Apparently Ann Coulter's new book "Godless: The Church of Liberalism" has caused a couple of New Jersey Assemblywomen to "discourage" sales in that state.

Joan Quigley and Linda Stende are offended by Ann's attitude toward the 4 women (commonly known nowdays as The Jersey Girls) who lost their husbands in the Sept. 11th attacks.

"No one in New Jersey should buy this book and allow Ann Coulter to profit from her hate-mongering. We are asking New Jersey retailers statewide to stand with us and express their outrage by refusing to carry or sell copies of Coulter's book. Her hate-filled attacks on our 9-11 widows has no place on New Jersey bookshelves."

I have no issue with this. As far as I can see they have a right to express their displeasure with the book. They can even ask bookstores not to carry it, just as I can ask my local bookstores not to carry a book I don't like. In my case, they very likely wouldn't listen to me, but I can ask. Just as these women can protest the book as much as they like, as long as they don't try to pass a law.

When I first heard a snippet of this story on a talk station, I thought someone was trying to have the book legally banned. That's why I went looking for the story. Since that's not the case, I thought I should post this so others (who might have gotten the same impression I did) would know that this is not about laws, it's about commerce. In other words, they want to limit Ann's profit on the book.

This is much the same method the conservatives used on the Dixie Chicks about 3 years ago. They ceased buying recordings, urged Country stations not to play their music, and tried to convince everyone else to stop buying their music too. That's business, that's the way America works.

Personally, I can't think of a better way to increase the sales of anything than for people to try and stop it from being sold. Sales of just about anything will go through the roof as soon as there is controversy and even a hint that it might be banned. I'm betting a good number of people, who don't want anyone to know they've got it, will order the book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, thus by-passing the brick and mortar stores and any possible criticism.

It's very unlikely I will read this book. I have too many others that I really want to read, stacked up and ready for me. Although I find Ann to be funny (at times) or annoying (at other times) or downright infuriating (the rest of the time), I think an entire book would be a little much for me to concentrate on reading right now.

I'm pretty sure Ann doesn't need my help in book sales. She's at number one on Amazon.

Posted by: Teresa in Books at 12:58 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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