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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Hinckley's Book Rises To 31 On USA Today List
USA Today 2Mar00 A1
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley's book
"Standing for Something" rose 3 spots on USA Today's best seller list
this week, reaching #31. It also increased its sales rank on
Amazon.com to #61 overall. While it is not possible to determine how
much of the book' popularity is due to sales to LDS Church members,
Amazon does report that it is #7 among books sold to Utah addresses,
implying significant sales among Church members.
USA Today's list is significantly different from the better-known New
York Times Book Review's list. It includes all books in a single
list, regardless of whether the book is fiction or non-fiction,
paperback or hardcover, while the Times divide's up its lists.
Amazon.com's system for counting best sellers is similar to that of
USA Today, but only count's Amazon's own sales.
Meanwhile, nine Amazon.com customers have submitted reviews of the
book to the company's website, 3 of whom are clearly from Utah and
presumably LDS Church members. The reviews are all positive, and
reflect the book's potential for a positive impact. Amazon customer
reviewer Dan May of Auburn, Washington says, "If only the leaders of
this great nation would read and comment on this book. Think what a
wonderful discourse we could have in this election year."
Other reviewers also believe the book can have a positive impact and
provides a needed prescription for our lives. Stephen DeFriez of
Clarkston, Michigan says, "Gordon B. Hinckley writes from the
perspective of age and authority; his message is clear and bold; and
his views are forthright and frank." and John Hatch of Washington
D.C. agrees, "Hinckley shows that "old fashioned values" are not old
fashioned at all, and he details how society is quickly downfalling
because of our ignorance and even disdain for these values. . . .
Poll after poll, survey after survey shows that Americans believe we
are worse off than we ever have been before. Hinckley shows us that
we can have hope and that we can get on the right track!"
Another reviewer, Stephen H. Russell, compares the book to William
Bennett's "The Book of Virtues," saying "Both of these books promote
the goodness, the warmth, the peace, the personal satisfaction
associated with one's being anchored to time-honored values." And an
anonymous reviewer writes, "It is one of the most marvelously crafted
books I have ever read! It has changed my attitude and life. "
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More about "Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal
Our Hearts and Homes" at Amazon.com