Patterico's Pontifications

It’s interesting to see how people respond to this kind of thing. I have a story to tell that I may have already told; apologies if so.

Years ago, I went to Madison, Wisconsin, to give a research seminar. As part of it, I had meetings with several other scientists, to talk about their work and my own. I always enjoy that.

But in my bookbag I had a copy of Michael Crichton’s “State of Fear.” As I was rummaging around in the bag, looking for something, the scientist with whom I was visiting caught sight of it.

“Why are you reading that book?” she asked (she may have said “piece of trash” instead of book, but the memory is a bit fuzzy).

I was curious because of the media hoopla, and I thought I would read it myself, I replied. Besides, I went on, I really had liked “Jurassic Park.” Then I asked if there were any parts of the book she liked.

“Oh, no, I haven’t read it” she replied.

Then how do you know it is bad? I asked.

“I read the New York Times review” she responded.

Enough said.

Thus, you bet I am reading this book.

Eric Blair (8484db) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:16 pm

We really need something between maybe and never in a million years.
For my part I’m not planning on buying the book, but then again if I were to see it on a table at a yard sale I might.

papertiger (b28aae) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:16 pm

I already ordered it. 😉

John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:19 pm

I voted maybe. The reaction of those who who read it will sway my decision.

Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:27 pm

I just wish I could get close to her so I could make my famous move the chicks can’t deny.

Also, Obama is the peaceist guy I ever met.

Thorbjørn Jagland (d1363b) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:32 pm

papertiger,

Give me a suggestion and I’ll try to include it.

DRJ (7fbae6) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:34 pm

Why isn’t “Barack Obama” a choice in your poll? I want to vote for him! (heh)

Steven Den Beste (99cfa1) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:35 pm

I could buy it maybe but I wouldn’t read it if I bought it unless it has dragons or submarines.

happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:39 pm

“Ron Paul” ought to be a choice….. %-)

redc1c4 (fb8750) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:48 pm

“Ron Paul” ought to be a choice….. %-)

No, really, he shouldn’t be.

Ag80 (d1363b) — 10/10/2009 @ 9:53 pm

How about “probably not”?

papertiger (b28aae) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:03 pm

Ron Paul is almost as kooky as blu.

Nuff said.

John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:09 pm

Done, papertiger. I wasn’t sure if it would let me add it after-the-fact, but it did. Obviously this isn’t scientific but I’m curious how people feel about her book. Thanks for the input because your option helps me get a better picture of the responses.

EDIT: It looks like adding a new option 4 moved all the prior responses from “Not in a million years” to “Probably not.” It’s the same sentiment but I apologize, and I won’t do it again in the future.

DRJ (7fbae6) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:12 pm

Ron Paul’s economics are far more sane than those of our NobelMessiah.

Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:12 pm

Bradley, stealing your wallet for my benefit is far more sane than Nobama’s ideas. What’s your point?

John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:14 pm

I think about buying it but mostly to place in my office in plain sight at work. It would doubtlessly elicit some interesting and amusing responses. It would be a little social experiment…

DRJ, which polling option did you select?

Dana (863a65) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:17 pm

I pre-ordered a copy. I’ll update the post to make that clear in case it matters to anyone.

DRJ (7fbae6) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:18 pm

I ordered a copy on the first day, and will go to my local Barnes and Noble and buy a few more as gifts on Nov 17th.

Here’s an update that may give us an idea of what is going on with Going Rogue: An American Life

#1 at Borders Books
#1 at WalMart pre-release sales
#1 at Amazon non-fiction #3 in all books
#1 at Barnes and Noble in non-fiction, #4 in all books
#1 at Books a Million non-fiction
#2 at Family Christian Stores (despite the fact that it is at full price $28.99)

The 2nd day it was avail for ordering Politico reported that a publishing industry insider called the sales “phenomenal” and there had never been anything like it for a non-fiction book.

If these numbers continue to hold for another week or two, it wouldn’t be surprising if the publisher announced that the original run of 1.5 million has to be extended to 2.5 million or more.

greg (fe728f) — 10/10/2009 @ 10:48 pm

I would caution folks to be (reasonably) wary of the results. As I have no trouble getting to sleep, I never buy political books. So my answer has be, “not in a million years”, which is as close to “never” as one can get on DRJ’s survey.

However, I was pleased to vote for Sarah Palin, despite her running mate, in the last election. So, “not in a million years”, should not necessarily be interpreted as “boo” to Sarah.

Detcord (034417) — 10/11/2009 @ 3:51 am

My personal library is overstocked as it is. And since I’ve found very few political autobiographies worth keeping, I hit “maybe”. But I’m certain I’ll be on the three month waiting list at my local public library.

kaz (e7a67c) — 10/11/2009 @ 5:50 am

I voted “maybe.” I normally buy one or two hardcover books every week but mostly fiction. I will see if I can get it to read at the local library first. Political biography is not interesting unless and until the individual’s political life is over. I liked Mayor Koch’s biography for that reason. He was very candid.

Longwalker (4e0dda) — 10/11/2009 @ 5:53 am

Only reason I haven’t preordered is I want the satisfaction of going to B&N on Nov. 17th and making them go to the obscure shelf they’ve hidden it on and retrieve it for me. And hopefully having to do this for 100 other customers till they give up and put it out front.

no one you know (1ebbb1) — 10/11/2009 @ 6:23 am

Comment by Eric Blair — 10/10/2009 @ 9:16 pm

Heh. Thanks for the ‘recommend;’ Crichton was a good writer, and what with the subject matter, the NYT’s dissing it means it must be good.

no one you know (1ebbb1) — 10/11/2009 @ 6:30 am

Still ambivalent …

JD (243ec7) — 10/11/2009 @ 6:37 am

I will buy Fabio’s book and Tonya Harding’s book FIRST.

DEO (20197f) — 10/11/2009 @ 7:56 am

John Hitchcock,
I’ll rephrase. Ron Paul has an excellent grasp of economics, better than either the ObaMessiah or Bush II. (Or, for that matter, McCain).

Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407) — 10/11/2009 @ 8:20 am

I like her as an individual, but feel that some of her ideas are not fully formed at this time. But I don’t begrudge her for making as much money as possible with this. She deserves whatever she can get, and screw her detractors in the MSM – they’re only helping her increase her cash cow with their constant harping.

Dmac (5ddc52) — 10/11/2009 @ 8:53 am

dmac, we’ll have to read her book to know just how unformed her ideas are. I find a lot of those complaints are based on accusations that aren’t reliable. She did a good job accomplishing her goals and she has shown some real depth on domestic issues.

I think these concerns that she’s an amateur are that she performed poorly in that 6 hour Couric interview. She hadn’t ‘gone rogue’ yet, and accepted a suicide mission. She looked pretty bad in that interview, but that doesn’t really have much meaning beyond she trusted Mccain too much (which is a valid ding).

I do not want to nominate Palin unless she’s got a clear grasp of policy. But When I’ve read her work, it seems like she’s on the right side of the curve.

DRJ, I think you should put up an Amazon link when you discuss books so you can get a little bit of their kickback.

Dustin (bb61e3) — 10/11/2009 @ 9:03 am

Did you read her speech in HK, and the question comes as opposed to who, Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty.

bishop (4e0dda) — 10/11/2009 @ 9:05 am

Actually, I asked for a review copy.

Mark L (ae95d8) — 10/11/2009 @ 9:36 am

I’m a ‘probably not’ on that because of the publisher’s boneheaded decision to not have an ebook available on initial release. I certainly won’t buy it before the electronic edition is available, and probably won’t buy it then. I do expect to read it, though, via a library or a borrowed copy.

Skip (9c227a) — 10/11/2009 @ 9:45 am

If you put in an option of Present, you will get a vote from Obama. Lots of them.

MU789 (3f9d29) — 10/11/2009 @ 9:49 am

are that she performed poorly in that 6 hour Couric interview.

She also performed poorly with Gibson, although he’s a conceited, partisan ass who had a clear agenda to make her look bad, no matter what – but she should have seen that one coming. And the Couric interview with the magazine question was quite bad, really. Complete powder – puff softball query, and she really looked out of her depth on that one, as well as many others. It may have been selective editing, it may have been terrible prep work by her McCain handlers, but there you go.

Dmac (5ddc52) — 10/11/2009 @ 10:05 am

Remember that the Charlie Gibson / Sarah Palin interview was “heavily” edited (trying to put it “nicely”)…

See the editing and original transcripts through this Newsbusters article.

At this point, nobody to the right of Pres. Obama should accept a MSM interview that is not live.

BfC (5209ec) — 10/11/2009 @ 10:20 am

No.
I’m with JD. I’m ambivalent anyway, and the personal price of being seen with the book (by my husband and neighbors) would be too high.

MayBee (34a54a) — 10/11/2009 @ 10:45 am

Must be sad living with such hate and intolerance, MayBee.

Skip (9c227a) — 10/11/2009 @ 10:57 am

And yet, MayBee, consider the delicious response of Chris Mathews when he is forced to see that not only is her book a pre-sale best seller but also when it hits the shelves.

I think the sound of his head exploding is gong to compel me to purchase it. He and his ilk have been dreadfully condescending and belittling toward conservative writers’ having the unmitigated gall to take up space on the NYT best seller list.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to further contribute to his undoing?

Dana (863a65) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:04 am

Must be sad living with such hate and intolerance, MayBee.

I have my limits too, skip. My darling husband hasn’t purchased the Obama books. We make our marriage work.

MayBee (34a54a) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:09 am

Right now she’s probably getting advice to mostly aim to exploit the people who think she’s a viable candidate… later on she can say oh well no of course I’m not running for president and then she can exploit those that do find her amiable enough but think the idea of President Palin absolutely unrealistic if not wholly ridiculous. That’s the way you milk this sort of thing I think.

happyfeet (71f55e) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:10 am

Dana- I would be thrilled to see Matthews’ head explode. I hope enough people want to read the book so I can see that happen.

MayBee (34a54a) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:15 am

MayBee and Dana, I think that folks should start a FaceBook group to send Chris Mathews his own copy of Sarah Palin’s book. Imagine if he received a thousand copies? Ten thousand?

He would have to talk about the prank, and make even more of the back end of a horse of himself.

I’d participate in that prank.

Eric Blair (8484db) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:41 am

I’m in.

happyfeet (71f55e) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:45 am

I think it’s great that Borders and Barnes and Noble staff will get to see it so often, but then again, I almost wish the distributor would refuse to sell it to/through them.

MD in Philly (d4f9fa) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:55 am

Democrats, in an effort to expand the definition and types of discrimination and sexism have all kinds of “reasons” for not going near her book. The answer to the argument of whether liberals think for themselves rather than resorting to the influence of group think peer pressure could not be more clear.

Greg (61190b) — 10/11/2009 @ 11:59 am

I wouldn’t worry too much about the employees at Borders and B & N – one is in bankruptcy, and the other is teetering. Neither will be here in about 5 years.

Dmac (5ddc52) — 10/11/2009 @ 12:56 pm

Dustin,

I don’t make a penny off blogging and never will, nor would I accept offers of free books to review or any other enticement.

DRJ (7fbae6) — 10/11/2009 @ 1:39 pm

Dana said “I think the sound of [Chris Mattews’] head exploding is gong to compel me to purchase it.”

Nahh. His leg maybe, but not his head.

the friendly grizzly (af1c45) — 10/11/2009 @ 4:38 pm

Uh, that’s not his leg.

Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407) — 10/11/2009 @ 5:01 pm

Ordered the book the very second I could.

This will be a great read. From what I understand it is based on the journals that she has kept for a lifetime, including the 2008 campaign, which should be worth the price of the book right there!

Plus, according to the synopsis of the book, she lays out her vision for America, which we know will be the right one.

McCain and his people were idiots! They had a true superstar and had no clue what to do with her. They were nothing more than a bunch of “democrat lite” moderate losers. Picking Sarah as his running mate is about the only smart move McCain has ever made in his life.

Sarah was far more qualified to be President than McCain was then or Obama will be in a million years! She has a serious record of accomplishment in Alaska, including taking down the entire corrupt Republican party leadership.

This is who we need in D.C. to clean up all of the corruption there. Currently we have the most corrupt president and Congress in our nation’s history.

Time to take out the trash!

Gary (f76425) — 10/11/2009 @ 7:58 pm

I’m waiting for the Kindle version to become available.

DavidH (e89fd1) — 10/11/2009 @ 10:51 pm

I must say that this is the first Palin thread I have seen, anywhere, (since she was named VP pick) that has not been a complete troll fest. Don’t know why but it is interesting.

Have Blue (854a6e) — 10/12/2009 @ 9:30 am

I agree with a prior post here…this is the first Palin thread not rife with liberal trolls…must be they are running out of talking points to throw at this woman (Palin Derangement Fatigue)….Then again …when you’ve posted about her in porno movies and wanting her on all fours…to call these guys scum of the earth would be an insult to the scum.

[note: fished from spam filter. –Stashiu]

JL (902e67) — 10/12/2009 @ 10:35 am

“Thus, you bet I am reading this book.”

I always enjoyed that guy’s fiction.

imdw (1635c7) — 10/12/2009 @ 2:14 pm

10/10/2009

A Poll: Sarah Palin’s Book

53 Responses to “A Poll: Sarah Palin’s Book”

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