Amazon customers threaten to boycott over pedophile guide; UPDATE: book is removed

November 10, 2010 By Molly McHugh

A controversial e-book guide for pedophiles is causing an uproar with customers, who demand Amazon remove the text, or lose their business.

An e-book titled The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure by Phillip R. Greaves 2nd (yes, that is how his name reads on the cover) is becoming one of the most talked-about publications. And as can be expected, it’s not for its glowing reviews. The book is currently available on Amazon for Kindle for $4.75, and is more or less of guide of insight and conduct for engaging in pedophilia. It has been available (self-published, go figure) since October 28.

“This is my attempt to make pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certain [sic] rules for these adults to follow. I hope to achieve this by appealing to the better nature of pedosexuals, with hope that their doing so will results in less hatred and perhaps liter [sic] sentences should they ever be caught,” writes the author in his product descriptions.

The tome has received the average customer rating of one out of five stars and has at the time of writing 546 customer reviews, including one that reads, “Goodbye Amazon, I’ll be closing my account momentarily. Enjoy your freedom of speech, I will enjoy shopping else where [sic].”

And it looks like most Amazon customers agree with him. Twitter is currently displaying a hashtag labeled “#amazonfail,” and Facebook now boasts a “Boycott Amazon for Selling Pedophile Guide” page. There is the odd comment here or there defending free speech, but the attention thus far has been overwhelmingly castigating.

In regards to the ordeal, Amazon maintains pulling the book would be censorship. It a statement to TechCruch, the company said, “Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decision.” The shopping site, however, does object to “offensive material,” including porn. In its content guidelines, Amazon describes exactly what that means, saying, “What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect.” Apparently not.

The author appears to have several e-books available, sticking to the topics of sex and religion. In an interview with The Smoking Gun today, Greaves admitted he has manic depression, was recently involuntarily hospitalized, and is in fact, not a pedophile. Maybe Amazon can now remove his book under the guise of his inexpert advice? Until then, the site could be losing significant business.

UPDATE: As of this morning, Amazon is no longer selling the controversial book. It will appear in search results, but when you click on it, an error message informs you the book is not available. All of the outrage and hype surrounding the book caused it to rise to #96 on Amazon’s bestsellers list.

Showing 54 comments

Jb Dean at 11:35am 13th November 2011 It's only the ignorant that feel anything is fair game when dealing with "free speech." It is NOT free speech when that speech will cause harm to another individual. Hence the example that it is not legal to yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater as this will result in panic and most likely harm to those trying to get out. By saying it's free speech to publish and even write for publication a book that will cause harm to others (physical and emotional) that are not of legal age to consent to sexual acts even if they think they want to participate, is ignorance pure and simple ... either that or arrogance. I pretty much stopped using Amazon when they started selling goose liver, a food that causes pain, suffering and inhumane death to geese (and a product that could easily be removed without Amazon losing any profits to speak of). This, while last year's news, just shows me that Amazon has no social conscience and that is as scary as the book and its author!
ore masta at 1:34pm 15th November 2010 READ THE BOOK, READ THE COMMENTS, SEE HOW MUCH YOU ARE OVER-REACTING TO A TITLE OF A BOOK THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS FOR CHILDREN THAT WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ADULT!!!!
1. ADF at 11:54am 2nd December 2010 If he had wanted to reach children who want an inappropriate sexual relationship with adults he should have written a fictional novel espousing his ideas and message. His approach was sensational and caused a typical reaction. (Surely, an intelligent person would have anticipated this fallout.) The title has no keywords that would clip a kid needing to read it. If what you say is true, then the guy totally missed his target audience and deserves all this ridicule.
2. Jb Dean at 11:37am 13th November 2011 Children do not have the legal right to choose such a relationship. So, again, the book is not free speech as it promotes illegal acts and harm to another. And turn off your "all caps." it's rude.
Sad American at 10:03am 15th November 2010 Wonder when Cambodia will be boycotted for their children sponsored berlisque houses. Or maybe we'll actually acknowledge that Russa is a major player in the Pedo/Traffiking dilema. I believe America imports items from Russia and Cambodia, I don't hear anyone get upset over that and that is actually happening not like if you read a book and imagine it. I'd bet that no one who has posted on this article has acknowledged what happens or has attempted to do anything about the real issue. Ya'll should be ashamed of yourselves for being so simple and so off base of the real issues that are the real problem not some loon who wrote a book probably about being at one of those berlisque houses. Stop watching propaganda news it makes the rest of us Americans look as dumb as you.
1. Jb Dean at 11:44am 13th November 2011 You're comparing apples to oranges. Why do people bring in a different argument to a thread about ONE subject? I for one boycott a lot of countries for their atrocities. So to assume that we here are only complaining about this book is to only show your lack of insight. One does not have to boycott, though, to still be opposed to this book. It's a place to start. Why not give credit where credit is due and then add on your other information? If you have found an audience for your concerns, how much better to praise them and then inform them so that they may continue their objections to other areas that are doing/promoting the same things? You'll get a lot more help this way than by assuming we're all whipped up over this and tomorrow we'll forget about it.
ore masta at 11:23am 12th November 2010 You are all over-reacting, its a book, you don't like it... choose not to read it, if someone wants to write about something like this, let him... if someone wants to sell that book, more power to the company. Its people like you that over-react over nothing. The bible was a book, and its created more than one fanatic, why dont we stop stores from selling that too? ...honestly think people... what have we come to with a censorist society...
1. Ex Amazon Fan at 2:07pm 12th November 2010 Obviously you do not have children... simply put. The Bible as your analogy, really? Hells gonna save you an extra hot corner with a rapist beside you... People should NOT have to be told not to support or promote a book on harming children.
  1. ore masta at 12:41pm 15th November 2010 if youve read the book you would see it is FOR children.
    seasonandtemper at 11:08pm 17th November 2010 So in a word you are supporting minors to be exploited by adults. Excellent I hope your Lolita situation works out for you. You are absolutely out of your mind. Would a treatise on how to kill a president be freedom of speech? Would Amazon be selling a book applauding 9/11? Keep that hogwash to yourself. Impoverished kids from 3rd world countries and white trafficking is so rampant it makes my blood boil and it is not okay for a company to put a work of a deranged man out into the world when it explicitly encourages the exploit of children. We are not in a medieval set up. Children have enough problems going up without people like you saying its okay for such publication to exist. My freedom of speech does not go this far and unless you are part of the bandwagon neither should yours.
    White Guy at 10:04am 19th November 2010 White Traffiking??? Look at the nice little article Readers Digest has on traffiking. Majority of slaves come from non-caucasian areas into other non-caucasian areas. Us crakas are the good ones trying to stop it. Africa, Russia, Indonesia, China, South America and in Europe too. The bad thing is these people sell their own children. So STOP BLAMING WHITY FOR ALL YOUR SCREWED UP PROBLEMS!!!!! We did not invent slavery. Slavery was offered to us from warring tribes in Africa. Look at the pyramids...who built them?? We didn't have to fight anyone for slaves they were available. So until YOU'RE PEOPLE(Family/Friends/Neighbors) STOP SCREWING EVERYONE OVER BY SELLING THESE CHILDREN THAN MAYBE THE PROBLEM MIGHT STOP AND THIS PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR AN AUTHOR WONT HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT.. Just because the new bandwagon is blame whity doesnt make it true. What has your country of origin tried to do about Human Traffiking?? I know what America does. Our convicts in jail do more to molesters than your country of origin has done. A lot of inmates have kids too, what are they going to go to prison jail after they rape and beat the pervs?
ore masta at 11:11am 12th November 2010 You are all over-reacting, its a book, you don't like it... choose not to read it, if someone wants to write about something like this, let him... if someone wants to sell that book, more power to the company. Its people like you that over-react over nothing. The bible was a book, and its created more than one fanatic, why dont we stop stores from selling that too? ...honestly think people... what have we come to with a censorist society...
guy at 9:14pm 11th November 2010 while i don't condone this book its funny how just the title is stirring up all this sick ideas about what could be inside. I (unlike you all) have actually read a bit of the book and its not "steps on how to molest a child" as many suspect but rather steps a child should take if they wish to pursue a consensual relationship with an adult.
1. Jb Dean at 11:48am 13th November 2011 There is no such thing as "consensual" between an adult and a minor. My goodness, is the world really filled with this many ignorant people???
Sad American at 11:24am 11th November 2010 It's official... America is braindead. We made our bed of rights and now we lie in it.
Stajan68 at 10:13am 11th November 2010 Amazon has gone too far this time. These people don't need directions and my liberality doesn't go this far. It will be a long time before I buy from Amazon again. This is simply "NOT ACCEPTABLE". Abuse of children is getting worse in America and this will certainly help their cause. BOO to Amazon for offering this trash.
1. Sad American at 9:11am 12th November 2010 So your saying since we have implemented anti pedophile laws, it has gotten worse? So when everyone turned a cold shoulder in history it wasn't as prevalent. Or is it the fact that people cannot exact revenge soit's been seared in the sicko's mind that no major reprocussion will be administered?? And your liberalizm has done nothing less than promote the complication with your unlimited chance legal system. Hey a perv lets lock him in a cage, tell him he's cured, then tell him he's not good enough to get a job anywhere and he'll finally snap and so it all over again. If the death penalty was available there would be reduced #'s of pedophiles so technically the Liberal party is the enabler...how bout those apples. Second chance this and that to protect yourselves when you need it and complain when there is a real sicko. Hey how's the cake.
Alan Smith Jones at 9:57am 11th November 2010 I am angry that Amazon took this book down. People should be able to read anything they want. I will not be shopping with Amazon again.
Mom at 5:08am 11th November 2010 I saw the author on the news, he needs to go back to jail, its only a matter of time before he rapes a child again. To me molestation is to light a charge for these nasty things, they do not deserve to walk the Earth let alone have a book. Understand that a pedophile will NEVER be cured, so they should be locked up for the rest of their lives so they can never ever hurt a child. The author had the nerve to say if a child consents its not a crime, wtf???? HOW ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH CAN A CHILD CONSENT????? Pedophiles are people, people who need to be LOCKED up for the rest of their natural lives. Let's get this straight for the idiots that say pedophiles are dating teens, when you are 50 and dating an 18 year old, its nasty to me, but that adult is of their own mind to date you or not. When that CHILD is 17 and younger no MAN or WOMAN should be dating or trying to date them and if they are under 15 they are not even to be approached by an adult!!! The rule of thumb when a teen starts dating and this is for the idiot parents who let their kids date grown people, no more than 4 years MAX. So if the child is 15, the oldest person they should be allowed to date is 19 no older! Since I know boys are immature its possible to understand why a 19 year old would date a 15 year old, however women are more mature and that makes no dam sense why she'd essentially want to date a baby in the head. If the child is under 15, W(why)TF are they dating???????? We DO not live in the times where kids need to be married cause we die young, this is the time kids should be allowed to be kids w/o these perves trying to ruin it for them because they are sick in the head. I say lock all of them up on that Island, and let them have their books then!!!! Its funny to me how someone who fights dogs gets 15 years but someone rapes or molests a child an they get freakin probation, wtf is wrong with this country where dogs mean more than our own kids????
disgusted at 10:29pm 10th November 2010 Amazon was a great company with a great website to interface with customers. I liked the return policy. Also they replaced a book that I ordered, they sent, and I never received, no charge to me. My 9 year good experience is negated by them profiting on a Guide for Pedosexuals for 14 days. Even thought they took the book down, I'm cancelling my account now. I'll do Christmas shopping elsewhere even if it means spending a buck or two more. Why did they do it? Greed? Liberal agenda? Where is the apology Amazon?
M. Richter at 9:39pm 10th November 2010 No matter how distasteful and wrong you think this book is (and it is both of those things), it is protected speech. Censorship is ALWAYS more obscene than the material being censored. Now, Amazon is a private business, not the government, it's entirely up to them to decide what they will sell, and it probably makes more business sense to pull it, but the material itself is not illegal and SHOULD NOT BE. It is not a crime to talk about, even advocate for, things that are currently illegal. The test to see if you are a true supporter of freedom is cases like this. Again; the act of censorship is always more obscene than that material which would be censored.
1. seasonandtemper at 11:18pm 17th November 2010 Would a treatise on how to kill a president be freedom of speech? Would Amazon be selling a book applauding the 9/11? I am simply stating that whilst it might be a non-issue for people and families that have not experienced it but somehow a guideline to pedophilia seems to only mock and further denigrate what mostly is a very scarring episode in someone's life. While technically the book is not illegal, it does deal with a subject that I am happy to give a miss from my freedom of speech bubble. Had it only been cold clinical facts as we read in a Forensic journal, it would have perhaps not been so inflammatory. Instead it a discourse written by a man obviously not thinking about child protection, instead it is okay to exploit a child as long as we do it gently.
Jennifer at 8:46pm 10th November 2010 Amazon didn't write the book. I really think all your anger is directed at the wrong place. It shouldl be directed at the author. He wrote the book. Direct you anger at him. That is where I am focusing my anger. What can be done to stop these books from even being published. Which brings up the publisher. Don't they get some of the blame? Focus on the source- the author. And yes I am disappointed in amazon. Bad decision on their part, but they didn't think up the book.
Mad-At-Amazon at 7:53pm 10th November 2010 Continued ... ***I know I sound hysterical, because I really am. I'm disgusted that this company and this person can get away with this! How come this hasn't gotten coverage on local and international news, but crap about celebrities always makes headlines? Speaking of celebrity, Oprah just had an episode on two hundred men who survived molestation. Well, seems as if that number might triple 10-fold in the future if this kind of literature and amazon promoting it continues. *I'm not a religious person, but I really do believe that we are in need of divine intervention from the evils that exists. Lord ... forgive us of our sins and please bring justice to this world!
Mad-At-Amazon at 7:50pm 10th November 2010 Continued... *So I challenge all you other people reading my opinion here, what are you going to do? Continue supporting a company that's happy to be profiting from this corrupt person, Phillip Greaves (it grieves me to even mention his name) or have some guts to stop this madness? I won't be shopping from Amazon anymore, will you? Will you feel good with yourself for making purchases from a website that sells this kind of insane, revolting book on how to molest children? Or just go ahead and be like all the other commentators who left comments agreeing with free speech and accepting amazon's unscrupulous ethics. Just turn a blind eye, just pretend you didn't read this either... it's just sensationalism. It doesn't matter. The next little boy or girl targeted out there after a maniac has gotten their hands on this book promoted by amazon doesn't even matter either. Just as long as that child isn't yours right?
Mad-At-Amazon at 8:49pm 10th November 2010 I cannot stomach the fact that this moron can write a book like this, profit from it and is getting away with it! And the animals at Amazon obviously have no souls or conscience whatsoever to make it accessible to other beasts out there. It scares me what kind of world our children are being born into. What's it going to be 10/20 years from now with such unaccountable behaviors like this? *What about the local police precinct where this person lives? Are they not aware of this Phillip R Greaves 2nd (if that's even his real name!) and the repercussions of his filthy promotion of pedophilia? Worst of all, I being a consumer of a few things from Amazon am ashamed to be associated with an organization that glorifies money instead of standing up for what's right - the protection of our most innocent and cherished ones ... our children!
Michael J Creamer Jr at 7:18pm 10th November 2010 I'm torn.... I mean obviously I find the book offensive and disgusting. That is not the issue (for me). However, on one hand, you have 'freedom of speech', but as so many have pointed out, that is a right the GOVERNMENT must afford you; not a corporation. On the other hand, I agree with being able to publish ideas that may be offensive to some (hopefully most, in this case) people. I mean, we buy murder mysteries all of the time - they could be construed as propagating the same thing (a 'how-to" of sorts). I think where Amazon (and basically my argument) fails is that they choose NOT to make pornographic material available, yet they allow this. As someone already pointed out, why object to material showing/describing consenting adults having sex, but allow a book like this. I say you cant have it both ways. Either allow it ALL, or include something like "How to Mentally, Physically, and Sexually Abuse a Child in Ten Easy Steps" - which is pretty much what this book is - in your list of "objectionable materials".
Ticked at 6:13pm 10th November 2010 Is there an official boycott of Amazon out there? If so could you post the link. We need to stop talking about it and DO SOMETHING about it.
TMB at 5:55pm 10th November 2010 Amazon should start selling porn then. If they think it is okay to sell this book, then it should be okay to sell a book or movie with two consenting ADULTS.
Cindy at 5:46pm 10th November 2010 Yes just close your account and tell them why, totally sick!
1. Cindy at 5:56pm 10th November 2010 Instructions for closing your Amazon account. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.ht...
Chris at 4:58pm 10th November 2010 Amazon has gone too far. This is sick, sick, sick! God help all you people that can't see how wrong this is. Free speech is one thing, but this is not something that should be protected under free speech. It is talking about hurting children. What if your child's teacher downloaded this book... Then how would you feel about protecting this under "freedom of speech"? Freedom of speech is one thing... This is clearly another... God help us all
NotAFanBoy at 4:45pm 10th November 2010 Amazon made the right decision. Period. I don't like it when the KKK comes to my town, pushes pamphlets and their members write memoirs or books, but they have every right to do so. Pedophilia is illegal in most civilized places, although the age at which that charge is levied changes with the locale. And, btw, so is polygamy but I don't see anyone boycotting the station that airs Sister Wives or Big Love. And there are kids involved in these situations too. So don't blame Amazon or whomever carries the message. Make sure you aim at the message itself. That's the way for education and change. And boycotts just don't work because it's a company not a person. I'll buy if they have what I want at a price that I want to pay or a delivery method I want. So there.
jessikajames at 4:44pm 10th November 2010 I agree with deb.....Amazon is a private company..it does not have to adhere to any federal guidelines in the type of products it sell. The CEO of Amazon has the choice to pull an item or sell an item. This is the same decision Wal-Mart uses when it choses not to sell music if finds objectionable or the artist objectionable. The CEO of this company is a coward and is hiding behind the freedom of speech hoping to make an almighty dollar.
deb at 4:26pm 10th November 2010 Get real people, it not a matter of the freedom of speech, its showing people how to abuse children. Where is the common sense here. If you have kids, is this something you are comfortable with. Freedom has a price, yes but common sense must prevail. Be careful what you call freedom of speech.
1. Zombieland at 10:23am 11th November 2010 I don't think they need any help being pervs. Well if there were not so many laws to earn $ for lack of taxes then we wouldn't need second chances for the most of us. The problem is that laws put us in the grey area and beneficial punishment cannot be sent. They will make more $$ trying convicting and releasing the pervs rather than house them. They can pawn them off to some bottom feeding psych group who needed the govt bid to get by even though they cannot perform their tasks properly. If the law wasnt set up so everyone is somehow breaking the law... we would be able to avoid the reoccuring problem by segregating pervs instead of worrying about their rights.. more like richt. Just like so many horrible criminals being released... It's more profitable to keep releasing them. Prove me wrong.
Dan at 4:23pm 10th November 2010 The First Amendment only applies to the government, it does not, and never has, applied to private entities/individuals. Amazon has no legal/constitutional obligation to keep a product up of any kind.
1. Brian at 4:46pm 10th November 2010 Amen to that!
Kenny Hopkins at 4:06pm 10th November 2010 · 21 minutes ago Substitute the words "presidential assassin" on the cover and everywhere the freak puts the word pedosexual. See how long that lasts under the "freedom of speech" concept. Obviously Amazon has made a crazy mistake in their guidelines. I agree 100 %. It is not in the Constitution to be able to say anything you want. How about "theater is on fire"?
I♥Amazon at 3:57pm 10th November 2010 I believe Amazon made the right decision in giving people the chance to buy or not to buy the book. They are right about the censurship issue also. This America: Land of the Free, and if i want to read about Pedophiles, then gosh darnit I'm gonna read about pedophiles!
1. Kenny at 4:09pm 10th November 2010 That kind of moral depravity is why we've got what we've got in this country.
2. Deb at 4:24pm 10th November 2010 Why would you want to read about abusing a child. You are probably a pedophile yourself on well on your way. Think about it!
Anon at 3:55pm 10th November 2010 If you buy it and read you would see that it is just a joke by the author to generate a media frenzy. Good job at giving him what he wants.
1. I♥Amazon at 4:02pm 10th November 2010 I haven't bought it yet, but the author must be an amazing troll
lissa at 3:42pm 10th November 2010 Substitute the words "presidential assassin" on the cover and everywhere the freak puts the word pedosexual. See how long that lasts under the "freedom of speech" concept. Obviously Amazon has made a crazy mistake in their guidelines.
1. Dmac at 5:12am 11th November 2010 Oh my gosh! That's exactly what I said!!! I really think they would take it down immediately if that were the title!!
Ted at 3:37pm 10th November 2010 If amazon censored it and removed the book that would cause a lot of others to boycott amazon too. Seriously though, has anyone actually read it or is this just a knee jerk reaction? I'm going to buy it just to see what it actually says... Frankly it seems more like a scam then anything else.
1. Molly McHugh at 3:49pm 10th November 2010 According to the interview the author gave to The Smoking Gun, one copy has been bought. On Amazon's site at the moment, it says "#825 Paid in Kindle Store."
2. Chris at 5:05pm 10th November 2010 Ted, then it becomes a choice. Lose customers because your willing to promote hurting innocent children or lose customers because your willing to protect innocent children. Don't buy the book, that's just stupid. Amazon has made a major mistake and I hope they suffer for it. Pedophilia is among one of the most disgusting and disturbing crimes out there. Seriously, even if this was a joke Amazon has a duty to sell responsibly. They should have thrown the book out based on the title alone. Be real people! God help us!
John at 3:35pm 10th November 2010 Ooh, does this mean there's a chance they'll let me sell my guide on how to kidnap, rape and torture Amazon employees? Gosh, I hope so! I'd hate to have my freedoms curtailed in any way ...
1. Angel at 3:37pm 11th November 2010 I think we should write a book on how to torture pedofiles without being caught by the law.
JoO at 3:33pm 10th November 2010 I closed my account as soon as I found out this morning. I used to be a loyal Amazon consumer; I was for many years. The author has a right to write whatever he wants, but for a business to provide a venue for this kind of CRIMINAL behavior (not "objectionable"; CRIMINAL!) to grow is unethical business practice. Associating themselves with it by allowing the sale of this kind of material makes them guilty of supporting it. Promoting the sale of a book is the same as promoting the contents within.
1. JamesDickey at 8:26pm 10th November 2010 The US Governement should monitor each person who purchases this dispicable book and follow them and hunt them down until the end of time. I do not believe that Amazon would allow such a thing and will NEVER EVER buy another thing from the. I will be cancelling my account, my wife, my 4 brothers, and everyone one of our friends who have an amazon account. These discpicable excuses for human beings should all be rounded up and bull dosed into a deep hole in the ground.
  1. Angel at 3:35pm 11th November 2010 I can't believe they would have even posted to book to sell. I went to look for it today and thought about purchasing it so I would know from a "pedofile's view" on what to tell my kids to avoid. The author is full of crap if he says he is not a pedofile. He will find his "special place" one day. It sickens me to even think someone would take the time to write such crap. He needs to rot a long long time. God only knows how many kids he has molested in order to realize what to write in his book.