Synopses & Reviews
Though reticent in public, George Bush has openly shared his private thoughts in correspondence throughout his life. Fortunately, since the former president does not plan to write his autobiography, this collection of letters, diary entries, and memos, with his accompanying commentary, will fill that void. As he writes in his preface, "So what we have here are letters from the past and present. Letters that are light and hopefully amusing. Letters written when my heart was heavy or full of joy. Serious letters. Nutty letters. Caring and rejoicing letters...It's all about heartbeat."
Organized chronologically, the volume begins with eighteen-year-old George's letters to his parents during World War II, when, at the time he was commissioned, he was the youngest pilot in the Navy. Readers will gain insights into Bush's career highlights -- the oil business, his two terms in Congress, his ambassadorship to the U.N., his service as an envoy to China, his tenure with the Central Intelligence Agency, and of course, the vice presidency, the presidency, and the postpresidency. They will also observe a devoted husband, father, and American. Ranging from a love letter to Barbara and a letter to his mother about missing his daughter, Robin, after her death from leukemia to a letter to his children two weeks before Nixon's resignation to one written to them just before the beginning of Desert Storm, the writings are remarkable for their candor, humor, and poignancy.
Review
People
Who knew that beneath George Bush's buttoned-up propriety pulsed the warm heart of a prolific and occasionally poetic writer with a wacky sense of humor?
Review
PeopleWho knew that beneath George Bush's buttoned-up propriety pulsed the warm heart of a prolific and occasionally poetic writer with a wacky sense of humor?
Review
Jon Meacham
Newsweek An unusual glimpse of the private thoughts of a public figure
Review
Jennifer Harper
The Washington Times The travelogue of an observant man with much mettle and an open heart....His writings cover affairs of state and affairs of spaniels on equal footing. He is modest and gracious. But these short takes on a long life reveal an underlying, consistent sense of duty to office, family and morality.
Synopsis
A personal, revealing portrait of former President Bush, told through the letters, journal entries and memoranda he wrote from his days in the Navy to his presidential term and beyond. "Bush is modest and gracious . . . these short takes on a long life reveal an underlying, consistent sense of duty to office, family and morality".--Jennifer Harper, "The Washington Times". of photos.
Synopsis
Though reticent in public, George Bush has openly shared his private thoughts in correspondence throughout his life. Fortunately, since the former president does not plan to write his autobiography, this collection of letters, diary entries, and memos, with his accompanying commentary, will fill that void. As he writes in his preface, "So what we have here are letters from the past and present. Letters that are light and hopefully amusing. Letters written when my heart was heavy or full of joy. Serious letters. Nutty letters. Caring and rejoicing letters...It's all about heartbeat."
Organized chronologically, the volume begins with eighteen-year-old George's letters to his parents during World War II, when, at the time he was commissioned, he was the youngest pilot in the Navy. Readers will gain insights into Bush's career highlights -- the oil business, his two terms in Congress, his ambassadorship to the U.N., his service as an envoy to China, his tenure with the Central Intelligence Agency, and of course, the vice presidency, the presidency, and the postpresidency. They will also observe a devoted husband, father, and American. Ranging from a love letter to Barbara and a letter to his mother about missing his daughter, Robin, after her death from leukemia to a letter to his children two weeks before Nixon's resignation to one written to them just before the beginning of Desert Storm, the writings are remarkable for their candor, humor, and poignancy.
About the Author
George Bush, forty-first president of the United States (19891993), is the coauthor with Brent Scowcroft of the 1998 critically acclaimed book A World Transformed. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Houston, Texas, and Kennebunkport, Maine.
Table of Contents
Contents GLOSSARY OF NAMES
PREFACE
1. Love and War
2. "Texas, Our Texas"
3. Potomac Fever
4. International Waters
5. The Eye of the Storm
6. China
7. Protecting Secrets
8. "Fire in the Belly"
9. A Heartbeat Away
10. The Rough-and-Tumble
11. The Long Home Stretch
12. "Mr. President"
13. On the Front Line
14. Peaks and Valleys
15. The Worst of Times
16. Looking Forward
TIMELINE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INDEX