Zondervan Releases Enhanced eBook of Rick Warren's Best-selling The Purpose Driven™ Life

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zondervan, a global leader in Christian communications, today announced it will debut an enhanced eBook of its all-time perennial bestseller, The Purpose Driven™ Life, by Dr. Rick Warren.  The enhanced eBook is available for purchase on Apple's iBookstore, Amazon and Barnes & Noble's Nookbook Store.  It will join the traditional eBook version of The Purpose Driven Life which is currently available wherever eBooks are sold.

The enhanced eBook will feature added content and videos sharing insights and further explanation of the ideas and stories in the book based on eight years of reader interaction and personal reflection.

Originally published in 2002, The Purpose Driven Life is the bestselling non-fiction book in history with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide.  Warren takes readers on a 40-day spiritual journey to help them understand why they're alive and God's amazing plan for them both now and for eternity.  It was the 2003 winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and Christian Book of the Year Award.

The Purpose Driven Life enhanced e-book features the entire text of the beloved best-seller, supplemented with 42 brand-new, three-minute embedded videos by Dr. Rick Warren.   Each of the 40 chapters of the book opens with a video offering insight into the chapter, as well as a video introduction and conclusion.  The enhanced e-book also allows readers to take notes right on their iPad or e-book reader.

"In the eight years since I wrote The Purpose Driven Life, I've received countless questions and feedback from readers worldwide.  As a result, God has provided me with new insights and perspectives on the book that I wanted to share with those who have already read it as well as first time readers," said Pastor Warren.  "My hope is that readers will benefit from and find value in the new video content and that it will bring new understanding and awareness of God's greater purpose for their lives."

In addition to the enhanced e-book, Zondervan is also introducing The Purpose Driven Life app, which includes the video content as well as providing users the ability to easily share content or personal thoughts and reflections on the book with others through social media networks.  

"Millions of hearts worldwide were changed from reading The Purpose Driven Life as people walked away with a greater understanding of God's purpose for them.  We're excited to now introduce this new enhanced eBook with original video content from Pastor Warren and expect a warm reception from those whose lives have already been blessed by the book in both print and digital form and from new readers soon to discover it," said Verne Kenney, executive vice president for Zondervan.  

"As consumer demand for eBooks continues to grow exponentially, Zondervan is committed to offering readers the content they want in the format they want it and the release of The Purpose Driven Life enhanced eBook is a critical first step in that effort."

The Purpose Driven Life enhanced eBook will retail for $14.99 wherever enhanced eBooks are sold, including Apple's iBookstore, Amazon's Kindle App for iPad and Barnes & Noble's Nookbook Store.

About Zondervan

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).

SOURCE Zondervan