Retiring Republican Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming is an opinionated and cagey fellow gifted with a folksy sense of humor. He leaves the Senate with a respected record, distinguished by his farsighted work for social security reform. But Simpson can"t leave without a few parting jabs at the press, and his book Right in the Old Gazoo is both a reflection upon the role the press has played in Simpson"s political life and a thoughtful outline of how the media could better serve the democratic process. In the beginning of his Senate career, Simpson curried favor with the press corps, chumming up with the media at swank soirees and earning favorable coverage for his down-to-earth character. But later, particularly during the Gulf War and the debates over the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas, Simpson was vociferous in his condemnation of the press, and the press returned fire with unfavorable profiles that turned Simpson"s homespun image into that of a cantankerous and stooped crank. With his natural wit and his recently acquired perspective, Simpson distills the lessons he has learned into this intelligent memoir, which may serve as more than just another poke in the eye of the press if it fosters a saner relationship between those in public life and the media that covers them.