Oprah's Endorsement Lifts A New Earth To Record Sales

NEW YORK — Even for an Oprah Winfrey book pick, "A New Earth" has been a sensation. About 3.5 million copies of Eckhart Tolle's spiritual self-help guide have been shipped since Winfrey, host of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," announced her selection four weeks ago.

The book has topped the best-seller list on Amazon.com virtually from the moment Winfrey's choice was revealed, and it is the fastest-selling pick ever at Barnes & Noble Inc., according to a statement issued Thursday by Winfrey.

It's also a record shipment in a four-week span for any book by Penguin Group (USA), which has published such million sellers as Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" and Ken Follett's Winfrey-endorsed "The Pillars of the Earth."

Brian Tart, president and publisher of the Penguin imprint Dutton, told The Associated Press that a key factor was the upcoming Web seminars featuring Winfrey and Tolle, to be held for 10 consecutive Mondays starting March 3.

"Oprah herself has committed 10 weeks to talking to the author, and people from all over the world will be able to participate," said Tart, who added that more than 500,000 people, from more than 100 countries, have registered for the seminar.

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On the Net:

"The Oprah Winfrey Show":

http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

Comments

[Phaedrusnyc]

03:20 PM on 02/29/2008

Oprah keeps promoting these "me me me me" "self-help" charlatans. We've had Dr. Phil, "The Secret," this new book, and a hundred in between. What I don't understand is- if any one of these really has "the answers," why does she need to keep finding new books that have the answers? Do the answers only work for a limited time? It's rather like her promotion of various diets over the years.

[johnnyjust]

12:46 PM on 02/29/2008

Amazing that so many brain-deads are waiting for the next syllable to come from a talk show host before they can continue with life.

Oh, by the way...Vote Barry!

[truthskr]

11:51 AM on 02/29/2008

This is the same woman who promotes or promoted Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Rachel Ray, and James Frey...all the billboard charlatans of their fields. And of course now we have the self-agrandizing crapfest that will the "The Big Give" which will really just be all about Oprah, and all about what an amazing, selfless person she is, all while giving away only $2M, which in relation to her wealth would be like me giving $5 to a needy person on the street and expecting nightly news coverage of my "big give." I will never in a million years understand the worship and blind, ignorant following this woman is able to generate.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

11:25 AM on 02/29/2008

I don't know Oprah. My purpose seems to be to haunt, taunt, and flaunt. I'm doing ok so far.

[Malarcus]

08:03 AM on 02/29/2008

Sheesh, and people accuse Obama of leading a cult...

[Silpat]

06:35 AM on 02/29/2008

Oprah has the "Midas Touch".

[spiritualized]

09:29 PM on 02/28/2008

man, first tolle (she made him big by promoting 'the power of now') and then obama...
can this woman ever go wrong? i'm kinda kidding around..
but i am deeply moved by oprah's genuine interest in using her position to develop human consciousness.
i mean, it's a risk to push material like tolle's.. it's definitely 'out there' stuff but she does what she believes is best for her audience.. what a respectable woman.

[PeacefullyYours]

11:31 AM on 02/29/2008

Can she ever go wrong??
Have we already forgotten about the FRAUD she promoted?
"A Million Little Pieces " by James Frey

[MissingAmerica]

07:54 PM on 02/28/2008

I am a fan of Oprah, and Eckhart Tolle is an amazing author and human being. He radiates peace! He speaks beautifully and makes a great deal of sense. The book is a must read, and I'm totally looking forward to Monday night, when their online class begins!

[hillaryj]

05:47 PM on 02/28/2008

Is it my imagination, or does she go overboard on some of these issues?

[ObamaEdwards]

02:24 PM on 02/28/2008

Gee, Oprah, when are you going to endorse ME? I don't need no stinking book about how to live my life, but I'd love a career boost when you have time. Thanks.