Former President Barack Obama’s memoir, “A Promised Land,” breaks records.
What We Know:
- Obama released his new memoir “A Promised Land” last Tuesday. Within the first 24 hours, the book sold nearly 890,000 copies in the U.S. and Canada. “A Promised Land” is on track to be the best-selling presidential memoir in modern history.
- The book sets a first-day sales record for publisher Penguin Random House. The sales include pre-orders, e-books, and audio.
- Publisher of Penguin Random House imprint Crown, David Drake, says, “We are thrilled with the first day sales.” He continues, “They reflect the widespread excitement that readers have for President Obama’s highly anticipated and extraordinarily written book.”
- The only book coming close to the records is wife Michelle Obama’s “Becoming.” The 2018 memoir sold 725,000 copies in North America on its first day. The book has since topped 10 million worldwide.
- CEO of Barnes & Noble, James Daunt, is hopeful of sales, stating they sold 50,000 copies the first day and hopes to reach half a million within ten days.
- As for how other presidents compare in the race, Bill Clinton’s “My Life” sold 400,000 copies the first day in North America. George W. Bush’s “Decision Points” sold around 220,000. Final sales being between 3.5 million and 4 million.
- Obama did not intend to release the novel so close to the election. The introduction is dated August 2020, but, he says, “the book kept growing in length and scope,” as well as complications from working during the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, Obama will not be touring with his book.
- The novel comes as a saving grace for booksellers. Due to the pandemic, most customers have taken their book shopping to online resources such as Amazon. Independent bookstore owner Kris Kleindienst anticipates selling around 1,000 copies, making “a HUGE difference” for their store.
The 768-page memoir is the first of two planned volumes. Listed at $45, the book is expected to be a highlight of the holiday season.
