Ambling Into History: The Unlikely Odyssey of George W. Bush Hardcover – March 5, 2002

Frank Bruni, a New York Times reporter, wrote a perceptive and eloquent book about the candidate whose campaign he covered in 1999-2000 and the president of the months previous to 9/11, when he was part of the White House press corps. With eye for the big and the small details, he tries a search for George W. Bush. But, as seems always the case in this kind of books, he succeeds, but only partially. Nevertheless, the answers to these failures stand clear in the book itself. I think it has to do something with misunderstimation.

Analysts, journalists and all kinds of pundits, it seems, start at the wrong place: they measure Bush against the traditional political standards and, when he just doesn't fit into them, well, the problems begin. "In many regards, the Bush I knew did not seem to be built for what lay ahead. The Bush I knew was part scamp and part bumbler, a timeless fraternity boy and heedless cutup, a weekday gym rat and weekend napster, an adult with an inner child that often brimmed to the surface or burst trough". What Bruni and others see as limitations, I think, could well be the essence of the success behind George W. Bush in the eyes of many people. In a time where professional politicians are always so self-righteous and pretend to have the right answers to all the problems around, Bush and his unpretending and fallible human nature are a breeze of fresh air.

So, when reading this book, you have to look for the real Bush, the one whose own self and voice keeps joyfully and intelligently jumping out here and there troughout the text, no matter what his disciplinarians (like Karen Hughes) do to enforce him, or the journalists (like Bruni himself) think about it.

Bruni's book deserves five stars because he tries really hard to measure Bush against those all traditonal standards and, in the way, inadvertently discovers Bush to the reader. Another plus is his exceptionally intelligent assesment of the role the press plays in "constructing reality" and not just reporting it. Sure it does. And it's part of the misunderestimation of George W. Bush.

Read it, you won't be dissapointed.

This portrait of Bush from the primaries to the presidency is a good read, not only for his intimate view of Bush as a political animal, but also for its insight on what it's like to be a reporter following him. (If this aspect appeals to you, have a look at another book, "The Boys on the Bus" by Timothy Crouse. It's a classic account of reporters following the 1972 presidential campaign trail.)
Bruni's observations about Bush tend to be tart and somewhat cynical at times, which is why I gave it only four stars. Overall, though, it's excellent reporting, and will be an important part of the historical record of the Bush presidency.

Ambling Into History has polarized some readers because of the subject --George W. Bush. Author Frank Bruni has been accused of trivializing and belittling Bush, or of pumping up and promoting him.
But as someone who truly has no political ax to grind (pro or con) I must say this: I absolutely LOVED this book. And in the end some of things that people may have felt belittled Bush
were to me quite endearing. I FINALLY had read a political book and learned a lot more about how the subject of the book REALLY was as a REAL person.
This political saga shows a politician who privately raises an eyebrow at many of the political process' pomposities, rituals and postures and who behaves as an authentic human being, rather than a character sent from Hollywood's Central Casting to fill a stereotypical role.
This book is FUN and enlightening. It's all there: info about the campaign, and early evidence that GWB did not actually "grow in office" due to 911 as much as confront an unprecedented crisis with skills he already had -- and had honed. When I had done shows in Texas (I am an entertainer) I had heard stories about Bush's charisma in private but until this book never saw anything that communicated it in print (or on the networks).
Most of Ambling is set on the campaign trail. After Bush's searing loss to John McCain GWB made himself more available to the press. In private he suddenly became a fun candidate to cover -- and he was clearly trying to win them over with humor. A reporter might find Bush playfully sticking his index fingers in the reporters ears to keep him from hearing something. Bush once jokingly put his hands around Bruni's throat. Such antics were a part of Bush's good-guy make-up, evident in college when he named a stickball team "the Nads"...so chants would be "GO NADS!"
The behind-the-scenes GWB portrayed here is much more likeable and solid than the early, stiffer candidate publicly seen on the campaign trail. Bruni traces Bush's growth during the campaign masterfully. But the book's greatest success is in showing the absurdities, pomposities, and rituals of the press itself on the campaign trail. No book has ever done this better.
Many of Bruni's lines are laugh out loud. For instance, after he describes how the press eats and eats and eats he notes: "The seats on the plane seemed to grow smaller and smaller as the campaign dragged on."
Does Ambling trivialize GWB? Not at all. Is it p.r. to pump him up? Nope. It shows a steely determination and quick-learner beneath an affable, refreshingly playful surface. As you read about how he overcame his campaign's and his own obstacles, how deeply he holds his values, how firmly he maintains his core beliefs, and how focused he is on achieving his goals, his no-nonsense actions after Sept. 11 come as no shock at all. Indeed, by the time we reach his final chapter about Bush's post 911 performance, we're not surprised to read about his patience, take-charge attitide and openess to new info. Ambling Into History truly traces GWB's journey with all the challenges, fun -- and tragedies -- along the way.

Good book by a New York Times reporter who traveled with Bush as he ran for President. Book is well written. It shows a side of Bush that one doesn't see on television. He has a bit of ornery side. The book is really funny at times, especially when reviewing some of the President's bloopers with the language. Whether you like or dislike Bush I think you'll enjoy the book.