Book Description

"We are not the sum of our possessions. They are not the measures of our lives. In our hearts, we know what matters. We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend; a loving parent; a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood, and town better than he found it."
-- from President George H. W. Bush's InauguralAddress, January 21, 1989

A charming collection of excerpts from the former president's speeches and other writings, Heartbeat reveals the basic ideals and beliefs that have served George H. W. Bush throughout his public and private life. He speaks often of what he calls "heartbeat." It is a simple word -- a code word -- referring to personal bedrock values concerning service, duty, honor, friends, faith, and particularly family.

As the Bushes prove themselves to be one of the most important political families in U.S. history, this warm and revealing look into the former president's guiding principles could not come at a more important time. Culled from Mr. Bush's speeches over the course of his presidency and beyond, Heartbeat discloses a surprising personal side to the forty-first president -- a warm, witty, and expressive man.

In chapters such as "1989: A New Breeze" and "1993-2001: Did It with Honor," the book features entertaining, eloquent, and emotional excerpts from the former president's words...

"Sure we must change, but some values are timeless. I believe in families that stick together, and fathers who stick around. I happen to believe very deeply in the worth of each individual human being, born or unborn. I believe in teaching our kids the difference between what's wrong and what's right, teaching them respect for hard work and to love their neighbors. I believe that America will always have a special place in God's heart, as long as He has a special place in ours...."

"Being president does have its advantages. And this is true: I have a TV set there in the White House with five screens, one big one in the middle, four small ones around it. Now I don't have to miss the nightly news when I watch Wheel of Fortune."

In this single, remarkable collection, Mr. Bush's speeches, interviews, and other statements paint a poig-nant portrait not just of the former president but of a man and a family. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Core Values: Faith, Family, and Friends
"Heartbeat" is a collection of excerpts from the speeches and writing of President George H. W. Bush. The compilation delineates those "core" values that defined the policies and personal goals of Bush's presidency. The book is organized into chapters corresponding to his presidential years (1989-1992) with an additional chapter concentrating on his post-presidency. The writings,which characterize the "core" values consistently addressed, are presented in sub-sections in each chapter. These are: Faith, Family, and Friends; The Vision Thing; A Legacy of Service; and In the Arena. This is a convenient organizational tool which allows the reader, should he/she choose, to follow a particular thread through each of the four years of the president's term. Of course one may choose the conventional method of a chapter by chapter reading. I actually did both, occasionally flipping back and forth through the chapters as I read to remind myself of a particular point previously made.

I found the book to be absorbing and entertaining reading. Having visited the Bush Library in College Station, Texas, I was not surprised by the sense of honor, duty and love of country that permeates the text. Nor was I surprised and the wonderful rather self-deprecating sense of humor that pops up in sometime unexpected places.

All-in-all this is an effortless way to get an elementary grasp of the issues and complexities which confronted America at a time when events leading to The World Trade Center atrocity were already continuing to build.

A fitting tribute to a great man!
The author, Jim McGrath, has compiled a well-edited look at the life of the former President. Readers who want a "behind the scenes" look of life in the White House without all the needless commentary should purchase this book immediately!! This is a must read for anyone interested in political life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

More than just a campaign biography
I purchased the paperback version of this book just before George H. W. Bush began his successful 1988 Presidential campaign. It is a very interesting read, covering not just Mr. Bush's World War II record, the 1980 Presidential campaign and his later partnership with President Ronald Reagan, but also his family and business endeavors in Texas after World War II (which were also written about by his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush) and his efforts to build a viable Republican party in that state. Anybody interested in the history of post-World War II Texas and Southern politics, particularly as one man has experienced and influenced it, and also in the background and upbringing of his son, our present President, will find this enjoyable. Mr. Bush covers topics ranging from his defense of his support for a civil rights bill to his first encounter with chicken-fried steak. ... Read more

Book Description

Beautifully illustrated account of Columbus' youth and his first voyage to the new world. Illustratoe Marion Eldridge was chosen as an artist for UNICEF cards as a result of her work in this book.The first meeting with Native Americans is retold from both points of view: The Indians and the Spaniards. This book was chosen by the US Information Agency during the Quincentennial to represent the U.S. on a world tour.President george Bush's message introduces the book. ... Read more

Book Description

More than any other world leader in recent times, George W. Bush is a man of faitha conservative Christian who has brought the power of prayer and the search for God's will into the Oval Office. His faith has proven to be a bedrock of strength and resolve during two of the most tumultuous years in our nation's history. According to Newsweek magazine, "This presidency is the most resolutely faith based in modern times. An enterprise founded, supported and guided by trust in the temporal and spiritual power of God." David Aikman, skilled journalist and former senior correspondent for TIME magazine, pens this dramatic and gripping account of Bush's journey to faith. Based on interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, you'll learn how

• His life changed after a conversation with Billy Graham on the beach at Kennebunkport
• He walked away from alcoholism toward a new destiny
• The events following 9/11 caused many to view him as God's chosen man for this critical time in history
• His decision to go to war with Iraq became the ultimate test of his faith

A Man of Faithan intimate look at how Bush's spiritual life has impacted his presidency, the nation, and the world.

Book Description

Researched from primary documents, the authors focus on the Hebrew and Christian antecedents to Holy War and how it was initially viewed by Mohammad before he sought to conquer the world for Allah. Osama bin Laden his biographed in light of the bin Laden's family's capitalism growing from Saudi construction to the Binladen holdings in Texas where revenues were placed in the war chest of the Bush family both for political advancement and oil interests.

The authors review the close ties of the Bush family and international oil and energy, with special attention to the role that the current Bush Administration plays in American expansion of oil interests across central Asia. Condoleezza Rice, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and the Bush II Cabinet is scrutinized for their role in pushing the Afghan War and their involvement in the financial dealings of Texas senators Gramm and Hutchinson.

Chapters rifle in on the al-qaida, bin Laden Fatwas, the Afghanistan Northern Alliance, religious fundamentalism in the USA and the Islamic World, and more. Richly detailed and illustrated. ... Read more