The iPINIONS Journal

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You are here: Home / General / Good (news) Friday: Even if I do say so myself…

Good (news) Friday: Even if I do say so myself…

Friday, April 28, 2006 at 11:07 PM
Written by Anthony L. Hall
UPDATE (Sunday 7:20 pm):

Dear Readers

Thank you for your kind wishes in comments here and via email. I’m extremely flattered and encouraged by your support. I hope you find my book as interesting and entertaining as any book on international current events can be.

Happy reading!

Anthony

In late-February, one of my more visionary and enterprising readers persuaded me that I had enough content in this weblog to emulate reputable columnists by revising and extending some of my posts to publish in a book. I knew that such anthologies comprised a well-established genre in the publishing world but I had a difficult time seeing merit in anything I might produce in this respect. In the final analysis, however, my high esteem for her professional judgment compelled me to oblige.

Unfortunately, I’ve already disappointed my publisher by being too shy about promoting this book. And true to form, instead of blathering on here about it, I’d rather cite what others have said to help you determine it’s commercial value:

I was aghast to discover that his weekly commentaries…were but a tiny sampling of his prolific writing. Separately, Anthony Hall maintains his own website, The iPINIONS Journal, on which he publishes daily commentaries on an even wider span of subjects – and each of them is written with insight, careful thought and good humour.

It is extremely difficult to sustain well-informed writing of a weekly commentary on current events in a way that educates and titillates audiences. It is well nigh impossible to do so on a daily basis. Yet, this is what Anthony has achieved. –Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador, Author (Crumbled Small)
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Imagine the informed Thomas Friedman (The World is Flat), the provocative Christopher Hitchens (The Trial of Henry Kissinger) and the witty Maureen Dowd (Bushworld) producing daily, as opposed to weekly, commentaries on international current events. Because that’s exactly what Anthony Livingston Hall does on his weblog, The IPINIONS Journal. And this book offers a riveting anthology of his commentaries as a comprehensive 2005: year in review. – Publisher iUniverse
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Hall tackles subjects such as the worsening relations between the US and Latin American governments as left-leaning and fiercely independent Presidents are elected in democratic processes; the troubling revelation that President Bush authorized tapping of communications by US citizens; and condemnation of African leaders who, as he puts it, “feel entitled to abuse their subjects with impunity just as the British did during their colonial rule”.

No sacred cow, or personality, be they celebrity, royalty or politician, is safe from Hall’s iconoclastic pen, and the knowledge and authority with which he covers a range of topics is truly
impressive.

Insightful, incisive and sometimes laugh-out-loud-witty…a unique perspective on today’s important events and issues. This book is written with clarity of thought and expression and piercing humor….It is a valuable and entertaining look back at some of last year’s more noteworthy topics. Highly recommended. – The Caribbean Net News Book Review
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I suspect those of you familiar only with my writing style might find my shyness somewhat disingenuous. But, as Oprah might say, it’s me being my authentic self. Therefore, I shall suffice to direct you to the sidebar on this page to visit my home page at my publisher’s website to purchase copies of this book for yourself and all of your family and friends.

NOTE: A different publisher invested a great deal of money to publish a similar book by the author of the Daily Kos blog – who purports to have over 10 million regular readers. Therefore, imagine that publisher’s disappointment now that his book has sold only 2,062 copies at retail since its release over six weeks ago – as was reported here yesterday.

Of course, this presents an irresistible opportunity for me – as David to Kos’ Goliath – to slay the self-proclaimed giant of the blogosphere. More important, if we can sell more than 2100 copies of this book over the next few weeks, it will mark a triumph of earnest and constructive opinion over contrived and partisan talking points. And, this medium and public debate will be much the better for it.

ENDNOTE: Because I’m so uncomfortable featuring my book as the good news story today, I urge you to click here to check out my real Good (news) Friday story on South Africa’s giant leap into the stratosphere of technology….

The iPINIONS Journal

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Anonymous says

    Hi Anthony

    I hope you don’t mind me telling your readers that I’m am one of your oldest friends. I know it will shock you to see I finally worked up the courage write a comment. I just thought it was important for them to know that though they can see you have a beautiful mind and face that you have an even more beautiful heart.

    Congratulations from Frances and James.

  5. claire says

    Congratulations Anthony!

    I think the book is a great idea. Now I can take you everywhere and read your words for inspiration and to help me educate my family and friends 24/7.

  8. Dave Miller says

    ALH

    The reason you’re going to slay Kos is because he’s an arrogant fool. All this guy does on his blog is feed into people’s blind hatred of Bush, all Republicans and any Democrat like Sen Lieberman who shows a willingness to work with them to get things done in Washington. Kos is a political hack who’s so full of himself that he thought his daily left-wing rants against Bush could pass for literature.

    Don’t get me wrong, there are many like him on the right too. But Kos was delusional to think that even the Democratic ditto heads who visit his blog would really pay for 300 pages of that crap.

    On the other hand no one reading your blog can deny that a) you can write like nobody’s business; b) you are informative and balanced (I had no idea you were black until I followed the link to some other article and saw you picture a couple months back); c) you challenge people’s prejudices and make them think and d) you are entertaining…literally, it’s fun to read your stuff even the really serious articles. Oh, that’s another reason, you write about everything. All Kos writes about every fucking day is how much he hates Republicans and about how he’s gonna help Democrats get back into power. He makes me sick and I’m a die-hard Democrat…

    Your book’s gonna sell dude. Big time!

  11. Jennifer says

    Congrats Anthony!

    This is really a terrific idea. I wish I had thought of it. It will be great to have your brilliant commentaries on so many topics so handy. And what a bonus it will be to have your picture to look at everyday for intellectual stimulation!

    How can we get you to autograph our books?

  12. Anonymous says

    Thanks for the reference Frances and James. I’m still not sure I get this guy but like Dave says, he’s one hellava writer!

    Congratulations!

  14. Anonymous says

    You are definitely a better writer than Kos. But you overestimate the commitment of your readers if you think more than 2100 of them will buy this book. Look at how Wonkette’s readers abandoned her.

    But good luck anyway…

  16. Jim says

    Congratulations ALH.

    You have an incredible blog. And I plan to buy the book.

    I was wondering though how come you don’t run google ads on your blog like every other blogger does? I hear its easy money….

  18. Vicky says

    Congratulations Anthony.

    I never thought I’d ever buy a book about politics but I’m going to order yours.

    I hope you don’t mind me saying so but you have really comforting eyes.

  21. JOLANDA HALL says

    Congradulations Uncle Anthony!!! You have made us proud again. God bless you on your journey towards even greater success!!!

    From: Jolanda, Ava, Kesha, Tivaar, Joel and Joseph your loving neices and nephews in Tennessee! We love you…

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