(CNN) - Newt Gingrich is often a political provocateur, taking aim at President Barack Obama and the Democrats, but at a book signing Saturday, he was simply a history buff.
At an event promoting his most-recent book, "Valley Forge," the former House speaker, who appeared with his wife Callista, took several questions from the small crowd, most of them focused on American military history. He also indulged in some historical what-ifs.
"What do you think would have happened if Stonewall Jackson had survived?" one audience member asked. "Who was the better general, George Washington or Robert E. Lee?" a second attendee asked.
Laura Itle, who calls herself a fan of history, attended the book signing at a Borders' bookstore in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia.
"People often forget he's a historian," Itle said about Gingrich. She added she agrees with his politics only "sometimes."
Gingrich did offer some advice for President Obama after an attendee asked if George Washington's experiences could be a lesson for the current president.
"The president should slow down," Gingrich said. "He just suffered a dramatic defeat in the midterm elections … George Washington thought a lot. He was deliberate and slow."
Obama should "stop and come to grip with it," he said.
Gingrich's book tour comes as he considers a presidential run in 2012. He will make three stops in Iowa next week, an early presidential caucus state.
Potential candidates often release books and promote their image around the country before election cycles to drum up attention.
Gingrich's book, "Valley Forge," is a historical novel that tells the story of how George Washington, in command of the Continental Army, survived the harsh winter of 1777 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It was co-authored with Bill Forstchen.
From CNN Politics
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don't know much about the man except he appears to have iq points and presents himself well. confident he wouldn't pick a bimbo like palin as a running mate
Newt, is a similiar spelling of a small frog. He looks like one. Callista was the wife of a Roman emperor if I remember my history correctly. This is a good match. Hades would be a good place for them.
"Appeared with his wife".... Would this be wife #1,? No, he married her at age 19. Must be wife #2. No, he discussed divorce
with her while she was recovering from surgery in the hospital. Well, this must #3, the one he cheated on his second wife with,
while trying to impeach Clinton and declaring family values. This, of course, while (allegedly) using his office desk for
more than paperwork. What a peach. His own history belongs in the gutter. Thanks Ticker for keeping us informed on
the lowest of the low, worst of the worst, and craziest of the crazy, ie Gingrich, Pain and Beck. Good reporting! NOT.
looks like glenn beck has started a trend.I remember when to be considered an author you had to actually be the one to write the book,and not have some1 else put it together and you put your name on the cover.
Wonder if Newtie has a new honey on this tour? It's guys like this that make me proud to be an american.
Yup...he's a scholar when it comes to the history of MARRIAGE ! Lots of experience there !
JOBS JOBS JOBS - – GOP; Where are the jobs?
Gingrich's book tour comes as he considers a presidential run in 2012. He will make three stops in Iowa next week, an early presidential caucus state.
Better keep your teenage girls at home, this guy likes them young.
Perv to the max.
Frankly, I wouldn't even believe what's in his book unless I checked the facts myself. This man is such a liar that I don't think he would know the truth under any conditions.I wouldn't take his word for anything that happened at Valley Forge although he's been around long enough to have been there!!!.I wish Gingrich would get off of the president too because this guy is important in his eyes only. and who needs hi opinion?.
Who is going to teach him about it?
Lower taxes do NOT add to the job market or stimulate growth. business can write off all of their expenses now, so lower taxes don't help. Businesses do not hire if they don't need employees, so lower taxes will not spur that. Plus- employee costs are a tax write off now- so they do not need tax cuts.
The two periods of lowest taxation- the 20's and the 2000's gave us the Grat Depression and now the Grea Recession.
Please Newt- stop trying to teach me anything.
Give me a break, these guys are the last people I'd read a book from. Insane, I tell them to read and they grab a dumbed down version of 1776-77. Doesn't get any better than this. Just by the questions you can tell these people don't even know what war he is discussing in it, Stonewall? Lee? and Washington? yikes. Someone tell that poor man hes getting confused.
IMHO he IS history. Hard to believe his fellow Rep. Christians can appreciate his "strong family values".
Hope I soon learn what is required to get a comment posted!!
Yeah, right. Gingrich is much better at re-writing history to suit his own narrow-minded viewpoints.
Gosh, and who better to revise history than Newt!
My question to Newt woulda been: Is this your 4th wife?