Chapter & Verse Blog

Is Huckabee’s book aimed at 2012?

By Marjorie Kehe | 11.18.08

Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s new book was released today but you can’t help wondering whether Huckabee wasn’t really aiming it squarely at 2012.

“Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That’s Bringing Common Sense Back to America” is being viewed by many as a rallying cry intended to inspire young conservative voters.

Publishing industry newsletter Publisher’s Lunch looks at a few of the book’s early reviews today and notes that:

“[T]he Chicago Tribune’s blog surmises: ‘It’s surely no coincidence that former candidate’s book tour over the next couple of weeks includes crisscrossing states that Republicans consider crucial primary wins.”

“US News & World Report adds: ‘Huckabee lays out a conservative populist agenda. “I believe it’s time to hit the RESET button on our nation,” he writes. “It starts with me, and it starts with you.” Part of his agenda is doing exactly what President-elect Obama did: inspire a group of kids who want change, in this case Republican change.”

Meanwhile, on the subject of politicians and books, the Obama effect continues to bless the book industry.

First Obama’s mention of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals” spurred that book’s sales.

Now, since Sunday night’s 60 Minutes interview when Obama mentioned an unspecified book about the first 100 days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency, two books on FDR have seen increasing sales. Jonathan Alter’s “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope” and Jean Edward Smith’s “FDR” are both enjoying fresh popularity.

At the same time, according to an article in Canada’s Financial Post, even sales of Spider Man and Conan comics in Victoria, British Columbia, are experiencing a bounce as a result of the news that Obama is a collector.

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