Libraries refusing to carry Sam Harris' book
Offline This is from a friend of mine on myspace. She emailed me this.
From: Kristina
Date: Sep 21, 2006 11:46 AM
Emailed response I got from our Public Library regarding Sam Harris' books. I was looking for Letter to A Christian Nation, and found they had nothing by Sam Harris.
Thank you for your contacting us about Sam Harris's new book. The item was released September 19, 2006 according to our book supplier. We do order books suggested by our patrons, but only after consideration of topic, timeliness, price, popularity, longevity, and such. One way we do this is by looking for and reading professional reviews that may have run in newspapers, journals and magazines. Another method we use is to order items directly from reputable publishers and distributors that the library has established relationships with.
In looking over Mr. Harris's books I did not locate any professional literature reviews. The only reviews I found were on his website, and the "unsigned" review seemed questionable to me.
Based primarily on the fact that I could not locate any independent reviews, I have elected not to purchase the item you have asked about.
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I guess they failed to notice that Sam Harris is a New York Times Bestselling author. Or the praise "The End of Faith" received:
Natalie Angier, The New York Times Book Review
"An important book, on a topic that…should not be shielded from the crucible of human reason..."
And yet the library does not have "The End of Faith."
I think it's safe to say the person who responded to your friend was a theist and that she didn't order the books because they pertain to atheism.
"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank."-Woody Allen
"Atheism is life affirming in a way religion can never be."-Richard Dawkins
I would agree.
Also, I am really annoyed by this comment.
Ok, you are a New York Times Bestselling author who's career may be put into jeopardy if you sign your name to the endorsement of an atheist book that challenges most of America. I can understand why he would not include his name and the librarian calling this review "questionable" sounds as though he or she is playing the old game of theists demonizing atheists. You know, "He's an atheist author...so this unsigned review must be a trick because no one really likes his books!"
"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank."-Woody Allen
"Atheism is life affirming in a way religion can never be."-Richard Dawkins
Whoo, Hooo! I just checked and my library system has three copies ordered!
http://unicorn.shreve-lib.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/hsndkmYwli/MAIN/224340139/123
I was afraid that I was going to have to donate my copy to them. I think I'll go put a business card with contact information in the book for our local atheist group in them.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. - Seneca
Last time I went to my local library I found only two books on atheism, both written by theists. I think Ill go down there armed with some "reputable" reviews, and his position on...what was it???..the NY Times Best selling books??
Last time I checked (before it was released), "Letter to a Christian Nation" was #12 at amazon.com .
We must favor verifiable evidence over private feeling. Otherwise we leave ourselves vulnerable to those who would obscure the truth.
~ Richard Dawkins
Isn't that one a bit new to have been reviewed anyway?
He sent out manuscripts to a few select folks to look over. That's where the pre-publish reviews come from.
Last time I checked all authors do that.
We must favor verifiable evidence over private feeling. Otherwise we leave ourselves vulnerable to those who would obscure the truth.
~ Richard Dawkins
I asked her to see if they carry the book "Of Pandas and People: The Central Question of Biological Origins". They don't carry that either. So..perhaps it's not conscious discrimination. Either way.....fyi.
Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server which houses Celebrity Atheists.
Local libraries in Olympia, WA, (community colleges, universities, and public) have books by Dawkins, Harris, and other atheist authors. The God Delusion has over 100 requests at the public library. Oh yeah, this is a liberal town.
http://freethinkernation.com
Must be the northwest. There's 29 holds on The End of Faith here (me being one of the holds). I just wish I knew these people since in this town I rarely meet anti-theists.
Maybe you could organize a discussion group on the book.
Oh yeah, thanks for the Meet-up site, Voiderest. You know there are actually like three people around here that are atheist. Well actually like in a 50 mile radius. I think there are probably more but too many stoners out here to organize anything. I mean, this is Oregon.
I order all my freethought books either from the ffrf, here, or amazon. Amazon has almost everything. I did recently order one from the lulu site that was recommended in Freethought Today called "Serving Compassionate Conservatives:A Cookbook" - basically an attack on the religious right. I'll post a thread on how it is once I read it.
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
My library system only has one book on atheism. I think it's one of the Prometheus anthologies, and it's usually out. Which is all right for me, since I do have a copy somewhere. But not so cool for anybody else in the taxpaying public who might become interested in the subject.
I live north of Tampa, FL. It's pretty well religious around here.