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Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life.

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More or Less: Do half of new books really sell fewer than twelve copies?

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Do half of new books really sell fewer than twelve copies?

22/10/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - More or Less, Do half of new books really sell fewer than twelve copies?

We look into a claim that 50% of new books in the US sell just a handful of copies.

We look into a claim made during a high profile legal trial that half of new books published in the US sell just a handful of copies.

A US government lawyer recently caused a stir in the publishing world when he said during a high profile legal trial that half of all new trade titles – books aimed at a general audience - sell a dozen copies or less. Tim Harford investigates with the help of Kristen McLean from the NPD Books group.

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producers: Octavia Woodward, Jon Bithrey
Editor: Emma Rippon
Production Coordinator: Jacqui Johnson
Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot

(Image: Stack of books on display at the bookstore: bitterfly/Getty)

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Do half of new books really sell fewer than twelve copies?

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