TAMPA - Retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks, one-time college dropout, war hero, "Pooh" to his grandkids, has signed a book deal reportedly worth $5-million.
His wife, Cathy, said Wednesday that Franks wanted to tell "a great American story."
"Of course there will be part of the book about the wars, Afghanistan and Iraq, and there are people who want to read about that," she said.
"He has a great story. He's a man who was raised in very modest beginnings and his theme when he gives speeches is, "Ain't this a great country?"'
Franks, former commander of the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, signed a contract last week with Regan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Regan and Mrs. Franks declined to discuss the book advance, but the New York Post reported Wednesday that Franks got $5-million. Regan Books is part of News Corp., which owns the Post.
Franks follows in the tradition of other great generals. After the Persian Gulf War, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf landed a $6-million book advance, while Gen. Colin Powell got $6.5-million.
Franks, 58, is choosing an author to help with the book. A title he is considering is Ain't This a Great Country?
Since retiring in July, the Frankses have settled in South Tampa. Franks, who dropped out of college but later earned a degree in business administration, has hit the lecture circuit.
Lately, Franks has been hard at work, collecting his thoughts for the book at a private office. It's best that he work outside the house, Mrs. Franks quipped, "because we've been happily married for 34 years, and I wouldn't want it to end."
