If you checked out today’s New York Times Book Review section, you’ll see that FREE made the list in its first week of eligibility. It’s #12, tied for #11 (that’s what that little asterisk means).
We expect it to dip in its second week due to the free versions of the book cannibalizing sales, then stay strong longer than usual as the free offers expire and word of mouth from all the free readers turns into sales. So far in the first two weeks the book was downloaded, in one digital form or another between 200,000 and 300,000 times (we’re still compiling stats). That’s a lot. Now we’ll find out what it means.
Congratulations! Where can people from outside the US or Europe download it for free?
Posted by: Matthew | July 27, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Congrats Chris!
I'm reading the book on Scribd right now, and I'm listening to the audio mp3's as I go along (the 6 hour version, of course :-)
It's a really great read, and it's giving context and explanation to a lot of thoughts I've had on my own lately. It's also giving me insight into a lot of great ideas, and links into other informative sites on the net that just expands and expands and expands ...
Bottom line, it keeps me having to pause reading as I go, "So THAT'S why ..."
Now it makes a lot more sense (and makes it a lot less scary) to be part of FREE.
Is your book available here, Indonesia?
Cheers,
Posted by: Endy Daniyanto | July 27, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Congrats Chris,
But I think you should keep the free offer, and I don't think it will negatively inpact your sales. I downloaded the free version, and will buy the paper version as soon as I find it (in Portugal - but not in Portuguese - this is the kind of book I like to read in English).
And I think I'm not the only one. Probably I'll even buy more than on copy - I like to offer books.
Cheers,
Posted by: theMage | July 27, 2009 at 04:15 AM
Congratulations Chris!
I think you mean "tied with #11" which is about 100 places higher than me...
Posted by: Seth Godin | July 27, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Congrats Chris - I need to read through this one to see.
Posted by: Eric D. Brown | July 27, 2009 at 07:10 AM
Thanks, Seth! Yes, that was a Freudian slip: I meant tied for #11 ;-)
Now fixed...
Posted by: Chris Anderson | July 27, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Way to go, Chris!
I agree with TheMage's comments here: without a free version of "Free", being distributed electronically at least, it gives your critics unnecessary fodder that distracts from the importance of message; The Economists' review of your work was pure "missing-the-point" arrogant cheese.
Livin' Free - best wishes -
R
Posted by: Russell Mickler | July 27, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Congratulations Chris, very well deserved!
I really enjoyed your book. What great serendipity that it was released as I was writing my first free (as in beer) software product.
As I listened to the audio book I became more and more inspired and am now a proud member of the Free Movement.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Adam Humphrey | July 27, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Congratulations...
Posted by: ANKARA EVDEN EVE | July 28, 2009 at 01:13 PM
It has dropped off to #26 today, is there some relevance to how 'Free' has affected the 'atom' book sales?
(Listening to the Audio book, up to chapter 9. It has been rather quick to listen to the audio book vs. reading the "atom" book, but has required more discipline to not zone out and check blackberry or start writing in my notebook about other things)
Posted by: Larry Velez | July 29, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Chris, when will available the translation into Spanish?
(I´m sorry for my bad english)
;-)
Posted by: Pradero | July 29, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Hi i am Acruz , nice blog, it is true that new york time ac lamed as a best seller because it is actually very good and provide best and fresh news to its reader.
------------------------------------------------
Alexander Cruz
sapience
Posted by: Acruz | August 07, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Hi Chris,
did the publication of "Free" affect the sales of "The long tail" in any way? Regarding to this they should... ;)
Posted by: Hans Christian Asemissen | August 08, 2009 at 06:28 AM
New here but I see there is a buzz for your new book. I will definitely read it.
download a playstation game
Posted by: Kenny | August 08, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Hello Chris.
Congratulations to u.
I´m brazilian and I tried to get the book on the web, but I didn´t.
To my surprise, I received this message :
Sorry, this content is geographically restricted
Due to our agreements with our publishing partners, the document you requested is only available to users located in the United States.
----
Lame :(
how can we solve this problem ?
This book will be so important to me and my friends
in our post graduation...
Posted by: Pedro Capistrano | August 08, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Hi Pedro,
you will not be able to solve this problem. I have the same Problem from Germany too. You should have used the emded version on thelongtail.com but the "free book experiment" is over, so no way to get it free.
Buy the print version, it is worth it!
Cheers
Hans Christian
Posted by: Hans Christian Asemissen | August 09, 2009 at 01:25 PM
A colleague of mine recommended this and bought the office a copy (hardback) on his expense account. So it was "free" from that point.
At any rate, it's been a day or two and I simply devoured it. I used only my "free" time to do so.
I very much enjoyed the combination of readable economics and intellectual property, two things that I think (or know?) are crucial to know in the FREE landscape we've already entered.
In other words, thank you very much for the work, and increasing your attention and reputation, I will post it on Twitter, Facebook, tell people by word of mouth, and likely pay attention to your future work.
Here's to FREE.
- Alex
Posted by: Alex Korbonits | August 09, 2009 at 03:16 PM
CONGRATS!
I will mention the book on today's livestream show on ustream.tv. Love to talk to you sometime about it on the show.
You are the man. Huge influence in the Long Tail theory as well as blogging.
Thanks
Posted by: David Kamatoy | August 11, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Great book which I found to be greatly informative. Congrats!
Posted by: Branding Vacation Homes | August 11, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Hello sir I have to say that this is one of the most informative books I have ever read
I now read newspapers (but do not directly buy) for a different reason to look for the angle and I also mindful of the spin that the press now put to stories to keep us in fear and that the Government of the day are there to protect us. Even though it is them that is creating the fairy tale in the first place.
Keep up the good work I am telling every one to read your book.
Accident Attorneys--Accident Attorneys
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FriendyAnil
Posted by: FriendyAnil | August 12, 2009 at 10:36 PM
That's Nice!!!
Posted by: Yahoo | August 13, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Chris,
I very very enjoyed "Free." Taking your advice to heart, I shamelessly plagiarized (actually more like summarized) your ideas in my blog, Digital Tonto.
Take a look and if I crossed the line,I will alter any offending material. You can find the article at: http://www.digitaltonto.com/archives/124#more-124
Keep up the good work,
Greg
Posted by: Greg Satell | August 16, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Mr. Anderson just finished the book. Great job and you have given me MANY new ideas for future business opportunities. BTW, downloaded while free on Kindle and also read on iPhone. Have highly endorsed your work.
-Bob-
Posted by: Bob Angell | August 17, 2009 at 04:48 PM
yes thats is a good idea.
Posted by: youtube | August 19, 2009 at 09:12 AM
The rest of the world hasn't caught up to it yet. Like in my country the Philippines.
But I'm sure a lot more people from here will be demanding it soon.
Another classic book.
Thanks Chris.
Posted by: Anthony | August 19, 2009 at 07:26 PM