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Giving: The Book that Didn’t?
Posted by Raven on October 18th, 2007
I was surprised to read this.
NEW YORK — Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton may be No. 1 in the presidential polls, but Bill Clinton is falling off the best-seller lists.
Sales for the former president’s “Giving,” a handbook for civic activism published by Alfred A. Knopf with an announced first printing of 750,000, have dropped far since its release in early September, when Clinton made numerous media appearances, including interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Larry King.
Wow. I am a book worm- I read dozens every month. I admit that I purchased this book and, I thought it was actually very good. I highly recommend it.
According to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks about 70 percent of industry sales, “Giving” sold nearly 50,000 copies its first week, but hasn’t approached that since. For the week ending Oct. 7, only 9,600 copies sold.
Clinton’s previous book was the million-selling memoir “My Life.”
Even in Washington, D.C., sales are down. A leading independent store, Politics & Prose, ordered 96 copies of “Giving,” but so far has sold just 50.
I wonder if the lack of sales has to do with the subject matter? Giving, after all, isn’t something all people do. Considering this book was penned by one of our most popular Presidents, Bill Clinton, one would think it would be a best seller. Maybe the subject really turns off some people- liberals for example. The government can force itself upon citizens via welfare programs and entitlements for the poor and middle class…we shouldn’t have to GIVE more of ourselves. Why give when we can take, right?
October 19th, 2007 at 1:57 am
The Bubba Hillbilly should have named his book RECEIVING or TIN CUP TO $UCCE$$ / SUCKSEX! Did Stainmaster Carpets sponsor his book hoping they’ll get bids for wall to wall installation in the White House from 2008-2016? – Scotch Guard 2007
October 19th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
LOL!!!
I do have the book and it IS very good. So I really cannot see why it its failing so bad with sales.
I seriously suspect it is because his main audience, liberals, don’t GIVE. Period.