Book Deal: “The Progress of Man” by Dr. Thomas Moore

Alphar Publishing has signed a deal for “The Progress of Man.” Thomas Moore says he likes Dubya. “As a character he feels like living in my own skin: There are two ways of measuring the progress of man, from within or from without... There is an effective objective method for comprehending man's progress, and that is by way of exploring my own progress, or more objectively, by exploring someone that I know well, such as the persona of Dubya.”

Ripplewood to Acquire The Reader's Digest Association

An investor group led by Ripplewood Holdings LLC has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (NYSE: RDA) , a global leader in publishing and direct marketing, in a transaction with an aggregate value of $2.4 billion. Reader's Digest is a publisher and direct marketing company that creates and delivers products and content for magazines, books, recorded music collections, home videos and online websites. Its flagship magazine, Reader's Digest magazine, is published in 50 editions and 21 languages with a monthly circulation of approximately 18 million and a global readership of approximately 80 million.

HM Rivergroup PLC Announces the Acquisitions of Houghton Mifflin Company

HM Rivergroup PLC, a newly-formed Irish public limited company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Houghton Mifflin Holding Company, Inc., a leading U.S. educational publisher. The purchase price of approximately $3.4 billion consists of approximately $1.75 billion in cash plus the assumption of approximately $1.61 billion in net debt. In addition, as part of the transaction, certain Houghton Mifflin management and employees will roll over $40 million of their equity into equity of HM Rivergroup.

HarperCollins Publishers Introduces the New Luxury in Reading

HarperCollins Publishers has launched HarperLuxe, the new standard in larger print publishing. "HarperLuxe aims to provide a more comfortable reading experience," says HarperLuxe publisher Liate Stehlik. The hallmarks of the new line will feature print at a more readable 14-point size font, with 20-point leading and wider margins. Published in full-size paperback format, the new books are light to carry and easy to read, magnifying the pleasures of great reading both in form and function.