Status
Available
Publication
Scribner (2010), Edition: 1, 464 pages
Description
In a captivating and compelling voice that ranks with many of the greatest memoirists, Laura Bush tells the story of her unique path from dusty Midland, Texas, to the world stage as First Lady. She captures presidential life in the frantic and fearful months after 9/11, and humorously lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House.
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Media reviews
What she gives you is pretty much what you expected to get. Digging deeper will turn up no greater revelation.
Laura Bush’s new memoir, “Spoken From the Heart,” is really two books. The first is a deeply felt, keenly observed account of her childhood and youth in Texas — an account that captures a time and place with exacting emotional precision and that demonstrates how Mrs. Bush’s lifelong love
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of books has imprinted her imagination. The second book is a thoroughly conventional autobiography by a politician’s wife — a rote recitation of travel, public appearances and meetings with foreign dignitaries that sheds not the faintest new light on the presidency of the author’s husband, George W. Bush. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Mnpose
I started American Wife because it was “loosely based on the life of Laura Bush”. Didn’t finish that book but this book was a much better use. Of my time.
LibraryThing member DeaconBernie
A remarkable book. Whatever one wishes to think about the 8 years they were in the White House, it is astonishing how much they did in so many fields that the press seems mostly to have ignored. This is a story that needs to be loudly told everywhere people read books. It is also a tribute to both
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Laura and George that their lives have meshed so closely all these years. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewindowseatreader
I will begin by saying that I liked this book! Overall, I thought it seemed like sincere account of the life of the former first lady. The first part of the book about her life growing up in small Midland, Texas was my favorite. The way she describes the intricacies of her family life and her
I liked the flow of the book, and I liked her polite and genuine voice. She also included many facts about many international tragedies that occurred over the eight years in the White House, and I further realized just how draining the task as world leader was and continues to be. I also enjoyed hearing about her humanitarian contributions as well as the philanthropic contributions of so many others who strive to help their neighbors and truly improve the condition of this world.
I think people who generally respect Laura Bush and the job she did accompanying her husband through a grueling eight years would enjoy this read. If you hate all things Republican and all things Bush, then let me remind you that this probably is not the memoir for you.
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childhood captivated my attention. After her marriage and progression into the political world, I felt that the tone because a bit more detached; however, I realize including every detail would have been impossible. Another thing that annoyed me at first was the statements that were included seemingly for her to defend her husband’s decisions, but I got over that. After all, they are married, and it is natural for her to want to stand by his side in difficult times. The point of the book is not what she would have done as President! I liked the flow of the book, and I liked her polite and genuine voice. She also included many facts about many international tragedies that occurred over the eight years in the White House, and I further realized just how draining the task as world leader was and continues to be. I also enjoyed hearing about her humanitarian contributions as well as the philanthropic contributions of so many others who strive to help their neighbors and truly improve the condition of this world.
I think people who generally respect Laura Bush and the job she did accompanying her husband through a grueling eight years would enjoy this read. If you hate all things Republican and all things Bush, then let me remind you that this probably is not the memoir for you.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
I have only read about 1/3 of the book but I wanted to post something about it because I would like to encourage others to read it, regardless of their politics. It is truly worth the read.
The book is written with such honesty and openness that you feel almost as if Laura Bush is speaking directly
From the first page I was smitten with the story of her life. She grew up almost parallel to the time in which I did and her descriptions of those years are dead on.
Tears often came to my eyes in just the first dozen and a half pages because I was so moved as she described the lives of her ancestors, her parents, her family. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth; she does not sound spoiled or uppity, she has no bitterness and she never complains. Her story feels heartfelt and real. She is grateful for everything she has been given in her life. The language of the book is easy to read and the emotions engendered in me, by the descriptions, were profound and deep. I believe these same feeling will be evoked for other readers, as well. How different she sounds than many of our current politician's wives!
At this point, I would like to update my comments. I am pretty much through 3/4's of the book now and I have to say I think it should be read by all young adults in high school so they can get an accurate and gentle portrayal of what goes on in the White House even under the most dire circumstances. The serenity Laura Bush exhibits, the calm confidence and good humor in the face of threats, insults and tragedies is an example for all to follow. Only those with the most extremely biased politics will find fault with this book because there is no finger pointing, no insults, no anger at anyone at all, for that matter.
During her tenure as First Lady, the White House experienced so many tragedies for which there was no blueprint in advance to help deal with the situation. From 9/11, to Katrina, to the beltway sniper, to the shoe bomber, to the tsunami, the shuttle explosion, the wars, abu ghraib, the suspected weapons of mass destruction, the demonstrations, the anthrax scare, the demonization of the Bush family and more, this White House never faltered, never made personal attacks against anyone, although it was criticized by a largely politicized media blitz of hate and in my opinion, they would have been within their rights to do so. When she discusses the press coverage, her pain and anguish over the way they falsely portrayed her and her husband is quite evident. The only time there is any indication of displeasure is when she discusses some of the rudest members of the press corps.
Now that I have finished the book I can only say that Laura Bush is a real lady, not only the former First Lady. The President was a gentleman and he had class as well. They would serve as good examples for anyone wanting to choose a career in politics.
The book is written with such honesty and openness that you feel almost as if Laura Bush is speaking directly
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to you. Her soft spoken demeanor is apparent from page one. You can feel the sincerity of the author as she opens herself to public scrutiny. There is nothing phony about her or the book. She is what you saw when she was First Lady and she continues to be, the genuine article. She has no guile.From the first page I was smitten with the story of her life. She grew up almost parallel to the time in which I did and her descriptions of those years are dead on.
Tears often came to my eyes in just the first dozen and a half pages because I was so moved as she described the lives of her ancestors, her parents, her family. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth; she does not sound spoiled or uppity, she has no bitterness and she never complains. Her story feels heartfelt and real. She is grateful for everything she has been given in her life. The language of the book is easy to read and the emotions engendered in me, by the descriptions, were profound and deep. I believe these same feeling will be evoked for other readers, as well. How different she sounds than many of our current politician's wives!
At this point, I would like to update my comments. I am pretty much through 3/4's of the book now and I have to say I think it should be read by all young adults in high school so they can get an accurate and gentle portrayal of what goes on in the White House even under the most dire circumstances. The serenity Laura Bush exhibits, the calm confidence and good humor in the face of threats, insults and tragedies is an example for all to follow. Only those with the most extremely biased politics will find fault with this book because there is no finger pointing, no insults, no anger at anyone at all, for that matter.
During her tenure as First Lady, the White House experienced so many tragedies for which there was no blueprint in advance to help deal with the situation. From 9/11, to Katrina, to the beltway sniper, to the shoe bomber, to the tsunami, the shuttle explosion, the wars, abu ghraib, the suspected weapons of mass destruction, the demonstrations, the anthrax scare, the demonization of the Bush family and more, this White House never faltered, never made personal attacks against anyone, although it was criticized by a largely politicized media blitz of hate and in my opinion, they would have been within their rights to do so. When she discusses the press coverage, her pain and anguish over the way they falsely portrayed her and her husband is quite evident. The only time there is any indication of displeasure is when she discusses some of the rudest members of the press corps.
Now that I have finished the book I can only say that Laura Bush is a real lady, not only the former First Lady. The President was a gentleman and he had class as well. They would serve as good examples for anyone wanting to choose a career in politics.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Coltfan18
I enjoyed this book. I learned more about the first lady and her behind the scenes job at the White House and the world. It was interesting to see her husband's administration from her point of view. I also learned about protocol for state dinners and dinners. She has more depth than she was given
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credit for in the press. She has done hard work for the health and education for the women of the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member teeth
I enjoyed this book and would reccomend it highly. I learned a lot about the scenes behind the White House from a first ladies perspective. It also told about hoe much Laura Bush has done for women and education.
LibraryThing member cbilbo
This is one amazing woman. No matter what everyone else thinks of her husband, Mrs. Bush is an amazing woman. She has lived a remarkable life. Through the thick and thin, she has always held her head high and showed the world she is a world class woman. She could had gotten mad over GW's drinking,
There was so much that I didn't know about Laura Bush. Other than what we see from her public life, her book shows she is just down to earth wife and mom. This was an excellent and well written book.
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but instead she held firm, worked things through and proved to have a wonderful life and marriage.There was so much that I didn't know about Laura Bush. Other than what we see from her public life, her book shows she is just down to earth wife and mom. This was an excellent and well written book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cbilbo
This is one amazing woman. No matter what everyone else thinks of her husband, Mrs. Bush is an amazing woman. She has lived a remarkable life. Through the thick and thin, she has always held her head high and showed the world she is a world class woman. She could had gotten mad over GW's drinking,
There was so much that I didn't know about Laura Bush. Other than what we see from her public life, her book shows she is just down to earth wife and mom. This was an excellent and well written book.
Show More
but instead she held firm, worked things through and proved to have a wonderful life and marriage.There was so much that I didn't know about Laura Bush. Other than what we see from her public life, her book shows she is just down to earth wife and mom. This was an excellent and well written book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SABC
With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about growing up in the boom oil town of Midland, Texas as an only child to marrying into one of America's most prominent political families.
LibraryThing member CatherineBurkeHines
I don't know what I expected, but I was a bit disappointed. The first half of the book was fun and insightful, and I like her very much. The last half, covering the Presidential years, was a recitation of committees and special events that reads like her official diary. Yes, yes, libraries are
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important, people should read, we get it. It reminded me of Ted Kennedy's book, in that it skirts the interesting bits and focuses on the public record. Mind you, it's the kind of book I'd be pleased to write if I was in her place. Show Less
LibraryThing member LudieGrace
More like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this. I learned a lot about the ways Mrs. Bush used her platform to advance literacy, women's health and education, and other causes, most of which I remember hearing little about at the time. The tone is reserved, but her classiness and warm heart for others
She also writes movingly of the odd melancholy of being an only child, and of the longing for children.
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shine through. In many ways, the best part of the book is the scene-setting of the first two chapters, as she reminisces about her dusty West Texas upbringing. The section on 9/11 also brought back startlingly visceral memories, reminding me just how scary the aftermath was, as well as what a weird time the early '00s were to be coming of age.She also writes movingly of the odd melancholy of being an only child, and of the longing for children.
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LibraryThing member dara85
Laura Bush grew up an only child in Texas. As an only child, she loved reading and later became a teacher and a librarian. Two things that affected her growing up years were: At the age of 17, she was driving with a friend and hit and killed one of her close friends, a boy driving from another
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direction. The other thing was the shooting President John F. Kennedy in Texas. Laura met George Bush and they were engaged after six weeks. George was very interested in politics and Laura was not, but she helped him campaign as he ran for congress, then governor of Texas and finally President of the United States. The Bush family was left in limbo after the 2000, presidential election when the state of Florida’s election process was in question, and the Supreme Court finally had to rule that the manual Florida recount had violated the Constitution. The event of September 11, 2001 happened during her husband’s presidency. President Bush was flown all of the country during September 11, to make sure he was safe. At the end of the day, Sept 11, the secret service wanted the president to stay away from Washington, D.C., but he insisted that they return to White House to make sure his family was safe. Then came the anthrax mail scare and mail all over the country was held up and examined. Mrs. Bush candidly speaks about her marriage, her relationship to the Bushes and the birth of her twin daughters. She inserts numerous tidbits of history in speaking of their days in the White House. She talks frankly about the White House events, her numerous trips and meeting various people. This is an eye-opening book about Laura’s life and living in the White House. Show Less
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2011)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
464 p.; 6.25 inches
ISBN
1439155208 / 9781439155202