Bush Reads Books?!
Posted by casey at August 16th, 2005
Author of Bush’s summer book choices says “Oh, he reads books?!”
Gas prices are climbing, motorists are fuming and President Bush is at his ranch with a book about the history of salt. According to the White House, one of three books Bush chose to read on his five-week vacation is “Salt: A World History” by Mark Kurlansky, who chronicled the rise and fall of what once was considered the world’s most strategic commodity.
The other two books he reportedly brought to Crawford are “Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar” by Edvard Radzinsky and “The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History” by John M. Barry.(Source La Times)
“Kurlansky said he was surprised to hear that Bush had taken his book to the ranch: ‘My first reaction was, ‘Oh, he reads books?’
“The author said he was a ‘virulent Bush opponent’ who had given speeches denouncing the war in Iraq.
” ‘What I find fascinating, and it’s probably a positive thing about the White House, is they don’t seem to do any research about the writers when they pick the books,’ Kurlansky said.” (Source Washington Post)
Are we sure Laura isn’t reading to him???
erin
Isn’t it funny what is news sometimes - what books the president reads - I figure Oprah is the only person that really can move book sales. I also find it funny that people think that presidents and nation leaders actually take “vacations”. I guess I am too young to remember the vacation dates of most other presidents - but I’ve seen almost daily press conferences and news from the President and White House as of late, so to think that “business” can’t be done outside of the office is a message quite different from businesses large and small communicate. More things can get done over the phone, on the golf course, at lunch, or at a vacation home than most get done standing around at the water cooler. Yes, the presidency is not a regular job, but I am sure Bush hasn’t turned his “cell phone” off or pushed “do not disturb” on his phone. You know, there have been times in the recent and less recent past where “liesurely” activities have taken place inside the Oval Office… Oh, and I guess Kurlansky doesn’t want any one who doesn’t share his views to read his book - he should be thankful, this is probably the most press his “seemingly” boring book has received.
Jake