'Steve Jobs' Easily Tops Best Seller Lists in Debut Week

steve jobs book coverThe Bookseller reports that Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Steve Jobs easily topped the best-seller list in the United States and United Kingdom during its first week of availability. Citing Nielsen's BookScan data for U.S. figures, the report claims that the book sold 379,000 copies, outselling second-place The Litigator by John Grisham by more than three-to-one.

Despite being on sale for just six days in the US, Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography is already the 18th bestselling book of the year. It sits one place ahead of John Grisham's The Confession (Dell) and one place behind Rick Riordan's The Son of Neptune (Hyperion) in the year-to-date BookScan US bestseller list.

The report notes that the debut was also the strongest for any book since November of last year.

Nielsen BookScan tracks book sales volumes at their points of sale, developing a picture that encompasses the vast majority, although not all, U.S. sales including those through major online retailers such as Amazon. BookScan data does not, however, include sales of eBooks.

Amazon announced just after the book's launch that it was poised to become the best-selling book of 2011 despite a release late in the year, and the title currently ranks #3 on Amazon's chart for 2011 sales.

Sony Pictures has already acquired the movie rights to the Jobs biography, and is reportedly courting Aaron Sorkin to write the screenplay.

Top Rated Comments

WalterNeff Avatar
151 months ago
Steve Jobs's last words

"Oh Wow. Oh Wow. Oh Wow."

Steve Ballmer's last words: "Developers! Developers! Developers!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hobo.hopkins Avatar
151 months ago
I'm one of those who purchased a hardcover copy. It is a very well-written and informative book, even for those (like myself) who already knew a fair bit about Steve and his life. I'm not surprised that it's selling so well.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Roller Avatar
151 months ago
I just finished it this morning. There were a few parts where I would have wanted more details, but I had to keep reminding myself that the book is about Steve Jobs, not Apple, although the two were inextricably intertwined.

I was particularly fascinated by the information about Steve's family. Although I was aware that he was adopted and had a daughter named Lisa, I didn't know much about his sister, wife, or children. It's remarkable how they stayed out of the limelight compared to other celebrities' families.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Deedlez Avatar
151 months ago
The book's on my xmas list. But I'm having difficulty resisting temptation in buying the iBooks version and practicing my "surprised joy" face for when I receive the physical copy!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the8thark Avatar
151 months ago
I enjoyed the book, but it really isn't the most well written. I haven't run any passages for a readability score but I have to imagine it is like 8-9th grade level and that may even be overly optimistic.

And these make some of the best books. You don't need a PhD to understand them. The average joe can buy the book, read it and get all the content easily without being confused cause it's too hard for them to understand.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anberlinairlift Avatar
151 months ago
I'd like to get my hands on a physical copy of that. For me, there's just something about a hardback book that makes it that much more satisfying to read.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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