Don’t Line Clinton’s Pockets by Buying “Giving” Book, Author Says

A prominent author is using his blog to encourage readers not to buy former President Bill Clinton’s book Giving.

Peter Brinckerhoff, a management consultant for nonprofit groups who has written eight books on the topic of nonprofit management, writes on
Mission-Based Management that Mr. Clinton shouldn’t be collecting royalties on his book about charity. Instead, he should donate his full cut.

The publicity for the book states that Mr. Clinton is giving “a portion of the book’s proceeds to charities and nonprofits that are doing their part to change the world.”

Mr. Brinckerhoff suggests that is not enough.

“Since he makes no bones about the fact that he’s gotten rich from speaking since leaving office, he should have given all of his royalties to charity,” Mr. Brinckerhoff writes. “It would only be leading by example.”

That said, Mr. Brinckerhoff says he plans to read Giving. But he has no plans to buy it.

“I’m going to the library and then sending the cost of the book to a charity,” he writes. “I urge you to do the same.”

(Read a review of the book by a Chronicle of Philanthropy columnist, Pablo Eisenberg.)

What do you think? Should Mr. Clinton profit from the sale of his book — or should he donate his full royalties to charity? And have you read the book? Click on the comments link below this post to share your thoughts.