And it’s still overpriced
Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A penny? Who would pay that much?…
On Monday, a federal judge scheduled former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s sentencing for October. Blagojevich was convicted of 17 counts of public corruption in federal court in June.
But whatever his prison sentence might be, Blagojevich’s memoir is already serving its own sentence — on remainder tables. “The Governor” was published by Phoenix Books in 2009 with a cover price of $24.95. Now you can get it new from Amazon resellers for $2.80. And used? Five retailers list it for just 1 penny (plus shipping). […]
No one expects a book published two years ago to still be on top of the bestseller lists — unless you’re “The Help” or talking about a girl with a dragon tattoo — but “The Governor” is going for peanuts — less than peanuts. Who can buy a peanut for a penny (plus shipping)?
Even though most of us won’t ever forget him, the rest of the world is over it’s little Rod Blagojevich phase. His 15 minutes are up. Good riddance.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 7:08 am:
It’s fitting that his book isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on. Same value as his word used to have.
- hawksfan - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 8:29 am:
“Profiles in Cowardice”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 8:45 am:
The Book of My Enemy Has Been Remaindered
by Clive James
The book of my enemy has been remaindered
And I am pleased.
In vast quantities it has been remaindered.
Like a van-load of counterfeit that has been seized
And sits in piles in a police warehouse,
My enemy’s much-praised effort sits in piles
In the kind of bookshop where remaindering occurs.
Great, square stacks of rejected books and, between them, aisles
One passes down reflecting on life’s vanities,
Pausing to remember all those thoughtful reviews
Lavished to no avail upon one’s enemy’s book—
For behold, here is that book
Among these ranks and the banks of duds,
These ponderous and seemingly irreducible cairns
Of complete stiffs.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 9:25 am:
Wonder if it earned it’s advance or if the publishing house be going after him to get the money back?
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 9:49 am:
I don’t know about peanuts, what’s the going rate on a pistachio?
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 10:29 am:
It might be worth the shipping cost for the federal prosecutors to get one and submit it to Judge Zagel as evidence at sentencing. That ridiculous tome might just get him another 18 months behind bars.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 10:30 am:
Oh, come now. If Amazon is selling it, it’s good for … Kindle-ing?
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 10:33 am:
Capt Fax
Sir,we have known Peanuts and Blagoof’s rant is not work a peanut
BTW here is an opp to remind new readers of who they are dealing with:
Profile of the Sociopath
This summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of Blagoofian sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as “their right.”
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
- Hawkeye - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 10:50 am:
LOL at Northsider. You beat me to it. At a penny a pop I’d buy a few to stack next to the firepit. Burning is really the best use for that drivel.
- Gregor - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 12:22 pm:
It should have been subtitled:
“Dreams from my Father-In-Law”
as a riff off of Obama’s book
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 12:42 pm:
We should all order one and have it shipped to Rod.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 12:42 pm:
I wonder how many more copies Elizabeth Brackett’s sold?
- Regular Reader - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 1:08 pm:
A life squandered.
With all the opportunities Blagojevich was given, all I can think anymore is how he completely wasted it. Amazing.
- Hunterdon - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 1:56 pm:
Rod’s book is my favorite….in my outhouse. I find it more…comforting, shall we say, than the Sears Roebuck catalogue.
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 2:06 pm:
Can ComEd take the remaindered copies and burn them in a waste-to-energy program? That way Rod could brag of benefits to the people of Illinois that Zagel might buy at sentencing.
- mokenavince - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 3:19 pm:
Could be handy in the outhouse. 1 penny plus shipping it could be cheaper than Charmin. I can’t wait to read his next one how to keep your barn boss happy.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 3, 11 @ 8:43 pm:
It’s not just Rod. Political and sports books are the worst.
Who buys some of these books that make the best seller lists? Seriously, who shells out $30 to find out what Rush Limbaugh, Mark Hannity or Anne Coulter belched into a tape recorder while driving or watching TV?
Geez,good books need to be written and have something to say.