People are not liking Michelle Obama’s new book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America. Let me rephrase. People who believe they have a talent for detecting propaganda are saying that the book is a sad excuse for a campaign photo op.  To prove that Michelle is not the gardener she claims to be Emma G.K. of The Guardian takes things pretty seriously:  “I spent a considerable amount of time going through the book peering at shiny pictures of Michelle Obama’s manicured fingernails trying to find some dirt under them. Try as I might, I couldn’t spot a speck.” Seriously Emma?

Ok, just so you know, the book was partly fabricated in the underworld of ghost writing. Someone helped Michelle a good bit, the same woman who “wrote” Laura Bush’s book. So says the New York Times.

But really, what’s all the fuss about? So Michelle’s book is just another “fake” book “written” by a public figure. Half the people who buy it will not read it. By next May, it will clutter the shelves of many a thrift shop. But then don’t forget that the book has lots of pictures of vegetables so glossy they look like center pieces. Wondering what the First Dog, Bo, looks like? I hear there’re lots of doggie photos. And don’t underestimate the sex appeal of a pretty older woman dressed up as a gardener. This all sounds to me like an excellent coffee table book.  It’s not cutting-edge research on gardening. It’s certainly campaign material, and you don’t need to be a marketing guru to figure that out. Seriously, it’s just a cute little book wearing a big political hat.

All proceeds from the book goes to https://www.nationalparks.org/

Image via Elle Decor