Amazon.com

In lieu of a memoir, All the Best, George Bush collects correspondence and diary entries from the former U.S. president to show, as he says, "what my own heartbeat is, what my values are, what has motivated me in life." The letters begin in 1942--when, fresh out of high school, Bush volunteered for U.S. Navy flight school--and continue to the brink of the 21st century, as the retired chief executive worries about the Melissa virus infecting his office's server and keeping his visiting grandchildren in line. ("I realize," he muses, "Keep the freezer door closed from now on and I mean it lacks the rhetorical depth of This will not stand or Read my lips.") All the Best hits all the highlights of Bush's career, from the Texas oil business to his role as ambassador to China, then CIA director, vice president under Ronald Reagan, and finally president himself. Along the way, he reveals a personality that is at turns compassionate, respectful, silly, doting, and resolute--a man for whom being a father and a grandfather matters as much as, and maybe even more than, being leader of the free world. Fans and detractors alike will find in All the Best an intimate human portrait that offers as sure a self-definition of Bush's personal life as A World Transformed did his presidential career. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

tasteful and informative autobiography
This is an intriguing and enticing look at former President George Bush through five plus decades of letters and diaries. The writings demonstrate that Mr. Bush's personal life mirror his public demeanor as a quiet, uncomplicated individual who strongly believes in family values. The entries include impressions of world leaders of the past two decades, adding to the interest.

Anyone seeking dirty laundry and partisan politics needs to skip this memoir. Instead, Mr. Bush treats everyone except the nagging press as a friend. The book serves as a refreshing look inside the guts of the former President as well as how he perceived some of his colleagues and events on the world stage. Fans of autobiographies, the American presidency, and American history will gain much pleasure from this memoir that is much more interesting than the sanitized version of greatness that many of the modern day autobiographies present. Mr. Bush shows his pride of simply being Mr. Bush.

Harriet Klausner

Thank you, Mr. Bush
George Bush does not intend to write his memoirs. He feels that his wife's book BARBARA BUSH: A MEMOIR and the book he wrote with Brent Scowcroft A WORLD TRANSFORMED told the story of his family life and his public one. But then his editor suggested that what was missing was "a personal book, a book giving a deeper insight into what his own heartbeat is, what his values are and what has motivated him in life." She suggested he publish a book of the letters he wrote during his life, along with journal entries. It was a brilliant idea!

At no time is this book boring. It starts when he was a young man writing letters home to his mother and father while training to fight in World War II. To me, his letters and journal entries sounded just like my dad's. He used the word "swell" a lot, talked about the girl back home and his feelings on the situation he found himself in. There was pride of country and the longing to be able to come back home and continue a normal life.

The book continues with letters written during the early years of his marriage, the loss of their daughter and eventually getting into politics. One chapter deals with their stay in China where he was an ambassador. He writes of how it felt to be so far from home, but eager to learn everything about the country they were in and also to be a good representative of the country they came from.

The chapters continue with his time as Director of the CIA, vice president, president and then back home to a life with his family in Texas.

The letters are very diversified. They are to his mother and father, his wife, his children, grandchildren, friends, but also to other leaders, both home and abroad. Some are written with a sense of humor, a lot of them with love, some to people who had written him critical letters, and some in times of events that were deeply troubling to him.

George Bush is a thoroughly decent man who loves his country, his family and his life. That comes through in the book. At some parts, I laughed out loud, at others a tear came to my eye but mostly I felt happy that he allowed these letters and thoughts to be printed.

as a bush fan...
.... you may want to look for another book. this one is full of "corrections" of what the actual man himself said. parts about family money made off the holocaust have been edited out, unfortunately. specifically in some letters addressed to leslie baukerberg (his life-long accountant) and tina goethe (his admitted former girlfriend) who both had invested in a brilliant stock some of that same money that granted him the ability to pay off campgain debts! as a fan of bush sr's work in the white house i was shocked to see these glaring omissions from letters i had previously read via the internet. perhaps the best book for this subject is the less-heavily-edited "sons of tommorrows sunshine" compiled by son jeb bush and the late author benjamin kowlestein will guide you more in the history of this man and his family.

The letters I REALLY wanted to see...
...were the ones he wrote to Jennifer Fitzgerald. But, for some reason he didn't include them. Unfortunately, the letters he DID include, to Barbara, etc... are clearly contrived and illustrate how gullible those around him are. George HW Bush's top three priorities in his life has been $, $ and even more $.

Also missing were the letters he wrote to the families of the crewmen he abandoned when he jumped from his lightly-damaged plane during WW2. Perhaps he never wrote them?

sappy self-aggrandizement
Horrible book from a terrible man! Why not step outside for a breath of fresh air, instead of subjecting yourself with your nose in this one. And if outside reading it, go inside and do something around the house more productive and gratifying, than reading a self-absored moribund tome to a corrupt, misguided, old man. ... Read more

Book Description

The first audiobook to explore the religious ideals that drive the policies and politics of Bush as president and that have privately shaped Bush as a man. His life demonstrates the power of faith to create change, to build a family and political career, and to shape the destiny of a nation with his leadership.

This audiobook shows us how George W. Bush interjects his faith and belief in God into every detail of his life. From the President's devotional time alone each morning to his frequent incorporation of Scripture into his speeches, Bush relies upon his faith to direct his actions and goals.

From the tragedy of September 11th to the present-day conflict in Iraq, President Bush has learned to use his personal faith to help him live his life - both in office and in private. This audiobook will inspire others to do the same.
... Read more

Amazon.com

The women of the Bush administration, according to author and Bay Area talk show host Laura Flanders, have received something of a free ride from the press and the public. While many cheer the fact that women have risen to prominent cabinet-level posts, most ordinary people know little about such luminaries as Condoleeza Rice, Elaine Chao, Christie Whitman, Gale Norton, and Karen Hughes. Flanders provides extensive background information on these and other women and holds the actual events of their lives up to comparison against how their stories have been told for political purposes.Flanders' biographies reveal women who may appear more genteel and unthreatening than, say, Donald Rumsfeld, but who are actually much less moderate and centrist than one would expect. Having women in power, she suggests, allows the GOP to appeal to a traditionally shaky female voting demographic and the "up by the bootstraps" reputation of the Bushwomen obscures the Bush administration's record of selling out the interests of environmental, health, labor, and security issues in favor of well-moneyed corporate interests. And while these women have had successful careers in fields traditionally dominated by men, Flanders tells us that they have often done so with the assistance of questionable corporate connections. Bushwomen also suggests that the Bushwomen's political careers constitute, in many cases, a betrayal of the various forces (feminism, affirmative action, the civil rights movement) that put them in power. While Flanders' writing style is brisk and often witty, the tone is never overly glib or sardonic and, regardless of political stripe, her research into her subjects is fascinating in that it digs deep into the lives of public figures who, until now, have managed to stay quite private. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (22)

* * * FANTASTIC * * *
Laura Flanders is in one word: A GEM!

If you enjoy Molly Ivins or Al Franken and their humorous, yet WELL researched way of carving up the shaky foundation of the GOP - then Laura Flanders is your girl!

Laura Flanders is an excellent, excellent writer. She has written a clear, thorough, fascinating account and provides solidly researched examples of how these GOP women have sold themselves down the river for an organization which is aiming to take away the very rights which helped them get where they are today.

Who knew Laura Bush should have been prosecuted for man slaughter? And yes, I knew there had to be more to Karen Hughes than the standard script had been providing. Thank you Laura Flanders!!!

My only disappointment is that the book wasn't longer! The entire country has been knee-deep in GOP bs for years, more examples should be easy to find!

If all you've experienced is the negativity and hysteria of low-rate writers like Ann Coulter, then Laura Flanders will be your day in the sunshine!

indispensable, funny, tragic, true
Laura Flanders is a terrific journalist who can always be counted on for solid research livened with insight and wit. Here she looks into the careers of some prominent women of the Bush Administration, with devastating results. We underrate these women at our peril. As Flanders suggests, "George W. Bush might never have snagged the White House if one woman had been laughed at less: Katherine Harris." The media made fun of her makeup and ditzy-dictatorial manner, and missed the fact that in Florida Harris was well-known as a powerful, shrewd, and ambitious politician.
Bushwomen is perfect reading for the upcoming election season-- a great book club selection, too.

Left wing dimwits
If there has been anybody in the history of American politics who have benefited without effort on their part, it is Hillary clinton. Next in line will be Teresa Heinz.

Looking forward to reading that one.

Interesting point of view
This is one of the best researched books I've read so far this year. It is well-written, thought-provoking and a challenge to the reader, no matter what the political views are, in what Flanders had to say about the women in this current President's administration. This is a more behind-the-scenes look into the women who hold the nation's top jobs.

It is a refreshing look into politics as well. It isn't a book that spouts out fire and mudslinging against the current administration. It is a well-researched look into what the average person don't read about in the newspapers or hear in the television news channels. Flanders also points out inconsistencies among those women in what they say and what they are really backing. She also points out when the media don't point out the inconsistencies among these women and the current administration. It's very interesting to read because this is not your typical news-source.

This is also perhaps one of the most readable books I've read recently. Flanders doesn't bog the reader down with too much details. She just writes matter-of-factly and leaves the opinions to the reader to derive from her research. It's very interesting and like I said, very well-written. I have never heard of Laura Flanders before but I am now intrigued enough to read her other books to see if they are concise and knowledgable as this one is.

7-7-04

Well Researched Information Valuable to All Educated People
I must state that this is apparently only valuable to educated and open minded individuals. One of this books prior reviewers can be discredited in that category alone for being moronic enough to write a diatribe on the english language without first having the grasp to understand that Moron and Maroon are two different words entirely. The book is blue my dear, you are the moron.

As for content, I, like most Democrats, have plenty of mainstream reasons to want Bush out of office. I support a free press, and know firsthand as a media employee how controlled the media is by the current administration. After the barrage of authors writing both quality books, and unresearched propaganda about Bush and his evils, I found it very refreshing for an author to focus on a different area of the cabinet. Aside from the 9/11 commission, it seems that Condi Rice has managed to stay out of the spotlight. We all know that advisors sometimes have more control over the country than the president himself, therefore this book exposes much needed light on the female advisors that have dragged our country down to a before unknown low in international opinion. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bush at War focuses on the three months following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during which the U.S. prepared for war in Afghanistan, took steps toward a preemptive strike against Iraq, intensified homeland defense, and began a well-funded CIA covert war against terrorism around the world. The narrative is classic Woodward: using his inside access to the major players, he offers a nearly day-by-day account of the decision-making processes and power battles behind the headlines. Woodward's information is based on tape-recorded interviews of over a hundred sources (some unnamed), including four hours of exclusive interviews with the president, along with notes from cabinet meetings and access to some classified reports.

Woodward's analysis of President Bush's leadership style is especially fascinating. A self-described "gut player" who relies heavily on instinct, Bush comes across as a man of action continually pressing his cabinet for concrete results. The revelation that the president developed and publicly stated the so-called Bush Doctrine--the policy that the U.S. would not only go after terrorists everywhere but also those governments or groups which harbor them--without first consulting Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, or Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is particularly telling. Other principals are examined with equal scrutiny. Though National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice emerges as soft-spoken and even tentative during group meetings, it becomes clear that Bush is dependent on her for candid advice as well as for conveying his thoughts to his cabinet. The relationship between Powell and Rumsfeld (and to a lesser degree Powell and Cheney) is often strained, exposing their differences regarding how to deal with Iraq and whether coalition building or unilateralism is most appropriate. Woodward also describes how CIA director George Tenet prepared a paramilitary team to infiltrate Afghanistan to set the groundwork for invasion, and how this ushered in a new era of cooperation between the defense department and the CIA. A worthwhile and often enlightening read, this is a revealing and informative first draft of the Bush legacy. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (192)

An Extended Newspaper Column
In _Bush at War,_ Bob Woodward has assembled an impressive account of the Bush Administration's reactions to the September 11th attacks. Based on a series of interviews with the principles, including the President, the book provides a number of fascinating details about how the administration chose to deal with the crisis. Internal politics, arguments, and the unexpected problems of the war all are brought to light.

What Woodward fails to acknowledge, however, is that these accounts are all based on interviews, not from his actually being there. Even if human nature were not part of the equation, it's unlikely such recollections could be 100% accurate. When the fact that all of the people interviewed are members of a political administration that will be seeking reelection in a year, it's hard to believe they were fully candid with Woodward. What areas might have been over- or underemphasized cannot be known with any certainty, but it's probably safe to assume any major problems that would reflect poorly on the administration were not discussed as candidly as issues where the administration did well. Therefore, this work can hardly be considered the definitive work on the post-9/11 reactions of the Bush administration.

That having been said, it is a fine read. Woodward's prose is clear and the work moves along rapidly from event to event. Descriptions are vivid, providing the illusion of the reader actually being present for the events being discussed. And while the reader is almost certainly not getting the whole story, the story provided includes enough details to cast a new light on the actions of the administration leading up to the Iraq War. Well worth a read.

A plethora of insider tidbits makes for a compelling read
Just as he has never revealed the identity of the infamous Deep Throat, so to has Bob Woodward secured the wherewithal as to how he procured the classified dialogue of National Security Council meetings which he so prominently displays throughout Bush at War. A juicy example - Deputy Secretary of State conveying to Colin Powell, "They're eating cheese on you"(military for you're getting used) when Rumsfeld and Cheney contradict Powell's earlier statements necessitating the U.N. Inspectors in Iraq.

Having read Fighting Back by Bill Sammon and enjoying it thoroughly, I likewise found Bush at War to be compelling, albeit with more focus on CIA and its chief George Tenet. At times, I thought I was reading a Tom Clancy novel when the CIA paramilitary operatives Hank and Gary(1st names only for obvious reasons) undertake their clandestine operations with suitcases full of $3M to buy off the suspect Northern Alliance and Taliban commanders. I found it chock-full of interesting, and sometimes shocking insider info from the NSC meetings that made it completely worthwhile and quite a veritable page turner. As Woodward said on Larry King, thank goodness for the 1st Amendment or this stuff would not be available to the American public. Although the administration is most likely not overly pleased with the release of much of this previously classified information, we as the American public are priveleged to have Woodward so expertly pen this telling epic in American history.

Woodward has made a concerted effort to mainain a mostly objective and unbiased account of our prodigiously talented Commander in Chief, George W. Bush. That being said, this book does skew towards the Left moreso than I would prefer. All in all, worth a read for all who desire to delve deeper into the innerworkings of the White House.

Stenographer to Power
It will take years for historians -- the real guardians of truth -- to have the perspective for an honest recounting of this particular story. Unfortunately, Woodward seems to have traded independent analysis for access to the players -- never a good bargain. Could not help cringe as the self-serving comments were dutifully recorded. Is this really the same author who co-wrote "All the President's Men?"

Dull
Bob Woodward's book is just plain dull. The only new insights he gives us relate to the CIA's pursuit of Osama bin Laden - a quest, we know now because of the Sept. 11 Hearings, doomed to miserable failure & miscommunication.

Most of Woodward's book is derived from interviews with President Bush, and all of them appear in Bush's favor. I understand Woodward is a journalist, and journalists, by nature, should strive to be objective. However, objectivity is a hard front to maintain when hundreds of U.S. soldiers are dying face-down in the sand overseas. I wanted more critical analysis on Woodward's part - I wanted his opinion. Perhaps I should've gone for a more liberal-leaning book instead of reading this trite from a seasoned journalist who made his name in the 1970's and hasn't quite lived up to the potential he acquired back then.

I have not read Woodward's newest book, which is supposed to be a wee bit more critical of the Bush administration. Nor do I really care to. In this new freedom of information age, and many aspiring journalists and documentarians digging up dirt nobody thought possible before, it's unrealistic to support an old codger who has made his name as being "the White House journalist."

Forget Woodward.

More Objective than Expected
I was surprised when a friend of mine suggested this book to me, because he is very conservative and my impression was that this book was just another anti-bush rant. I was clearly wrong. I thought that this book was an insightful look into the President's War Cabinet. I did feel that Woodward was partial towards Powell over Rumsfeld. Overall, however, I thought that this book was excellently written and I would suggest this book to anyone wishing to learn more about the way that the Bush administration operates. ... Read more

Book Description

They would be called upon to lead a nation in one of its darkest hours -- but were they up to the task? He had been the wild, hard-drinking scion of one of America's premier political families. She was the school librarian with a warm smile and a tragic secret of her own. Yet after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, they rose to the challenge: He became the embodiment of America's fighting spirit and she assumed the role of "First Comforter" with effortless grace. Still, the true nature of their relationship has remained a mystery.

Until now. In the style of his #1 New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as his bestselling books about another President and First Lady, Jack and Jackie and Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to paint a vivid, sometimes startling, often inspiring portrait of America's First Couple. Among the intriguing insights and stunning revelations:

• Important new information about 9/11 and its aftermath -- including a gripping moment-by-moment account of how the President and First Lady coped as the horrific drama unfolded.
• The true extent of George W.'s drinking problem, the strains it put on his marriage, and the ultimatum that changed his life -- and the course of history.
• Their heartbreaking battle against infertility and how close Laura came to dying in childbirth.
• The early tragedies that shaped them, including the car crash caused by a teenage Laura that took the life of a former boyfriend -- and changed her life forever.
• Laura's surprising behind-the-scenes influence on U.S. policy -- foreign and domestic.
• The pressures of raising headstrong twin daughters in the glare of the media -- and how 9/11 has brought the Bushes and their children closer together than ever before.

George and Laura is a compelling look at their unique partnership, and the courage, grace, and humor that defines it. It is a stirring wartime saga of triumph and tragedy and, above all, a uniquely American love story. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

A gripping portrayal of a captivating relationship
Writer Christopher Andersen has always managed to capture the nature of those relationships that have shaped American history. When a few of my friends and I got together to start a book club one of them told me about Andersen and ever since I have been hooked. From John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush he has offered readers a glimpse into the lives of America's great figures. Ever since September 11th the nature of the country's leader has become ever more important as he leads the United States through the war on terror. Send a message to mud-slinging writers like Kitty Kelly who cannot help but personally inject their own views in every story and refuse to capture the essence of their subjects. Kelly's books, compared with Andersen's, are completely unfulfilling. In the end, George and Laura answers the questions that every American wants to know.

A light, but very enjoyable read...
I had positive expectations when I picked up this biography, and they were more than met. George and Laura is a page turner, light and interesting reading, with plenty to make you chuckle or stir your heart.

Yes, George Bush was born into wealth and privilege, but he really seems to have spent most of his life trying to be just a regular joe, albeit with a very substantial safety net. But his core character trait has always remained very consistent...fierce loyalty to his family and friends.

Laura also had a privileged childhood, but like George, her parents successfully instilled in her the values of middle America. Its heartening to know that the closest friends of both George and Laura are the ones who've known them for 30 or 40 years...not the here today, gone tomorrow relationships of convenience.

The book clearly reveals the source of the strength of this powerful union...a strong foundation in faith, family, and values.

A true and eventful look at a real American marriage
I started reading this book on a Friday night and finished it on Saturday. It is such a welcoming look at a real marriage portrayole. It reminded me so much of my husband and myself, who also will be married 27 years this July. My Daughter read it first, brought it to me, now my son and husband are agruing who gets to read it next! Christopher Andersen did a great and explicit job of portraying these two intoxicating, loving, yet determined individuals in this book. Hats off to you. What a great read. I recomment this one at 5 stars!

Insightful
I loved this book. It was like a "Biography" episode including details on families, childhoods. I see one person wrote "come on George you can do better than this" uh...hello..
he didn't write the book! another saying "pure fiction". Not sure how listing moving here and moving there and various jobs and turmoil is fiction, but there's a hate filled liberal for you. I thought this was a nice sweet book about real people and it's nice to be reminded they still exist, politics aside.

It made me want to read more about Bush Sr. and Barbara, which is how I wondered into this area..I thought I may as well post.

Good Light Read
This is an even-handed story of the marriage of George and Laura Bush. They've both had their problems and overcome them. It is a true love story. They really compliment each other. It is not a PR piece. There are things in here they would probably prefer were not. I would recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A juvenile biography of George Bush through election night
Because Mark Sufrin's juvenile biography of George Bush was published in 1989 it ends on election night, months before the 41st President took the oath of office. Consequently, this book is about Bush's path to the White House and "What kind of man" he is rather than about his presidency. Sufrin covers how Bush served his country for over forty years as a navy pilot, businessman, congressman, ambassador, head of the CIA, and Vice President. Sufrin's account is based on autobiographies, writings and commentaries and makes a point of declaring "No part of this biography has been fictionalized." Young readers will learn about how Bush was a war hero, met and married Barbara, and embarked on a public career that found him constantly on the move. Sufrin provides all of the appropriate biographical details and presents a balanced picture of Bush's political career up to that point. This book does not shy away from the criticism Bush faced for being too inexperienced to be Ambassador to the United Nations and picking Dan Quayle as his Vice-President. This book is still appropriate for younger students researching the life of the first Bush to be President, although it will provide no information about his term in the White House. The book also includes eight pages of black & white photographs of his family and career. ... Read more

Book Description

From celebrated political satirist Paul Slansky comes this comical compendium of quizzes filled with hundreds of questions and answers on the personal and political life of George W.
 
More than a simple test-your-knowledge trivia book, the George W. Bush Quiz Book gives readers a clever and irreverent inside look at our Commander in Chief, revealing the truth behind the spin–no matter how ridiculous or embarrassing. The result is a hilarious and hair-raising crash course in everything Dubya. From his young life and years at Yale, to his Texas days in the oil business and the governor business, to his controversial ascension to the presidency and turbulent term in the White House, George's life is filled with plenty of intriguing material. But Paul Slansky doesn’t stop there. He goes on to skewer the entire Bush family, as well as his friends and political associates, including Dick Cheney, John Ashcroft, and Donald Rumsfeld, leaving no one safe from his scathing wit.
 
Thoroughly researched and devastatingly funny, the George W. Bush Quiz Book nails the facts that most of the media has let slip by, informing readers about everything they didn’t want to know—and were definitely afraid to ask—about the most powerful man in the world.

Reviews (8)

Haw haw haw
This book is as funny as it is terrifying. Can you believe this man is running America? Can you believe this man declares war? Can you believe this man considers himself a torch of hope for the world's oppressed? For those who think that the end of the world has come fear not. The Book of Revelation in the BIble clearly states that the anti-Christ will be a 'handsome and well spoken man'. At least we're somewhat safe for now.

Though this book can be a bit cumbersome, (you have to turn the book upside-down after each question to read the correct answer) the answers will ASTOUND you. Read what came from Bush's own lips as he answered questions about Vietnam, his military service, and his many failed business ventures. But the one question that is truly sad and heartbreaking is as follows. It was asked by a grade school girl...

Q. Mr. Bush, what was your favorite book when you were a child?

A. I don't remember any books in particular.

Sleep well America.

shocking, hysterical, truth stranger than fiction
This book, with humor and wit, has a way of ripping the lid off a man who has lead the country into great despair. I wish this were published before he took office and handed to every church group, every republican gathering, maybe he wouldn't have been elected. Oh yeah, I forgot.. HE WASN'T. It's also great to read in jolts, like morning coffee. I bought ten copies and am giving them to all my friends.

Buy this book
The George W Bush Quiz Book is a savagely funny biography of the man some people recognize as the president. The quiz format makes it palatable and participatory, while the unpleasant truths that are revealed drive home the message that we each need to do everything we can to get this smug ignoramus out of office. If a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, this book is a Weapon of Mass Destruction against bully-boy Bush and his gang. Buy many copies of this book and give to everyone -- it's as good as donating to Kerry, but there's no legal limit.

HILARIOUS AND WISE!
So clever, yet so horrifying, you don't know whether to laugh, cry, or slit your wrists! For each multiple choice question, the right AND wrong answers are equally shocking and scary -- this bozo is really running our country? A glorious compendium of the witlessness and lack of wisdom that define the Bush administration. Slansky's a comic genius. Hurry and enjoy this before the Chief Chimp and his ilk are just another awful footnote to American history. And then get everyone you know to buy this book to ensure and expedite their footnote status. Best ten bucks you'll ever spend.

Laughed Out Loud
This is the perfect companion to THE GEORGE W. BUSH COLORING BOOK! Hilarious. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What's he all about, George W?
His goal for Texans to take "renewed personal responsibility" for their lives was one he took on for himself. Although a lot of the material here can be found in other sources, this is is a very current biography, ending just before Bush's defeat of Senator McCain in the 2000 Republican presidential primary. Wukovits traces W's life from childhood until then using quotes from family, friends, fellow business people, and government officials. Not a white-washed account, the negatives as well as the positives of his life are treated fairly objectively. Black and white photos, notes, index, and a list of works for further reading are included. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

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.

Amazon.com

New York Post columnist John Podhoretz has equal amounts of love for George W. Bush and scorn for Bush's prominent liberal critics. In this energetic defense of the president, he paints a picture of Bush as being much cagier and politically clever than some of the more well-known voices on the left give him credit for. As Podhoretz describes it, Bush's classic maneuver is to take up a position thought to be unpopular among Washington insiders, such as not one but two rounds of sizeable tax cuts. He then rallies public support behind the idea, thereby outflanking possible opposition, scoring political victories, and increasing his political capital. Bush Country presents chapters on what the author says are some of the most common "crazy liberal ideas" about the President and then sets out to disprove them. But by using the most incendiary descriptions possible ("Bush is a puppet," "Bush is a moron," and "Bush wants to bankrupt the government") to describe the ideas, Podhoretz makes the disproving that much easier. And one does get the sense that he's trying to eat his cake and have it too as he complains about liberals' hatred and viciousness even as he attacks them right back and calls them crazy. But Podhoretz does not necessarily march in lockstep with every Republican official. He has much scorn for the first President Bush and talks openly about his initial misgivings as "Dubya" rose to power and prominence. The book is at its best when describing the ways in which the son has made efforts to learn from the father's mistakes and distance himself from George H.W. Bush's legacy. Written with plenty of passion and humor, Bush Country will likely please Bush supporters who have watched the president take hits from the Al Franken, Michael Moore, and others on the left.--John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Response to "Witless Celebrity Bio."
I doubt that the author of this witless diatribe ever cast a vote for George W. Bush or any other Republican candidate for any office whatsoever. These intemperate comments could come only from one of the fanatic haters on the far left wing of the Democratic Party.

John Podhoretz is a "preposterous clown," "one of those hard core propagandists who sees a chance to make a quick buck."
If you can't answer your opponents arguments denigrate the man. It's called the ad hominim falacy - a favorite debating technique of the current crop of Democratic candidates and pundits.

"The only point here is to cash in on the rubes out there --"
This statement alone gives the author away as a card carrying member of the left wing of the Democratic Party. Who else would express such utter contempt for the average citizen?
This attitude is absolutely typical of Leftist thinking everywhere. Its pedigree can be traced back to the master himself, Karl Marx, who had nothing but contempt for ordinary people, as opposed to self appointed pseudo-intellectuals like himself and his followers.

"...this preposterous book." "Mr. Podhoritz is a propagandist, not a credible journalst." More of the same ad hominim falacy. Don't answer the argument. Pour contempt on the maker of the argument instead. This is what passes for logic among left wing Democrats.

Regarding the President the writer, working himself into a state of near hysteria, denounces "the lies about the need for war, the lies about the economic recovery, the lies about his National Guard Service." Talk about propaganda! Josef Goebbles couldn't have done it better.

But most of us "rubes" out here would appreciated it if the writer could at least be truthful about who he is and where he is coming from, instead of trying to con us by passing himself off as a disgruntled Bush supporter.

An altogether disguting performance.

Puzzled by Bush Hatred?
I've actually heard George Bush speak in person, and I was very impressed. He struck me as an honest, straight-forward, confident guy. He spoke with conviction on national security issues and ethics-based leadership. By contrast, he was only an average speaker on economic issues.

How the heck could he become so viscerally hated by so many people? Similarly, these charges of lying -- if George W. Bush is a liar (like Bill Clinton, for example) I'll eat both my boots.

After reading Mr. Podhoretz's book, I understand some of the issues better now. Many liberals (the chattering class, for Mr. Podhoretz) are upset at President Bush's tremendous achievements. He's been absolutely dead on throughout his first term, implementing two large tax cuts, passing impactful educational reform, presiding over a Republican resurgence in both Houses of Congress, waging a successful war against terrorism, and expressing a vision for global freedom that I profoundly hope is possible.

So, part of the reason liberals hate President Bush is that he has been a very successful conservative Republican leader. Podhoretz does a good job explaining and debunking the Crazy Liberal Ideas about President Bush (that he's stupid, a liar, etc).

What Podhoretz doesn't talk about is that President Bush is THE MAN. You can't look at Bush and not be reminded of some white guy who used to be your boss. I kind of look that way myself. I can't help it, short of entering some male Swan contest in the hope of a radical makeover. America has always had it in for THE MAN (think Jack Black in School of Rock -- "Rock and Roll is all about sticking it the man."). So, President Bush has become easy prey to the Garry Trudeaus of our society, people who create witty and cynical cartoon blurbs sticking it to THE MAN.

My message: don't believe the myths about President Bush. Just listen to him, and take his words at face value as his honest opinion. Take his actions as his best efforts in the service of our country. If you do those two things, you'll find it easy to understand each and every statement and action of our sitting President.

this book is a joke
The only people who will enjoy this book are the same right-wingers that listen to O'Reilly and Hannity and think they are truthful and moral. It's too bad the conservative media (like Fox) has preyed so effectively on the ignorance of so many.

Are you kidding?
The entire premise for war with Iraq has turned out to be false. The Iraq Al-Qaeda connections, according to the 9/11 panel assigned to investigate the 9/11 attacks, never existed. Not even the conservatives on the panel could say they did.The WMD's in Iraq? We are still waiting for those. Hey didn't Powell say he knew where they were? And Bush, didn't he say that Iraq was an iniment threat? This book is just as bad as Bush. This book tells lie after lie and it is a shame that so many people in this country are dumb enough to believe them. I would suggest that all you right-wingers go see Fahrenheit 9/11 without the forgone conclusion that Michael Moore has made an "anti-american" movie, full of "propaganda". How can you say that Bush is a "great president"? All he is, is a bumbling-drunk that needs to go back to Crawford, TX where he belongs!

Bush rules, this book drools.
First off, full disclosure:

I am slightly right of center. I am a Bush fan. I worked on the first Bush campaign. I plan on voting for Bush in 2004.

I bought this book because Podhoretz wrote such a scathing insider tell-all book (Hell of a Ride: Backstage at the White House Follies 1989-1993) about Bush's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, in whose administration Podhoretz worked, so I figured that gives Bush Country some automatic semblance of credibility. In other words, he is willing to tell it like it is and call it like he sees it, as demonstrated by his former criticism of Bush "41." Sure, he clearly has a pro-Bush agenda in this book, but I figured his previous Bush book gives him some wiggle room there--- and it does. But that's not what is wrong with this book.

The book does a decent job making the case against those who are against President Bush, but it doesn't really strike out to make the case for President Bush, independent of those criticisms. It focuses too much on defending against certain op-eds or fleeting anti-Bush ideas over the past few years. For example, it gives the "Bush is stupid" argument credibility by spending so many words disproving it. And it fails to address entire lines of argument put forth by the slew of books that have hit stores in the past year or so, lines of argument that are honestly pretty easy to anticipate and shoot down. It also contradicts itself a few times, and gets a few things just plain wrong in my humble opinion.

For example, why try to shoot down the "Bush is a cowboy" line of anti-Bush argument by claiming that Bush is a land owner and therefore would be in conflict with the lifestyle of the cowboy? That is just so petty and shallow. Why get into that kind of muck? It's pointless. If you are going to go to the trouble of defending someone against the "slur" of being called a cowboy, why not explain the ways cowboys are good? Or, better yet, explain how his policies do not fit into the archetypal "cowboy" slur.

I like to occasionally read the column Podhoretz writes, but this book just falls short for me. Podhoretz just misses the mark here.

This book is definitely for beginners. You'll get a superficial look at politics. If you are already a political junkie, don't waste your time. Unlike most political books, this one just doesn't really have much inside or new information. It doesn't have much depth. If you want a book to make you feel good about Bush, look elsewhere. This might do the trick, but you can do much better. Bill Sammon's Misunderestimated is better. So is Stephen Mansfield's The Faith of George W. Bush, that is, unless you are ardently against religion.

To reiterate, I am pro Bush, I am pro reading good things about him, just not pro Bush Country, the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Barbara Bush is certainly among the most popular First Ladies ever to live in the White House. Politics aside, people worldwide have come to admire her wit, her candor and compassion, as well as her unswerving devotion to her husband and children.

In her memoir, Mrs. Bush for the first time gives readers a very private look at a life lived in the public eye for more than twenty-five years. She begins with a compelling portrait of her early years, including: growing up in Rye, New York, and meeting George Bush; life as a young bride and mother, moving far away from home to West Texas; and the almost unbearable pain of losing a child.

With contemporary American history as the backdrop, Mrs. Bush remembers the shock of learning that her fiancé has been shot down in the Pacific during World War II; the disbelief when a black friend is refused service in a Southern restaurant in the 1950s; and the fear when she is caught in the middle of a student protest march in the 1960s.

She recounts her years in public life, from first moving to Washington when George Bush was elected to Congress; to her experience living in New York as the wife of the Ambassador to the United Nations and in China as wife of the U.S. envoy. She talks candidly about the ups and downs of three presidential campaigns and describes her role as the wife of the Vice President, culminating in the climactic White House years.

Drawing upon excerpts from her diary, which she has compiled for more than thirty years, Mrs. Bush takes us behind the scenes of the Persian Gulf conflict and the end of the Cold War. She talks about both the Bushes' struggle to overcome Graves' disease and how she faced the controversy that erupted at Wellesley College before her commencement speech.

Through the friendships she developed over the years with world leaders and their spouses, we meet and get to know the Gorbachevs, the Thatchers, the Mitterrands, the Mubaraks, and many others. And she tells us why she threw so much of her energy and compassion behind the important cause of making more Americans literate.

This memoir includes hundreds of the funny, often self-deprecating, and occasionally touching anecdotes for which Mrs. Bush is well known: surprising a rat while swimming in the White House pool; accidentally stomping on Boris Yeltsin's foot under the table during a state dinner; wearing a $29 pair of shoes for her husband's inaugural ball.

She also talks about the disappointments of the 1992 presidential campaign and the joys of rediscovering private life, including driving and cooking again for the first time in twelve years.

This is a warm and funny memoir that will charm Mrs. Bush's millions of admirers and earn her many more. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Takes you around the world while meeting famous people.
This is a great book. You truly see what it is like to live in the political world. Barbara Bush uses humor and moving stories to show what her life was like in China, New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Her positive atitude towards people is truly encouraging. I look up to her.

I choose to love it!
I was 18 when Bush ran for office in 1988 and that was my first election to vote in. Needless to say, I voted for George Bush. I only wish I would have paid closer attention to his presidency then, because all dignity, grace, and respect left the White House with Barbara and he. Barbara Bush tells the story about a good life with no apologies. Everyone strives for the American dream, but few people enjoy it once they possess it. As a mother of three now, myself, I can appreciate her willingness to love and support her husband and family. I appreciate that she is a self realized person in her own right and was never threatened by, nor felt she had to compete with her husband's success. I loved being introduced to "Bar's" George Bush. Here is a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and a decent human being. Most of all, I appreciate the words she repeats several times in her book... "In life, we can choose to love what we do or hate it, I choose to love it" This book is very inspiring and should certainly pull the reader out of any depression or slump he may find himself in.

Finally, I will be voting for another George Bush next month!

A Beautiful Mind
After reading this book, I was reminded of Richard Nixon's famous remark; "there's a woman who knows how to hate!" I've never seen a person (outside of her own son, G.W.,) with a more deceptive public persona. Maybe Kitty Kelly will one day take a crack at writing a more true to life portrayal of this hateful harridan.

A Warm and Interesting Look
After reading this book, her husband's second book, and finally her second memoir, I did have a profound respect for her dignity, love for her family, and stamina. This book was an easy read and was absolutely fascinating to go along on exotic trips and learning about the side kick's day to day existence as wife to President. The book made me admire the Bush's as a couple more, the love for their kids and each other, and their principles, even if I did not agree with all of the latter.

Uneven book by a nice lady
It was interesting to learn more about Barbara Bush and her life. In particular I enjoyed to read about her younger days. This was something I hadn't heard much about before, and I thought it was nice to read about her family and friends, and not the least about how she met her husband George Bush. There was so much I didn't know, and the pages turned quickly.

I also enjoyed the end of the book. It was great to learn more about how she experienced the Gulf War and, in the end, the loss in the final president election that her husband was a part of. In this part, I found what I felt was missing in the middle part of the book: I felt she was more open about what she thought about people and situations than she was when it came to the Vice President and President years. It's natural to think that she couldn't be so open about what she thought about political leaders and situations during that period. I find that understandable, but it made this part of 'A Memoir' duller to read than the rest of book.

Even so, I liked Barbara Bush, because she seemed like a nice lady. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first of several Y2K biographies on Texas governor George W. Bush offers an in-depth look at both the Republican presidential candidate and his political family: Bill Minutaglio interviewed more than 300 people for First Son, including Bush and many members of his inner circle. The book focuses on the life of "Dubya"(the nickname used by the press and others to distinguish him from his father) and includes a combination of original material and information that has been reported elsewhere. It is neither pro- nor anti-Bush, simply reportorial and largely nonjudgmental. Readers won't find an answer to one of the season's most burning questions: Has Bush ever used illegal drugs? In a preface, Minutaglio piously says he won't stoop to such low levels. Yet one gets the sense that he won't go there because he doesn't have any hard evidence, as stories of Bush's heavy drinking are related without apparent reservation. Minutaglio, a writer for The Dallas Morning News, spends most of his time describing Bush's amazing and unexpected rise to fame. Dubya's own family, for instance, thought that younger brother Jeb would be the first to win an important public office. Yet Dubya exploited his family ties and personal charisma to have a successful business career in the 1980s and then beat a popular incumbent in 1994 to become Texas governor. (Jeb became governor of Florida in 1998, while his brother won a second term in Austin.) Minutaglio's narrative goes light on Bush's gubernatorial record and ends before his formal entry into the presidential race in 1999. Readers hungry for an overview of the man who would be president, however, could do much worse than start by looking here. --John J. Miller ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Best of the numerous Bush books
This book is the best of the countless George W. Bush biographies that are appearing all over the place. Minutaglio does a great job providing a well-balanced book about the ups and downs of our President's life and how his family has played apart. It clearly shows Dubya's attempts to move away from his father's shadow in order for him to make a name for himself. It is a great book, full of interesting stories and minimal political jargon that you will find in so many of the other books being written about Bush. If you want to read about our President, I suggest this book.

well balanced, well written, well thought out
If you are looking for tabloid like Bush Bashing, don't look here (you might try The Father's Son, that one is quite good at trying to instill some what outdated class war fare dribble). This particular book is extremely well balanced. If you love the Bush clan, or hate them, you will find something within. Personally, I found it an insightful and interesting tale of one of our nations most powerful pollitical families. Is George W qualified to be President? Well that is a question that only time will answer. My thoughts are he is as qualified as the guy we have recently given the nod to twice, except, maybe George will actually care more for the country than himself. He does seem to learn and grow. Now that would be a pleasant change. However one thing is for certain, the Bush family is a political dynasty (now more impressive than the Kennedys) and the people of Texas sincerely love both of their Georges.

Entertaining but BIASED!
I bought this book on a lark thinking it might actually be what the cover notes said is was "unbiased", but as soon as I saw Dan Rather's opinion on the book (printed on the back of the paperback I purchased), I should've known this book was not necessarily "the truth" on George W. Bush. Don't believe everything you read or hear from anyone in print or media. I encourage you to be selective and present things in context. . .

Speaking of things in context, I really can't trust this book as gospel because Minutaglio quotes sources in such a sporadic way, footnoting the quotes only to look more credible. The quotes are sometimes ridiculous and misplaced, it seems, but albeit, very entertaining.

That's just it, this book is entertaining and nothing more except to provide a biased peek at what Minutaglio believes is the driving force and reasons for our President's personality, politics, career choices, and other personal decisions.

Juicy. As in gossipy.

COME OUT OF THE CLOSET, Mr. Minutglio!
Maybe I'm slow...or too trusting. Previous reviewers kept insisting again and again that this book was "unbiased". WRONG. From the first page, the author had an attitude about Bush - and the GOP. It gradually became clear that the author is a passionate Democrat, as he approvingly whitewashed all personal Clinton and Democrat party issues and glorified people like Al Gore. The bias abounds throughout the book... RNC party strategists are called "political terrorists", while their DNC equals are portrayed as sincere victims at each turn of the two year campaign. And you Mom's and Dad's out there, tell me: what parent (such as George, Sr) would hug the son he loves (George W.) on the happiest day of his life, but instead of thinking of the incredibly close relationship of family love, pride, and respect that the father and son have always shared, the father is now thinking only of the three times in a lifetime that father/son had been briefly angry with each other. And why remind the reader again and again, as much as four times over hundreds of pages, of each small tidbit of negative information? Was he afraid we would forget? Why did it take me hundreds of pages of wasted time to finally realize that no matter what the Bushes say or do, this author is biased to hate Bush and the Bush family, and to love Gore - and the Democrats - and the RNC. Period. Every possible issue and personal examination is slanted toward contempt for the one, and pride in the other. BOTTOM LINE: This book was promoted DECEPTIVELY. If Mr. Minitaglio wanted to write a hate-piece, fine - but why not be up front about it? My recommendation for busy people who love to read is simply that you beware. Know before you go. I'm rating the book a 3, because my friends who are Democrats may enjoy this book. (but why waste time, since he is already president and there's nothing you can do about it?) BUT... my Republican friends, STAY AWAY from this book, because it is unfair, duplicitous, full of seething, underhanded bias that Bernard Goldberg courageously exposed in his excellent book "BIAS". The bias peeks out from - and underneath - every sentence. Hope this helps reverent readers like me who just want to read, and who just want the TRUTH.

Enlightening
It was fascinating to read the true story of the Bush family, not the assumptions often reported. Who knew that he came from such a downtrodden background, worked so hard to rise from the ashes and achieve greatness at Yale? It's no small wonder that we have this great man leading our country through the holy wrath of war!

Like his father, George W. is a stern and honorable, if not particularly well-spoken, fella'. He reads a teleprompter with unequalled ease and skill, a testament to his ability to comfortably rely on others. AS this book shows, these are all traits he learned while growing up with the help of many other wealthy and able men who were able to take the burden off of poor George W.'s shoulders. He truly is great, not to mention lucky, and he has strutted his lightened shoulders into the White House with only the slightest help from his father's friends in the Supreme Court.

Were it not for men like Bill Minutaglio, the world would be in horrible danger of being exposed to the false and misleading face of the truth. Buy this book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition of the candid and controversial biography of George W. Bush offers an incisive look at Bush’s questionable military history, disastrous business ventures, and the issues surrounding the 2000 presidential election. New essays and illustrations add to this book on the deeds and misdeeds of President of George W. Bush. ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Hatfield Died for this Information
Released by Soft Skull Press in 1999 before the 2000 presidential elections, J.H. Hatfield's "Fortunate Son: George W. Bush and the Making of an America President," presents a comprehensive piece on three generations of Bush family interaction with America and the surrounding environment.

Hatfield asked George W. repeatedly for an interview before he released this book, but was turned down time and time again by the 43rd president of the United States. During Hatfield's years of investigation for this book, he interviewed many close friends and relatives of George W. Bush who revealed many deep and hidden secrets not revealed through the mainstream media; also, Hatfield used an unnamed source to provide information presented in the piece.

Hatfield, who is now dead by means of suicide, brought a lot of heat on George W. Bush during his 2000 presidential campaign with the release of this book; and thus, released a storm of criticism upon himself. By bringing to light the fact of George W. Bush's problems with alcohol and his disputed use of cocaine, the author Hatfield wrote about the best and worst sides of three generations of Bush family.

Beginning with the history of grandfather Prescott Bush, the writer lays out a historical perspective that could of easily caused an insidious demise to the family's reputation. The war veteran and 41st president George H. W. Bush, who left his mark on the oil rush, and son George Bush's controversial past and new found reform.

The piece is a hard and sometimes slow read and there are numerous facts and figures brought up in the piece which gives the reader a whole view of how the family worked through it's rough spots, and triumphed in successes. The book is easily defined as a political history of a family with massive influence on the United States of America, and their actions and reactions to the surrounding environment.

Although the read has it's slow spots and down points, Hatfield's piece is one of the few biographies burned at publishing, and for this, the book is necessary for future generations.

The truth is out there - probably
I put off reading this book for a long time, thanks to the questions we all had about Hatfield's integrity and the credibility of his charges against the Accidental President. This newly updated and better-annotated edition put these concerns to rest, and although it's not the best Bush biography I've read thus far, it deserves far more respect than it's received from the mainstream media. For a book which Bush's supporters went to great lengths to prevent from ever being published, Hatfield shows a surprising lack of antagonism toward his subject for the most part. Molly Ivins' "Shrub," Mark Crispin Miller's "The Bush Dyslexicon" and Paul Begala's "Is Our Children Learning?" are all far more openly partisan (and better written), but Hatfield does provide information not available elsewhere about the youthful indiscretion that Bush and his allies have otherwise done a superb job of keeping buried.

Using straightforward accounts from the public record and those who know him, Hatfield illustrates such issues as Bush's obliviousness to racial segregation in his hometown, his indifference to his studies at Andover and Yale, his alcoholism, his spotty record in the Air National Guard, his questionable business dealings, and his performance as governor. Bush's actions and words speak for themselves throughout the book, and Hatfield shows little inclination to analyze them to death or to put an actively anti-Bush spin on them. In fact, he occasionally sounds pro-Bush, noting, for example, that he got off to a respectable start in the oil business after graduating from Harvard Business School. Some of the less flattering accounts, such as that of his "service" in the Air National Guard, have a necessarily vague and incomplete feel to them, mainly because there simply isn't a lot of reliable information available about that period of Bush's life. Hatfield is, however, able to provide a number of accounts of cocaine use and womanizing that stand in sharp contrast to the family-values image Bush's handlers have managed to convey to the public. If Hatfield's research failed to answer many questions about the extended adolescence Bush himself has always refused to discuss, he did succeed brilliantly in raising many questions that deserve to be addressed but haven't been thus far.

The book's most famous accusation - that Bush was arrested for cocaine posession in 1972 and his father got the charges dropped - is more solidly supported than I'd been led to believe. Although Hatfield did fail to produce a source who was willing to confirm the story on the record, he names a number of sources who probably know the answer but - like Bush himself - refuse to confirm or deny it. Additionally, he provides three anonymous sources, not a lone Deep Throat as has been widely reported. The afterword does have a cloak-and-dagger feel to it all the same, and there are typographical and grammatical errors sprinkled throughout the narrative which have helped to make the book easy for Bush supporters to vilify.

But for all that, most of what Hatfield reports is well-annotated (in contrast to the original printing) and presented in a non-sensationalistic style. If Hatfield was not the ideal messenger, he at least provided us with an important collection of information that other journalists chose to gloss over or didn't have access to. As Mark Crispin Miller points out in his introduction, the Bush campaign's reaction to the book was just as telling in one sense as the book itself is. If it's inaccurate, why suppress it?

Celebrate your right to know. Whatever your politics, read the book and decide for yourself whether or not it's worth believing.

Not a bash, but rather, an investigation
When I heard of this book, I wondered why it was dropped from St. Martin's Press. Given the numerous books slandering Clinton, I figured this book was a slandering piece, and would be decried as nothing more than foolish slander, and naturally disappear in public interest. Instead, the book was pulled from the presses. Why? After reading this book, I found that not only does it not have the typical bash style of Moore or Franken, but it researches his past with accuracy and without humorous commentary - possibly so close to the truth that decrying it as nothing more than slander would be extremely difficult, and Karl Rove didn't want to spend time or lose face defending against it.

From the strange connections to Saudi Arabia to the forced policies of a governor, this book lays out the blueprint for what we are seeing today. Not only do I find the information frightening, but I find it to be on the mark. A man who stands for nothing but condemns everything, he is a dark man who does not deserve to be the president of a democracy.

A very good look at what's running the White House
The problem with writing a biography of George W. Bush is that it won't be nice. The details of his life leave no choice.

Fortunate Son puts all this on display. It shows a man who says the right things while doing whatever benefits him. The list of contradictions is as plain as day. Here are a few. In April of 1999 George blamed the film industry for desensitizing people to violence. Between 1983 and 1993 he was a paid director for Silver Screen Management. They arrange for investment in films. Twenty-one of the films they arranged financing for were R-rated. That was due to the violence they depicted. Arlington politico's passed legislation that allowed the Arlington Sports Facility Development Authority to seize land. It was turned over to the Rangers for development. As a minority owner of the team George was close to these people. As Governor he later pulled the teeth from those laws. His run for Governor was based on a platform of issues he misrepresented. His working existence is a series of shady business deals. His morality is rife with hypocrisy. The book is filled with examples of this.

Hatfield's research begs for more questions to be asked too. In 1978 George ran for the Congressional riding of Midland, Texas. It came out that 61% of his financial backing came from outside that riding. Most of it was from big business interests. Why? At that point George had nothing behind him (apart from the family name) to warrant that support. It was there though. The records prove it. It was revelations like this that got J. H. Hatfield in trouble with the upper echelon of the Republican Party (to say nothing of their supporters). He hadn't started out with intentions of discrediting Bush. If anything it was the opposite; his sympathetic writing style makes that clear. The book is well written. The information is concise. Hatfield doesn't condemn. He just reports the facts. He had avoided what he couldn't prove. His coverage of the (possible) fiasco during the Air Guard tenure had been sparse. There's no mention of the ties between the Bush and Hinckley families either. Hatfield would have found those. He left them alone though. It was only after attacks on his credibility that he did some more research. Then he found the details of the cocaine bust. It's hard to say how much more he'd have found had he lived. It's even harder to guess how much he would have proven. There seems to be plenty there.

Still, what he found was more than enough. It produced a very important book. Everyone should read it.

Well researched and revealing
After reading all the claims that this book used questionable sources and shoddy research, I almost wrote it off. But after actually reading it, I realized that nothing could be further from the truth. This book is not (unlike most liberally leaning books on the Bush dynasty) a biased and desperate slam on the president. The sources are certainly not "crackpot websites" as one reviewer claimed, and the book was not dropped by its first publisher because it was innacurate (it was dropped from political pressure from the bush administration).
I find it kind of funny that all of these such claims are accompanied by NO comments which would actually indicate that these reviewers even read the book (and then go on to make claims such as 'liberals will love this because they love anything that bashes the president).
I'm not what I would call a liberal. I'm certainly not a democrat. But I will admit I think Bush is a terrible president. This book helped to cement my dislike for the man.
This is not slander. It even portrays him in a positive light at times. It questions the claims of Bush detractors as well as supporters. It's thorough and (at least in its narrative, you can argue about the facts presented) for the most part unbiased (even though its hard to remain completely objective when you're talking about a man who publicly mocked a woman he just sentenced to death...)
The sources I checked up on were authentic. In the end, its a damning portrayal of our president. Anyone who is even remotely curious as to what kind of insanity is running through our commander-in-cheif's head owes it to themselves to read through this book.
In all truth, if you're a Bush supporter, you probably will have few problems with alot of what's revealed in this book. A friend of mine (who is a hard-core bush enthusiast) read the book, and his response (for the most part) was "so what?" But then again, he and I have a very different set of moral and political beliefs, and my response to the book was certainly different.
Take it for what it is. It's a biography. If you support him, you should know more about him. If you don't, this book will give you a few more reasons not to. ... Read more