Summarized by Kent Larsen

Publishers Weekly Calls Hinckley Book 'Manifesto of Traditional Values'
Publishers Weekly pg100 31Jan00 A1
By Jana Riess

In what may be the first published review of President Gordon B. Hinckley's book "Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes," Publishers Weekly calls the book a "manifesto of traditional values." However, in a review meant to be a guide to bookstores deciding how many copies to stock, the review also says that the book's "rigid stance against divorce, abortion, extramarital sex and homosexuality may alienate those who disagree with his conservative vision of morality."

Booksellers often look to Publishers Weekly as a guide to what a book is about, how well it will be promoted and how well it will fit with the bookseller's customers. The publication's reviews are therefore mainly descriptive, giving an idea of the contents and intended audience.

The review points out that this is President Hinckley's first book for a non-LDS publisher, and points out that the book isn't really a "Mormon work," but is intended for a broader audience. And, many parts of the book do appeal to all, "few will take issue with such moderate and compassionate statements," says the review, "as 'helping hands can lift someone out of the mire of difficulty' or 'because we live in a world where there is much harshness, hostility and meanness, there is also much need for all of us to be more merciful.'"

According to the review, President Hinckley will promote the book with a 20 city TV satellite tour.

STANDING FOR SOMETHING:
Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes
By Gordon B. Hinckley, Foreword By Mike Wallace.
Times, $24 (320p) ISBN 0-8129-3317-6

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