Standing Firm: A Vice-Presidential Memoir

No politician has been savaged by the press more than Dan Quayle. It's hardly surprising, then, that if there are any villains in his account of his vice-presidency, they're Sam Donaldson; various minions of the New York Times and Washington Post; sometimes--but not always--Dan Rather; the gadfly conservative magazine, the American Spectator; and even a supposed friend, George Will. But Quayle nurses no grudges with journalists (indeed, he seems most put out with the political handlers assigned to him in 1988 and the 1992 campaign team led by James Baker). He just wants reporters to be candid about their political biases and to show some generosity of spirit. The latter he finds especially lacking in liberals in general, except for--which may surprise many--Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton, both of whom, Quayle says, are great guys. Not that he shares much of anything politically with them; he is the staunch conservative throughout this memoir, and he also periodically asserts the influence of his Christian faith upon his thoughts and actions. What he most signally accomplishes is to show what he did during his vice-presidency, feats that included much international diplomacy and, most impressively, handling, in the absence of President Bush (en route to the Malta summit with Gorbachev), the crisis of the most serious coup against Philippine president Cory Aquino. This thoughtful book is probably the best thing ever written about the modern vice-presidency. Ray Olson

Former Vice President Dan Quayle gives the listener an insider's view of the Bush administration and the 1988 and 1992 elections in this abridgment of his autobiography (LJ 7/94). Through comparison and contrast with his contemporaries, Quayle provides a strong defense of his controversial Vietnam War service in the Indiana National Guard. He also provides good analysis of the allegedly liberal media and its coverage of the recent Presidential election and touches on the ensuing Clinton administration. On a more personal level, Quayle describes his commitment to Jesus Christ, family values, and his country. The author reads candidly and with conviction. Put politics aside, listeners: Quayle's side of the story deserves a listen. One wonders why the country didn't hear it when he explained it all the first time. Recommended.
Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.