Were you one as well? Options

[GMR]

Where you one as well?

I went into a shop today to purchase something and all eyes were on me, as if I had just bought a porn mag, or knitting for mothers, the picture of the Madonna with the big bobbies, Viagra and 101 easy ways, Woman’s Own, Gay news, or whatever. As I hesitantly approached the counter I thought of asking the girl behind the till if she could put my purchase in a brown paper bag. I kid you not, as I left people kept staring at me. It was either because of my purchase or they’ve never seen an extremely good looking man before (I know what you are thinking, it has to be the second.... wrong! That shocked you). OK, so now you are asking; what did I purchase then? Only the Journey by Tony Blair, his autobiography.

It seems the book had sold out of most shops and i had to try 4 different shops. According to the news it has become one of the fastest selling books - ever.

So, will anybody else tip their toe in the water and read it? I am not a fan of his but I would be interested in what he says about certain controversial matters.

[Iommi]

If Blair said it was raining out-side, I'd have to check for myself. I'd take what he says with a pinch of salt.

[GMR]

If Blair said it was raining out-side, I'd have to check for myself. I'd take what he says with a pinch of salt.

I agree and reading this book shouldn't be taken at face value. But what you do do is read what he said, against what others have said and then draw your conclusions when you've analysed everything.... As Sherlock would expect of somebody who was impartial and fair. If one is biased then that is a different matter.

[Iommi]

I think 'witness statements' are a poor form of getting to the truth.

[On the edge]

You should have told her you were only buying it to read what he'd said about you!

[GMR]

I think 'witness statements' are a poor form of getting to the truth.

Not just 'witness statements' but also look at the evidence.

[GMR]

You should have told her you were only buying it to read what he'd said about you!

True, but then I might have got kicked out, never mind me being able to buy the book.

[Iommi]

Not just 'witness statements' but also look at the evidence.

Yes, but at least the evidence comes 'free'!

[GMR]

Yes, but at least the evidence comes 'free'!

That maybe true, but we should at least here his side of the story.

[Iommi]

That maybe true, but we should at least here his side of the story.

I have no quarrel there, but evidence suggests he is not to be trusted.

[GMR]

I have no quarrel there, but evidence suggests he is not to be trusted.

The trouble is doesn't democracy create that? What PM or politician can totally speak freely and honestly under the umbrella of democracy?

[Iommi]

The trouble is doesn't democracy create that? What PM or politician can totally speak freely and honestly under the umbrella of democracy?

Which reinforces my point. I'm sure it would be a good read, but is likely to be 'doped' with fiction.

[GMR]

Which reinforces my point. I'm sure it would be a good read, but is likely to be 'doped' with fiction.

But the only way we are going to know that is by reading it.

[On the edge]

But they only way we are going to know that is by reading it.

I know its a long book but I heard a long debate about it on the radio this morning. The people talking couldn't possibly have read it right through but knew what was in it - that was the unbiased BBC. There was also a lot of comment in the Sun and the Daily Mail - so it must be true!!! So no wonder the bookseller was surprised you purchased a copy; everyone else interested has had it by telepathy!

[Iommi]

But they only way we are going to know that is by reading it.

Probably to a good cause as well!

[GMR]

I know its a long book but I heard a long debate about it on the radio this morning. The people talking couldn't possibly have read it right through but knew what was in it - that was the unbiased BBC. There was also a lot of comment in the Sun and the Daily Mail - so it must be true!!! So no wonder the bookseller was surprised you purchased a copy; everyone else interested has had it by telepathy!

I also noticed that a few people have reviewed it on Amazon. Before they publish they check them first. Nobody can read that quickly and then get it published.

What people did do is pick bits and skim read.

[GMR]

Probably to a good cause as well!

What good cause? And what has that got to do with reading it?

[Iommi]

What good cause? And what has that got to do with reading it?

Are you on a wind up? You bought it, right? All proceeds are going to the Royal British Legion. It was in the news every where! So regardless of the quality of the contents, at least some of your money is going to possibly a worthy cause!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...ish-Legion.html

[GMR]

Are you on a wind up? You bought it, right? All proceeds are going to the Royal British Legion. It was in the news every where! So regardless of the quality of the contents, at least some of your money is going to possibly a worthy cause!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...ish-Legion.html

No i am not on a wind up and I know where the money is going. But that isn't what this is about.

I said: But they only way we are going to know that is by reading it.

You then replied with: Probably to a good cause as well!

So what has 'reading about it' got to do with a 'good cause'?

[Iommi]

No i am not on a wind up and I know where the money is going. But that isn't what this is about.

I said: But they only way we are going to know that is by reading it.

You then replied with: Probably to a good cause as well!

So what has 'reading about it' got to do with a 'good cause'?

Reading about what? Is that a typo?

Reading it means buying it somewhere along the line, so if the contents end-up being factually suspect, at least there is value in the donation from the purchase.

[GMR]

Reading about what? Is that a typo?

Reading it means buying it somewhere along the line, so if the contents end-up being factually suspect, at least there is value in the donation from the purchase.

That is true, but that still hasn't got anything to do with what I originally said.

[On the edge]

I suppose that means WH Smith is now a charity shop!

[Iommi]

That is true, but that still hasn't got anything to do with what I originally said.

Which was what? And since when have you ever been concerned with continuity in forum posting?

[GMR]

I suppose that means WH Smith is now a charity shop!

You mean it isn't?

[GMR]

Which was what? And since when have you ever been concerned with continuity in forum posting?

It depends on what frame of mind I am in at the time

At least it has made me smile;

[Iommi]

It depends on what frame of mind I am in at the time At least it has made me smile;

Agreed on both accounts.

[GMR]

Agreed on both accounts.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

No mention of Dr Kelly and 'Dark Forces' as the Queen puts it in the book then.....

[Guest_Newburymafia_*]

Where you one as well?

I went into a shop today to purchase something and all eyes were on me, as if I had just bought a porn mag, or knitting for mothers, the picture of the Madonna with the big bobbies, Viagra and 101 easy ways, Woman’s Own, Gay news, or whatever. As I hesitantly approached the counter I thought of asking the girl behind the till if she could put my purchase in a brown paper bag. I kid you not, as I left people kept staring at me. It was either because of my purchase or they’ve never seen an extremely good looking man before (I know what you are thinking, it has to be the second.... wrong! That shocked you). OK, so now you are asking; what did I purchase then? Only the Journey by Tony Blair, his autobiography.

It seems the book had sold out of most shops and i had to try 4 different shops. According to the news it has become one of the fastest selling books - ever.

So, will anybody else tip their toe in the water and read it? I am not a fan of his but I would be interested in what he says about certain controversial matters.

I bought it from Smiths yesterday, declined a bag and then wished I hadn't. I got funny looks too. I had to carry it with the front facing inwards......I think it's Blair's big face on the front. A bit disturbing.

And as for reading it on the train........

[JeffG]

And as for reading it on the train........

You could make brown paper covers for it...

[dannyboy]

I also noticed that a few people have reviewed it on Amazon. Before they publish they check them first. Nobody can read that quickly and then get it published.

What people did do is pick bits and skim read.

Review copies are sent out weeks before a book will actually appear in the shops. This is so newspaper reviewers etc can read the book & write a review in time for the books publication date. Some publishers also send out Proof copies, these can be 2 months before the book is 'published'.

[Biker1]

I suppose that means WH Smith is now a charity shop!

I think it is judging by the number of scrotes who nick stuff from the "goodies rack" by the entrance.

(Whoops, deviating again! )

[GMR]

No mention of Dr Kelly and 'Dark Forces' as the Queen puts it in the book then.....

I've just started reading it. So far it has been very interesting, but I've only read 15 pages so far

[GMR]

I bought it from Smiths yesterday, declined a bag and then wished I hadn't. I got funny looks too. I had to carry it with the front facing inwards......I think it's Blair's big face on the front. A bit disturbing.

And as for reading it on the train........

On the train!!? God, you are anxious to read it.

I bought mine from Tesco's.

I've just started it.

[GMR]

Review copies are sent out weeks before a book will actually appear in the shops. This is so newspaper reviewers etc can read the book & write a review in time for the books publication date. Some publishers also send out Proof copies, these can be 2 months before the book is 'published'.

That is true (normally), but not in this case. According to Newsnight nobody, but nobody had a copy until the day. That is why a lot of papers speculated what was said, and in some cases made way-out comments.

[dannyboy]

That is true (normally), but not in this case. According to Newsnight nobody, but nobody had a copy until the day. That is why a lot of papers speculated what was said, and in some cases made way-out comments.

sounds to me like a good marketing ploy. Of course people had a copy. The pinters will have printed the thing weeks & weeks ago.

oh, and Hutchinson are owned by Random House who are also the owners of the BBC Books imprint.

[GMR]

sounds to me like a good marketing ploy. Of course people had a copy. The pinters will have printed the thing weeks & weeks ago.

Of course they were printed months ago. And I agree that certain people might have had a copy, but the press didn't. That is why nothing was leaked to the press.

oh, and Hutchinson are owned by Random House who are also the owners of the BBC Books imprint.

That doesn't mean everybody at the BBC had a copy.

[On the edge]

Even if the pundits did get an early copy I'm sure they would have done no more than skim. If they read, in close detail, every book paper or pamplet put in front of them they'd still be on Clement Attlee

[GMR]

Even if the pundits did get an early copy I'm sure they would have done no more than skim. If they read, in close detail, every book paper or pamplet put in front of them they'd still be on Clement Attlee

If pundits got a copy earlier then a lot more would have been leaked.

[dannyboy]

That doesn't mean everybody at the BBC had a copy.

No, but it might mean that BBC editorial is biased.

[dannyboy]

If pundits got a copy earlier then a lot more would have been leaked.

Not if there is nothing to leak...

[GMR]

Not if there is nothing to leak...

A lot have been leaking the wrong facts. If they had the books then they would at least leak the correct stuff.

[Iommi]

A lot have been leaking the wrong facts. If they had the books then they would at least leak the correct stuff.

For example?

[GMR]

For example?

I can't remember the details, but it was on Newsnight a couple of nights ago. You might be able to catch it on iPlayer. If I knew I was going to be quizzed I would have taken notes.

[Iommi]

I can't remember the details, but it was on Newsnight a couple of nights ago. You might be able to catch it on iPlayer. If I knew I was going to be quizzed I would have taken notes.

I only asked the question because I am sceptical of you said. This is based on my own experience, which is that I have not heard any pre-release stories, let alone those that are inaccurate.

[GMR]

I only asked the question because I am sceptical of you said. This is based on my own experience, which is that I have not heard any pre-release stories, let alone those that are inaccurate.

It is good to be sceptical, but I can only repeat what I've read and what the 'professionals' have said. Like you, I am not an expert on the subject, we can only tip our hats to those that are and repeat what they said verbatim.

[dannyboy]

I can't remember the details, but it was on Newsnight a couple of nights ago. You might be able to catch it on iPlayer. If I knew I was going to be quizzed I would have taken notes.

Another non answer.

[GMR]

Another non answer.

Of course it is not a non answer, but an answer were you can check the facts. I think you would prefer it to be an non answer.

[dannyboy]

Of course it is not a non answer, but an answer were you can check the facts. I think you would prefer it to be an non answer.

There are no facts to check.

[GMR]

There are no facts to check.

For you, probably not.