Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2008 > November > 03 > Entry
yukkin’ it up with John McCain
There is an amusing article today in the New York Times. Written by Elizabeth Bumiller, the article describes the mirthful atmosphere recently on John McCain’s campaign bus somewhere in Ohio.
The guys were telling Henny Youngman jokes and Bumiller reports that McCain “roared with Mr. Graham about a book he was reading, “A Walk in the Woods,” a comic account of an out-of-shape writer’s 2,100-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail.”
That would be McCain’s buddy, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. And the book is the hugely popular travel story penned by Bill Bryson.
I interviewed Elizabeth Bumiller earlier this year on WYSO for her excellent biography of Condi Rice. Bumiller is a seasoned political reporter and she rarely screws up her facts.
In this case however, she got it wrong. One must assume that she has never read “A Walk in the Woods”? If she had, she would not have written what she wrote.
Have you read it? Did you spot the error? Here it is: When she refers to Bryson as an “out-of-shape writer” she is mixing her facts up.
Bill Bryson hiked most of the AT with Steven Katz. It was Steven Katz who provided many of the laughs. It was Bryson who had to keep waiting for the winded Katz to catch up with him. It was Katz who kept throwing away stuff from his knapsack. Bryson was not the one who was “out-of-shape.” It was Katz, Bryson’s hiking sidekick.
Or, at least that was one of the comedic gambits that Bryson employed in the book - Oh yeah, Katz and his junk food - Katz and his soda pop - Katz was always slowing us down. That wacky Katz…
I have interviewed both Katz and Bryson. They offer rather different versions of what really happened during their epic perambulation. Katz was a good sport about it. He didn’t appreciate Bryson’s depiction of his chasing a woman around a laundromat. Apparently, that didn’t go over too well with his girlfriend. Katz married her a while back.
I keep in touch with Katz (not his real name) and he keeps me posted on Bryson. The real irony here for me is that John McCain is yukking it up over that particular book? Sure, it’s a wonderful, funny book. A true classic.
Here’s the irony as I see it: Katz would not vote for John McCain under any circumstance. As for Bryson, who resides in England, if he votes in this election he most certainly would not be voting for McCain. I know these guys. No way.
I am impressed that John McCain is reading that book. That does show some class and a sense of humor.
From the campaign trail to the Appalachian Trail….I’m Vick Mickunas reporting.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: laughable
Comments
By edo
November 4, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Love Bill Bryson… the books on the English language are just as good as the travel books… it’s good to know Mc”Cain” is “able” to enjoy himself…