When it comes to reporting on politics, nobody does it smarter or funnier than bestselling author Molly Ivins. In Shrub, Ivins focuses her Texa... read full description
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Jul 30, 2008
Emily
rated it: 
A very well-written account of a very difficult era for one state preceding an even worse one for an entire country.
Ivins's claim that Ann Richards - a feminist Democrat - could have only been elected in a state like Texas because her opponent was so blatantly idiotic (bragging that he liked to "get serviced" in whorehouses south of the border). It seems to me that the United States elections have very much evolved this way - unless he's an absolute lunatic, the public wil More...
Ivins's claim that Ann Richards - a feminist Democrat - could have only been elected in a state like Texas because her opponent was so blatantly idiotic (bragging that he liked to "get serviced" in whorehouses south of the border). It seems to me that the United States elections have very much evolved this way - unless he's an absolute lunatic, the public wil More...
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Dec 17, 2009
Mark
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I read this book around the time the Shrub was being "elected" the first time. It was quite possibly the scariest book I've ever read.
Molly Ivins was a genius. I miss her a lot. I got to see her speak towards the end of her life. She had been going through chemo and barely looked like herself, but she was still razor sharp. It made me want to read all of her books.
This, of course, is all old information by now. But at the time it was scary stuff. Still is to an extent, espe More...
Molly Ivins was a genius. I miss her a lot. I got to see her speak towards the end of her life. She had been going through chemo and barely looked like herself, but she was still razor sharp. It made me want to read all of her books.
This, of course, is all old information by now. But at the time it was scary stuff. Still is to an extent, espe More...
Mar 29, 2009
James
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The late Ms. Ivins wrote this as Dubya was making his move from the Texas governor's mansion to the White House, and is her account of his doings as chief executive of her home state. She wasn't mean or petty, but she pulled no punches in pointing out how he'd conducted himself as governor of Texas, an unimpressive record at best; he apparently changed for the even-worse, or had hidden some darker aspects of his character, though, because as she looked ahead to his presidency she said that the m
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Feb 25, 2007
Elaine
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I credit this book with giving me my first political education on George W. Bush. Ivins conveys just how abominable a governor and undeserving a leader he is. May she rest in peace.
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Jan 21, 2011
Susan
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After the jaunt with Edward Abbey, decided to read about Dubya. I miss Molly Ivins' writing, and enjoy Lou Dubose, so headed to TX. They cover alot of territory in a short book and take readers into Bush's Guard service, oil field career, baseball franchise ownership, the '94 campaign for governor, religious beliefs/ties to the "Christian Right," as well as criminal justice, education and the environment. Confirmed my position that he was one of the absolutely worst of American presi
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Aug 08, 2007
just sarah
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made me laugh until i thought about it. then i kind of wanted to cry.
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Dec 17, 2009
Yvette
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This tool is President... must read.
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Nov 06, 2010
Joan
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This was a perfect book to read during election week only 2 weeks after a couple of days in Austin. The book was written during Bush's last term as Governor of Texas, prior to his first term as President. Ivins gave a bit of biographical information, but much of the book was about politics in Texas in a comfortable, fluent, sometimes ironic style. The most profound impact on me was remembering once again that a thoughtful, open, respected press is crucial to good government, which in turn is
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Dec 18, 2008
Dana
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I read this back when W. was still a relatively innocent letter. Molly Ivins is a legendary Texas writer who gives us a pretty thorogh history of our mighty leader and his many failures. I still have no idea why people are surprised we are where we are after electing this guy who has consistantly failed at every undertaking he has taken on. Anyway, a good quick read that will give you a greater appreciation for how easilly Americans can be fooled into following a complete imbecile.
Apr 04, 2010
Mick
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Okay, this one's a little dated, having been written during Dubya's first presidential campaign ten years ago. But if you miss reading the late, great Molly Ivins and her unique perspective like I do, you should give this book a chance. If nothing else, we can at least rejoice over the fact that this dimwit used up all his eligibility as leader of the free world. I found the passages describing his atrocious environmental record as governor of Texas the most telling. What an asshole.
Mar 26, 2011
Rebecca
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If you're a political junkie you'll love this book. First published in 2000 during the campaign, the authors lay it all out and accurately predict exactly what is going to happen during the next unhappy 8 years. It's all there: the lying, the cynical exploitation of every decent feeling, the absolute and total devotion to realizing the vision of complete domination by corporate interests of every aspect of American life and community (or what I like to call the corporatization of America), th
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Oct 24, 2011
Mike
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Why didn’t more people read this before the 2000 Presidential election? This expose of George Bush’s failed dealings in business and as Governor of Texas fairly predicted his failings as President. It is genuinely scary that this nincompoop was given the keys to the White House, and even scarier that his failings as revealed in this book were not better known and not considered sufficient reason to vote for anyone else.
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Mar 16, 2010
Steve
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People remember the great Molly Ivins for her fantastic sense of humor, and rightly so, too, but she also did her homework and knew what she was talking about and this book was surprisingly meaty for being such a fun, quick read. I know, people most likely to enjoy it probably don't want to tunnel back into those days when it felt like we'd never seen the end of the Bush presidency, but still, an excellent book.
Jul 31, 2011
Martha
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I highly recommend enjoying this as an audio book, read by the author, in a Texas twang that compliments the material. This book was written prior to W's 2000 election, and should have been required reading then. It's just as interesting now, hearing about Rove, Rice, and others pre-election. It covers a lot of Texas politics, but it adds to the flavor of the book. Enjoy listening to the late great Molly Ivins.
Sep 17, 2008
Muzzlehatch
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Well, you can't expect even-handedness in a book about the (at the time) future President Dubya, especially from Molly Ivins -- but this quick-reading little tome is less overtly partisan than you might expect, actually giving 43 some credit in areas where he deserves it (education and, uh, education) in his reign as guv-ner of Tejas, and delving very little into his sordid party-boy past. Intended as a primer for those doubtful in 2000 of the damage that "Shrub" might be able to infl
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Jan 01, 2012
Travis
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As always, a very clever and interesting look at politics, but frightening that people thought this knucklehead would be a great President.
Interesting, in that W pretty much either stumbled into success or was nudged along by his family and their well connected friends.
You do find yourself feeling a bit sad for W as he is so obviously in over his head, ill-prepared for any political office and doesn't seem particularly happy in his chosen career.
Can't help think he ( and More...
Interesting, in that W pretty much either stumbled into success or was nudged along by his family and their well connected friends.
You do find yourself feeling a bit sad for W as he is so obviously in over his head, ill-prepared for any political office and doesn't seem particularly happy in his chosen career.
Can't help think he ( and More...
Jan 15, 2009
Lisa
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Molly Ivins rocks. She has a knack for metaphor and is just a good Texas storyteller. I didn't know a lot about GWB - it helped fill in the gaps and make me understand potential motivations.
I miss her, RIP.
If you get a chance, get this book in audio form. Her reading this is priceless.
I miss her, RIP.
If you get a chance, get this book in audio form. Her reading this is priceless.
Nov 14, 2007
Brian
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Molly Ivins, the famous Texan journalist, passed away earlier this year, and I promised I would finally get around to reading one of her books. This one is focused on George W. "Shrub" Bush, during the 2000 campaign. It really does shed a good deal of light on how he managed to bumble his way into the Presidency with every step of his life. Seriously, the only thing you can say about the guy is that he knows how to use his name to make money. Everything from his failed oil ventures, to
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Apr 07, 2011
Janice
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Of course I've read this book far too late. It was interesting to see Texas politics in action. That also threw me a bit because I was unfamiliar with some of the players, but I could get a real picture of them thanks to Ivins. Every politician should have to go through as thorough a vetting as was done here. Shame Ivins isn't around anymore to do it.
Mar 07, 2007
Dave
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Molly Ivins' book was written before Bush was elected (err... ah hem, "elected") President in 2000 and details G.W.'s various life achievements up to that point, such as founding Arbusto Energy (thought to be spanish for "bush" but it actually means "shrub"), buying a stake in the Texas Rangers and paving the way to build a new baseball stadium and his various accomplishments (or lack thereof in many cases) during his tenure as governor of Texas.
The book More...
The book More...
Jul 23, 2009
Martha
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First and foremost, I love Molly Ivans. I once met her and she was just the coolest lady ever.
The book is one of those that is so well written and entertaining and depressing all at the same time. It makes you a little upset w/ Ann Richards - and I almost said something to her this one time I saw her in Curras in Austin, but I held my tongue (amazingly).
A book that will give you great insight into what Bush is all about in a humorous way - but like I said, prepare for dep More...
The book is one of those that is so well written and entertaining and depressing all at the same time. It makes you a little upset w/ Ann Richards - and I almost said something to her this one time I saw her in Curras in Austin, but I held my tongue (amazingly).
A book that will give you great insight into what Bush is all about in a humorous way - but like I said, prepare for dep More...
Jun 10, 2009
Cheryl
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I miss Molly so much, her way of looking at things, her sharp, shrewd mind. I still like to go back and read her old columns on the internet sometimes. She was so right with this book - we got exactly what she said we would get in GWB.
Jun 30, 2011
Tom
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If only more people had read this book before Bush was elected the second time. They would have realized how inexperienced and inept he was and how he exagerated most of his political accomplishments.
Sep 18, 2007
Danielle
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Not sure what kind of masochist would read a book written before GWB was elected that is making the case for why he shouldn't get elected. Definitely reminds me how perverse and inexplicable politics is - e.g., how outraged conservative voters were over Clinton's avoidance of military service and Kerry's supposedly minimal tour in Vietnam, but didn't seem to mind Bush using his family connections to avoid being sent overseas. This catalog of Bush's flaws is amusing at times, but also demonstra
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Dec 01, 2008
John
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insightful, but terrifying. Might be easier to take now with a new president coming into office.
