Great Expectations
by Daisy Maryles -- Publishers Weekly, 8/27/2001
Workman has just delivered the 10-millionth copy of its landmark backlist bestseller, What to Expect When You're Expecting. About 17 years ago, a mother—Arlene Eisenberg—and her two daughters—Heidi Murkoff and Sandee Hathaway—set out to help parents-to-be with advice and reassuring tips. They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, and it quickly became the book for expectant parents. According to USA Today, about 93% of all mothers who read pregnancy books read What to Expect When You're Expecting. The publisher notes the book has achieved iconic status in American culture—in just the past year, it has appeared on Friends, The Practice, Dawson's Creek and Everybody Loves Raymond. In various national magazine articles, celebrity moms such as Jodie Foster, Melanie Griffith, Pamela Anderson and Whitney Houston have been quoted as satisfied readers. The book's bestseller tenure on PW's weekly lists adds up to 171 weeks.
With reporting by Dick Donahue
