Time Warner was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of Tucker Carlson's book. The least I could do was offer a review.

Political junkies like myself probably know who Tucker Carlson is. For those that don't, he's one of the conservative hosts of CNN's 'Crossfire' (Bob Novak being the other). He also writes for the 'Weekly Standard' and for some time had his own show on CNN that he co-hosted with liberal Bill Press called 'The Spin Room.'

Tucker's book, "Politicians, Partisans and Parasites" explores some of his adventures in the business of cable news, and offers some of his thoughts and opinions on many of the other people who work and operate in the business. Some of it also is personal, as he relates to us several stories that didn't have anything to do with cable news, but it's clear that Carlson knows these stories may not have been possible were it not for his status as a televisions news figure.

A couple of things surprised me about the book. First, the length. It's a short book by today's standards for such tomes, with less than 200 pages so it reads very quickly. Secondly, it steers away from the formulaic liberal bashing that permeates so many of the books being published these days. Carlson does get his digs in at liberals at times, but that is to be expected. Overall, I found the book to be funny, informative and surprising considering what Carlson has had to say about people in the business - especially about conservatives.

Carlson as a person, is a stark contrast to the image he portrays. My wife always remarks on his haircut, bowties and what she believes is a preppy name (wait until she learns he has a brother named Buckley), and that preppy goodie-two shoes image is what comes across on camera. However, Carlson is a guy that just recently gave up a smoking habit, likes to drink, and has a mouth that would put a guy like Bobby Knight to shame. In short, Carlson has an "I don't give a fuck" attitude and that made me like him more.

Carlson's book starts off discussing how 'The Spin Room' came into existence, and how dealing with a lousy producer named Don drove him and co-host Bill Press crazy. In one segment, Don wanted Carlson and Press to talk about some panda bears China was sending to the United States because "nobody changes the channel when pandas are on." After looking at nothing more than a crate on a tarmac for a few minutes they broke for commercial at which point Press blew up and yelled, "Hey Panda Man! I didn't see the pandas you promised Not one. Not even fur. Where were the fucking pandas?"