George W Bush paints portrait of Dad in new book

College Station, Texas

GEORGE W Bush nestled comfortably into a leather armchair on a stage surrounded by larger-than-life photographs of him and his father on Tuesday as he unveiled his new book about the 41st president at a "Distinguished Authors Series" event.

"I don't qualify," the 43rd president quipped, suggesting that he "surprised people in parts of our country that I can write, much less read". That was the Bush who showed up here at the elder Bush's presidential library for the release of his biography of his father, with Dad looking on from the front row. Loose, jovial and self-deprecating, he affectionately poked fun at himself and his family.