Synopses & Reviews
George W. Bush has brought the question of religion back into American political life in a way that it has not been for decades. From the 2000 election through the challenges America has faced in the wake of September 11, Bush's personal faith -- and his conviction about the importance of religion in our national life -- have won him lasting admiration from the right, while attracting fury and scorn from the left.
Now, presidential scholar Paul Kengor, the author of the acclaimed God and Ronald Reagan, reconstructs the spiritual journey that carried George W. Bush to the White House -- from the death of his sister, which shaped his character, through the conversion experience that changed his life. He offers the most thorough and careful reading of President Bush's public statements about God, Jesus Christ, and the sense of confidence, perspective, and mission that his faith has given him. Kengor devotes special attention to Bush's efforts to highlight America's tolerance of all faiths -- especially, in light of potential tensions after 9/11, his extraordinary support for Muslim-Americans. He investigates whether the invasion of Iraq was precipitated by a specific religious mission on the part of the president. And he outlines the most up-to-date account of the role of religion in the 2004 election, from John Kerry's squabbles with the Catholic Church to Bush's own remarks about the higher father to whom he looks for guidance in times of trial.
Matching detailed new research with thoughtful analysis, God and George W. Bush is the definitive look at the spiritual life of this American president.
Synopsis
George W. Bush brought religion back into American political life. From his biblically inflected language to his promotion of faith-based policies, the forty-third president's dedication to his faith was undeniable.
In the first thorough examination of Bush's spiritual life, presidential scholar Paul Kengor reconstructs the personal journey that carried George W. Bush to the White House. Kengor creates an amazingly detailed portrait, drawing from Bush's presidential papers, handwritten speech drafts, and interviews with members of his inner circle. From the tragic death of his younger sister to the conversion experience that changed his life, and the ways his faith influenced the government's response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, God and George W. Bush provides a fascinating insight in to the mind of one of history's most memorable presidents.
Paul Kengor, Ph.D., author of God and Ronald Reagan, is an associate professor of political science at Grove City College. Nationally known for his work on presidential history, he has been featured in dozens of major national publications, including USA Today, the Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, National Review, Philadelphia Inquirer and the Wall Street Journal. In addition, Kengor has served as president of the Shenango Institute and is a member of the editorial board of Presidential Studies Quarterly. He lives with his wife and three children in Grove City, Pennsylvania.
"Excellent ... To examine, in this book, how President Bush 'walks the walk' is to be floored, time and time again. Bush supporters will love this book; Bush opponents and undecideds will learn much from it."
-- National Review
Synopsis
George W. Bush has brought the question of religion back into American political life in a way that it has not been for decades. From the 2000 election through the challenges America has faced in the wake of September 11, Bush's personal faith -- and his conviction about the importance of religion in our national life -- have won him lasting admiration from the right, while attracting fury and scorn from the left.
Now presidential scholar Paul Kengor, the author of the acclaimed God and Ronald Reagan, reconstructs the spiritual journey that carried George W. Bush to the White House -- from the death of his sister, which helped to shape his character, to the conversion experience that changed his life. Matching detailed new research with thoughtful analysis, God and George W. Bush is the definitive look at the spiritual life of this American president.
About the Author
Paul Kengor, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at Grove City College. The author of the bestselling God and Ronald Reagan, he is nationally known for his work on presidential history, which has been featured in the Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, National Review, Philadelphia Inquirer, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. A fellow at the Hoover Institute on War, Revolution, and Peace at Stanford University and a member of the editorial board of Presidential Studies Quarterly, Kengor lives with his wife and children in Grove City, Pennsylvania.