The national security adviser, Frank Carlucci, was asked about the Woodward book Thursday in a long-scheduled interview with the Mutual Broadcasting System.

The Woodward book has displaced another Simon & Schuster title, "Nancy Reagan," by Kitty Kelley, which this Sunday slips to No. 2.

Another point about Woodward's book by Frum: "Remember - a Woodward book is not exactly a "book" as you or I might think of one.

It became the first Woodward book not to hit No. 1 on the best-seller list.

"I still have three Danielle Steels and the Woodward book to go," Mr. Lockhart said.

Which brings up the latest Woodward book, "The Choice."

More to the point, every new Woodward book is expected to be a No. 1 New York Times best seller before it is written.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Woodward book is that many of these Bush intimates are now beginning to nibble away at each other with nasty little stories.

The Woodward book is about the Clintons and Bob Dole, the Republican candidate for President.

The Woodward book stresses that none of these were employed in the White House visits, only self-help conversation.