Posted on 01/11/2009 6:50:46 PM PST by nuconvert
By KARL ROVE
With only five days left, my lead is insurmountable. The competition can't catch up. And for the third year in a row, I'll triumph. In second place will be the president of the United States. Our contest is not about sports or politics. It's about books.
It all started on New Year's Eve in 2005. President Bush asked what my New Year's resolutions were. I told him that as a regular reader who'd gotten out of the habit, my goal was to read a book a week in 2006. Three days later, we were in the Oval Office when he fixed me in his sights and said, "I'm on my second. Where are you?" Mr. Bush had turned my resolution into a contest.
By coincidence, we were both reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals." The president jumped to a slim early lead and remained ahead until March, when I moved decisively in front. The competition soon spun out of control. We kept track not just of books read, but also the number of pages and later the combined size of each book's pages -- its "Total Lateral Area."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
bflr
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That sounds a lot like my grandfather. We always joke and call him the teacher or professor. You name it, he’s probably read it and can tell you all about it.
Once Bush is out of power the media will pretty much leave him alone. Wait and see.
www.abebooks.com
I wish they had included a full list in the article.
I believe President Bush may have read a story on the American Revolution called “The Glorious Cause” because of a quote he made during an interview about Iraq.
Another place to try to find books that you want is a book trading club. You list the books you are willing to give away, folks who want those books request them from you, you send them, get points in the club and then use those points go get books that you want from other members. There are several such clubs on the internet. I, unfortunately, cannot belong since I can’t ever give my books up. They are like my children!
At least that is what I tell my wife.
Absolutely. Depending on how much you read, or order, (DVDs, CDs, etc.), you may want to look at a premium membership.
Everything, (for the most part), is sold at reduced prices with no taxes or shipping fees delivered in 2 days.
And your premium membership can be extended to 3 other members of your family, or friends. I believe the premium membership costs $85/year.
Bush and the Republicans had it all, White House, Senate, House of Representatives, majority of state Governors and state legislatures.
Under Bush's leadership as he leaves office, the Republicans hold nothing. It's going to be hard to ignore that.
Right now I’m reading Jesus of Nazareth by the Pope. Heavy going but very good. Volume one of a two volume set. He’s writing the second one now.
Unfortunately with Amazon, I always get caught!. My husband always sees the box and knows I have been spending money on books again. If I buy locally, I have a better time hiding my purchases! (But, most of my spare money still goes to Amazon).
Forgive me if I'm skeptical. This looks like shameless legacy spin.
Let's review a few facts, shall we?
In 1999 GWB replied to Tucker Carlson of The Weekly Standard, when asked what his idea of hell was, "the prospect of reading a 500 page book of philosophy." Does that sound like a book lover?
When Condaleeza Rice provided a list of books for GWB to read in 2001, it included Dostoevki's Crime and Punishment, which is considered by many the most famous novel ever written. GWB, according to Rice, had never heard of it. Does that sound like a book lover?
GWB is easily the most inarticulate president of the 20th century, with a mind informed by trite sentimentality and the vocabulary of C student in high school. Does that sound like a book lover?
GWB admits he cannot read philosophy. His staff admits he doesn't know great works of literature. He's inarticulate.
Conclusion: Karl Rove is spinning for his leader. George W. Bush is not a book lover -- the very idea is laughable.
The media and the democrats harping on him day after day for 7 years didn’t help.
Sorry, Bush didn’t blow it. The media tried to build a legacy for him that I refuse to comply with.
“Salt”
Thanks for posting about that. I just bought a copy. I like reading about stuff like that. LOL!
GWB at a tribute to Bill Buckley few years ago (maybe the 50th anniversary of National Review?):
“Bill and I have a lot in common.”
“When Bill was at Yale, he wrote a book.”
“When I was at Yale, I read one!”
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