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Biography & Autobiography. Politics. Nonfiction. HTML:#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, has authored a personal biography of his father, George H. W. Bush, the 41st President. Forty-three men have served as President of the United States. Countless books have been written about them. But never before has a President told the story of his father, another President, through his own eyes and in his own words. A unique and intimate biography, the book covers the entire scope of the elder President Bush�??s life and career, including his service in the Pacific during World War II, his pioneering work in the Texas oil business, and his political rise as a Congressman, U.S. Representative to China and the United Nations, CIA Director, Vice President, and President. The book shines new light on both the accomplished statesman and the warm, decent man known best by his family. In addition, George W. Bush discusses his father�??s influence on him throughout his own life, from his childhood in West Texas to his early campaign trips with his father, and from his decision to go into politics to his own two-term Pr… (more)
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This review is from: 41: A Portrait of My Father (Kindle Edition)
I confess, after reading 41: A PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER, I have a new, deeper respect for the former
President 41 is at heart, a decent, kind, family man. Not so much a partisan politician at all. That makes it all the more surprising that George H.W. Bush ever became a president. A few sections of the book I thought were really special. I really love the picture of President 41 in the plane, "Barbara III." My second favorite picture was 41 meeting Babe Ruth. I had no idea that 41 was president of the Yale baseball team.
Another fascinating section is his time at the CIA. "George Bush cared deeply about the CIA's mission and people. He found the work fascinating; his inquisitive nature was sated by the agency's cadre of brilliant agents. Remarkably, in just one year, he developed a strong bond with the people of the CIA. " And, "True to his word, dad stayed out of out of politics throughout his time at the CIA. "
41: A PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER is first of all, a story of a son's affection for his father. If you really dislike the Bush family, then it's doubtful this book will change your attitude. Much of this book is actually not even about politics--it's about family events, relations among the siblings, and the interaction between the two men. Even though 41 is not primarily a political book, there are still some very juicy, intriguing political historical notes. The events surrounding the resignation of Richard M. Nixon are perhaps the most interesting--at least to me. Perhaps it has been documented elsewhere, but I had no idea that President 41 had taken such a firm line in writing a letter to Nixon, exhorting Nixon to resign immediately, for the good of the nation.
There are funny parts in this book as well. The former president loves to lure unsuspecting visitors into his powerful speed boat. Then, he cranks up the throttle, putting terror in the hearts of his visitors--even President Putin of Russia and his entourage. Perhaps the most poignant section of 41 is the account of President 41 apparently near death, barely conscious in the hospital. After a brief encounter in the hospital, the whole family left his room, crying--believing the former president was about to die, and that had been their final visit.
All in all, I enjoyed reading 41: A PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER. It's true, I did not learn terribly much new about political intrigue, or secret behind the scenes negotiations with the Chinese, or top-secret maneuvers of the CIA. On the other hand, I learned a lot more about the Bush family, and the relationship between these two great men. It's a warm, meaningful relationship that has stood the test of time.
41: A PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER is a book expressing one's devotion for a great, unselfish man, who happens to also be the author's father.
√ OUTSTANDING BOOK - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I did enjoy learning some things about our 41st president. I didn't realize how much foreign experience he had
The book holds touching family stories, especially about the death of their daughter from leukemia, plus how they came to acquire Walker's Point in Maine, etc. There are not many stories of Barbara Bush in here, but there are a few. You may agree with some of the stands and disagree with some, but you will also laugh and cry, cringe and applaud.
Political memoir is not my normal reading fare, but it was a change of pace. I've never read the genre before because of the obvious bias. I actually requested this book because it crosses genres, leaning more towards a family memoir. I may or may not try more political memoirs in the future.
This slim biography has a little bit of everything - family history, personal background, failed campaigns, funny anecdotes, fascinating behind the scenes details, and maybe most strikingly, a depth of emotion and sincerity that does credit to both subject and author. Obviously, it's not and never could be an unbiased account. But there is honesty in the pages. And while I might have rolled my eyes and wanted to skip forward through some of the author's rationalizations for his own actions, I appreciated having such a personal look at a former President who has written very little about himself.
It's refreshing - as well as sad - to read about an "old school" politician who could make friends with his rivals, informally adopt as a fifth son the man who drove him from the White House in 1992, and let go of grudges as soon as they formed. Sad because there seem to be few, if any, of this type left.
Also, I love that he celebrates his milestone birthdays by parachuting!
Upon completion, this biography left me with conflicting emotions. First, I grew a deeper admiration of George H.W. Bush (the Elder). Obviously W genuinely admires his father, and the writing allows that to shine through. Second, I felt more strongly that W was not qualified to be an American President. He saw the Republican party as a country club of sorts and lacked any real engagement with liberalism. HW seems to have wrestled with the issues of the day. W seems just to have coasted along.
I will dwell upon the positive. Reading about HW reminds me of a time before there was such a partisan divide in our politics. HW was a decent man who wanted to emphasize what we Americans have in common instead of dividing us to gain the upper hand. W chronicles several incidents in his life where HW chose the tougher road because of his commitment to decency.
W ties HW’s decency to his start in forgoing Yale to serve in World War II. Entering (and exiting) a war with purpose united HW’s generation and cemented their broad patriotism. Most men of his generation had fought for each other in war. This provided a common ethic and a common narrative which united them in times of political discord. Unfortunately, we lack that ethic today. With W, I stand in admiration of his father – even as a Democrat.