
obvious and ludicrous substitution of "Sorcerer's Stone" for
"Philosopher's Stone."

[I can see Scholastic's vice-president of marketing talking to his
editors.  "Look, you *have* to change the title.  'Philosopher' sounds too
academic; Americans will flee like lemmings if they see it in the title of
a children's book."  "But it's been called the 'philosopher's stone' since
the bloody Middle Ages!  The Renaissance, at least."  "American's don't
care about the Middle Ages or the Renaissance, you prat!  If it can't be
put on a McNugget Happy Meal, get rid of it!" Sigh.]

Anyway, I'm thinking of ordering the British editions from Amazon.co.uk.
Would that be worthwhile, in anybody's opinion?

Marvin Long
Austin, Texas