Business Editors

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2003--Thomas Nelson, Inc. (NYSE:TNM) announced today that Body By God: The Owner's Manual for Maximized Living by Dr. Ben Lerner achieved sales that earned the number 13 rank on the prestigious New York Times' hardcover advice list published the week of December 7, just one month after the book's release. The book also charted on the Wall Street Journal's nonfiction list for the same week at number two.

"We are thrilled with the success of Body By God," commented Jonathan Merkh, Senior Vice President and Publisher for Nelson Books. "Never before have I seen anything like this with one of our books. Dr. Ben's message has struck a chord and the response has been incredible." Many of the book's early supporters, Merkh says, have been chiropractors and other health industry professionals.

In Body by God, Lerner offers a comprehensive plan for getting in touch with our bodies in five areas: maximized living, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and time management. His "Body By God 40-Day" plan is designed to instill the good habits that will lead to optimum health benefits. In the human body, Lerner asserts, God created a perfect design, equipped with all the organs, tissues, and cells necessary for health, production, and reproduction. The problem, he asserts, is when we as humans interfere with God's design for our bodies.

Dr. Ben Lerner is America's Maximized-Living Mentor. His breakthrough strategies for total health and well-being are the foundation of his thriving practice in Orlando, a center for maximized living, which is one of the largest clinics of any kind in the world. An Academic All-American wrestler in college, he has served as physician to the U.S. wrestling team in six World Team competitions and two Olympiads.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements and a number of factors may affect future results, liquidity and capital resources. These factors include, but are not limited to, softness in the general retail environment, the timing and acceptance of products being introduced to the market, the level of product returns experienced, the level of margins achievable in the marketplace, the collectibility of accounts receivable, the recoupment of royalty advances, the effects of acquisitions or dispositions, the financial condition of our customers and suppliers, the realization of inventory values at carrying amounts, our access to capital and the realization of income tax (including the outcome of any future Internal Revenue Service audits) and intangible assets. Future revenue and margin trends cannot be reliably predicted and may cause the Company to adjust its business strategy during the remaining portion of the 2004 fiscal year. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of books emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes, and believes it is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books in the English language. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

Thomas Nelson's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (TNM-NYSE)

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             Website:  www.thomasnelson.com