Political Polling Expert Nate Silver Signs Two Book Deal

Earlier today Media Mob reported that political polling expert Nate Silver, the wunderkind statistician behind the Web site FiveThirtyEight.com, was out with a proposal for two books: one about the art of prediction and the other a Freakonomics-style guide to the mechanics of electoral politics. Mr. Silver's agent, Sydelle Kramer of the Susan Rabiner Agency, told publishers she wanted indications of interest by Tuesday, but evidently the indications came faster than expected (so much for the art of prediction) and Ms. Kramer decided to just hold an auction today.

According to several sources, that auction has ended, and Penguin Group USA has prevailed.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[blood1]

A big shout out to Nate, as he was not just right...he was the "rightest". CONGRATULATIONS!

Shame on Huffington Post to low play this GREAT Story and put the palin story of her book deal and "J the P" book deal higher than this one. Is there any blogger who did not regularly visit fivethirtyeight.com?

As I am one of those limited income individuals, I will buy his book(s) if only to hopefully give him the money as he used his intelligence and shared it with the American people - for what I would guess is not a lot of money.

If Obama was really smart, he would hire NATE for any realistic statistical analysis he needed...although Nate would probably just want to be a part time consultant so that he could get back to baseball!

[sandiegoGuy]

Nerds and statisticians everywhere rejoice!
WTG, Mr. Silver.

[Wiserone]

Really glad to hear this for Nate! Most deserved. Now, ask yourself, Nate writing a book(s) Vs Joe the Plumber. Only in America.

[sandiegoGuy]

Well, Palin is getting 7 Millions for recounting how to shoot moose from a helicopter.
You're right. Only in America.

[reggieb]

Nate's website is addictive and much appreciated.

[iceage7]

This is a testament to the power of the internet where anyone with an idea can thrive. The net has made the playing field the level grounder whereby we the people don't have to be fed polls and news from Major news networks. Blogs and the inrternets are the biggest winner this year. Congrats Nate. You made zogby and Gallup look like rookies.

[AlaskanWannaB]

MSM is so NOT the news these days. I am DEPENDING on sites like HuffPo for the news. I am sooooooooooo tired of MSM injecting their opinions into the news. It is soooooooooooooo tiring. Just give me the news--raw and unfettered.

[AlaskanWannaB]

Nate Silver is the %$$BOMB$$$%. I was a statistics freak in college. I appreciate the work he did. I lived on FiveThirtyEight during the campaign between Obama and McCain. Silver did an outstanding job and deserves all the book deals he can get. Obama should hire him in some role. The guy's a genius.

[Jean AK]

"Obama should hire him in some role. The guy's a genius."
My thoughts exactly! How do we get that done?

[cmp]

Prior to this election, Nate Silvers fivethirtyeight.com was my home page. I love this guy !

[piper1233]

The kid is magnificent at what he does. Hope he earns a ton of money, and spend a bit of it learning to smile. Come on Nate, if you don't start smiling more your brain is going to bust.

[Wiserone]

I just think Nate, each and every time he was on MSNBC was so friggin nervous. That will dissipate after he gets his advance for writing the books.

[LiberalBuzz]

Listening to this guy on MSNBC made my head hurt he was so smart. I used to think I could hold my own in just about any conversation but I think I would be so out of my league that I'd embarrass myself by trying.

I do hope however with his money he gets some new glasses.

The ones he has are sort of....well....well they just didn't look right on him.

[leamio]

Nate Silver is my #1 geek crush. I'm like, "Read me the polls, baby. You know how hot that gets me!"

Him and Rachel should get together and make a nerd show and I promise I'd give up Dexter and Gossip Girl (shut up) to watch that show.

[huffyISaHottie]

this is the guy who looks like he's about to fall asleep in the middle of an interview

[aliceinthewater]

O/T

Okay, I'm going to admit it. I have a crush on Nate. He's hot in that nerdy kind of way.

[IllinoisTexan43]

Only got nerd-love for you Nate!! ;-)

[AngelaQuattrano]

Of course I love him for his mind. *WINK!*

[NikolaM]

Soo happy for him! i'll be the first person to buy his books!

[sloreader]

Nate the Great exudes intelligence. Good luck on the book deal(s) dude!

[MPeter]

This guy is simply brilliant. I would not want him to predict my future. He is so frighteningly bang-on.