An illumination assembly for a handheld fluorescent task lamp, comprising first and second elongated compact fluorescent bulbs positioned in an upright orientation side by side; a self starting electronic driver circuit operable to start and run the at least first and second compact fluorescent bulbs; and first and second receptacles for connecting the first and second compact fluorescent bulbs to the driver circuit and orienting the first and second compact fluorescent bulbs at a predetermined optimum angle with respect to each other such that an enhanced forward emission field is provided.