Speaker Gingrich’s Book Hits Store Shelves Today

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.