The White House reports that Bush brought to the ranch Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky , Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar by Edvard Radzinsky and The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry. Oh, those sound like relaxing reads.

Kurlansky, a self-proclaimed "virulent Bush opponent," told Newsday he was a little shocked to hear the prez was reading his book: "My first reaction was, 'Oh, he reads books?'"

Barry also admits he's "not a great fan of the Bush administration," but Radzinsky was tight-lipped on his personal feelings toward the Texan. Hey -- one out of three ain't bad!