Clinton book generates best-seller buzz

By Bob Minzesheimer
USA Today

Hillary Clinton's "Living History" went on sale Monday amid the buzz of many people talking about a book that few had read.

The publisher "embargoed" Clinton's memoir in lieu of handing out advance copies to book critics and the media.

But as often happens, the book's content was leaked. The Associated Press got a copy last week. The Washington Post announced Saturday that it had purchased copies at a bookstore.

All this means is that the public was treated to a week of stories on Clinton's descriptions of her pain and anger over her husband's lies and relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Clinton's publisher and aides say the AP scoop was an "unauthorized leak" — meaning it wasn't part of their media strategy — even if it jump-started the hype for the book.

Too much news about a book can satiate readers, but the public and the media can't get enough of Clinton's memoir. This week's Time is running purchased excerpts and news shows were lined up for a week of Hillary TV.

It's No. 2 on Amazon.com's best-seller lists, behind another closely guarded book — J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

Stay tuned for a repeat of recent events when Rowling's book goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. June 21.

The lack of advance copies means some reviewers will have to read and assess huge books in a day. And celebrities get no special treatment.

Best-selling author Stephen King, who's reviewing "Order of the Phoenix "for Entertainment Weekly, says he'll get the book June 21 just like everyone else.