The Presidential Biographies

Along with the Oval Office, the winner of the Nov. 8 presidential election will capture a spot in America’s bookstores.

Never one to hedge its marketing bets, Dell publishing has prepared for either electoral eventuality by ordering up complete biographies of George Bush and Michael Dukakis. Each is depicted on a cover that has already been laid out, including the oath of office with each candidate’s name inserted.

“The Story of the 41st President” will be published simultaneously as a Delacorte hardcover and a Dell Yearling paperback, geared to 8- to 12-year-olds, in January, just before the presidential inauguration. Placing the decision on which biography will go to press in the hands of the voters, Michelle Poploff, executive editor at Dell, said, “May the best manuscript win.”