Yet the literariness of the subject, and the gingerly politesse of its execution, should cause some disquiet.

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He still drives a pick-up truck, still wears cowboy boots under his dark suit, still eschews the politesse expected of a congressman.

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But having said, with all the politesse possible, that this is not good science, why then leap to the idea that it is politics?

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"I don't like to name names, " Mr. Goodell says with characteristic politesse, but readers may think of JaMarcus Russell, the quarterback drafted first overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2007.

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