Adventurer Sir Richard Branson Offers Rare

Introduction To The Watchman’s Rattle

SAN JOSE, CA – January 28, 2011 – In a rare gesture of support for a first-time author,

Sir Richard Branson has stepped forward to contribute an introduction to Rebecca D. Costa’s,

The Watchman’s Rattle. The introduction will be exclusive to the edition slated for release on February 3, 2011 in the United Kingdom and Australia.

“This comes not only as an honor and surprise, it’s exciting because it’s the first in a series of foreign releases,” offered the author.  Following Random House/Virgin Books’ lead, the largest publishers in China, Korea, Brazil, Germany, Romania and other countries are rushing to get translated versions out the door.  “I’m thrilled at the international response,” added Costa.

Vanguard Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, first released The Watchman’s Rattle in the United States on October 12, 2010.  The book was immediately selected by CNN’s Larry King Live as its Pick of the Week, and subsequently recognized by The New York Times, Inc. Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The New York Journal of Books, The Daily Beast as well as dozens of popular book sites over the internet.   

According to Branson, months before The Watchman’s Rattle was chosen as the Library Journal’s top science/philosophy book of 2010 and the top “green” book of the year by ABC News affiliates, he received an early copy of the manuscript.  “It was obvious that Costa’s ideas would spark international controversy,” Branson said.  In his introduction, Branson wrote:

It is one of those rare books that one picks up and then knows within the first few pages is extremely important, but more than that it is also a fascinating read that challenges our very beliefs about how we solve the problems we face. 

I have taken what Rebecca has said very seriously and whether it be in space, in the air or on the ground, I for one will look for solutions in the future rather than falling back on simple truisms that may not be true.  Let’s not leave it to future generations to blame us for a civilization collapse we now have the tools to prevent, even if our ape-like brains don’t want to admit it!

 In an unusual move, Random House/Virgin Books secured the international rights to release

The Watchman’s Rattle in October 2010, prior to the United States release by publisher Vanguard Press/Perseus Books.  According to Ed Faulkner, Publishing Director of Virgin Books, “There was immediate agreement among our editorial staff that the book was thought-provoking, entertaining and would have widespread appeal.  We couldn’t put it down.”

Upon news that the first international release of the book would include an introduction by

Sir Richard Branson the author offered, “I know Mr. Branson has done a lot of courageous things in his life, but from my point of view, this may be one of the most courageous of all.  Today, it’s much safer for celebrities to wait for new ideas to become accepted before jumping on board.  But apparently Mr. Branson doesn’t pay attention to that.  If the idea makes sense, and is good for the planet and humankind, he’s all over it.”

About The Watchman’s Rattle

The Watchman’s Rattle is a lead title by Vanguard Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, and was released nationwide on October 12, 2010.  It speaks to our ability to thrive in the complex world we have created.  It posits that the escalating complexity of our personal lives, technological capabilities, and governmental policies have led to conditions that have outpaced our ability to manage them – such as worldwide recession, global warming, and pandemic viruses. However, Costa offers an opportunity to address these challenges, by revealing scientific evidence that the human brain can be retrained to solve massively complex problems.   For more information visit www.rebeccacosta.com

About Rebecca D. Costa

Rebecca D. Costa is a sociobiologist whose unique expertise is to spot and explain emerging trends in relationship to human evolution, global markets, and new technologies. A popular speaker at thought-leader and technology conferences, as well as major universities, she is the former CEO of Silicon Valley start-up Dazai Advertising, Inc., where her clients included such innovators as Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle Corporation, 3M, Amdahl, Siebel Systems and General Electric.  She currently hosts a weekly talk radio show broadcast to the Central Coast region of California, and soon to other markets in the U.S.  For a complete bio visit www.rebeccacosta.com.

About Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson is a hugely successful international entrepreneur and is founder of the Virgin Group.  His autobiography, Losing My Virginity, and his books on business, Screw It, Let’s Do It and Business Stripped Bare, are all international bestsellers. He lives on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, is married to Joan and has two grown-up children – Holly and Sam.

About Random House/Virgin

Virgin Books is an imprint of Ebury Publishing, a division of Random House. The Virgin Books list is a diverse and far-reaching one. Primarily a non-fiction house, it publishes across a broad range of subjects from popular science, history and biography to business, lifestyle, and popular culture. Its aim is to publish innovative, high-quality and commercial titles that make a difference.