How many books in a Book?

George R. R. Martin has been a prolific writer, but—like many readers—I’ve only read his “A Song of Ice and Fire” series known more popularly by the first book’s title “A Game of Thrones” and I’m only a little ways into Book 3.

But wait, does that mean I’ve finished two books, or … how many books are there in the series so far?

In the U.S., there’s one book for each Book.
A Song of Ice and Fire, (4 Vols.): A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings / A Storm of Swords / A Feast for Crows (Amazon.com)

In the U.K., though, two of the Books are each split into two books.
A Song of Ice and Fire, 7 Volumes: George R. R. Martin (Amazon.co.uk)

Is this a case of different preferences on each side of the pond?  Or is it price discrimination?

Right?  Maybe the British format would lead the full Book to be unwieldy as a single book.

Or is it just that Bantam Books is getting those Brits to pay more?

Of course, it’s a mix of both.  Ah, the social science of economics never fails to amaze.

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