Sometimes, having friends in high places can only get you so much.
Take Hillary Clinton.
After she was savaged in the reviews of Amazon about her latest book, “Stronger Together,” the behemoth internet retailer (whose owner, Jeff Bezos, also owns the Washington Post) tried to step in and tamp down on some of the negative comments.
Just a few days ago, there were more than 2,000 reviews with 81 percent of them “one-star” ratings. The average was 1.7.
This just wouldn’t do, WND reports. The Clinton camp argued that the “trolls” were merely criticizing the book because they didn’t like Hillary. And Amazon agreed. So they went in and wiped almost 1,800 reviews away. Just deleted them. The most critical reviews were gone.
There! Hillary’s “fixers” took care of that, right?
Not so fast. Within hours of WND’s original review, the reviews started coming in again.
And as of press time, the book still has a 1.7 out of five stars – with 82 percent of the reviews “one-star” reviews.
There are now almost 700 reviews of the book. Here are some of the better ones:
1.0 out of 5 stars The Case of the Missing Reviews
By Sherwood 4ust on September 23, 2016
Format: Paperback
Four days ago (the morning of Sept 19) there were 898 reviews of this book. By evening there were 983 reviews. The reviews were merciless and many quite funny (though mostly accurate). This morning I look and there’s 209 reviews. Hmmmmm, what happened to all those other reviews? Apparently Clinton has friends at Amazon.
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By happyreader on September 17, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Strangely, every time I opened this book I was hit with a wave of nausea, followed by uncontrollable coughing. I believe it is a horcrux. Take caution, friends!
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1.0 out of 5 stars It came with a certificate good for one free ambassadorship and a guaranteed seat on …
ByThe One on September 21, 2016
I ordered this book from the Clinton Foundation for 2.5 million USD. It came with a certificate good for one free ambassadorship and a guaranteed seat on the State Department advisory board. I only give it one star because when I received the book I found all the pages had been deleted.
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1.0 out of 5 stars Coincidence
ByMaha Erwin on September 17, 2016
I was absorbed reading “Stronger Together” but by page 30, I had a episode of confusion. All I can recall is being dragged toward my car. The only thing I wonder, now that I’m fully conscious in the safety of my home, is “why is the presidential running mate waving a Nazi salute on the book cover? Could it be coincidence or a hidden message?”
Will Amazon go back in and “fix” the reviews again? We’ll see. But I’m guessing it won’t stay “fixed” for long.
About Robert Gehl
Robert Gehl is a college professor in Phoenix, Arizona. He has over 15 years journalism experience, including two Associated Press awards. He lives in Glendale with his wife and two young children.
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