Ask Peter Olson what book he wouldlike to have published, and the Random House chief executive immediately cites The Purpose Driven Life.

Rick Warren's book, released by rival HarperCollins, hit the headlines this month when Ashley Smith - held hostage by the alleged courtroom murderer Brian Nichols - read passages to her captor before persuading him to release her. In the cut-throat world of consumer publishing such publicity is invaluable.