Report: Auction For Obamas' Book Deal Reaches More Than $60 Million

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo



By ESME CRIBB Published FEBRUARY 28, 2017, 3:08 PM EDT

An auction for rights to books by Barack and Michelle Obama has set a new record for U.S. presidential memoirs, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The auction has reached more than $60 million, the Financial Times reported, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the sales process. The Obamas are writing separate books but selling the global rights jointly. Since leaving office, Barack Obama went on vacation in the British Virgin Islands, where billionaire Richard Branson challenged him to a kite surfing duel.

One of President Donald Trump's pet conspiracy theories regarding his predecessor was that former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers actually wrote Obama's 1995 book Dreams From My Father.

"Bill Ayers wrote the book," Trump claimed in 2011. "And, you know, I wrote many best sellers, and also, number one bestsellers including The Art of the Deal. So I know something about writing."

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/auction-for-obamas-book-deal-sets-new-record-60-million

[safeinOhio]

1. That'll leave a mark on

the dumpster.

[gopiscrap]

2. Holy shit

they will be set for life as per trump he can't even spell yet alone write a book

[mobeau69]

7. They were already set for life.

The Presidents retirement plan ain't shabby.

[OKNancy]

3. That's great and since he won't be running for office again he won't get smeared like Hillary did

Hillary and Bill both got rich from their book deals first. They did make money speaking, but the books were the big money makers.

[Aristus]

4. It will also leave a mark on those who have claimed to admire him.

No doubt there are those who will be outraged that he is being paid well to write and publish a book.

"How DARE he accept money! For, you know, writing, or making a speech, or anything I think he shouldn't accept money for!"

We've seen it before; we'll see it again...

[safeinOhio]

6. An auction is "fair market value".

I'll buy the book.

[Aristus]

9. Me too.

I can't wait to read it.

I'm just sick of the purists who insist that taking money for books or speeches is a defilement of progressive values...

[SkyDaddy7]

18. I know EXACTLY what your saying...

And they're just jealous or NUTZ or BOTH!

[Hekate]

17. I can't wait to read the memoirs of both Barack and Michelle. Complainers gotta complain...

...but these two are achievers of the highest order.

[Hortensis]

19. Me too, but... They're activists. He especially

intends to remain a public figure, she can't help but be one. So their books will have to be written with their effect on opinion in mind. Still looking forward to this one.

[notdarkyet]

5. Woohoo! They deserve it after all they've been through. It will be one for the greatest histories.

[Achilleaze]

8. Yuuuge. This calls for a whiney tweet from republican Comrade Pee45

[hibbing]

10. I thought it was a joint effort of Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright n/t

[Paladin]

11. Glad to hear it. (nt)

[Mars and Minerva]

12. Good for them! They deserve it.

[Blue_Tires]

13. The dudebros ain't gonna like this...

[msongs]

14. the simple life of the 1%ers nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. Good for them.

[redstatebluegirl]

16. They deserve it after 8 years of dealing with deplorables and the republicans.

How would you like to wake up and see a picture of your wife depicted as a monkey or your husband as a killer? I think they have earned every dime of that money, and yes, I will buy the book, it may need to be an audio book by then but I'll buy it!

[Hortensis]

20. Waaay too much money floating around at those

levels. And they'll literally be nowhere near the stratospheric billionaire class. Practically poor folk in comparison to those.

[JI7]

21. i hope they get LOTS AND LOTS of money from this

[Cha]

22. Good!

[nitpicker]

23. Barack and Michelle Obama agree Penguin Random House book deal

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39124239

Barack and Michelle Obama agree Penguin Random House book deal

4 hours ago

From the section US & Canada

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have agreed a book deal with Penguin Random House. "The company has acquired world publication rights for two books, to be written by President and Mrs Obama respectively," the publisher said.

Titles and other details have not been disclosed but the deal is believed to be worth over $60m (£48m).
(snip)