I REALLY want you to read this book
I decided it’s not shameless self-promotion to ask you directly
Friends,
I’m back home now after finishing the first half of my book tour for Coming Up Short (which you can find at your local bookstore or order here).
I’m glad that the book is doing well.
To be honest, until now I’ve been embarrassed to ask you to read it. It felt too much like shameless self-promotion.
Yes, of course, we live in an era of shameless self-promotion — Trump’s constant bloviation, social media “influencers,” self-advertisers and self-marketers.
Which is exactly why I didn’t want to indulge in it. Doing so felt crassly egotistical. Cringeworthy.
So for several weeks I’ve been visiting bookstores and meeting with groups to talk about the book but haven’t felt comfortable asking people to get it and read it.
Not until late last week did I come to realize that promoting the book is different from promoting myself.
The realization happened when an interviewer asked me, “Why should people read your book?” No one had asked me that point-blank question. It was as if a bolt of lightning struck me.
The answer burst out of me. And as it did, I understood how strongly I felt that people should read Coming Up Short. It didn’t come from an egotistical need. Self-promotion had nothing to do with it. My wish that people read it came from a deep conviction that it was important for them to read it.
I want you to read Coming Up Short because I believe in what I wrote.
I believe you will enjoy the book. It will explain how we got to this agonizing point in our nation’s (and the world’s) history. It will point a direction forward. Hopefully, it will inspire you.
I want you to read it because I believe it’s important.
If you’ve benefited from this daily letter from me to you, you’ll benefit even more from Coming up Short.
So, please read it. Ideally, find it at your local bookstore. Or order it here, a site the supports local bookstores. (And you can get the audiobook, here.)
(If you’ve already read it, or when you do, I look forward to your comments and thoughts about it.)
The book you speak of is consuming me. I had no idea of the extent to which Robert Reich is and has been such a intergral part of our political life. I come away with the feeling that I have a family member who has the heart of this country in his back pocket. Bob, your life's accomplishments make me proud to know you are out there fighting for everything this country stands for. Thank you Sir, you are a source of hope so many of us turn to for guidance in these troubled times.
I have purchased your book but have not begun to read it. I am a reading addict so rest assured that i will be reading it soon. But in case you are wondering why I decided to purchase and read your book? It is because I am appreciating your efforts in fighting against this terrible fascist movement. I expect it to be well worth my reading time. I am looking forward to it. Thank you for all you do and for being a huge voice of reason when so many in our country don’t seem to use reason and critical thinking skills. Many of my friends think life will go on regardless of what is happening. They are closing their minds to the destruction.