In 2015, after the liberal watchdog group Media Matters published an article accusing Mr. O’Reilly of fabricating a dramatic scene in “Killing Kennedy,” Holt said the company would “fully stand behind Bill O’Reilly
and his best-seller ‘Killing Kennedy,’ and we’re very proud to count him as one of our most important authors.”
Historians and scholars also criticized “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Patton.” Though the latter was an immediate best-seller, several World War II historians disputed the book’s central claim
that Patton’s death was orchestrated by Joseph Stalin.
The company’s fall catalog includes a new book by Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Dugard scheduled for September, listed as “Untitled O’Reilly.”
A version of this article appears in print on April 8, 2017, on Page B1 of the New
York edition with the headline: Readers Flock to Values Talk From O’Reilly.
Even if Henry Holt continues to publish Mr. O’Reilly, his sales could fall as a result of the allegations against
him, particularly if major book retailers decide not to carry his titles, or Fox cancels his show.
Mr. O’Reilly went on to write about 20 other books, creating a publishing empire
that includes children’s titles, political and cultural critiques, and a best-selling memoir, “A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity.”
Like Mr. Patterson, the juggernaut of the thriller genre, Mr. O’Reilly has kept his sales numbers high in part by being incredibly prolific
and relying on his co-authors to help him produce a steady stream of blockbusters.
