Ambling Into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush

Frank Bruni, a New York Times reporter, wrote a perceptive and eloquent book about the candidate whose campaign he covered in 1999-2000 and the president of the months previous to 9/11, when he was part of the White House press corps. With eye for the big and the small details, he tries a search for George W. Bush. But, as seems always the case in this kind of books, he succeeds, but only partially. Nevertheless, the answers to these failures stand clear in the book itself. I think it has to do something with misunderstimation. Analysts, journalists and all kinds of pundits, it seems, start at the wrong place: they measure Bush against the traditional political standards and, when he just doesn't fit into them, well, the problems begin. "In many regards, the Bush I knew did not seem to be built for what lay ahead. The Bush I knew was part scamp and part bumbler, a timeless fraternity boy and heedless cutup, a weekday gym rat and weekend napster, an adult with an inner child that often brimmed to the surface or burst trough". What Bruni and others see as limitations, I think, could well be the essence of the success behind George W. Bush in the eyes of many people. In a time where professional politicians are always so self-righteous and pretend to have the right answers to all the problems around, Bush and his unpretending and fallible human nature are a breeze of fresh air. So, when reading this book, you have to look for the real Bush, the one whose own self and voice keeps joyfully and intelligently jumping out here and there troughout the text, no matter what his disciplinarians (like Karen Hughes) do to enforce him, or the journalists (like Bruni himself) think about it. Bruni's book deserves five stars because he tries really hard to measure Bush against those all traditonal standards and, in the way, inadvertently discovers Bush to the reader. Another plus is his exceptionally intelligent assesment of the role the press plays in "constructing reality" and not just reporting it. Sure it does. And it's part of the misunderestimation of George W. Bush. Read it, you won't be dissapointed.

Read this fun, meaty, fast-paced portrait of George W. at your own risk. Those who voted for Bush, who saw him as the kind of guy they'd like to have a beer with, will find themselves wincing -- again and again -- at his juvenile behavior and shocking lack of in-depth knowledge about almost everything save the flora and fauna on his beloved ranch. They will be forced to admit that they helped elect a lightweight class clown. Then again, those who enthusiastically voted against Bush, as I did, will come away with from this incredibly nuanced, insightful and entertaining biography feeling something akin to real respect for the man (did I write that?) -- for his flexibility, his deep love of family and country and perhaps most importantly, his new-found focus and commitment to ridding the world of terrorism. Frat boy or Zen master? You decide. Bruni's book is about as balanced and fair as journalism gets. And he writes with great wit and intelligence and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor as he drags us with on the exhausting campaign trail -- where every journalist gains weight, outgrows his clothes, resumes smoking and drinks too much on little to no sleep. I went willingly. What a blast.

I have had full faith in President George W. Bush from the start. This book confirms his dedication to this nation to those who were more hesitant. President Bush is not only dedicated to catching those responsiable for the attacks, but also for protecting the nation in which he leads with dignity and grace.

Mr. Bruni's prose has the uncanny ability to make a reader feel as though you're sitting comfortably at home having a thoroughly enjoyable conservation with someone who just happens to know a great deal about the way politicians and journalists think and work. This book is filled with telling little gems about President Bush -- the kinds of things you'd just love to share with your colleagues at the water cooler, because they're interesting, funny and they're bound to make you look smart.Thank you, Mr. Bruni for letting us into the "bubble" of presidential campaigns.

My husband is supposed to be reading Ambling ... for an on-line book group, but I borrowed it 2 days ago, and wouldn't give it back to him until I finished.This book does a remarkable job of portraying a man who struggled with family expectations, addictions, and ambivalence about his race to the presidency. I think that what makes Bruni's criticisms of Bush seem fair even to this Republican is that Bruni frequently touches on his uncertainties regarding the man. Bruni shows a healthy scepticism toward journalists and his own prejudices, telling Bush's story with a remarkable even-handedness. He's sympathetic to Bush's good qualities, yet fair when dealing with the man's faults. This is a book I am strongly recommending to both my Republican and Democrat friends.