Originally posted by muckmaw
The publisher had brought forward the book's release by a week to take advantage of Clarke's appearance Sunday on the prime-time news show "60 Minutes" and his testimony Wednesday before the commission investigating the September 11 attacks.
Are you aware that the WH had the book for three months prior to it's public release? They had to clear it for publication because of Mr. Clarks previous position. The book's release was pushed back because of this.
I believe they actualy did a 'rope-a-dope' in not letting on that they were aware of the content of the book, well duh, and that they wanted to hear what Mr. Clarke had to say before having Condi go back to the commission to defend herself and the administration...in closed session where her 'testimony' will not be heard by the American people...hell, they haven't even kept a written record of her other 'closed door' sessions...ain't THAT strange?
Now, there are other books in the works by current and former WH staff and that these books are getting the fasttrack for release.
The publishers are starting to see that their return on investment for these kind of books is much more lucritive for them. Here's an example of what Mr. Clarke's book cost for promotion vs. Hannity's book. Note the initial release numbers, if they were expecting any massive 'bulk' purchases that number would have been more inline of Hannity's. The book is already in it's fifth printing and still very hard to find in small markets as well as large.
Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism
by Hannity, Sean
Adv. Budget: 300,000
Initial Print Run: 300,000
Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror
by Clarke, Richard A.
Adv. Budget: 35,000
Initial Print Run: 200,000
Source: Title Source 2 (Baker and Taylor's online ordering database/subscription only)
My comment...
This, a more than ten fold return on investment, will not be the norm but given the initial sales numbers in the few days prior to his public revelations in front of the commission and the American people the indicators in the publishing biz show a more than substantial interest in these kind of publications.
IMO, for all you Bushies, this is where he has failed you and your party. It has become way too easy to profit from this administrations gaffes...more to come, you can bet on it.