Dear Ann, Dear Abby: The Unauthorized Biography of Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren

Pottker, a sociologist, and Speziale, a political speechwriter, emphasize that this is an unauthorized biography, written with no cooperation from the columnists, and questionably boast that their book ""illuminates the unvarnished characters behind the image'' of the two women. Twins ``Eppie'' and ``Popo'' Friedman were born in 1918 to Jewish immigrant parents in Sioux City; they married there in a dual wedding ceremony in 1939. Eppie's husband Jules Lederer, a salesman, worked for Popo's husband Morton Phillips, a successful businessman. The sisters remained close until Eppie moved to Chicago and Popo to San Francisco. Competition between them started when Eppie launched her career as ``Dear Ann'' on the Chicago Sun-Times with, Popo maintains, her help, before the latter became the San Francisco Chronicle's ``Dear Abby.'' Stressing the women's failings, with seeming glee, the biographers pay only lip service to their achievements. Photos not seen by PW. 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; first serial to the National Enquirer; author tour. (November 6)