Zev Chafets has written a winner of a portrait of “The Most Dangerous Man in America.”

As this review is being written Rush is off on a honeymoon with his latest bride, Kathryn Rogers. I had a hunch that this was what happened when he announced last week that he was taking some time off. I had been reading the subject of this review, and author Zev Chafets had suggested that it might happen, despite Rush’s trepidations about exposing her to the negative publicity and turmoil that his radio program creates. He went ahead and did it anyway, which might be considered vintage Limbaugh. People have been telling him he is wrong or criticizing his approach to broadcasting for years, as Chafets points out, but he has been successful, regardless. This is, in many respects a microcosm of Rush’s story, as Chafets paints it. And, as Rush pointed out on his show, on June 2, 2010, there was no malice in Chafets’ writing and he “does a great job.”

In fact, it is a very good job. Chafets was fortunate in his ability to obtain a lot of information direct from the source, meaning, Rush, himself. He also took information from other direct sources including members of Rush’s family. He went back to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to get as close to the source as he could. It is clear that he intended to do a professional job, and he succeeded a lot better than one might expect. After all the smear jobs and outright fabrications that have dogged El Rushbo for years, it would be no surprise if it happened again. Chafets, as a professional probably did not want to tarnish his own character, and, in any event, it is likely that his writing would be more successful from an honest standpoint than otherwise.

The book begins with the infamous “I hope he fails” comment by Rush regarding Barack Obama, then moves into his background in Missouri, his personal history and how he became involved in radio at an early age. The influence of his family, and particularly his father and grandfather are delved into, to provide an understanding of Rush’s roots and how they shaped the man he is today. This is the point where some sloppiness creeps into things. He twice mentions that Rush spent a year in the Cub Scouts “without earning any merit badges.” It is obvious that Chafets was never in the Scouts, and didn’t research them. Otherwise he would know that Cub Scouts do not earn merit badges; Boy Scouts do. This petty error aside, his portrait of Rush’s background and rise to success in New York is right out of Horatio Alger.

The portrait that Chafets provides the reader is unauthorized, and is a “warts and all” view of Rush in essentially all respects. It is honest in baring some things that are unflattering, but it is also flattering in telling the truth of this modern American icon. You get the opinion that Rush and Chafets like each other, and that their relationship is based largely on respect and trust. The result is a highly accurate portrait of the man behind the Golden EIB microphone, and which shows that he is not the personification of pure evil that the political left would have us believe. He is intelligent, hard working, charitable, self-educated, and in most respects self-made. There are also important glimpses into his personality and why he is such an important part of today’s political landscape. And, while we do not get to see a picture of “Bo Snerdley,” Chafets does reveal his true name and some interesting anecdotes about him. He also shows us the origins of Rush’s braggadocio and why his satire is sometimes misconstrued as something else. He reveals times when Rush has been deliberately misquoted, and times when he has made significant gaffs.

Where this book falls short is in Zev Chafets’ understanding of modern politics. He recognizes Rush’s importance and influence, but he shows no real perception of why it exists. This causes him to take a somewhat slanted view of things. When the Obama policies failed to bring about positive economic results and Rush was pleased with that, he chides Rush for being a bad winner. In many respects he seems to see the results of political policy as happenstance; John McCain might have been elected with a Republican majority in the legislature and do no better he seems to say, between the lines. This is foolishness, fortunately, does not edge its way into the factual dissertation that is the main focus of the book.

Thus, for dittoheads or non-dittoheads, if you want to find out something you always wanted to know about Rush Limbaugh, but couldn’t find anywhere else, this book may be your best source. At least, in all essentials it toes the mark, which is more than can be said about a lot of other authors writing about today’s Republican and Conservative politicians.

Rush Limbaugh – An Army of One can be purchased at Amazon.com