Paedophile book sparks Amazon boycott call

The self-published e-book, ‘The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover’s Code of Conduct’, has since been removed from the Amazon website after widespread outrage from angry users.

Amazon had initially defended listing controversial titles saying it was 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 decisions,” the online retailer said, according to reports.

Amazon shares revenue with self-publishers who are allowed to submit their own books to the site. Authors are asked to read a set of guidelines which bans offensive materials.

Free speech is one thing but abusive and damaging speech is another “story” altogether. Amazon user

The title was being sold for the Kindle electronic reader.

Boycott call

Before the item was removed, more than 2,000 users had posted comments, with the majority condemning the sale. A large number of users were threatened to boycott Amazon until the title was removed.

“Free speech is one thing but illegal, abusive, corrupt and such damaging speech is another “story” altogether,” one user wrote.

More than 1,000 people joined a Facebook page threatening an Amazon boycott, while users on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, joined the calls.

The book’s author, listed as Phillip R Greaves 2nd, argues that paedophiles are misunderstood and suggests establishing rules and advice to help them abide by the law.

“This is my attempt to make pedophile (sic) situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certain rules for these adults to follow,” the product description stated.

Amazon is yet to comment on the removal of the listing.