by Renee Israel
Tony Blair's memoir, A Journey, is due to be released next month, and the public is invited to bet on the book's success at UK betting sites.
Paddy Power is running a number of betting markets, including the number of copies that will sell in week one of sales, as well as who will turn up to the have a book signed on September 8th.
Blair's book is not without its controversy, despite the fact the former Prime Minister has pledged to donate GBP 5 million from its proceeds to the British Royal Legion.
As the Guardian so eloquently put it: "In a gesture that doubtless (to him, anyway) defines the phrase 'damned if I do, damned if I don't', Tony Blair's pledge to donate the proceeds of his upcoming book the Royal British Legion hasn't gone down too well as any old GBP 5 million charitable donation might. But then, Blair's humility might be easier to swallow if he wasn't selling a GBP 150 limited-edition version of his book, mocked up to look like the bible."
The public's opinion of Blair's book will be seen during the first weeks after its release when sales figures are released.
Paddy Power has odds of 5/2 that between 27,501 and 30,000 will be sold in the first week, and the same odds that more than 35,000 will be sold.
Odds of 11/4 are offered that 30,001 to 32,500 will be sold, and 5/1 that it figures will stand at less than 25,000.
And who will turn up to have a book signed at Waterstones on September 8th?
Paddy Power believes Cherie Blair will be there (2/1), as well as Alastair Campbell (6/1), Peter Mandelson (16/1) and Ken Livingstone (18/1).
Fancy a wild bet? Try odds of 500/1 that Barack Obama will be there for a signature, or 1000/1 that Osama Bin Laden will make an appearance!
