Ron Paul's new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto is now officially a bestseller. According to a press release from the Paul campaign late yesterday, they are now expecting the book to reach #1 on the New York Times bestseller list on May 18th. This will certainly be a boon to the campaign coffers, but even more it will mean that the book will gain serious exposure to the public at large.
The book reached #1 on the Amazon.com bestseller list on its first release day, and it stayed there for nearly a week. As I write this, it's currently down to #8, but the #1 position on the New York Times list could very well move it back up to #1 at Amazon. The Times list is one of the most influential bestseller lists in America. Who knows: will Oprah Winfrey take a liking to it and endorse it next? If that happens, watch out!
Granted, it's not likely that Winfrey will recommend the book, but then again it wasn't likely that America's #1 liberal newspaper would give it this much recognition either. Yet that is precisely what is happening.
If this trend of recognition continues, it will be clear that sales are transcending beyond Paul's most fervent supporters. It will mean acceptance across the political spectrum by average Americans. No matter how one self-identifies politically, this book is appealing and interesting to all viewpoints except the most tyrannical.
We'll be watching the book's sales over the next month or so with great anticipation.
©2008 Walt Thiessen, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008
Last modified: Friday, May 9, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Walt Thiessen only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Walt Thiessen is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: spinnikerca
Date: 2008-05-08 08:41:40
It is down on the Amazon list because Amazon can't sell books when it is sold out. I bought two more copies from Amazon (I wanted to send them to people, and that is more convenient than a brick and morter store). I was quoted ship dates of July 2 -16, because they don't have any. Amazon doesn't process payments until the book ships. Hence, it dropped on the Amazon list.
One suspects that the back log for orders will put the book right back on top as soon as a shipment comes in.
Posted By: TomW
Date: 2008-05-08 09:22:33
It will actually debut at #7 this Sunday. The press release is talking about the Sunday after (in other words, May 18), when the book will be #1.
Posted By: Lloyd Kempson
Date: 2008-05-08 14:56:04
WOW! This will put the good Doctor on par with psuedoscience, snake oil salesmen, Oprah's book club hit A Million Little Pieces, Chairman Mao, "self" help books, and the ultimate source of devine BS the Bible. This is a fantastic accomplishment for a man who still frequently loses primaries to guys who are no longer in the race.
Posted By: wow!
Date: 2008-05-08 19:29:08
You're only saying that because you'll never even get a book published, let alone sell any copies, Lloyd.
That puts even the snake oil salesmen above you..
Posted By: Lloyd Kempson
Date: 2008-05-08 19:49:38
I don't feel like selling snake oil or a ficticious account of how my failed presidential run could have saved America. Sorry, I don't worship idols. Except for Penn Jillette and maybe Christopher Hitchens. It also puts Televangelists, Herb salesman, Alternative Medicine Practicioners, Dr. Phil and Bill O'Rielly above me! Damn! Sucks to be honest.
Posted By: Johnny Lawless
Date: 2008-05-09 00:31:43
"a ficticious account of how my failed presidential run could have saved America." - ??? - Have you even read his book?
Posted By: scotty
Date: 2008-05-09 02:58:11
I hear Lew Rockwell still has copies :)
Posted By: wow!
Date: 2008-05-09 07:26:48
i cant wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! spinni is right about amazon, it's sold out right now.. (good for u who got a copy, bad for me :P)
johnny, dont worry lloyd strikes me as the kinda guy who doesn't have a clue about what hes talking about. i very much doubt he reads any books whatsoever, he gives me that impression cuz he talks 'out of his arse' rather than providing any facts.
Posted By: jason
Date: 2008-05-09 12:43:57
I recommend also reading freedom under seige by ron paul. it touches on similar topics and is very good. I have to admit while reading the revolution a manifesto i have gotten more pissed at the government page after page. I am almost finished and so far its been a very good read.
Posted By: Republicae
Date: 2008-05-12 14:41:05
I agree wow!, Lloyd is has proved himself, time and again, to be ill-equipped to make either coherent or intelligent commentary! I doubt very seriously if he has read The Revolution, or any other writings of Dr. Paul. If he had, it would be impossible for him to rebut the common-sense found within Dr. Paul's writings. This is especially true when reading the writings and speeches of other politicians; compared to Dr. Paul, most politicians appear to be totally out of touch with the reality that most Americans live under or how they perceive their world or even this government. When you have 70% to 80% of the population of this country stating that they think the country is headed in the wrong direction and yet, they remain trapped by the choices of the Status Quo then something is ajar, both with the People and those politicians who are suppose to represent them.