Huckabee to publish his vision for U.S. future

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Republican White House hopeful Mike Huckabee will publish a book on his vision for America shortly after the November presidential election, its publisher said on Thursday.

The as-yet untitled book by the former Arkansas governor will be released on November 18 by Penguin imprint Sentinel and will explain how "the conservative movement can return to its principles, unify its factions and take back America."

"After the dust settles on Election Day, the question will be what happens next. Governor Huckabee offers straight talk on how we can renew America through limited government and a sense of national community," Adrian Zackheim, president and publisher of the Sentinel and Portfolio imprints, said.

Huckabee shook up the Republican Party establishment with an improbable run for its presidential nomination that energized the party's evangelical Christian base but failed to attract moderates.

He continued in the race as better known rivals dropped out but finally had to fold up his campaign early last month as Arizona Senator John McCain marched through the state-by-state voting to become the party's candidate in the November election.

Although Huckabee won several state contests, he failed to effectively broaden his appeal beyond evangelical Christians.

During his time as governor between 1996 and 2007, he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003. He went on a diet and exercise regime to lose 110 pounds (50 kg). He became a marathon runner and wrote a book about healthy living.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, editing by Patricia Reaney)