Unfit For Command Causes Huge Headaches For Bookseller Barnes And Noble

According to Reuters.com Barnes and Noble is feeling the backlash from the sell out of the book Unfit for Command.

Several locations of the Barnes and Noble book chain have reported that they are "sold out" of all copies of the Swift Boat Veterans Book "Unfit for Command".

According to B&N:

Barnes & Noble, the world's largest bookseller, on Monday issued a statement saying it had sold out of the book and, in effect, held up its hands in surrender to what it called "thousands of complaints" from both supporters and detractors of the book.

Supporters, Barnes & Noble said, are claiming the bookseller has intentionally not stocked the title or is hiding it, while detractors are asking stores to remove it altogether.

"(Complaints) started in the stores, and the home office has been inundated as well," said a company spokeswoman.

She said the company's statement was meant to "set the record straight." It is not Barnes & Noble's fault, she said, but rather small publisher Regnery Publishing who cut the chain's original order in half.

It appears this little book has generated quite a stir, as to be expected. What I did not expect to see is anyone in America calling for the book to be removed from the shelves. Just like the Swift Boat Veterans TV ads, the Kerry campaign would like nothing more than to see the book banned. What kind of Bullshit is that?

Whatever happened to the first amendment?

Barnes & Noble chief executive Steve Riggio said, "Barnes & Noble would not remove any title from its shelves, nor does it have any political agenda."

Thanks a ton for that. I can't believe anyone would even suggest it.

In related news I have heard Rumor that the Book by former President Bill Clinton title My Life has been seen on the $100 rack at Barnes and Noble.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at August 23, 2004 08:15 PM