McGreevey Pens Tell-All, But Who All Will Read It?

Former Gov. James E. McGreevey's tell-all memoir about his secret life as a closeted gay politician is scheduled for release Sept. 19, his spokesman confirmed yesterday.
The former governor and his co-author, former investigative reporter David France, have turned in a manuscript to editors. Amazon.com is already accepting advance orders for the 384-page hardcover at $16.98 (the list price is $26.95.)
The book will span the 48-year-old McGreevey's life from his childhood as the son of a nurse and former Marine Corps drill instructor to his rise and fall in politics and the aftermath of his nationally televised "I am a gay American" speech," according to state Sen. Ray Lesniak, a friend of the former governor's.
"It's a very authentic and soulful presentation of his life," Lesniak said, adding he had read excerpts but not a complete draft. "When he made the decision to do the book, he knew he had to be totally honest, not only with the public, but with himself. Thus the title ... It spans his whole life because his time as governor was very much influenced by his whole life."
The book will include details about McGreevey's gay sex life and his efforts to keep his homosexuality hidden through two marriages and a political career that took him from Woodbridge Town Hall to the Statehouse, according to two people familiar with the book. The sources requested anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the book prior to publication. A spokesman for the publisher, Regan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, did not respond to requests for comment.
McGreevey stunned the nation in August 2004 with his televised confession that he'd had an adulterous affair with a man. His aides identified the man as Golan Cipel, his former homeland security adviser.
Lesniak said that in addition to McGreevey's struggles in his personal life, New Jersey politics will feature prominently in the book.
"Politics was a big part of his life, so it's a big part of the book," Lesniak said. He added, "There are some people who do not come across well in the book, as you can imagine."
McGreevey declined to comment yesterday through his spokesman, Scott Widmeyer. The former governor, Widmeyer said, will do interviews later this year as part of a book tour.
Booksellers contacted yesterday said it was hard to predict demand for the book.
Logan Fox, owner of Micawber Books in Princeton, said one thing is certain: he will not be pre-ordering the 500 copies that he stocks for a Harry Potter release.
"Maybe 15 or 20," he said. While the popular J.K. Rowling series is a sure thing for booksellers, anything else -- even former President Bill Clinton's memoir -- is dicey.
"I have no clue as to whether this book will be of tremendous interest or mediocre indifference. If you ask me if I'm going to sell 10 or sell 100, my answer is I don't know," Fox said. "With the Bill Clinton bio, we sold 20 or 25 in the first couple of days and then three in the next nine months."
Lori Buzby, owner of the Califon Book Shop in Califon, said interest in McGreevey's story may already have waned.
"It's the kind of thing where, I think, we heard most of what happened. I can't see that there would be a huge interest and political memoirs don't do too well -- in my store. Then again, it depends on who it is. Christie Whitman's did really well and Bill Clinton's and Hillary's books did well too. Maybe I'll be surprised. Of course, I'll stock a couple. And we'll see," she said.
from The Star-Ledger