[Steve_Seattle]

I was browsing through Wilson's book today, and a couple of things seemed odd: (1) It's very long (about 500 pages, plus index), much longer than the usual rushed-to-print book associated with a transient news story; and (2) only a small part of the book deals with the Niger uranium story, and this section is chronologically out of place with the rest of the book, i.e., it is placed up front, whereas the rest of the book deals with Wilson's career in chronological order. (By the way, Wilson came to the public's attention in July, 2003; the book came out in April, 2004, which leaves only about 8 months for writing and publication, IF the book was written after the Niger story broke.)

These facts suggest that Wilson had written most of this book prior to July, 2003, as a biography of his career, not as a response to the Niger flap. It is mainly a long, rambling account of his career and of his critique of the Bush administration. However, it appears that the Niger story might not have been part of the original narrative, and was stuck in only after it became a big issue in July 2003. In other words, Wilson himself might not have attached any great significance to his trip and his alleged findings until it became politically expedient to do so, coinciding with his involvement in the Kerry campaign.

When I first looked for his account of the Niger trip, I looked for it where it should be chronologically, but it wasn't there. Then I realized it was placed at the front of the book, suggesting it was an "add in" to a manuscript which did not originally include it.

Am I trying to make something out of nothing, or does anyone else see any significance to this? After all, maybe they just lifted the Niger section from its original spot and moved it up front because that was Wilson's claim to fame.

[Peach]

A lot of books I read put something out of order, especially if what is out of order is what's going to sell the book.

I'm pretty suspicious of everything Wilson related, but putting the Niger trip in the beginning of the book doesn't raise my suspicions.

[popdonnelly]

Since the Niger story would probably be the main reason someone would buy the book, I can see the editors putting it up front.

[nopardons]

I think you have something there.

[nopardons]

I think you have something there.

[shhrubbery!]

These facts suggest that Wilson had written most of this book prior to July, 2003, as a biography of his career, not as a response to the Niger flap... Am I trying to make something out of nothing, or does anyone else see any significance to this?

You're likely right; and you're not the only one who thinks there's significance to that.

Paul Vallely, for example. You might know who Vallely is -- he's a retired army general who's now a military analyst for Fox News.

Vallely, on air last night on the John Batchelor show, said he got the distinct impression that Joe Wilson was "shopping around a book" in 2002 (months before the alleged "outing" of Plame).

Vallely said he happened to meet Joe Wilson in 2002 the "green room" of some cable network's studio, while both were waiting to go on air. Wilson, at that time, was packaging himself as an expert on Iraq.

You know what else Vallely said about that little meeting with Joe Wilson? He said Wilson told him, Vallely, that "my wife is CIA." Again, this was...2002.

Paging Patrick Fitzgerald, Mr. Fitzgerald, please answer your phone.

[Sacajaweau]

I believe Wilson said they were going to hive him $10,000 for the book and it was supposed to come out the year before, (I think). Joe said it would keep him in peanut butter and jelly for a year or something stupid like that. His publisher said if he put the Valerie stuff in his book, he'd do much better. Obviously, the Vanity fair article was a little additional tweaking.

This may not be perfect but it's pretty close to what I read someplace.