Divided We Stand: How Al Gore Beat George Bush and Lost the Presidency

BYLINE: YVONNE CRITTENDEN. DIVIDED WE STAND By Roger Simon. This short but compelling book by distinguished reporter Roger Simon, chief political correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, looks at the recent American election campaign and its historically close finish. Simon, an insightful analyst and a very readable writer, provides new information about the rivalry between Bill Clinton and his chosen successor, Al Gore, some new and shocking details of the smear campaign in South Carolina, where the George W. Bush forces beat back John McCain's challenge, and other fascinating tidbits. But it's Simon's overall analysis that is so interesting. Calling Al Gore a "flounder" to Bill Clinton's "shark," he notes that Clinton changed the political dynamic in America with his hands-on, empathetic style. Making an emotional connection with strangers was, in essence, what campaigning in America has become. Clinton made it look easy, Simon notes. He had the actor's ability, like Ronald Reagan, to believe utterly in the role he was playing, and the words he was saying. "Al Gore was a serious and committed man who had to learn to be more charming and casual in public. George W. Bush was a casual, charming man who had to learn to be more serious and committed in public. In other words, the presidential campaign was about seeing who could be Bill Clinton." Read this for an understanding of what happened in the 2000 election and why. (Random House)

"Roger Simon, author of Divided We Stand: How Al Gore Beat George Bush and Lost the Presidency (Crown, $25), is something of a rarity among this crowd. Unpretentious and unintrusive, Simon, a reporter for U.S. News & World Report, is a reliable guide on the campaign trail and during the post-election controversy. Unlike most of the other authors, he talks more about the candidates than himself, seeking to capture their essence rather than demonstrate his rhetorical prowess. He neatly tacks back and forth between the Bush and Gore campaign headquarters, quietly depicting their distinctive moods and sensibilities." -Corey Robin.( Corey Robin teaches political science at Brooklyn COllege,CUNY. He is currently writing a book called "Fear: Biography of an Idea.")

Roger Simon presents a witty view of the campaign. He shows why politics and politicians are so entertaining. At some places, I actually laughed out loud. I can't wait until the next election so I can read more from Roger Simon.

Finally, there is a book about the 2000 election with some perspective. The first slate of books to come out after the Florida mess all had a rushed, half-baked feel to them. This is the first where you get the sense it wasn't written in one all-night session. Simon is a great writer, and one of the few people who can make sense of the election fiasco. He's a pro without an ideological ax to grind. Forget the other Bush v Gore books, and just read this one.

I thought I would wouldn't want to read ANYTHING else about the never-ending election of 2000 -- but this book had me scratching my head and smiling from start to finish. Roger Simon gives us a first-person account from McCain's Straight Talk Express all the way through the "riots" in Broward County. I especially enjoyed Gore campaign manager Bill Daley's thoughts on the whole convoluted mess. Simon's perspective is irreverent, well-written and just plain interesting. A must-read for political junkies -- and anyone who wants the inside scoop on "Election 2000." The perfect Father's Day gift for my father the C-SPAN fan.