Rating: 
Summary: It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry.
Review: I bought this book and _George W. Bushisms : The Slate Book of The Accidental Wit and Wisdom of our 43rd President_ by George W. Bush, Jacob Weisberg. The choice of books probably tells you that I don't particularly like Bush. I still don't. Neither does the author of this book, Paul Begala. While Begala makes no claims to being non-paritisan here, he does claim to be as fair as possible to Bush, and I think that he succeeds. He raises questions about Bush and his character that somehow seem to constantly be ignored by the press, and the Republican Party-- for example, where was Bush when he was supposedly serving in the Alabama National Guard, and why can't he prove he actually served there. The book is readable with a hip sarcastic tone. It's very funny in many places. Unfortunately many of funniest patches are direct quotes from our 43rd president. If you buy it, don't buy _George W. Bushisms_ because most of them are here in the book. As a companion, I'd recommend _Shrub: the Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush_ by Molly Ivins instead. On the other hand, since we're stuck with Bush now, you might just want to not know about all this.
Rating:
Summary: Begala's Scathing Unmasking of Bobo the Dancing Chimp
Review: Okay, I'm a partisan Democrat, but I'm not going to be one who will give a book a shining review, simply because it happens to agree with my personal politics. That being said, The Case Against... is a scathing look into the past history of our new president (shudder). Begala, another partisan Democrat, undresses Bush so we all can see who lies beneath the dopey grin and allows you to draw your own conclusions. And after the unmasking is through, we have seen the real George W. Bush, and personally, he scares the hell out of me.
Rating: 
Summary: Truth hurts
Review: Despite loosing the popular vote, George W. Bush was sworn in as the President of the United States. While this book is written by an admittedly biased person, the bias is in favor of truth, justice and liberty. Considering these factors were not used to determine the presidential winner of the 2000 elections, the American public could do a lot worse. Begala exposes how Bush's seemingly incoherent statements mask a far greater incompetence than has been suggested. Although it may seem inconsequential or cute to the underinformed, Begala assures us there are seriouis consequences from this behavor that will ultimately affect the United States Yes, it looks like a very long and trying four years (assuming Bush does not do anyhing stupid enough to shorten the term) but intellegent citizens armed with this book can and will survive the most unAmerican election in ages.
Rating:
Summary: Bush exposed
Review: It was so refreshing to see all of George W. Bush's inadequacies and the reasons why he is so dreadfully wrong for the presidency laid out. During the entire election it seemed like no one had the courage to expose these facts, and when they did make headlines the story died down suspiciously quickly. Here at last the full story comes out, and is extensively backed up with footnotes -- letting you know that what you are reading hasn't been twisted or run through the rumor mill. Paul Begala presents the information with a wit that keeps you laughing despite the horrors of W's record. The writing is also very clear and concise, so that even I, someone not very knowledgable of politics, was able to understand each and every section. I just wish that I had discovered this book earlier -- it would have been a godsend in convincing some family members of mine just how awful Bush really is.
Rating:
Summary: Get Ready for a Scary Ride, USA!
Review: I love this book because it puts into words the reasoning I have for disliking George W. Bush. If you have a gut feeling that GWB is a loser - you're absolutely correct and this book will prove it. He's a puppet to others and he has done nothing favorable for the state of Texas. I hope that everyone who elected him cares nothing about our environment, equal rights, and our country's prosperity (just to name a few), because in four years it will all be negatively affected by this incompetent frat boy from Texas. I'm just glad that we at least get a new governor and maybe our school system, for example, can make ammends for his wrong-doing during his term. This book was great!
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening and Scary
Review: After reading Molly Ivans book "Shrub..." and learning more about Dubya than I'd expected, I was given this book to further my education. I found it well-written, very well documented, and witty (although Begala did get a tad caustic at times albeit justified). I find it terribly disturbing that we have a large percentage of the populace who voted for Shrub even though the facts are in regarding his political career, as such, and his ... military service to our country. This book opened my eyes wider to the lack of honest reporting and press coverage on a man who is completely inadequate to serve as our president yet managed to get appointed anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Strong evidence outweighs bias
Review: Admittedly, Begala is not the most objective person in the world, and that alone will probably keep many from reading this book. But that doesn't change the facts, which Begala has meticulously documented. He uses the words of Bush's own supporters, like Larry Lindsey. He cites studies done by objective third parties, such as The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News. He talks to people close to the issues he discusses who have worked with W, like Texas legislators. If you cut through all the "ask Karl Rove" jokes (which I really enjoyed), you'll see that Begala has gathered strong evidence against W. For all his talk of Al Gore's character, it's clear that W is not exactly the exemplar of moral fortitude he claims he is. And I won't even mention his intellectual laziness or the fact that his success stems strictly from his family connections, both of which speak for themselves. The bottom line is that those who discount Begala's book simply because of who he is are just as partisan as he is, but even worse off because they blindly follow W without considering his record and what it shows about the kind of president he'll be. Thanks for lowering the bar for us all, W.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but very speculative
Review: This book made me glad that Bush make "character" an issue in his campaign. Begala's book attests that Bush's life and record is gross irresponsibility born of privilege. Includes unsubstantiated claims that Bush evaded the draft and used his father's influence to jump the waiting list for the national guard. An even wilder claim that Bush never showed up during the whole year that he was ordered to report to the Alabama National Guard, really who are we trying to kid? The press found a 24 year old DWI on the guy, I think they would have caught this. Also includes misquotations such as Bush told a press conference last June that he "didn't remember" what he did that year in Alabama. Begala's discussion of Bush's business ventures is short but snappy, and omits the great success he has enjoyed. Even more astonishing and unfounded claims such as Bush engaged in but was never prosecuted or even reproached for INSIDER TRADING in 1990 while a director of Harken Energy. As head of the Texas Rangers, Bush was an astute businessman, while the Rangers earned profits of over $14 million, then goes into his saint-like record of PUBLIC service. His tax plan would give working families a tax cut, as well as the wealthier people who pay most of the taxes in this country. As Begala, citing UPI, notes, he's wisely spent Texas's budget surplus: "the first time in nine years that Texas has done so well." Small wonder too, because as Begala points out, Bush's idea of trusting people with responsibility is trusting pro-industry, people who know business and will not abuse the unlimited power of the EPA. EDUCATION PRESIDENT? As Begala tells us much information that again is untraceable. Most exciting are the words coming from Bush's own mouth: I TRUST THE PEOPLE. After reading Begala's book I wondered: If this is the worst dirt they can up with on Bush, he must be a good person! The funniest quote is the wildly misquote of George Will at the end. All in All, an entertaining but lightheaded view of things for the unsophisticated reader.
Rating:
Summary: Poorly written throw away writing
Review: I usually enjoy political books of all sorts, liberal - conservative and anywhere else in the spectrum. This book suffers from some basic flaws that any intelligent reader will pick up on right away. 1. Completely substantiated claims. If you can take outrageous claims at face value without any traceable facts, you might enjoy this book. 2. Leap from claims (#1) to even wilder conclusions. I would give this book a better rating if the writer would have clarified if these were his opinions or supposed facts. Other than the basic flaws, it is very readable and engrossing.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but not informative
Review: Mr. Begala should understand that the average American is able to determine opinion from fact. This book is a collection of Mr. Begala's assumptions, opinions, and hypotheses. If you are looking for FACT look elsewhere. If you want a light read for a day at the beach, then Mr. Begala has a story for you.
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