Westbrook resident and radio talk show host Ray Richardson has announced the release of a new book, which he calls an alternative view of Maine Gov. Paul LePage.

In a press release this week, Richardson said his book, “Governor Paul LePage, Rebuilding Maine’s Future,” shows a different take on the often one-sided representation LePage receives in news media, which is mostly negative and includes “personal attacks.”

“I believe progressive activists in Maine and some in the media have sought to destroy Gov. LePage personally,” Richardson said in the release. “They don’t simply disagree with his ideas for governing. They have sought to paint this man as an uncaring monster who is tied to corporate interests and does the bidding of the Koch Brothers. If it was not so ludicrous, it would be funny.”

Instead, Richardson said, the book looks back on policy decisions and comments from the governor that made headlines during his term in office. LePage is in a three-way race for the governor’s job, running against U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat, and Eliot Cutler, an independent. However, Richardson said, the effort is not a campaign book, despite the timing of its release.

“I don’t mention the election,” he said in the release. “I also don’t mention Michaud or Cutler. I respect them both. This is not about them. It’s about LePage.”

On Wednesday, Richardson said the entire process, from inspiration to the physical book in his hand, was 31 days, but says the quick turnaround was due to his experience in the media and in political activism.

“I’ve been on the air for 10 years, and written a column and been politically active,” he said. “I live this stuff. Not only is it my profession, it’s also my hobby.”

The 121-page book is split into 14 chapters, and includes titles such as, “Did He Really Say That? – Part One,” “The Largest Tax Cut In Maine History,” and “20,000 Plus Jobs and Counting.”

In the book, Richardson doesn’t shy away from responding to what he sees as a progressive bias in the media.

“The progressive element in Maine cannot stand this governor because they can’t understand why he isn’t one of them. They cannot believe that a man with his background is not a bleeding-heart liberal who views government as the answer for what ails society,” he wrote in the introduction.

Richardson, a radio host on WLOB, said that unlike many members of the media who often talk or write about LePage, he wrote the book as someone who knows the governor personally.

“I talk to him about the ideas and what drives his thinking on issues,” he said. “His critics cannot say that. In most cases, they have never even spoken to him.”

In an email to fellow Maine Republican Party members Tuesday, party chairman Richard Bennett urged members to purchase and share the information with others.

“As we move into the fall election season, it is critically important that you have the information to be able to share with your family and friends the amazing story of Maine’s turnaround under Paul LePage – a story that includes paying off the hospital debt, reforming welfare, reducing the pension shortfall, placing Maine third in the nation for post-recession employment growth, and much, much more,” Bennett said.

The book is on sale now at www.rebuildingmainesfuture.com. The cost is $10, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Wreaths Across America.

Author Ray Richardson says his new book offers a different take on the often one-sided representation LePage receives in news mediaRay Richardson