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Sunday, February 26, 2006

What beats the telling detail (he typed with one hand, popping the last of the ortolans into his mouth with the other)?

My friend Dean has an amusing item today in his Soxblog news roundup, about Jimmy Carter's book-signing habits. There are few things I like better than "the telling detail." (It was also from Dean's blog that I learned about John Kerry's longstanding tendency to cut to the head of the line at Boston-area restaurants, employing such phrases as "Do you know who I am?")
"[T]he Wall Street Journal has a remarkable recounting of the incredible success Jimmy Carter has enjoyed as an author. Sure, he was a failure as a president and remains a horror show as an ex-president, but the guy has made a mint selling dreadfully written books full of hackneyed 'insights.'

The article focuses on Carter’s shrewdness in crafting his own cottage-industry as a writer. I especially love the detail that at book signings he signs his name “J Carter” rather than with his full name so he can sign more books and make more money. Isn’t it delicious that as an author he shows the same arrogance towards his fans as he did as a politician to his supporters?
Mr. Carter autographs as many as 800 books an hour. He'll occasionally sign his full name when asked, but tries to 'conceal that from the next guy in line' to avoid similar requests. He speaks to everybody who comes through, making contact with his friendly blue eyes. 'I tell the little girls they're pretty and ask the little boys how old they are,' he says.
800 an hour? That’s leave less than five seconds per abbreviated signature! Where does he find the energy? And where does he find the time to tell the legions of little girls who no doubt come out to worship him how pretty they are?"


posted at 11:50 AM

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