From Library Journal:
To Jack W. Germond and Jules Witcover's sober and critical Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars? ( LJ 9/1/89) and Englishman Matt Ridley's astute and challenging Warts and All (LJ 3/1/90) now are added two more accounts of the 1988 campaigns of those who sought to occupy the Oval Office. The methods of these "person who would be President" sagas are too familiar to require much exegesis. The candidates are put in the pillory, their platforms, strategies, behind-the-scenes maneuverings, shortcomings, pranks, errors of judgment--all the giddy aspects of the political show--are held up for observation and in some cases ridicule. Simon, a columnist for the Baltimore Sun, and Taylor, a political reporter for the Washington Post, follow the recipe quite faithfully. Both authors take the candidates from that first gleam in the eye to the final nomination, showing how each tries to appeal to the voter's pride and prejudice. In true journalistic fashion Simon tells what happened, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions. Taylor's intention is not only to recount the events, but to offer some estimable cleansing measures. By now much of what the authors report is old hat, but separately they manage to add something hitherto not known. The question librarians must ask is how many of these Presidential election guidebooks are needed; checking circulation tallies on the earlier election books will help. See also Sidney Blumenthal's Pledging Allegiance , reviewed in this issue, p. 237.--Ed.
- A.J. Anderson, Graduate Sch. of Library and Information Science, Simmons Coll., Boston
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Publishers Weekly:
Baltimore Sun syndicated columnist Simon covered the 1988 presidential campaign, and his detailed report is both informative and wickedly funny. Fairly easy on Jesse Jackson and tolerant of Dan Quayle, he wipes the floor with Gary Hart, Pat Robertson and Al Haig, adding a scalding sketch of Al Gore's staged visit to a ward of babies hospitalized with AIDS. Simon chronicles the main bout between Mr. Ice and Mr. Nice with gleeful venom. Dukakis, "the man who can eat one potato chip," is pictured as an inept and obtuse campaigner. Bush, struggling to overcome the Wimp Factor, is shown crushing his opponent with base tactics which included the exploitation of racial fear; no other issue was more important, argues Simon. Particularly revealing is his I-was-there analysis of how Bush's "media handler," Roger Ailes, generaled his client to victory. This comprehensive account of the campaign is a treat for anyone who needs reminding of how revolting a "road show" it was.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.