Marr's book recalled as legal issues prompt urgent removal from shelves

Published on Saturday 7 March 2009 19:44

ANDREW Marr's best-selling book A History of Modern Britain has been recalled for legal reasons.

Publisher Pan Macmillan has issued an "urgent" stock recall notice on the book that accompanied the 2007 BBC documentary series.

The book tells the post-war story of how the second Elizabethan Age was defeated by a culture of consumerism, celebrity and self-gratification.

Pan Macmillan refused to elaborate on what the legal issues around the recall were. It is understood that the publisher plans to re-issue the book when changes have been made. According to Nielsen Bookscan figures the title sold around 250,000 copies across hardback and paperback since its launch in May 2007.

News of the book's recall was revealed in the Bookseller magazine, which had a copy of the notice to wholesalers and booksellers leaked to it. The notice said: "For legal reasons we need to immediately recall all unsold copies of A History of Modern Britain (9780330439831) by Andrew Marr. I should be grateful if, by return, you would let me know how many unsold copies you have in your possession or control and return them immediately."