Posted on 08/23/2004 5:29:35 PM PDT by medscribe
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Controversial book "Unfit for Command," which fires an election-year salvo at Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's war record, has claimed one unintended victim -- bookstore chain Barnes & Noble Inc .
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.
"We've been put in the difficult position of having to defend ourselves over a title we can't seem to get enough copies of from the publisher," Barnes & Noble chief executive Steve Riggio said in the statement.
A spokesman for Regnery was not immediately available for comment.
The book, written by John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi, questions the accounts of an attack on Kerry's swift boat during the Vietnam War, and his actions in the subsequent skirmish that led to his receiving a Silver Star medal.
O'Neill is a member of a group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth which in key campaign states has been placing television advertisements that seek to discredit Kerry's war record.
Many veterans have come forward to support the U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is running against President Bush, and Kerry has accused the Bush campaign of collaborating with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
On Monday, Bush called for the ads to be stopped.
As for the book, Barnes & Noble said it is awaiting additional copies in order to restock its shelves, and it expects more later this week.
But even the new order would not be enough to meet demand, the bookseller said.
Riggio said Barnes & Noble would not remove any title from its shelves, nor does it have any political agenda.
Tell it Tonk!
Damn! I need a new scorecard again . . .
Forget about talking to the manager. Arguing with a Liberal is like arguing with a drunk, and Franklin's advice about that is still accurate.
Write a letter to that store manager, and copy it to the corporate headquarters. Make their day!
I have three on order: two from Human Events and one from B&N. The two are for former SF soldiers and are slow in getting here. The B&N book has been shipped and will be here tomorrow.
I always enjoy tweaking my local B&N clerks by asking for my conservative books in a loud voice...
My, my, being accused of something you didn't do and getting attacked by both sides? JOIN THE CLUB and how do you like it? /s
hahah.. my local Borders. But if you goto Borders.com it is "powered" by Amazon. Are they one in the same?
>>>Riggio said Barnes & Noble would not remove any title from its shelves, nor does it have any political agenda.
What a load of scat that is...
"I wonder what the "Vietnam Veterans Against the War" think about Mr. Kerry bathing himself in the glow of his heroism in the war?????? Might be a good thing to look into, I'll bet they are pissed that he has now turned his coat to them, but will still support him, because they know what a coward he really is and want that in the presidency."
Kerry's OWN
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
http://www.vvaw.org
NOT a "right wing wacko site"
"Our military response to the attacks has caused more civilian deaths
in Afghanistan than the hijackers caused in our country."
http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=8
(Is this how Kerry would deal with another 9/11
This is not the Iraq war, it's in response to 9/11?)
Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement on John Kerry
http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=400
When I went to order the book at my local Borders, I mentioned their relationship with Amazon, but the clerk said they get their books from their distributor (she didn't name it), not Amazon. Maybe Amazon is actually their warehouse, but she's not aware of it. Maybe they use Amazon only for online sales.
When Evitas Collide :-)
>>but rather small publisher Regnery Publishing who cut the chain's original order in half. <<
I know little about the book publishing industry, but isn't it doubtful that Regnery would deal with BN directly and not through a distributor?
The die is cast. The image is now imbedded in the minds of CUSTOMERS treated rudely by the limp wrist latte quaffing male and peasant blouse wearing unshaven female grinds with their upward rolling eyes that compose their retail staff.
Oh have mercy on the people who are long on BGP and BSK. Mark my words (new sharpie please) come this buying season many will remember and purchase elsewhere. Corporate may not have given direct instruction but you have to know your employee and these people do not.
I can't remember if I was purchasing Treason or Slander by Ann Coulter, but took me 20 minutes to find a copy of it in my local B&N.
It was around the same time that Hitlery's book was released. Her's was prominantly displayed in the front of the store in a large well merchandised and stocked display. Ann's book, at the time, was well ahead of Hillary's on all the bestseller lists, but I practically had to turn the store upside down to find Ann's book. It was not on the shelf with all the other political books, or with the bestsellers, or prominantly displayed, but it was hidden on the back side of one of the shelfing units at the back of the store. To their credit there were about 20 copies available if you could find them.
When I did finally find it and take it to the checkout, I got some of the strangest smuggest looks from the clerks. I felt as if I were buying pornography.
that was snappy...."check Berger's pants..."
Liberals consider lying to the masses a CODB. All the true believers accept that.
Many veterans have come forward to support the U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is running against President Bush, and Kerry has accused the Bush campaign of collaborating with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
On Monday, Bush called for the ads to be stopped.
'Course. What do you expect from Reuters?
Of course, since few wound up buying the books they sent us, the section was drastically scaled back within a month. Still, it indicates the left-wing nature of B&Ns promotional staff.
got my copy :o)
The left that we all know and love. "Rights for me but not for thee."
And they feeeeeeeeeeeel offended when confronted about it.
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