Collect a number of Wikipedia articles and create your own eBook. Whether you want an overview of a particular academic topic or just want to read about absolutely every Pokemon, Wikipedia’s Book Creator is the ultimate tool for creating your own primer on any subject.
If you’re like me you simply cannot stop reading Wikipedia – it’s endlessly fascinating. Sometimes too much so: a quick check for information can turn into an endless link clicking session. Converting articles about a particular subject is a great way to stop this all-too-common habit.
In the ancient days of 2009 Saikat showed you how to make a book on Wikipedia. In those days it was necessary to create an account, and only two formats were offered: PDF and ODT. These days the process is even better. There’s absolutely no need for you to create a Wikipedia account, and in addition to PDF and ODT you can download a reflowable EPUB or a Kiwix file.
The process really couldn’t be easier, so there’s no reason not to try it out. Right now. Open a second browser window and play along at home.
Step 1: Turn On Book Creator
To get started head to the Wikipedia Book Creator page. You’ll see two simple buttons:
Click the green pill to stay in Wonderland; I’ll show you how deep this rabbit hole goes. That is to say, clicking the green button starts the process.
Step 2: Collect Your Articles
Just browse Wikipedia the way you normally would; you can leave and come back however you please, provided you stay on the same computer. At the top of each article you’ll see this box:
Click the add button to add articles. It’s not so complicated, is it? You can even click the suggest button to see articles related to the ones you’ve selected thus far, if that’s the kind of thing you’re into.
Step 3: Arrange & Download
Once you’ve collected all the articles you want to read you can manage them. Give them a name and put them in the proper order:
Changing the order is simple – just click and drag. Take your time and get things right. You are now a pro curator of Wikipedia articles – congratulations! Download your ebook at will:
You’ll need to wait a bit before you can download your file, depending on the number of articles you’ve added to your ebook.
Don’t worry; it shouldn’t take too long. When it’s done you can download your book immediately.
Enjoy!
That wasn’t so hard, was it? I downloaded an EPUB file for an upcoming article. Guess what it’s about.
The EPUB file looks great on my Kobo, but your choice of format may vary depending on your ereader of choice. Sorry, Kindle users: no MOBI option. You could try downloading the EPUB and converting it using Calibre, the ultimate ebook converter.
What kind of Wikipedia books are you making? Fill me in in the comments below, because I cannot wait to hear about your intellectual pursuits. I hope most of you are reading about quantum mechanics and global political structures, but if you’re reading episode summaries of Weeds that’s okay too. Just be honest.
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Thanks for the article. I just got started going through Wikipedia again for some research I was doing, and it’s nice to be able to read stuff at my leisure (and while away from my computer and internet connection). All it takes is a little prep work and I’ve got hours of reading material.
Enjoy!
I already used this feature;
Since I am using calibre a lot, i use a plugin called as Wiki Reader. You have to just paste the URL and your articles will be converted to ebooks
i wonder if anyone could do this to contain all of wikipedia, imagine the size of that pdf!
I have used http://readlists.com/ so far for creating ebooks but this is maybe better for Wikipedia
Use it both for creating books for my own use but also for putting together things and send to friends who want help with something and found it is easier for them than just sending a couple of links
Seconded. I use readlist almost in daily basis since it came out.
I’m addicted to Wikipedia. Should crosscheck often but it’s king of quick fact search. While this is good for curating Wikipedia, Readlist could do this for other websites you want, though.
By the way, I swear I saw some wikipedia books in online bookstores, for price tags around 15-50 dollars each. Talk about rip-off.
Readlists is fantastic as well.
I believe it’s legal to re-sell Wikipedia content, but why anyone would buy it is beyond me.
There is a ‘high quality articles from Wikipedia’ tag on it. Way to lure commoners?
I never knew you could do this with Wikepedia. Can’t wait to make some books.
didn’t know about ebook creator on wikipedia
yes it’s a great way to collect and store your favorite articles. Great article.
Let us know what kind of books you make!
Sometimes i create books (when i do not have time to read them), so that i can read those articles later and i transfer them to portable device.
It also reduce dependence on bookmarks and after creating books i can also send them to my friends.
i make books relating to projects, and sometimes those article that i wish to read but do not have time.
(i forgot to mention this in my last comment).
wow! wow! wowww!!!