photo caption: Books and Magazine section, CVS Pharmacy, El Ocho sector, Bayamon, PR
DEAD CERTAIN
by George Packer
The New Yorker
November 29, 2010 A review of "Decision Points" by George W. Bush [excerpt] Moder ex-presidents tend to write memoirs for reason's less heroic than U.S. Grant. Richard Nixon couldn't stop producing his, in one for or another, in a quest to revise history's devastating verdict... Why did Gerge W. Brush write "Decision Points"? (Crown; $35, Google Books; $5) He tells us on the first page. He wanted to make a contribution to the study of American history, but he also wanted to join the section of advice books featuring leadership tips from successful executives.
"I write to give raders a perspective on decision making in a complex environment. Many of the decision that reach the president's desk are tough calls, with strong arguments on both sides. Throughout this book, I describe the opinions I weighed and the principles I followed. I hope this will give you a better sense of why I made the decisions I made..."
Here is a prediction, "Decision Points" will not endure. It's prose aims for tough-minded simplicity but keeps landing on simpleminded sententiousness.
NUTTY
by Paul Rudnick
Shouts & Murmurs
The New Yorker
November 29, 2010 Rudnick presents a fictionalized revelation by Mr. Peanut that he is, and long has been, gay.
[excerpt]
After watching Portia de Rossi promoting her new memoir about her anorxia, her struggle to come out as a lesbian, and her eventual happy marriage to Ellen DeGeneres, I feel emboldened. (Although, I regret that, because I am a carbohydrate, Portia may fear me.) And after seeing Ricky Martin discuss his new memoir, about his coming out and his job in becoming the father of beautiful twin sons, I think that it's time to tell the world that Benson (Mr. Peanuts new buddy [and according to him, lover]) and I will be adopting a jumbo cashew and pair of Jordan almonds; some people will call it a bridge mix, but for Benson and me it's our family. J.Galligan75GRAND/SUR
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