Sarah Palin's 'America by Heart': Another book already?

Less than a year after Sarah Palin's campaign memoir Going Rogue topped the best-seller list — and was savaged by the Associated Press' fact-checkers — her publisher HarperCollins is finalizing Palin's second book: America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, due to hit shelves just after November's mid-term election. Here's the scoop:

Is it another memoir?

No. Described as a "tribute to American values," it appears to be a loose collection of texts, including "selections from classic and contemporary readings that have moved [Palin]:...great speeches, sermons, letters, literature and poetry, biography, and even some of her favorite songs and movies." Frances Martel at Mediaite sums the book up as "a list of things Sarah Palin likes."

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What do those include?

HarperCollins has given few clues. However, when asked by Glenn Beck to name her favorite founding father last January, Palin said "all of them." As for films, she once told Katie Couric: "I love those old sports movies, like Hoosiers, and Rudy, um, those that show that the underdog can make it and it’s all about tenacity and work ethic and determination, and just doing the right thing."

What motivated Palin to put the collection together?

According to HarperCollins, America by Heart (for which Palin was paid an undisclosed amount) was partially inspired by the stories of small-town Americans she met while promoting Going Rogue. It also reflects her "strong belief in the importance of family, faith, and patriotism."

Is America by Heart expected to do as well as Going Rogue?

HarperCollins has announced a first printing of 1 million copies (Going Rogue, which has sold 2 million copies, was launched with a 1.5 million print run). Since America By Heart, which hits shelves on November 23, "seems more geared towards the right," says blogger Clifton B at Another Black Conservative, I doubt "curious Palin Haters" will "cough up $25.99" for the hardback version this time around.

Is the timing of the book significant?

Maybe. The book's release is "sure to capitalize on the buzz — if not the reality — of a potential Sarah Palin presidential bid," says Ben Smith in Politico. That said, the promotion tour "will be paid for by HarperCollins, and the publisher will be in legal jeopardy should it appear to contribute in kind to a presidential campaign."

Source: Associated Press, Politico, Another Black Conservative, Guardian