Former CBS anchor Dan Rather writing book on patriotism

NEW YORK (AP) - Dan Rather, the former CBS anchor who has become a prominent voice against President Donald Trump, is working on a book about patriotism.

Rather's "What Unites Us" will be published Nov. 7 by Algonquin Books, the publisher told The Associated Press on Thursday. The book is a collection of essays about topics ranging from civil rights to schools and libraries and what it means to be an American. Rather's previous works include the memoirs "Rather Outspoken" and "I Remember."

In a statement issued through Algonquin, Rather said that during a time "anxiety and crisis," he wanted to explore the country's ideals and how best to achieve them. The 85-year-old Rather has developed a wide following on social media, with nearly 2 million "likes" on his Facebook page, on which he writes often about Trump and current events.

On Thursday, he shared thoughts on his upcoming book.

"While much of my writing on this page has been tied to the daily (or even minute by minute) news cycle, for this book I have tried to step back for a wider perspective. I want to share my sense of the basic tenets that I see as the foundation of the country I hold so dear," he wrote. "It is patriotism, as I define it, not as a divisive cudgel but a common purpose. It is also a patriotism that will not ignore the sins of our nation, but challenge them honestly and head on."