[rahimnathwani]

I'm not sure we always want 'works'. Sometimes different 'expressions' of the same work are different enough that they don't have the same value.

For example, compare the most recent edition of 'Straight and crooked thinking' with the one published in 1930.

[vidarh]

I don't know that work, but I agree with you in general because of forewords etc. Or even appendices. And translations by different translators.

I "grew up with" a specific translation of Lord of the Rings into Norwegian, for example. There are two. They are very different. But the editions also differ in whether they include the appendices, whose illustrations are used, and more.

[stackghost]

>They are very different.

Are we talking material plot or characterisation changes?

[RobotToaster]

The most obvious example of this is the innumerable[0] versions of the Christian bible.

[0] Before anyone says it, I'm sure some bible nerd has numbered them, it's hyperbole.

[crazygringo]

I think the point is, you want a single work when searching.

Then click on the item and drill down into editions sorted by year, or whatever.

But when you're doing search, it's terrible UX to be flooding it with tens of editions mixed in with other things with similar titles.