What to Do If Boycotted by 1,000+ Bookstores? Open Your Own Bookstores, Of Course.

So far, The 4-Hour Chef has had some great allies, including Panera (complete with new hidden Slow-Carb Diet menu), BitTorrent (bundle here), and Hastings. In San Francisco, Samovar Tea Lounges in now selling signed copies in all locations!

But I’m most excited about my next partner: you.

What to do if 1,000+ books stores are boycotting you? Create your own bookstores, of course. That’s where The Army of Davids Campaign comes in.

From now until Friday at midnight PST, interested readers can sell The 4-Hour Chef through their own “bookstore” Fan Fundraising pages on Rally.org here.

– I will donate $6 of every book sold (100% of my royalties and then some) to DonorsChoose.org to help high-need public school classrooms.

THE PRIZES

#1 – Grand Prize for most books sold (500 books minimum): An all-expenses-paid overseas food sabbatical with me and friends. You’ve seen me host trips to India, Africa, and elsewhere. They’re always a blast. Though details are TBD and dates will be mutually agreed, it’s likely we’ll be doing a high-end trip through Tuscany, Italy.

#2 and #3 – Runners-up Prize for second and third most books sold (250 books minimum): An all-expenses-paid full-day trip to SF to see my favorite spots and enjoy mastermind jam sessions with me and a small group of entrepreneurs.

Find full details here, and I hope to travel with you soon! If you need an inspirational video to get you pumped, here’s one of my favorites. Avante!

The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.

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JohnC
JohnC
11 years ago

Hey Congratulations!!

Smart

Charles Zhang
Charles Zhang
11 years ago

Very innovative idea! Whoever came up with this is a genius.

Dain Miller
Dain Miller
11 years ago
Reply to  Charles Zhang

Agreed. That’s my first thought: “Genius”.

Kat Zapanta
Kat Zapanta
11 years ago

FANTASTIC! You are such a pioneer Tim! I love how you always push societal ideals and never back down to ‘the man’ Thanks for the ongoing inspiration! I know the Four Hour Chef will be a hit! Kat 😉

Mattias Pettersson
Mattias Pettersson
11 years ago

You seem to have forgot something Tim.. “non-us” can’t order via Rally for some reason..

Jayce
Jayce
11 years ago

May I ask please when there will be a audio version of 4 Hour Chef will be available?

Simon Carr
Simon Carr
11 years ago

Wait, what?? I just read up on what the boycott is about, that’s an amazingly bizarre strategy if they’re trying to save their business.

I also hear dinosaurs are boycotting meteorites. Good luck with that fellas.

Matt Jeschke
Matt Jeschke
11 years ago
Reply to  Simon Carr

haha… I’m with you on that one. I felt the same way. Last time I bought in a Barnes and Nobel or boarders I got nothing but disappointed. I think after they got rid of the coffee shops in those places they became a completely worthless experience. Not to mention I’ve never once got any help in any of them… which is pretty much my only reason for buying in a store. I buy everything of Amazon now… and love it 🙂

Dain Miller
Dain Miller
11 years ago

Wow. You can move mountains. Let’s do this.

Massi
Massi
11 years ago

Ehi Tim. I’m wondering if N.N.Taleb would say you are a good example of antifragility. It seems you thrive when mishandled.

Anyway, greetings from Italy and… In bocca al lupo!

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Massi

I’d be flattered if N.N. did! He’s a smart man and never back down. I like that.

Joseph Ratliff
Joseph Ratliff
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

Just an odd coincidence, but because I pre-ordered (on May 8th), Amazon gave me the $5 credit…

… and I used it to order Antifragile. 🙂

Ken Hilker
Ken Hilker
11 years ago

Just got a note from amazon that launch day included a discounted price on the e-book. They sent me a $5 refund on my pre-order. Thanks Tim!

Jamie
Jamie
11 years ago

Ingenious. Well done.

Ps. love the new book

Shannon Jones
Shannon Jones
11 years ago

Awesome idea! Glad to do my part to help, win for me or not.

James
James
11 years ago

I knew you had something else up your sleeve. I am in!

Ana Mourao
Ana Mourao
11 years ago

Hey Tim, really inspiring stuff! I am here waiting to see your long lasting impact on the publishing industry.

I just saw the 4 Hours Body on Gwyneth Paltrow´s Goop newsletter! Awesome! This may increase your reach with her reader´s demographics.

Keep rocking! I will get my copy of your new book shortly. Best, ana

Stig
Stig
11 years ago

Bah!

“Open only to legal residents of any one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.”

Dan Erickson
Dan Erickson
11 years ago

Good idea. More authors should try this strategy.

Jason Ford
Jason Ford
11 years ago

Tim you may want to revise the rules. This contest can be gamed incredibly easily. Granted you’ll get a ton of book sales, but they won’t really be genuine book sales. I’ll send Amy a note.

Christian Kleineidam
Christian Kleineidam
11 years ago
Reply to  Jason Ford

A ton of book sales means that the book lands on #1 of the best seller list. I think that’s the point of the exercise.

Jason Ford
Jason Ford
11 years ago

Indeed. I could be wrong, but I don’t think the initial post had the 500 and 250 book minimums. Now that those are added arbitrage is much harder.

Francisco
Francisco
11 years ago

I´m on it!!!

Bartek
Bartek
11 years ago

Dear Tim,

It’s one of those comments you’ll love or hate. Or be indifferent about 🙂

As it is clearly stated in the rules non-US residents cannot participate.

What if a non-US resident teamed up with a US resident? There are no rules clearly addressing this issue, so I would think it’s in fact legal.

I was inspired to come up with this having remembered you de- and rehydrate for sanda matches. It’s nor illegal, if it’s not in the rules, right? 🙂

P
P
11 years ago

Wow, this is clever advertising, I’m impressed. He will probably donate $6 for each copy sold like he said but then his royalties will accidently go up and he will convenietly forget to tell about it and will earn some $$$ from others selling his book. Because he’s donating to charity, no one can have a problem with this. Nice idea!

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  P

Haha… huh? I’d be thrilled if Amazon decided to trlple my royalties after a blog post, but that’s not how it works, sadly.

Amir
Amir
11 years ago
Reply to  P

@P – I am not sure that Tim would be crazy about the royalties anyway. If this sells 5000 books all together and his royalties are let’s say $3 – then it’s $15000 total. That’s not something to write home about (for Tim anyway).

But he is donating his part of the money so no profit at all – he is looking for exposure here and to get the book to the #1 bestseller list.

Big picture… Much more important than a few bucks. Rock on Tim!

Joao
Joao
11 years ago

Not available in Europe… 🙁

Scott
Scott
11 years ago

What’s up Tim! Just bought the new book on Amazon this morning. Thanks for all your awesome work.

I believe there’s a typo or two in the beginning of this post:

“In San Francisco, Samovar Tea Lounges in now selling signed copies in all locations!”

“Lounges in” -> “Lounge is” or “Lounges are”

and for

“What to do if 1,000+ books stores are boycotting you? Create your own bookstores, of course. That’s where The Army of Davids Campaign comes in.”

“books stores” -> “bookstores”

Hope that helps.

Pravil
Pravil
11 years ago

Hey Tim,

Congratulations. And this fund raising idea is great. You may check my page here: http://bit.ly/UTPzs9 . 🙂

BTW, I am from India. The sale page says :”Currently, only orders from the USA can be taken.”. Refer URL: https://rally.org/The4HourChef/5yJQwmHF9P4/praviljithpathravalappil/donate

Cheers!

Pravil

racann
racann
11 years ago

Background music: Killing in the Name by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

“F.u. I wont do what ya tell me!.. F.u. I wont do what ya told me!.. ” :’-)

Sebastien Larocque
Sebastien Larocque
11 years ago

I think it’s exaggerated that so many bookstores are boycotting your book. I really appreciate your material and you don’t deserve this.

Just to play a fair game, it would be cool to have a list of those bookstores. By knowing these stores, I could boycott them in return.

Amy
Amy
11 years ago

So I went to B & N web site to punch your book in that I’m looking for it. And it said I could purchase it for twenty-five dollars and fifty-five cents.

Josh Kohlbach
Josh Kohlbach
11 years ago

Dude would love to be a part of this, but only shipping in the US? Why?

Zachary Park
Zachary Park
11 years ago

Tim,

Did you try Kickstarter? I can see this project fitting into their new guidelines.

Betty Rocker
Betty Rocker
11 years ago

Tim,

Congratulations on completing another unique, amazing book. I’m glad this one is about food…one of my favorite subjects.

Best quote about a book ever: “If you crossed Jason Bourne with Julia Child,

you’d end up with Tim Ferriss.”

I’d like to sell it on my site, and not just until Friday…kind of late joining the party on that but I fully support your awesomeness.

Any chance of running into you in December in the Cooks?

All the best,

Betty Rocker

Jason Ford
Jason Ford
11 years ago
Reply to  Betty Rocker

Whoah, love the Julia Child crossed with Jason Bourne reference. That kicks ass!

Howard (Aitch)
Howard (Aitch)
11 years ago
Reply to  Jason Ford

Yea!!! Interestingly enough both Bourne and Child were secret agents for the government.

Emma
Emma
11 years ago

Only open to US residents!! WTF?!?!

Henri
Henri
11 years ago

Unfortunately not in Germany. Please fpr the next book: All over the world 😉

Shawn Johnson
Shawn Johnson
11 years ago

I just wanted to say thank you Tim for taking away my last barrier to following through on many of the things you have attempted to teach me in your last two books, and that is this – Tim is a really super intelligent guy who has been to Princeton and simply underestimates how smart he is, not realizing that “people like me” just are not cut out to rapidly learn anything. Thank you for, essentially, failing and showing me that you actually fail before you master anything. I needed to know that you actually failed in order to take you seriously. I feel more connected to you as a student now, where as there has always been a slight disconnect from you in the past. I’ve always been a fan, but I just allowed myself to be entertained by you more than actually taught by you. Hope that makes sense. Thanks for f***ing up Tim!!!

Karl
Karl
11 years ago

WTF? rally.org does not work in Germany. HELP!

Ben
Ben
11 years ago
Reply to  Karl

You could use the Tor browser or i2p

Stephen
Stephen
11 years ago

This is a brilliant idea! I happen to be listening to “The Long Tail” which was written in 2006 and the author basically predicted the success of Amazon and their inevitable dominance in online publishing. Ironically, he also predicted the bookstores irrational and idiotic response. I enjoyed your podcast interview with Derek Halpern and you are right, this response of the bookstore is one of fear, quite reminiscent of the failing music industry model, and their inability to adapt and modify their business to fit the needs of a culture in “digital” transition.

So I give you even more props for not only publishing with Amazon, but also partnering with bit torrent. Forward thinking Tim… An example of adapting in the new “long tail” marketplace… Truly, as you quoted Oscar Wilde in the 4HWW “Everything popular is wrong!”

Just got my copy of the 4 Hour Chef, and I am feeling reinvigorated to explore the process of learning. I am creating a study group withing my clinic patients to identify failure points and then perform a “DSSS” analysis. I like the idea of ONE SINGLE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE… I have decided there is no such thing as non compliant patients, just poor teachers. Thank you for the new book and your work. I believe, as always, beyond the profit motive your intentions are good…You are a pioneer and a wonderful teacher!!!

Mick Baker
Mick Baker
11 years ago

Love it, but not avail in Australia:(

Rob
Rob
11 years ago

It’s worth looking up on the web what the boycott is actually about. From what I understand it’s about Amazon (the publisher) taking anticompetitive measures (arguably) in the book industry and not a ban due to the content. If Tim wanted the book published playing by another publisher I suspect it would have been possible to avoid this “boycott”. In fact I’m not sure if it even is a true boycott as it is possible to order the books from many stores – TF can you fill us in please?

I would hate this just to be a marketing gimmick.

Kieran Gill
Kieran Gill
11 years ago

Awesome. Let’s see what I can do…

FYI, for anyone who hasn’t picked up the book yet or wants another copy for a present or whatever, then to sweeten Tim’s deal here, for every book I manage to sell through my page I’ll donate an additional $6 out of my own pocket to DonorsChoose up to a limit of $5000 (around 834 books sold… I doubt I’ll make that anyway, but it’d be awesome if I did!)

Just click my name and you’ll be taken to my donors page.

Let the games begin 😉

Amid Yousef
Amid Yousef
11 years ago

Ok, Tim… I just read the RULES… Hehe.. I am reposting:

I would love to interview you for TVSHOWHOW (you add the .COM)

Contact me if interested

Allan Gregoire
Allan Gregoire
11 years ago

Tim, good job showing these big bookstores that they are not the only game in town. Great workaround!

Louis Thompson
Louis Thompson
11 years ago

Hey Time, Here is the newsletter I just sent out for your campaign. Hope it helps!

grsnip.com/r/ur4f

Isabel
Isabel
11 years ago

Just noticed that Tim corrected a clicking noise he used to do with his mouth between frases. Just proving again that nothing is impossible for him 😉

Pete T
Pete T
11 years ago

I call bullshit on allowing Dane and Andy to qualify or the Rally prize. Sure, they can participate and raise money for charity, but the contest should be limited to individuals. Just my $0.02…

Huey
Huey
11 years ago

I would like to do this but can’t from the UK:(

p.s. Tim has played this whole boycott thing as a Goliath (Barnes & Noble) picking on David (Tim) which sounds plausible until you realise freaking AMAZON is behind him. The biggest Goliath of all.

Tyler Masterson
Tyler Masterson
11 years ago

Seth, Tucker, Tim all breaking the publishing mold in their own way at the same time. I’m sure there are others, but this is going to be a case study in how fast an industry can be transformed. Here’s Seth Godin’s interesting stab at the industry http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/297519465/the-icarus-deception-why-make-art-new-from-seth-go

Tim O
Tim O
11 years ago

Its a noble innovative use of the Network Marketing model. Very nice.

Stefano
Stefano
11 years ago

Tim, the 5 star reviews for 4HC on Amazon.com look a bit suspicious. I am still waiting for the book to arrive (I live in Europe) and I am sure I will enjoy it, but I don’t think you need that kind of stuff to boost sales. I hope is something that Amazon did rather than you did! Hope to see you in Italy!

Carolyn
Carolyn
11 years ago

Tim, I need some help & hope you might have some input. It’s breast cancer treatment. Pretty much kicked my butt with extreme fatigue & chemo brain. You mentioned in “4-Hour Body” that studies take a long time to get published & I wonder if in your experience you have run across anything that might be helpful.

Brief specs: I am 4 years out from my treatment. Diet, supplements, rest, etc. have not helped. I am 48 & in my (BC-before cancer) professional life, I had a ball in business. I now have terrible memory, information cannot get in my head & it’s a struggle to get the words out. Good things have come out of this whole process but this part has me stuck, quite literally. I am not working right now, thankfully.

Interesting statistics: 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime; there are talks of changing that number to 1 in 7; 30% of women treated with chemotherapy will have significant chemo brain – I suspect that is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t remember the statistics on fatigue.

Of all the people in the world, I thought you might have a suggestion, because of your intense interest in health. There just isn’t much out there that I can find.

Thanks for listening & I enjoyed the NYC streaming last night.

Carolyn-

Justin
Justin
11 years ago

Tim, what happens if we don’t sell 250 or 500 books. I will still put up my own airfare and hotel to get the chance to meet and talk with you for 5 minutes. This opportunity gave me drive to sell your book, but those numbers don’t seem realistic to me. I will try my butt off to succeed with every task I take on, but I still want to know 1st 2nd or 3rd gets to meet you personally.

Stefano
Stefano
11 years ago

I’d rather sell my own stuff than your snake oil.

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Stefano

Thank you for the warm and fuzzy note! Here’s a gift for you: http://www.leekspin.com

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

Yes, I realize you’re not being warm and fuzzy.

Roland Nadeau
Roland Nadeau
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

Oh Tim, if it was possible for you to get any cooler, you just did it. Cue the Citizen Kane clap.

Charlie
Charlie
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

Right on, Tim! That was epic, lol!!!

Amy Eddings
Amy Eddings
11 years ago

If you’re in the NYC area, I’ll be speaking with Tim about this when I guest host The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC 93.9 FM and AM820 from 10-noon on Monday, November 26th. Tune in! BTW, the Kindle version of “The 4-Hour Chef” is easier to take on the subway than the physical book….. http://wny.cc/TeWMmR

Bennett Johnston
Bennett Johnston
11 years ago
Reply to  Amy Eddings

Hey Amy,

Any chance you can spread the word even sooner?

If I help Tim sell 500 books by tomorrow at midnight I’m going to put on a turkey suit and jump into the freezing Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island on Saturday December 1st, all caught on camera!

Check it out on the Rally page – Cook Like a Pro, Freeze Dunk a Human Turkey:

https://rally.org/The4HourChef/hFgEarRMTZx/bennettjohnston

Help me, help Tim – and see me get freeze dunked!

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Amy Eddings

Thank you for the comment, Amy. Nice to see you here, and I look forward to chatting on Monday. It’s been an exciting week.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and anyone else who sees this!

Tim

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

So why was your book boycotted? I haven’t read anything as to why…

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Hi Chris,

It’s because The 4-Hour Chef is the first book out of Amazon Publishing. They equate Amazon with bookstores going out of business, which is too bad… and not entirely accurate.

Customers want certain things that Amazon (and companies like Apple) want. In the end, the only battle is for loyal customers. It’s too bad that B&N and others will be turning away the very people who want to buy from them.

Cheers,

Tim

Ray Dombroski
Ray Dombroski
11 years ago

Tim,

This will be helpful for all the graphic designers out there.

“How to get $125 worth of (FREE) downloads from TheVectorLab”

If you buy The 4-Hour Chef through my “Contribute” link (Click on my name above to find my page)

I will email you a FREE $75 Gift Certificate Coupon good for any Graphic Design downloads off my website, TheVectorLab.com -AND- a also a Brand NEW product called Designer’s Toolkit which is a variety collection of some of our most popular stock art (worth $50)

Feel free to click on my name above to check out my page and [video] for more details.

Thanks!

Ray Dombroski

Andrea
Andrea
11 years ago

We <3 it! Inspiration for making great things happen and living life to the fullest!

Bennett Johnston
Bennett Johnston
11 years ago

Cook Like a Pro, Freeze Dunk a Human Turkey!

In support of Tim’s new book, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’ve upped the ante on my Rally page.

If I sell 500 books by tomorrow at midnight I’m going to put on a turkey suit and jump into the freezing Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island on Saturday December 1st, all caught on camera.

Help me, help Tim – and see me get freeze dunked too!

Support here: https://rally.org/The4HourChef/hFgEarRMTZx/bennettjohnston

Bennett

Mel D.
Mel D.
11 years ago

Does B&N not remember a time when they were actually the innovators of what was then traditional business? It’s fighting back in a “sore loser” kind of way, which actually might be a little prophetic of where they’ll end up. Bought the book BTW, it is goooodd. Wait… saw shooting star, gotta wash hands. Later!

Leunam Remeark
Leunam Remeark
11 years ago

Hey Tim,

here is my support for your campaign: A 5-minute reading from your book “The 4-hour chef”.

Go and rock the bestseller lists!

Cheers!

Leunam from Germany

Graeme
Graeme
11 years ago

Your book arrived yesterday – l loved the meta-learning. It’s making me re-evaluate my own teaching.

Hit a roadblock with Dom. I have a pretty small kitchen. I don’t have space for much new equipment.

I’m going to run another 80/20 analysis on my kitchenware + a nearby closet, but I was wondering if you have any tips for those with limited space.

p.s. If anyone from your team creates a list of Canadian sources for the equipment, I’m sure that would boost use of your book in the frozen north this winter.

If that’s not in the works, let me know and I’ll see about making one.

Howard (Aitch)
Howard (Aitch)
11 years ago

I’m very excited to read the book and pumped to start a site and tap into my network to share and promote “The 4-hour Chef.” My goal is for a $1000 and I want to sell, at the very least, 3 books. I am moving to China from Florida for a year to teach english and have a great feeling that this book is going to be very helpful at preparing me to rely on myself to create and project. Good luck to all participants.

Brett
Brett
11 years ago

How can non-US residents get a hold of your book?

I’ve been trying to demystify the art of cooking myself but was held back by the seemingly sheer vastness of it all and I would like to get a copy for myself.

Leunam Remeark
Leunam Remeark
11 years ago
Reply to  Brett

By Kindle, my friend 😉

Brett
Brett
11 years ago
Reply to  Leunam Remeark

I tried that but unfortunately it says Kindle PC is not available in Malaysia.

It’s a bit frustrating considering that I’m currently going through chapter 1 thanks to the preview from Tim’s torrent. This book is teasing me right now.

Andy Sziraki
Andy Sziraki
11 years ago

GO TIM GO! You are always FINDING THE WAY! All the best!

Gordon
Gordon
11 years ago

Tim,

This phrase doesn’t make sense to me. You wrote in your response:

“Customers want certain things that Amazon (and companies like Apple) want.”

Amazon wants customers. Amazon became famous for becoming one of the largest online retail distribution companies. Amazon DID destroy small retail businesses by outselling the competition. It’s not terribly complicated. I buy from Amazon. I’ve purchased mainly books and/or music. Sometimes I’ve purchased household-related products. But before I first began purchasing from Amazon, I would go purchase from physical retailers. Some of these physical retailers could be big corporations (like Amazon) or it could be a small shop in my neighborhood that sells CD’s, for example. But what has Amazon done? It’s made me lazy and give less of my business to physical retailers. I still have to pay for shipping on Amazon. Bookstores have gone out of business, thanks to Amazon. Big fish eats little fish. Competitors wanting to stay alive would do exactly would take the exact same action as B&N did. Forcing people to purchase from Amazon is not providing consumer choice. But then smaller businesses are fighting for their survival. Amazon publishing is definitely the first step into Amazon carving out an even larger empire for itself. The big banks need to be broken up. Maybe Amazon needs to be broken up.

David
David
11 years ago

Hi Tim.

I’ve been trying to advertise my rally.org donation page with Facebook PPC, but my ad can’t get approved because the donation page doesn’t have a privacy policy on it.

Can you let them know?

David

Crystal
Crystal
11 years ago

Hey there Tim.

I so, so, SO wanted the chance to win this thing, but the site wouldn’t even let me sign up, let alone buy, let alone create a bookstore. 🙁 Any chance you can set some kind of competition/challenge for us non-US people to have a chance to catch up with you too? Like maybe if you end up doing a promo tour or something? I so want to pick your brain about the protocols you used for 4 hour body, so I can find what works with my (intolerant/allergic to meat and seafood) vegetarian one.

Anyway, I see a few other Aussies are here – and a few comments from other non-locals. FYI guys, anyone can buy it through amazon, from pretty much anywhere I think, but for the Aussies it’s also available locally on bookworld.com.au, (mine was only ordered 2 days ago, so I can’t say how long it takes, but they have already sent me notice it’s shipped).

Jim
Jim
11 years ago

Why do you care about print sales at all? B&N will be gone in a few years, and now that you’re with the best publisher on the planet, you should be happy with digital. You’ll sell more digital copies than print anyway. The Amazon imprints have released several books that have sold hundreds of thousands of copies right out of the gate, and the NYT bestseller list wouldn’t acknowledge them, so don’t count on them acknowledging you even if you do hit #1 on bookscan (which is only 20% of sales anyway). So, if the NYT list doesn’t matter, and Bookscan doesn’t matter, what’s the point? Why play their game now that it’s dying. Seems like backward thinking to me.

Theo
Theo
11 years ago

Hi Tim,

You’re being hypocritical.

I love your books and your blog, but you are partnering with Amazon and do not want the other bookstores to boycott your book?

Come on… Amazon is using all the old corporate tricks to become a giant monopolistic publishing business.

You criticize Monsanto in your book, but Amazon uses the same methods. Crush smaller competitors, rip off customers, lobbying, whatever they can to maximize profits. Now that corporate giants turned their backs on you, you want moms and pops to sell your books?

Fair play to you for trying, but let’s not make out that this is a crusade against evil oppressors who are trying to stop you from starting a “revolution” in the publishing industry.

It’s just business. You want to sell more and that’s it. They do not want to stock your book because Amazon is already causing a lot of damage to their profits margins. That is all.

Liz
Liz
11 years ago

Hi Tim,

I just went to Barnes and Noble and interviewed at great length a highly knowledgeable employee about why the book might be banned or boycotted from the store. The employee relayed to me the book is indeed in the Barnes and Noble computer system. The bookstore does not have it in stock simply because it does not yet have a contract with Amazon. Once the contract is in place, as said employee expected it would be, eventually, the bookstore will get the book. If a bookstore wants to make a profit, why would it ban a book riding on the “Four Hour” wave, which will likely be profitable–schools and religious organizations are among those that typically ban/boycott books, not bookstores.

In order to make sure that I am not misinterpreting the definition of “ban” or “boycott”, I just looked up the definitions of said terms in the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

boycott: to engage in a concerted refusal to have dealings with (as a person, store, or organization) usually to express disapproval or to force acceptance of certain conditions

ban: archaic : curse

2: to prohibit especially by legal means ; also : to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of

Using the above two terms to describe the situation appears to be inaccurate.

Comments.

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  Liz

Hi Liz,

The employee is a bit in the dark, so allow me to provide background.

The terms “boycott” and “ban” apply here, including by Merriam-Webster for few reasons:

– B&N originally said it wouldn’t carry my book (4-Hour Chef or “4HC”) due to Amazon not making it available on the Nook.

– Amazon agreed to put it on the Nook and B&N still refused to carry 4HC.

– Some B&N managers decided to try and order 4HC for their stores, and B&N corporate gave them the slap down, enforcing a ban on the book from corporate HQ.

Hope that helps!

Tim

Liz
Liz
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

Interesting, and thank you. I, personally, am looking forward to the “arugula pasta” (?) in your book. Thank you again. –Liz

Liz
Liz
11 years ago
Reply to  Tim Ferriss

P.S. I did pick up an Alice Waters cookbook in the meantime…but will wait to get on that until tomorrow, early. Too tired from Thanksgiving cooking (I guess I am a lightweight). 🙂

ryan
ryan
11 years ago

I made a video of Jude’s Chuck Roast. It was super easy to make and was very good. I also made one for middle eastern eggs which I will put up later.

I’m a big fan and love the book. I bought the hard cover. I will do my part and make videos and hopefully make some sales from it. As a side note Rob Wolf and Kelly Starret are one of my most favorite content on the web.

Anyways, I litteraly got the book today in the mail and was very ambitious and went and bought a dutch oven and all the ingredients for Jude’s Chuck Roast. Then went and made the eggs. The best looking and tasting eggs I’ve ever made. I’ve been wondering how the heck restuarants not burn their eggs and get them “snotty.” lol.

http://youtu.be/SFrdRRRWv2E

DA
DA
11 years ago

Hi–My comment was not rude so why was it deleted? I just pointed out that this blog is misleading. The independent bookstores are not BOYCOTTING your book. They just do not want to be the showroom for Amazon and who can blame them? Amazon has done everything to put them out of business and as you know indies were big supporters of your earlier books. I want my independent bookstores (and even other brick and mortar ones such as B&N) to stay in business. The bookstores I talked to said they would special order your book but not merchandise it as they do others from real publishers who have sales rep/publicity people and even help them with co-op advertising. Was Random House bad to you? Hope everyone continues to support their independent bookstores!

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
11 years ago
Reply to  DA

Hi DA,

I’m not sure what happened to the other comment, but thanks for this one. To be clear: if a store deliberately does not buy something, that is a boycott. Many indies (but not all) are doing exactly that.

I didn’t go to Amazon because Random House was bad to me. I did go to Amazon because they are willing and able to test really innovative things that are good for content creators (and ultimately good for the end reader). I have nothing against independent bookstores and visit them here in my hometown of SF all the time.

Hope that helps!

Tim

ANDY b
ANDY b
11 years ago

Tim,

Currently the copies available at the Samovar Tea Lounge have signed notecards…The book is not signed.

I am guessing it was to ensure a quick turnaround. Will you be signing the actual books at some point?

thanks

Benny Hsu
Benny Hsu
11 years ago

Hey Tim or whoever can answer this.

Who is on the back cover of the hard cover (taking off the sleeve)?

Thanks!

Adam
Adam
11 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hsu

I believe it is a photo of Jigoro Kano when he was young. The Japanese guy that founded Judo.

Eddie
Eddie
11 years ago

Its a little lame i cant simply go to the bookstore and pick up a book…why the games?

Darri E
Darri E
11 years ago

Great initiative! I’m trying to find #4hourchef in London before christmas (in a real brick-and-mortar bookshop) ! Can anyone help?

Ellie
Ellie
11 years ago

Everyone loves an underdog story. Saying that, I can’t wait to get my copy and I wish Tim the best of luck. To all the haters, keep posting, Tim’s hilarious retorts make my day.

Ellie

Ben
Ben
11 years ago

Bummer that this was only open to US residents. I’d love to do this from South Korea, where my businesses are based.

Melissa
Melissa
11 years ago

Hey Tim,

Your books are all over Wichita, Kansas (where I moved to for So Cal last year… :P)

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I found 4 Hour Chef at a little Indie bookstore, and bought 4HB from Barns and Noble… Which I wouldn’t have done if I knew they were boycotting your other book.

Anyway, still promoting the books even if I didn’t see the contest post until now. Best of luck and congratulations on all your success!

Melissa

Cyrus John Aram
Cyrus John Aram
11 years ago

Tim-

I am an adjunct Professor on the side; during the day I am an executive for a leading healthcare company in California (BlueShield). Here’s the deal- I have taught MBA classes for 8 years and for the first time doing someting radical- making your book (4 hour work week) as the main “academic book” for an Technology for Executives MBA class- imagine teaching 40 of the next gen leaders “IT” using your book! And that’s where I am asking for a little help on how to use your frameworks to lead this 10 week class. I get your in demand, but I could be an agent to proliferate your content in academic circles and business graduate programs (I teach at 3 major institutions). Let me know if you have 15 minutes to talk live,

Cyrus

XN.Xu
XN.Xu
11 years ago

I saw your “The four – Hour Work week”.

I am a Chinese readers. This is from the other end of the message.

There are three problems.

The first: in “low-information diet”.

Do you mean “fast” is only for news information and useless material, or all it takes to read the text? Should

ask someone else?

I according to “D (Definition)” made a study plan, to enrich himself. But to step E I dizzy. Because it should

all Elimination.

2: I want to know according to your description, you don’t absorb those information, so some of your inspiration

come from? I understand that good health condition, can be in specific things to find the most important way and

action. But if you don’t read the book, I also can’t contact you this book. The problem is, your information in

addition to from others, but also come from?

3: this is a request. The book’s training, I do low-information diet.

But, cannot continue the. Is every day, find the opposite sex to at least two telephone number.

Much trouble, maybe China more conservative than the United States.Maybe this is just my excuses. Maybe.

I’m going to very perfect the phrase, however, I think there is no cause to chat up like crazy.

I tried once, indeed, I feel the other side also think so.

Then I think, simply say, I am doing a training, even doing a survey. But in the end I failed to complete the

training.

– – – – – – – – – – – please tell me, what is the purpose of the training. Like the previous “gaze”, etc. And

then, I know that purpose, this, it seems to have the same, it is different.

Can you use other alternative? This is the suffering.

Or even if I know this is to overcome what kind of fear, can undertake another plan.

= = = = = = = = =

I don’t know how many Chinese NR. I think more and more people know this way of life and so of life.

I don’t know if you can reply to this a message, but these puzzles is bothering me.

I want to start NR life before, first to thoroughly understand it. Can help to answer me? Thank you first.

In the future may open a NR club, ha ha.

Diana Loera
Diana Loera
9 years ago

awesome idea and it benefits a lot of kids too!