George Bush's Reading List Video ed2f17 page 18

George Bush's Reading List

The President discusses what he's been reading on NBC News. You may want to turn the volume up on this just a bit to catch some of the memorable words.

During the interview President Bush told Brian Williams, "I read three histories of George Washington last year."

When Brian asked him about the back-story of why he read a book by Camus, the President stated that Laura (Bush) had recommended it, but he seemed to be very uncomfortable with the question, dodging it and stating, "I also read three Shakespeares."

Maybe what is so ironic here is that Camus helped found the philosophy of Absurdism.

He stated "I've got an eclectic reading list," except that he pronounced the word so it sounded more like epileptic than eclectic. It almost sounds like he said, "I've got an epileptic reading list."

Toward the end of the interview he stated, "The key for me is to keep expectations low."

On the White House Website, Laura Bush's reading recommendations include "Ship of Fools" by Katherine Anne Porter, "Beloved" by Toni Morrison and "Music for Chameleons" by Truman Capote. Maybe he should try these.

If those are too tough, maybe he should try some of her other suggestions, such as "Frog and Toad" by Arnold Lobel, "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss, or "Joey Pigza Loses Control" by Jack Gantos.

We'll close with the following quote, which seems surprisingly appropriate:

The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth.
~ Albert Camus

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Comments (7)

	azannie: 09/24/2006 4:39 PM lol
	counterculture from the underground: 09/24/2006 8:51 PM "the key for me is to keep expectations low" - that's the most honest thing he's ever said!
	ArtsySF ©: 09/24/2006 9:02 PM thanks for posting....LOL
	jrw0517: 09/25/2006 5:28 AM I think he did say "epileptic reading list." It sure sounds like it.
	sstrokerj: 09/25/2006 10:19 AM You would think by now he would have learned not to give an interview without cue cards
	bad321: 09/29/2006 10:35 PM Dear First Lady Laura Bush, Will you please read one of the following books from your list to Georgie at bedtime before you put him to sleep: - Curious George, by H.A. Rey - Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown - Carlo Likes Reading, by Jessica Spanyol - Hop on Pop, by Dr. Seuss - Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak We know that you had to be joking when you suggested Camus, and it showed in the interview that he just didn't get your joke. Maybe he will be able to comprehend one of the above-mentioned books a bit better. Respectfully, A Former Republican
	lynnsays: 10/03/2006 2:59 PM If you listen closely, or at least read his lips, he did not say "epileptic" --he said ECLECTIC--meaning, selecting or choosing from various sources. Granted, he did say it with a short "e" and not a long "e." As for keeping expectations low... I've got nothing. :-P