Speaker Gingrich’s Book Hits Store Shelves Today
NEW YORK — Hundreds of thousands of copies of House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s new book will hit stores today as a major publisher bets it has a hot new author and a House committee probes the ethics of the deal.
HarperCollins, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, said it will have a first printing of 600,000 copies of “To Renew America†in stores and expects the book to be a big bestseller.
The House Ethics Committee is probing Gingrich’s dealings with Murdoch. The Speaker, amid a firestorm of criticism, had to forgo a $4.5-million advance for the book.
The 260-page book, which sells for $24, was written quickly after the flamboyant Gingrich became the first Republican House Speaker in 40 years. It is primarily a reiteration of his well-known conservative views, not much different from his standard stump speech.
“Conservative books sell very well,†said Steven Sorrentino, HarperCollins publicity manager. The book will be heavily promoted by Gingrich on a 25-city tour in August that publishing sources say will be a major factor if the book is to be a success.
“The content of the book is not as important as his ability to promote it,†one source said.
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