What does it take to be a bestseller?

How many sold?

Jeromi Corsi’s book Where’s the Birth Certificate? (WTBC) was #1 on Amazon.com before it was released, but what exactly does that mean? How many books are we talking about?

Today, I noticed that WTBC was #38 among books on Amazon.com. It was also #7 among Professional / Technical titles. I think it is instructive to look at the 6 titles selling more than WTBC.

[ordered_list style=”decimal”]

  1. Prescription for Excellence: Leadership Lessons for Creating a World Class Customer Experience from UCLA Health System
  2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, electronic edition (a book on a line of cancer cells)
  3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, (a book on a line of cancer cells)
  4. Strengthsfinder 2.0
  5. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition
  6. Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the FinancialSystem–and Themselves

[/ordered_list]

WTBC is not on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list (top 35) as of this writing, nor was it on the May 22 list. How could it be that Amazon.com listed the book today as #9 in the non-fiction category but the New York Times didn’t put it in the top 35 non-fiction (ever) nor is on the Publisher’s Weekly top 25 hardcover non-fiction? WTBC is #38 overall at Amazon.com today, but at Barnes and Noble it is #691! One explanation is that somebody bought a bunch on Amazon to drive the numbers up. That accusation has been made before on Corsi’s earlier books.

A comment on Publisher’s Weekly suggests that the initial run of WTBC would come to 100,000. Otherwise Publisher’s Weekly hasn’t even mentioned the book.

So I am still searching for an answer to my question about exactly how many copies of WTBC have actually been sold to real people.

About Dr. Conspiracy

I'm not a real doctor, but I have a master's degree.
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38 Responses to What does it take to be a bestseller?

  1. charo says:

    You’re forged! Trump declares Obama’s birth certificate fake
    ‘I always said I wanted to know if it was real’

    Read more: You’re forged! Trump declares Obama’s birth certificate fake http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=303181#ixzz1NPpCMEmz

  2. US Citizen says:

    “Trump told Corsi his own computer expert told him at the release that it was a computer-generated document.”

    A PDF is a computer-generated document? Who knew?

    None of this means anything though because the fact remains that the document is certified by the dept of health and they stand by it.
    It wouldn’t matter if it was done in crayon on tissue paper.
    Being certified is what matters.

  3. richCares says:

    “You’re forged! Trump declares Obama’s birth certificate fake”
    sure he said that, just check all the news programs, will ya
    What, only wnd reports that, whod a thunk it!

  4. richCares says:

    I wonder why Corsi says “Trump Conspired With Obama To Neutralize Birther Controversy”
    http://www.infowars.com/corsi-trump-conspired-with-obama-to-neutralize-birther-controversy/
    why all the bus throwing and not throwing

  5. Smed says:

    Somehow we got copies of that book in early May at the Target I work at in Minnesota. We received three copies. We still have those three copies.

  6. vma224 says:

    State of Hawaii says:
    “On April 27, 2011 President Barack Obama posted a certified copy of his original Certificate of Live Birth.”
    not a court in the country would dispute this official response from Hawaii.
    http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/obama.html
    .
    So what is this Corsi BS and who cares?

  7. Obsolete says:

    An “Expert” from Charo’s link above:
    “”When a paper document is scanned on a scanner and saved as a PDF file it normally contains only a single layer of graphical information. The PDF that appears on the White House website however, contains multiple layers of graphic information. Multiple layers usually appear in a document like this when it is being edited or modified in some fashion.”

    Yup. Any day now…

    It’s amazing how birthers keep going back and trusting those who lie to them. I think they have “Stockholm Syndrome”, caused by the trauma they suffered from seeing a black man elected President of “their” country.

  8. Paul says:

    Can’t answer your final question, but yeah… I worked for R.R. Bowker for almost ten years. They publish Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and School Library Journal, among other things. And yeah, institutions buying up large quantities of books to bump up the numbers is a HUGE freakin’ problem for anyone trying to actually calculate the number of books being sold. And yeah, we never had such problems with books from polis on the left. Only on the right.

  9. Paul says:

    NOTE: I’m not saying it doesn’t happen on the left. Just saying I never say it while I was in the trenches.

  10. richCares says:

    Trump needs to follow Bush’s advice
    “There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.” —President George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

  11. DavidC says:

    Corsi’s book isn’t on the nonfiction best seller list. Have you checked the ficition list?

  12. I have added to the article that Corsi’s book is ranked #691 at Barnes & Noble. I smell a rat.

  13. vma224: So what is this Corsi BS and who cares?

    This is the Obama Conspiracy Theories website and that’s what I do, cover stuff like this. If I only covered quality stories, there would be just this one “Hello Blog!” entry back in 2008, and that would be it.

  14. vma224 says:

    “So what is this Corsi BS and who cares?”
    Doc, you misunderstood me, I was referring to Corsi’s lies as being foolish, not your work which I appreciate.

  15. El Diablo Negro says:

    It could also be that most people buy books from amazon (I do) and don’t shlep to the book store. I would only go to the book store if I needed a book asap.

  16. vma224: I was referring to Corsi’s lies as being foolish, not your work which I appreciate.

    I didn’t take it negatively.

  17. El Diablo Negro: It could also be that most people buy books from amazon (I do) and don’t shlep to the book store

    Barnes & Noble sells online too. Even if one sells more books total than the other, the ranking should be similar at each unless conservatives shop at Amazon and liberals at BN.

  18. BouquetofRoses says:

    I checked that “You’re forged” website. The article is only a reiteration of previous articles by WND. I lived in Hawaii for the 1st 25 years of life. I have a copy of my birth certificate that was given to my mother when I was born. I copied it and converted it to a PDF file There were multiple layers. Does that mean that my birth certificate isn’t authentic??? I don’t think so! Although I am now a resident of California, I often visit my family and friends in Oahu . A friend of mine who works for the state informed me that they are just laughing at the birthers. I’ve been in health care field for 16 years and it seems to me that Corsi has no understanding of HIPPA laws. He’s complaining that Kapiolani Hosptial won’t acknowledge or deny the birth of Obama in 1961. He’s also complaining the hospital won’t release Ms. Dunham’s records and Obama’s birth records. He also said that if Obama was born there, there should be a sign that advertises Obama being born at that hospital. First of all, it is a routine for the hospital not to confirm or deny a person’s birth because the HIPPA laws! We get phone calls from people inquirying about a state representative or a famous person here in California. And guess what, we do the same thing! We have to protect the privacy of the person no matter what! Health records are not release to anyone, but the patient. There are two exception to this rule: 1. The patient signs a release of information or 2. The hospital or patient receives a subpoena. Even if a famous person was born at the hospital I work at, there would be no sign to advertise that fact due to HIPPA laws.

  19. charo says:

    From a prior thread here:

    http://www.obamaconspiracy.org/2011/04/kapiolani-confirms/

    I wonder if there was consent given?

  20. richCares says:

    ever Birther in Birfirstan is spouting that Trump is back to birthering, it’s all over the web, yet no real news source nor any word from Trump. I wonder how Trump will weigh in. I don’t think he can handle another put-down. Corsi may have talked to Trump but he stepped out of line I think.

  21. BouquetofRoses: Even if a famous person was born at the hospital I work at, there would be no sign to advertise that fact due to HIPPA laws.

    This is an interesting question because there is a recording available of a Denver talk show host calling Kapi’olani and receiving confirmation that Obama was born there. I can see a few ways this might not run afoul of HIPAA.

    1) Obama has given consent
    2) The Hospital is relying on something other than the medical record to give out the information (e.g. Obama’s letter to Kapi’olani in January 2009 and other public statements).
    3) The hospital doesn’t consider the fact of Obama’s birth to be protected health information because it occurred before HIPAA.

    I should mention at this point that the hospital in Connecticut where George W. Bush is quite free with information about his birth.

    My experience with HIPAA is that everybody has their own interpretation of it.

  22. Tarrant says:

    Corsi saying that Trump told him “It’s a forgery! Keep up the good work!” is so out of line with Trump’s previous actions that it’s hard for me to believe. Trump had no qualms with going public with the “Where’s the birth certificate???” stuff. He didn’t “Call people” and tell THEM to do it, he did it himself. So it’s hard for me to believe his entry into the “It’s a forgery!” club would be something he’d choose to “Reveal to the world” via Corsi.

    I’m guessing like yesterday’s “February documents from the mole” that this is simply another ploy to keep the PayPal buttons clicking and the books selling and WND’s name at the top of birtherstan.

  23. Majority WIll says:

    Tarrant:
    Corsi saying that Trump told him “It’s a forgery! Keep up the good work!” is so out of line with Trump’s previous actions that it’s hard for me to believe. Trump had no qualms with going public with the “Where’s the birth certificate???” stuff. He didn’t “Call people” and tell THEM to do it, he did it himself. So it’s hard for me to believe his entry into the “It’s a forgery!” club would be something he’d choose to “Reveal to the world” via Corsi.

    I’m guessing like yesterday’s “February documents from the mole” that this is simply another ploy to keep the PayPal buttons clicking and the books selling and WND’s name at the top of birtherstan.

    Joey and Jerome and the gang seem to have no real difficulty parting fools from their money.

  24. gorefan says:

    charo: I wonder if there was consent given?

    When Boyle called it was 1:30 a.m. Hawaii time, so he talked to the night receptionists, that’s not exactly an official confirmation.

    If the hospital administrators were made aware of the Boyle phone call would they discipline the receptionist. Possibly.

    The thing about HIPAA is that enforcment can be selective. Is Health and Human Services going to go after the Hospital if they put up a plaque? Probably not. Or the night receptionist talking off the cuff? probably not. Will they go after someone who acccesses a patients health records without authorization, if it was done for fiancial gain or curiosity (Michael Jackson’s medical records for example), then the employee can expect to be fired and the Hospital can expect a fine. In one case an empolyee was sentenced to several months in jail for accessing the records of his supervisor. Even though he never did anything with the information.

  25. richCares says:

    I think that soon Trump will certainly find that Corsi is a slime bag, this attemp to make quotes out of whole cloth will not be appreciated. When Trump calls Corsi a slime bag, Corsi will say “That’s Mr. Slime bag to you”

  26. Bovril says:

    The only other on I’ve been able to find that is seriously pimping this is Andrew Breitbart

    http://biggovernment.com/capitolconfidential/2011/05/25/trump-the-second-act/

    Trump spent $100K on lawyers and accountants who would prepared the disclosure forms to show Trump is worth $7.5 B and has $350M of cash on hand.

    Perot an eccentric businessman got out of the 96 race and back in……..and was on all 50 ballots

    Trumps’s deal with NBC leaves him free on June 1 of next year.

    Trump spoke to Richard Winger Editor and Publisher of the Ballot Access News–a nerd expert on how to get on the legal ballot in all 50 states.

    Winger told Trump a late blooming Independent bid could be begun as late a June 1 and get on the ballot in all 50 States- 5 states are hard but doable and one state, Texas would be resolved by litigation.

    Trump has a book out with hot conservative publisher Regnery in OCT-NOV at a time the GOP Field will inspire no one.It will be a huge media opportunity because Trump will say things ( Birther,China) that none one else will say.

    This assumes on GOPer sets the world on fire—-Trump can look at the polls at the Time ( prediction Obama 41, Trump 31 Romney 21)

    10 % in the polls guarantees you get in the Televised Debates with the major party candidates. Television is Trump’s medium !

    GOP RACE $350M+ plus–extensive Travel and structure

    INDY RACE $150M All TV/Cable–an all media campaign

    TRUMP DOES A PEROT !

  27. richCares: Corsi will say “That’s Mr. Slime bag to you”

    or “That’s Dr. Slime bag to you.”

  28. gorefan: The thing about HIPAA is that enforcement can be selective

    We haven’t even talked about the HITECH act, which adds more severe penalties for disclosing health information.

    The receptionist who confirmed Obama’s birthplace was either a) responding according to hospital policy or b) responding without access to medical records.

  29. Scientist says:

    Bovril: TRUMP DOES A PEROT !

    Thereby assuring an Obama landslide.

    Trump’s credibility is lower than Bernie Madoff’s at this point. At least Bernie had a legitimate trading business running alongside the Ponzi scheme.

  30. gorefan says:

    Dr. Conspiracy: responding without access to medical records.

    From the way the conversation took place, I suspect she was basing it on common knowledge of people who work in the hospital and people who live in Hawaii.

    I always felt the whole invoking of HIPAA by Kapiolani Hospital become the standard response mostly because of the birther stuff and not because they were afraid of HHS.

  31. richCares says:

    I was checking out some birther sites and they have gone ballistic on this story, they want Trump to run again. They have no idea that Trump did not say want they are quoting. Only in BirfirStan can “I always said I wanted to know if it was real,” be translated to “Trump says the BC is forged”. But even more telling is the extreme spouting of hate that goes on the birther sites. It’s irrational hate, and must surely affect their family. I can imagine at breakfast dad saying “OK kids, don’t forget to hate the rotten Usurper today, Oh and pick up some white sheets at the store”. To me BirfirStan is a really sad and hateful place. If that’s not mental illness, what is?

  32. Rickey says:

    Bring it on! A Reuters/Ipsos Poll conducted three weeks ago has Obama crushing Trump, 57%-30%.

    Trump is a publicity whore who has no intention of running for President.

  33. richCares says:

    just now on Thom Hartman radio show Corsi sad “Criminal charge filed today with FBI”
    Well now, I can see them marching Obama out as soon as he returns fro his successful Europe trip, but more than likely that march will take place on 1/2/2017, guaranteed!

  34. ellid says:

    richCares:
    just now on Thom Hartman radio show Corsi sad “Criminal charge filed today with FBI”
    Well now, I can see them marching Obama out as soon as he returns fro his successful Europe trip, but more than likely that march will take place on 1/2/2017, guaranteed!

    I’m more interested in knowing what Thom Hartman did to Corsi after that ridiculous statement. He doesn’t suffer right wing fools gladly.

  35. richCares says:

    Thom Hartman to Corsi “You jumped the Shark”

  36. richCares says:

    Today, Trump to Mother Jones, “I have not read the book written by Jerry Corsi nor did we discuss whether or not the birth certificate was computer generated or in any way fabricated.” Do ya thunk Corsi Lied?
    http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/05/trump-birth-certificate-jerome-corsi

  37. BouquetofRoses says:

    gorefan: When Boyle called it was 1:30 a.m. Hawaii time, so he talked to the night receptionists, that’s not exactly an official confirmation.

    If the hospital administrators were made aware of the Boyle phone call would they discipline the receptionist.Possibly.

    The thing about HIPAA is that enforcment can be selective.Is Health and Human Services going to go after the Hospital if they put up a plaque? Probably not.Or the night receptionist talking off the cuff? probably not.Will they go after someone who acccesses a patients health records without authorization, if it was done for fiancial gain or curiosity (Michael Jackson’s medical records for example), then the employee can expect to be fired and the Hospital can expect a fine.In one case an empolyee was sentenced to several months in jail for accessing the records of his supervisor.Even though he never did anything with the information.

    I agree.

  38. richCares says:

    Corsi throws Trump under the bus as Trump denies wnd forged story
    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=303721
    Trump needs to find another play pal
    .
    in other news:
    some birthers saying jig is up as Wasington National Gurad being called up, it’s bad news for Obama, not long now for Obama removal
    (referring to call up of guard to aid natural disasters, hating Obama causes brain damage))

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