SHRUB The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush

This is not a flattering portrait of the man who could be our next president. Ivins and Dubose, Texas political writers, cover Bush's youth, duty with the Air National Guard, oil ventures, ownership of the Texas Rangers and record as governor. The spin is not familiar to his promoters, and the book offers more detail than those of us in the other 49 states may want. Ivins reads, almost confides, knowing just which words to emphasize or invest with the irony that is her stock-in-trade. While her twang is genuine and her phrasing colorful, her impersonations of various state pols are either dead-on funny or mere Texas stereotypes, depending on your point of view. In fact, point of view and the willingness to suspend it will determine whether you find this tape entertaining, one-sided, just plain scary--or all three. J.B.G. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 00]