The English translation of the book Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave to President Obama on Saturday has become a sensational seller on the Internet, jumping to No. 2 on Amazon’s sales list by noon Sunday, after being No. 54,295 just a day earlier.

“Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina,” or “Open Veins of Latin America,” by Eduardo Galeano describes centuries of invasions and other attempts to influence Latin American affairs by outside powers, including the United States.

“I think it was a nice gesture. It gave me a book. I’m a reader,” Mr. Obama said Sunday when asked about it.

On Saturday the White House said Mr. Obama was not likely to read the book since it was in Spanish.

Hugo Chavez subsequently explained that he’s not read the book either but was hoping President Obama would and send him a review. Looking on in the background, a trusted Chavez aide smiles as he patiently awaits his turn to overthrow the government.