In a column in the Wall Street Journal the other day, Bush's bud Karl Rove wrote that President Bush read 95 books in 2006, 51 in 2007, and 40 in 2008. In fact, he said he would have read more except that he was busy being Leader of the Free World. And, no, these books were not just A Cricket in Times Square. They include books such as David Halberstam's 736-page The Coldest Winter and Stephen Sears' 640-page Gettysburg.
As Nicky knows from my stomping, yelling and screaming during breakfast yesterday when I read this crock, reading this much is simply IMPOSSIBLE. I'm not questioning his comprehension or ability -- although I certainly could if I were not taking the high road here. I am questioning the number of hours in the day and year that a person with a job and a well-known penchant for a good night's sleep can devote to reading.
I think I would know, too. I LOVE to read. But I have a busy job and enjoy a good night's sleep too. Yes, you say, but, unlike Bush, I am also responsible for shopping, cleaning, cooking and paying bills. True, I say, but he also really is the Leader of the Free World. Doesn't that take time?
How much do I read? Actually, I can answer that. I have been keeping track since 2002. This was not because of a competition a la Bush vs. Rove, but rather because I had a tendency to check books out of the library not realizing that I had previously read them.
2006: Bush 95 Bonnie 24; Although I must add that I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, 6 books ranging from 627 to 1070 pages each.
2007: Bush 51 Bonnie 22
2008: Bush 40 Bonnie 16; (I re-read the Outlander series. Would strongly recommend it.)
Well, you say, maybe he has time to read books because he doesn't read 3 newspapers every day like I do. He has previously admitted to not reading newspapers. He relies on his staff to give him the news because he thinks it is more objective. Like whether or not weapons of mass destruction exist. Whatever. But that takes time, too; doesn't it? Or is he reading his books while the news is being downloaded to him by his aides? That image of him multitasking is too scary to even contemplate, although I pretty much envisioned it after the 2002 election ...
Sorry about that digression. High road here....
My point is that it is impossible for him to do his job and read all those books.
1 comment:
LOL! I agree that it seems unlikely that he read that much. I loved the Outlander series, too, but have only read the first four. I'm going back to the states in April, and will get the other two then.
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