Contract Termination And Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 209,758	$ 185,256	$ 200,055
Contract termination costs		61,469	62,589	64,901
Restructuring charges			1,482	776
Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Profit sharing agreement, termination payment			1,500
US and Canada Direct Office Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued costs		100	500
Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			3,600
Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Costs [Member] | Exit Japan Publishing Business [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 2,100
Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Costs [Member] | US and Canada Direct Office Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1,482
Office closure costs		$ 496
Fiscal 2016 Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 400
Office closure costs				400
License Agreement [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
License agreement period			10 years
Royalty ratio, obligated			33.00%
Royalty ratio, excess of the contractual minimums			33.00%
Contract termination costs			$ 1,500
Maximum [Member] | Fiscal 2016 Restructuring Costs [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 40
Minimum [Member] | License Agreement [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Royalty payments			$ 13,000