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Obama Gets Foreword On Policy Work

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The Associated Press

Published: August 11, 2008

NEW YORK - He's written million-selling books about his early years and the meaning of public life. Now, Sen. Barack Obama, with the help of his campaign staff, has another side to share with readers: policy work.

"Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise" is coming out Sept. 9 as a paperback with an announced first printing of 300,000 copies and a list price of $13.95. The e-book, also $13.95, will go on sale Sept. 8.

The book will include a foreword by Obama, the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee, and feature sections - written by members of Obama for America, his presidential campaign - on such issues as health care, energy and national security. "Change" also compiles some of Obama's better known speeches, including his celebrated talk on race and his recent address in Berlin.

"Change" will be released by Three Rivers Press, a paperback imprint of Crown Publishing, which published Obama's "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope." According to Obama's literary representative, Washington attorney Robert Barnett, the contract is between Crown and Obama's presidential campaign, not Obama himself.

Financial terms were not available, although Barnett says the campaign will donate all net proceeds to a charity still to be determined.

The new release was assembled over the past few weeks and is not part of the senator's current deal with Crown, which calls for him to write two more books, including a children's book.

"Change" will test Obama's appeal. Policy books are rarely hits with the public, although they can be quite useful for candidates, such as Obama, who have been criticized for lacking substance. In 1992, Bill Clinton and running mate Al Gore released "Putting People First," a blueprint for their time in office that became a best seller and remained popular even after they were elected.

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