THE POLITICIAN

Hugely entertaining, this ironical study of the American politician, ""his habits, outcries and protective coloring."" Ostensibly planned as a modern counterpart of Machiavelli's The Prince, it serves as satirical running commentary on our political headliners, with Huey Long and Hamilton Fish and Big Bill Thompson coming in for double doses. Should get lead reviews and the kind of dinner table publicity that Ike Hoover's Forty-two Years in the White House had. It is one of the most original and amusing books I've read for a dog's age. There's just enough sound fact to give the humorous application a special pungency. Just enough gossip and near libel to tickle the curiosity. And --though the spotlight is on Washington, the interest (through political affiliations) is nationwide. With any sort of a break it should be off to best sellerdom.