* Nonfiction. By Rick Shenkman. Basic Books, $25. Grade: C

Book in a nutshell: This book's provocative title, I hoped, was a signal of some fresh and entertaining analysis. It was a false signal. Beginning by detailing the way the media and recent authors have denigrated President Bush, Shenkman says he's tired of that and doesn't want to do it any more. But he does so anyway, building the premise that Bush is exactly the stupid president Americans deserve for being so stupid.

It's the world view of those who chuckle over Scott Simon bon mots while sipping their cruelty-free espressos, and readers who are part of the NPR-academia axis will lap up this book, packed with stats meant to show that the intelligence of the American voter is rapidly declining. For example, he notes that most Americans can't name their representatives in Congress and can't find Iraq on a map. He also notes that only one person in 10 could identify Bush's position on a ban on campaign contributions, that 18-34 year-olds don't read newspapers, etc.

I don't want to minimize how dumb the populace is (if we need evidence, just consider those who keep insisting Barack Obama is some sort of Muslim terrorist). But Shenkman spends page after page detailing liberal positions he thinks are "smarter" than GOP solutions, without ever acknowledging that someone just as smart might come to different conclusions.

Best tidbit: Shenkman, in true big-government fashion, suggests that a new federal program be created to, among other things, require weekly current-event tests for all college freshmen. (On the plus side, it's refreshing to see someone willing to risk receiving an icy stare from every 18-year-old in the country.)

Pros: For those who agree with Shenkman, this book will feel like home. The writing is clear, the historical references complete without being turgid.

Cons: Shenkman bases his book on a logically flawed argument. Even if we agree that Bush has been a bad president, it doesn't necessarily follow that Al Gore or John Kerry would have been better.

Final word: Shenkman is a Big-L liberal, who no doubt prefers Obama to John McCain. Would he write a book years from now about how stupid voters are if his candidate wins twice in a row? If the answer is "no," then the answer should also be "no" to this book.