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Spoken from the Heart
In this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, Laura Bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story.
Born in the boom-and-bust oil town of Midland, Texas, Laura Welch grew up as an only child in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. She vividly evokes Midland's brash, rugged culture, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that sustain her to this day. For the first time, in heart-wrenching detail, she writes about the devastating high school car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead and about her decades of unspoken grief.
When Laura Welch first left West Texas in 1964, she never imagined that her journey would lead her to the world stage and the White House. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1968, in the thick of student rebellions across the country and at the dawn of the women's movement, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained to be a librarian. At age thirty, she met George W. Bush, whom she had last passed in the hallway in seventh grade. Three months later, "the old maid of Midland married Midland's most eligible bachelor." With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about her early married life as she was thrust into one of America's most prominent political families, as well as her deep longing for children and her husband's decision to give up drinking. By 1993, she found herself in the full glare of the political spotlight. But just as her husband won the Texas governorship in a stunning upset victory, her father, Harold Welch, was dying in Midland.
In 2001, after one of the closest elections in American history, Laura Bush moved into the White House. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 9/11, when fighter-jet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter. She writes openly about the White House during wartime, the withering and relentless media spotlight, and the transformation of her role as she began to understand the power of the first lady. One of the first U.S. officials to visit war-torn Afghanistan, she also reached out to disease-stricken African nations and tirelessly advocated for women in the Middle East and dissidents in Burma. She championed programs to get kids out of gangs and to stop urban violence. And she was a major force in rebuilding Gulf Coast schools and libraries post-Katrina. Movingly, she writes of her visits with U.S. troops and their loved ones, and of her empathy for and immense gratitude to military families.
With deft humor and a sharp eye, Laura Bush lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House, from presidential finances to the 175-year-old tradition of separate bedrooms for presidents and their wives to the antics of some White House guests and even a few members of Congress. She writes with honesty and eloquence about her family, her public triumphs, and her personal tribulations. Laura Bush's compassion, her sense of humor, her grace, and her uncommon willingness to bare her heart make this story revelatory, beautifully rendered, and unlike any other first lady's memoir ever written.
Born in the boom-and-bust oil town of Midland, Texas, Laura Welch grew up as an only child in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. She vividly evokes Midland's brash, rugged culture, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that sustain her to this day. For the first time, in heart-wrenching detail, she writes about the devastating high school car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead and about her decades of unspoken grief.
When Laura Welch first left West Texas in 1964, she never imagined that her journey would lead her to the world stage and the White House. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1968, in the thick of student rebellions across the country and at the dawn of the women's movement, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained to be a librarian. At age thirty, she met George W. Bush, whom she had last passed in the hallway in seventh grade. Three months later, "the old maid of Midland married Midland's most eligible bachelor." With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about her early married life as she was thrust into one of America's most prominent political families, as well as her deep longing for children and her husband's decision to give up drinking. By 1993, she found herself in the full glare of the political spotlight. But just as her husband won the Texas governorship in a stunning upset victory, her father, Harold Welch, was dying in Midland.
In 2001, after one of the closest elections in American history, Laura Bush moved into the White House. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 9/11, when fighter-jet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter. She writes openly about the White House during wartime, the withering and relentless media spotlight, and the transformation of her role as she began to understand the power of the first lady. One of the first U.S. officials to visit war-torn Afghanistan, she also reached out to disease-stricken African nations and tirelessly advocated for women in the Middle East and dissidents in Burma. She championed programs to get kids out of gangs and to stop urban violence. And she was a major force in rebuilding Gulf Coast schools and libraries post-Katrina. Movingly, she writes of her visits with U.S. troops and their loved ones, and of her empathy for and immense gratitude to military families.
With deft humor and a sharp eye, Laura Bush lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House, from presidential finances to the 175-year-old tradition of separate bedrooms for presidents and their wives to the antics of some White House guests and even a few members of Congress. She writes with honesty and eloquence about her family, her public triumphs, and her personal tribulations. Laura Bush's compassion, her sense of humor, her grace, and her uncommon willingness to bare her heart make this story revelatory, beautifully rendered, and unlike any other first lady's memoir ever written.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2009
374 people are currently reading
4899 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bush
33 books110 followersLaura Lane Welch Bush is the former First Lady of the United States and the wife of the forty-third President of the United States George W. Bush.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 972 reviews
February 13, 2021
Laura Bush was once described by a British newspaper as "a cookie baking homemaker,mumsy,dull and old fashioned." Similarly,her book is also pretty dull.
She starts off with her early days in small town Texas. The most significant event of that period was when she was involved in a car accident as a teenager.She hit another car and its driver was killed.
The book hardly comes to life as she describes meeting George W.Bush,marrying him and his political career.
The drama and controversy of the 2000 presidential election is missing from her narrative.All it gets is a few perfunctory paragraphs.
Her account of 9/11 is livelier as she describes her personal experiences that day. Unsuprisingly,there is no remorse about the US invasion of Iraq. Instead she says that George did not want war,implying that it was all Saddam's fault.Then she goes on and on about how bad Saddam was.
Similarly,there is no mention of the sufferings of the Afghan people when they had to endure a massive aerial bombardment campaign during the US invasion.
The book is devoid of any humour and is way too lengthy. There is no acknowledgement whatsoever of the disastrous errors made by her husband,which made him one of the worst US presidents, in my lifetime (the other being Obama).
She starts off with her early days in small town Texas. The most significant event of that period was when she was involved in a car accident as a teenager.She hit another car and its driver was killed.
The book hardly comes to life as she describes meeting George W.Bush,marrying him and his political career.
The drama and controversy of the 2000 presidential election is missing from her narrative.All it gets is a few perfunctory paragraphs.
Her account of 9/11 is livelier as she describes her personal experiences that day. Unsuprisingly,there is no remorse about the US invasion of Iraq. Instead she says that George did not want war,implying that it was all Saddam's fault.Then she goes on and on about how bad Saddam was.
Similarly,there is no mention of the sufferings of the Afghan people when they had to endure a massive aerial bombardment campaign during the US invasion.
The book is devoid of any humour and is way too lengthy. There is no acknowledgement whatsoever of the disastrous errors made by her husband,which made him one of the worst US presidents, in my lifetime (the other being Obama).
October 5, 2010
This is Laura Bush’s story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful look into an obviously historical span of time. Let it be known this is not a book about President Bush; this is about Mrs. Bush and her view on first her and then their life.
The book starts off with the early part of her life in Midland, Texas and it was somewhat of an average tale of growing up but with the sadness of her mother’s many, many miscarriages, explaining why Mrs. Bush was an only child. She also speaks of the horrific time when she was in a car crash that killed a friend.
I was fascinated mostly by her experience with President Bush’s first run and defeat as a congressman in Texas and then his run and win as Texas Governor. Of course from there we know he ran and won the presidency for eight years and that’s when I was hooked to the core of my being.
I can't help but think people who didn't know anything about Laura Bush though that she was some kind of submissive wife who "stood by her man". I think people will be pleasantely surprised at how much she accomplished in her time as first lady. She wasn't out there to boast any type of political agenda. Mrs. Bush is a proactive woman with a compassionate heart for helping those in need.
There were parts of the book that brought me to tears; 9-11, sending our troops to war, the loss of our solders, genocide in Africa, Hurricane Katrina, fighting for women’s rights in Afghanistan and the list goes on. Mrs. Bush has a quick wit and humor that had me laughing out loud even as I read her book in public. She also very briefly stated her distaste for the hatred and mockery that was directed at her husband by both the press and politicians in D.C. I thought she handled it gracefully and never got down to their level.
The funniest part of the book in my opinion was when she spoke of the Russian’s assumption that the president has control in that the media says about him. In fact, one Russian reporter asked President Bush if he really has no power in the media being negative about him, then how did he fire Dan Rather? It’s funny, but it also shows you that the Russian-controlled media lead their people to believe that our President has such a power.
I appreciated her insight on how they handled such negatively as our county was fighting two wars. Their daughter Barbara Bush, who was attending Yale, was told by a teacher’s assistant that he would only give her an A in the class if she asked her father not to go to war. Or when Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid talked to the media saying President Bush was “dangerous”, a “liar” and a “loser”. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but for people in such high political positions to speak so ferociously speaks little of them. They are as classless as they think their President was.
On that subject I wouldn’t condone any politician of any party to denigrate our Commander in Chief in such a manner. Not only does it look small and petty, it speaks volumes to our allies. If we can’t attempt to get along in our own country how can we be expected to create peace in countries that so desperately need it? I think it’s disgusting whether it be against our former President or our current President. Grow up D.C.!
After reading Mrs. Bush’s first account experience of her time in the White House I am more than eager to get my hands on all former president and first lady’s memoirs. I think it’s ignorant for anyone to assume what they hear from the media is actually how it happened for any president or first lady. Mrs. Bush outlined many incidents where the media was quick to judge or edit out important parts of a storyline. Doggone media!
Five stars because I'll likely read it again and pass it along to others who may be interested in reading it.
The book starts off with the early part of her life in Midland, Texas and it was somewhat of an average tale of growing up but with the sadness of her mother’s many, many miscarriages, explaining why Mrs. Bush was an only child. She also speaks of the horrific time when she was in a car crash that killed a friend.
I was fascinated mostly by her experience with President Bush’s first run and defeat as a congressman in Texas and then his run and win as Texas Governor. Of course from there we know he ran and won the presidency for eight years and that’s when I was hooked to the core of my being.
I can't help but think people who didn't know anything about Laura Bush though that she was some kind of submissive wife who "stood by her man". I think people will be pleasantely surprised at how much she accomplished in her time as first lady. She wasn't out there to boast any type of political agenda. Mrs. Bush is a proactive woman with a compassionate heart for helping those in need.
There were parts of the book that brought me to tears; 9-11, sending our troops to war, the loss of our solders, genocide in Africa, Hurricane Katrina, fighting for women’s rights in Afghanistan and the list goes on. Mrs. Bush has a quick wit and humor that had me laughing out loud even as I read her book in public. She also very briefly stated her distaste for the hatred and mockery that was directed at her husband by both the press and politicians in D.C. I thought she handled it gracefully and never got down to their level.
The funniest part of the book in my opinion was when she spoke of the Russian’s assumption that the president has control in that the media says about him. In fact, one Russian reporter asked President Bush if he really has no power in the media being negative about him, then how did he fire Dan Rather? It’s funny, but it also shows you that the Russian-controlled media lead their people to believe that our President has such a power.
I appreciated her insight on how they handled such negatively as our county was fighting two wars. Their daughter Barbara Bush, who was attending Yale, was told by a teacher’s assistant that he would only give her an A in the class if she asked her father not to go to war. Or when Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid talked to the media saying President Bush was “dangerous”, a “liar” and a “loser”. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but for people in such high political positions to speak so ferociously speaks little of them. They are as classless as they think their President was.
On that subject I wouldn’t condone any politician of any party to denigrate our Commander in Chief in such a manner. Not only does it look small and petty, it speaks volumes to our allies. If we can’t attempt to get along in our own country how can we be expected to create peace in countries that so desperately need it? I think it’s disgusting whether it be against our former President or our current President. Grow up D.C.!
After reading Mrs. Bush’s first account experience of her time in the White House I am more than eager to get my hands on all former president and first lady’s memoirs. I think it’s ignorant for anyone to assume what they hear from the media is actually how it happened for any president or first lady. Mrs. Bush outlined many incidents where the media was quick to judge or edit out important parts of a storyline. Doggone media!
Five stars because I'll likely read it again and pass it along to others who may be interested in reading it.
May 20, 2010
In this memoir Laura Welch Bush, who always before has been a rather private person, gives us a candid peek into her life from youth to the early years of her marriage and life as a young mother of twin girls. She gives us an in depth account of her eight years as our First Lady detailing the causes she championed, the implications and the results of her travel at home and abroad and the relationships forged with everyone ranging from the highest foreign dignitaries to those she grew to know more intimately as White House staffers.
She reveals her anxiousness following 9/11 and her distress from the demeaning political bashing directed at her husband. Joys and sorrows, triumphs and regrets are all included. The book reveals a great deal about this compassionate First Lady who carries herself with such dignity, grace and elegance.
Her love of books is best revealed through her willingness to share that love raising a greater national awareness by championing new authors, establishing a National Book Festival and urging all to read with their children.
She reveals her anxiousness following 9/11 and her distress from the demeaning political bashing directed at her husband. Joys and sorrows, triumphs and regrets are all included. The book reveals a great deal about this compassionate First Lady who carries herself with such dignity, grace and elegance.
Her love of books is best revealed through her willingness to share that love raising a greater national awareness by championing new authors, establishing a National Book Festival and urging all to read with their children.
July 27, 2010
Regardless of your political views, this is a well-written, thoughtful work. The book providse a very detailed account of Laura Bush's life (from her own memories, notes, and official government logs). Her voice and perspective exude class and character.
My favorite moment in the book came when Laura described her struggle with infertility:
"The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"
Any woman who has felt the burden of delayed motherhood can relate to her story!
She has a sensitivity and poise that are remarkable when you consider the press-weary life she has led. I found it most interesting that Mrs. Bush disagrees with her husband on several of his political positions (including his pro-life stance). However, she was able to be a supportive wife, mother and First Lady without hampering his political objectives or undermining his role as commander in chief.
My favorite moment in the book came when Laura described her struggle with infertility:
"The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"
Any woman who has felt the burden of delayed motherhood can relate to her story!
She has a sensitivity and poise that are remarkable when you consider the press-weary life she has led. I found it most interesting that Mrs. Bush disagrees with her husband on several of his political positions (including his pro-life stance). However, she was able to be a supportive wife, mother and First Lady without hampering his political objectives or undermining his role as commander in chief.
July 30, 2011
Was hoping for a meatier glimpe at the former First Lady and the ties to some major poilitical happenings in the Bush Administration, but she did touch on some of the larger items and showed the reader some of the behind the scenes in the Bush White House. I suppose 'Decision Points' will fill in the gaps and should help complete the image of these dark political years in US History.
September 13, 2020
Ted Kennedy called her the, “First Lady of Education.” And after reading “Spoken from the Heart,” I would most definitely agree with the senator.
I came away from reading this book with the impression that Laura Bush is a passionate educator with the heart of a poet, that this woman was one to take the time to note, and appreciate the many and varied moments that come together to make up a life. She’s a person who takes these wonderful moments to heart, and I for one, found my spirits buoyed as I learned this about her.
As I read the book, I noticed a certain thread, one that connected one story after another. I realized that my first assumption, that I was reading the autobiography of a great First Lady was somewhat inaccurate. I soon realized I was reading the memoir of a great teacher, one who loves, and was born to teach. Some of the finest people I know have this same guiding passion in life, so this told me much about Laura Bush’s character.
Here are some the teacher characteristics that stood out for me:
Many effective teachers have a touch of the storyteller in them, and time and time again the stories she shared captured my imagination. One of the early examples was one that happened after the first George Bush inauguration. After all the balls were done, many of the guests found themselves unable to find a taxi to take them back to their hotels. The D.C. Subway System, they soon realized, was the only way they were going to get back. As I read the words, I tried to imagine the strange sight that must have met the eyes of the early shift workers as they waited for the 2 a.m. train, standing shoulder to shoulder with men in tuxedos, and elegantly dressed woman in evening gowns. What a vision that must have been, symbolic, I thought of America as the land of diversity and opportunity.
Another trait of successful teachers is their practicality…they will simply find a way to help people learn and succeed. Laura Bush definitely had a strong streak of practicality to her. My favorite example of this was related to her organized efforts to teach mothers in the struggling nation of Afghanistan how to sew clothes for their children. One aspect of this was that the girls who were returning to school after long absences (during Taliban rule) required new school uniforms. These parents couldn’t afford to purchase uniforms, and many of the mothers didn’t know how to sew clothes. Mrs. Bush spearheaded an effort to teach them how to sew, and then when she learned that electricity service was unreliable in many areas of the country, arranged for the manual type “pedal-powered” sewing machines to be shipped by the thousands to Afghanistan. It was a highly successful effort that was as practical as it was ingenious. I was so inspired when I read this story.
I’ve always believed that great educators are infused with a powerful sense of right and wrong. In Laura Bush’s case, this shone most brightly as I reflected on her support of education, health care and justice for the nation of Burma. This was a nation where the people longed for democracy yet lived for decades under the heavy hand of a military junta that had illegally sized power ever since the election of Burma’s human right champion Aung San Suu Kyi. Mrs. Bush visited and supported an amazing medical camp that was located on the border between Burma and Thailand. I was inspired by her dedication to these people who looked longingly at the prospect of freedom and democracy, the very privileges we enjoy and often take for granted. Laura Bush never lost sight of what a treasure our freedom and way of life are, and she did all she could to help others achieve these freedoms and the hope of prosperity.
A passionate educator acts when they see a need unfolding right before their eyes, and there were many cases when Laura Bush did exactly that. One of my favorites was shortly after she earned her Library Sciences Degree from University of Texas in Austin. One of her first librarian jobs was at Houston’s Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library. The library was situated amongst a number of tough neighborhoods, and soon she noticed that a number of young kids were lingering at the library after school. A co-worker told her that some of these kids were afraid of the streets or even their homes. Young Laura Welch saw an opportunity, and before long she became a “caregiver” of sorts for these kids by creating and organizing a number of library related activities. Many children learned to see a world beyond the brick and mortar of their schools, and many became lifelong readers. I was moved as I read this, realizing that we often have so much potential to do good in any given situation.
I believe that a wholehearted educator has a strong sense of the importance of history and they are able to make history “come alive” for their students. I loved how Mrs. Bush made America her classroom when she became First Lady, her first lessons were titled, “Save America’s Treasures” beginning with a “teaching renovation” of the White House private residence and expanding to the preservation of historically significant points of interest all over the nation. I’ve always thought that one of the best ways of making a better future and avoiding the mistakes of the past is by knowing history. I thought this was a wise and worthwhile early effort for her to take on as a new First Lady.
A great teacher knows how important it is to pull in a wide variety of participants, realizing that it “takes a village” to get the job done. This applied well to her effort to teach the people of Afghanistan how to be self-sufficient. She was one of the symbolic heads of the Federal Government but was able to help leaders of business and the private sector “catch her vision” for teaching the people of Afghanistan how to succeed. To this end, she pulled in the “best and the brightest” of corporate America to contribute their time, talent and treasure. This included firms such as: Dell Computers, Liz Claiborne, Timberland, Sara Lee, L.L. Bean, and General Motors to name a few. I was inspired as I read of this grand partnership of diverse players, all coming together to help solve the problems of a people who lived a world away.
An effective educator knows how to change their plans as the situation requires, even if that change is required in the “eleventh hour.” I saw this over and over again in the book, most notably when the First Lady was to deliver a speech at a education forum, then tore up her notes and started again when a bombing by Chechen terrorists caused the death of 43 civilians, 17 of which were children. He speech was converted from an update on the work of her education foundations to a “from the gut” talk about how important it is for parents to be their children’s “first teachers,” educating them on the importance of respecting human life in all its forms from an early age. As I read the story, I think she felt a sense of satisfaction by delivering this talk, and perhaps even thought it was better than the first.
Through the example of Laura Bush, I learned that a lifelong educator is one who takes the time to honor other great educators when the opportunity arises. Mrs. Bush did this when she found a way to break away from an official state visit at the White House in order to attend the memorial service of J. Carter Brown, the longtime director of the National Gallery of Art. She felt a certain kinship with Mr. Brown, as well as a powerful urge to play a part in honoring the life of one of her fellow educators.
Speaking personally, when I recall my favorite teachers from my school days, most of them had a good sense of humor. That’s not to say they could’ve fallen back on stand up comedy if teaching didn’t work out, but more so that they had a “sense of the moment” and were able to participate in the things that students found funny. I saw this in teacher Laura Bush who laughed along with the kids at the State Children’s Library in St. Petersburg, Russia when she read a repetitive phrase from a storybook that struck them as humorous. They laughed and saw her laughing and they laughed all the harder. This was a touching moment for me.
There were so many other aspects she demonstrated, far too many to go into in any great detail, but a few more were her willingness to be an “Educational Ambassador”, her appreciation for the outdoors and nature as a classroom of high impact, her regular habit of teaching students how to express gratitude, her love of literature, her sense of justice, her hands-on approach, her appreciation of culture, her willingness to use her voice when the time was right, and her belief that a good mystery can be a powerful ingredient of a great lesson, (When doing a interpretative talk about the history of the White House, she loved talking about a false wall that was pulled back during renovations, revealing a long lost treasure left behind by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy).
Laura Bush, I learned was a teaching tour de force, I was amazed with everything she’s done with her life to advance educational concerns and opportunities.
The book was also filled with one intriguing, heartfelt moment of life after another. From this amazing collection of stories, I learned just how cozy a first night in the White House can be if everyone you love is sleeping together under one roof. I learned how people of courage overcome tragedy and how loving, caring parents can shape the life of a child for the better.
I read of she and George, their enduing love and their dynamic life partnership.
I read of Laura Welch as a girl, and how her parents tried to have more children, but after many miscarriages, finally gave up. She spent a lot of time alone as a child, (I must admit becoming emotional as I read of her “solo picnics”.) I was heart warmed as I read of her time spent with her grandparents, times that were so special to her.
And as a writer, I loved how she connected with a certain heroine of fiction, especially since one of her favorites was also one of mine…none other than Nancy Drew.
Believe it or not, I’m barely skimming the surface of all the wonderful, magical moments in Laura Bush’s story. I read it, enjoyed it immensely and felt better for having read it.
An incredible life, generously shared with all of us!
I came away from reading this book with the impression that Laura Bush is a passionate educator with the heart of a poet, that this woman was one to take the time to note, and appreciate the many and varied moments that come together to make up a life. She’s a person who takes these wonderful moments to heart, and I for one, found my spirits buoyed as I learned this about her.
As I read the book, I noticed a certain thread, one that connected one story after another. I realized that my first assumption, that I was reading the autobiography of a great First Lady was somewhat inaccurate. I soon realized I was reading the memoir of a great teacher, one who loves, and was born to teach. Some of the finest people I know have this same guiding passion in life, so this told me much about Laura Bush’s character.
Here are some the teacher characteristics that stood out for me:
Many effective teachers have a touch of the storyteller in them, and time and time again the stories she shared captured my imagination. One of the early examples was one that happened after the first George Bush inauguration. After all the balls were done, many of the guests found themselves unable to find a taxi to take them back to their hotels. The D.C. Subway System, they soon realized, was the only way they were going to get back. As I read the words, I tried to imagine the strange sight that must have met the eyes of the early shift workers as they waited for the 2 a.m. train, standing shoulder to shoulder with men in tuxedos, and elegantly dressed woman in evening gowns. What a vision that must have been, symbolic, I thought of America as the land of diversity and opportunity.
Another trait of successful teachers is their practicality…they will simply find a way to help people learn and succeed. Laura Bush definitely had a strong streak of practicality to her. My favorite example of this was related to her organized efforts to teach mothers in the struggling nation of Afghanistan how to sew clothes for their children. One aspect of this was that the girls who were returning to school after long absences (during Taliban rule) required new school uniforms. These parents couldn’t afford to purchase uniforms, and many of the mothers didn’t know how to sew clothes. Mrs. Bush spearheaded an effort to teach them how to sew, and then when she learned that electricity service was unreliable in many areas of the country, arranged for the manual type “pedal-powered” sewing machines to be shipped by the thousands to Afghanistan. It was a highly successful effort that was as practical as it was ingenious. I was so inspired when I read this story.
I’ve always believed that great educators are infused with a powerful sense of right and wrong. In Laura Bush’s case, this shone most brightly as I reflected on her support of education, health care and justice for the nation of Burma. This was a nation where the people longed for democracy yet lived for decades under the heavy hand of a military junta that had illegally sized power ever since the election of Burma’s human right champion Aung San Suu Kyi. Mrs. Bush visited and supported an amazing medical camp that was located on the border between Burma and Thailand. I was inspired by her dedication to these people who looked longingly at the prospect of freedom and democracy, the very privileges we enjoy and often take for granted. Laura Bush never lost sight of what a treasure our freedom and way of life are, and she did all she could to help others achieve these freedoms and the hope of prosperity.
A passionate educator acts when they see a need unfolding right before their eyes, and there were many cases when Laura Bush did exactly that. One of my favorites was shortly after she earned her Library Sciences Degree from University of Texas in Austin. One of her first librarian jobs was at Houston’s Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library. The library was situated amongst a number of tough neighborhoods, and soon she noticed that a number of young kids were lingering at the library after school. A co-worker told her that some of these kids were afraid of the streets or even their homes. Young Laura Welch saw an opportunity, and before long she became a “caregiver” of sorts for these kids by creating and organizing a number of library related activities. Many children learned to see a world beyond the brick and mortar of their schools, and many became lifelong readers. I was moved as I read this, realizing that we often have so much potential to do good in any given situation.
I believe that a wholehearted educator has a strong sense of the importance of history and they are able to make history “come alive” for their students. I loved how Mrs. Bush made America her classroom when she became First Lady, her first lessons were titled, “Save America’s Treasures” beginning with a “teaching renovation” of the White House private residence and expanding to the preservation of historically significant points of interest all over the nation. I’ve always thought that one of the best ways of making a better future and avoiding the mistakes of the past is by knowing history. I thought this was a wise and worthwhile early effort for her to take on as a new First Lady.
A great teacher knows how important it is to pull in a wide variety of participants, realizing that it “takes a village” to get the job done. This applied well to her effort to teach the people of Afghanistan how to be self-sufficient. She was one of the symbolic heads of the Federal Government but was able to help leaders of business and the private sector “catch her vision” for teaching the people of Afghanistan how to succeed. To this end, she pulled in the “best and the brightest” of corporate America to contribute their time, talent and treasure. This included firms such as: Dell Computers, Liz Claiborne, Timberland, Sara Lee, L.L. Bean, and General Motors to name a few. I was inspired as I read of this grand partnership of diverse players, all coming together to help solve the problems of a people who lived a world away.
An effective educator knows how to change their plans as the situation requires, even if that change is required in the “eleventh hour.” I saw this over and over again in the book, most notably when the First Lady was to deliver a speech at a education forum, then tore up her notes and started again when a bombing by Chechen terrorists caused the death of 43 civilians, 17 of which were children. He speech was converted from an update on the work of her education foundations to a “from the gut” talk about how important it is for parents to be their children’s “first teachers,” educating them on the importance of respecting human life in all its forms from an early age. As I read the story, I think she felt a sense of satisfaction by delivering this talk, and perhaps even thought it was better than the first.
Through the example of Laura Bush, I learned that a lifelong educator is one who takes the time to honor other great educators when the opportunity arises. Mrs. Bush did this when she found a way to break away from an official state visit at the White House in order to attend the memorial service of J. Carter Brown, the longtime director of the National Gallery of Art. She felt a certain kinship with Mr. Brown, as well as a powerful urge to play a part in honoring the life of one of her fellow educators.
Speaking personally, when I recall my favorite teachers from my school days, most of them had a good sense of humor. That’s not to say they could’ve fallen back on stand up comedy if teaching didn’t work out, but more so that they had a “sense of the moment” and were able to participate in the things that students found funny. I saw this in teacher Laura Bush who laughed along with the kids at the State Children’s Library in St. Petersburg, Russia when she read a repetitive phrase from a storybook that struck them as humorous. They laughed and saw her laughing and they laughed all the harder. This was a touching moment for me.
There were so many other aspects she demonstrated, far too many to go into in any great detail, but a few more were her willingness to be an “Educational Ambassador”, her appreciation for the outdoors and nature as a classroom of high impact, her regular habit of teaching students how to express gratitude, her love of literature, her sense of justice, her hands-on approach, her appreciation of culture, her willingness to use her voice when the time was right, and her belief that a good mystery can be a powerful ingredient of a great lesson, (When doing a interpretative talk about the history of the White House, she loved talking about a false wall that was pulled back during renovations, revealing a long lost treasure left behind by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy).
Laura Bush, I learned was a teaching tour de force, I was amazed with everything she’s done with her life to advance educational concerns and opportunities.
The book was also filled with one intriguing, heartfelt moment of life after another. From this amazing collection of stories, I learned just how cozy a first night in the White House can be if everyone you love is sleeping together under one roof. I learned how people of courage overcome tragedy and how loving, caring parents can shape the life of a child for the better.
I read of she and George, their enduing love and their dynamic life partnership.
I read of Laura Welch as a girl, and how her parents tried to have more children, but after many miscarriages, finally gave up. She spent a lot of time alone as a child, (I must admit becoming emotional as I read of her “solo picnics”.) I was heart warmed as I read of her time spent with her grandparents, times that were so special to her.
And as a writer, I loved how she connected with a certain heroine of fiction, especially since one of her favorites was also one of mine…none other than Nancy Drew.
Believe it or not, I’m barely skimming the surface of all the wonderful, magical moments in Laura Bush’s story. I read it, enjoyed it immensely and felt better for having read it.
An incredible life, generously shared with all of us!
Want to read
May 25, 2010The fact that she's married to W touts her herculean patience and strong motherly instincts much better than any memoir.
May 29, 2010
It became clear to me early on while reading this memoir that it was going to be a beautiful read. From cover to cover, Laura Bush’s personal and deeply touching story is beautifully written and a delight to read. I closed the book with a smile on my face and yet sadness that it was the end. Taking three weeks to read it (due partly to the fact that I was on business travel one of those weeks and by the time my head hit the pillow I could hardly read a single paragraph), I feel I spent enough time to soak up every word.
Laura Bush is to be admired, respected, and an example to follow. Not only has she always been (and remains to be) committed to her husband and family, she has a heart for people that stretches to the corners of the world. She used her platform as First Lady to serve others and bring attention and aid to some of the most devastating circumstances around the globe.
Spoken from the Heart discusses painful topics for the former First Lady, from the tragic accident that took a friend’s life and the grief-stricken years to follow, to the challenging decisions her husband was faced with every single day and her admiration for him to persevere in tough times. She does a marvelous job “humanizing” the former First Family. The Bush family respected each other and remained committed despite all the negative circumstance and attention surrounding them. They stayed true to themselves and served our country with honor and integrity.
Something that came to mind frequently while reading Spoken from the Heart was a quote from the Book of Esther. When Esther is called to be Queen, her uncle tells her she was called, “…for such a time as this.” I truly believe President Bush was called for his time. He brought with him a beautiful family and a strong, caring, loving and gracious wife.
Laura Bush is a genuine soul who continues work for many of the initiatives she began in the White House. As a fellow lover of books and literacy, she has inspired me to consider where I can lend my hand and support. To share books with others, to encourage education and literacy, to meet authors and enrich our understandings, all of this is a gift to be shared.
What more can I say other than I respect, admire, and appreciate Laura Bush. I thank her for opening up to the world and writing a memoir, despite her preference for privacy. I thank her for her efforts and her faith in the human people to help one another. And I recommend this memoir to anyone who admires the Bush family, enjoys autobiographies and memoirs, or just wants to be inspired to make a difference in their world.
Laura Bush is to be admired, respected, and an example to follow. Not only has she always been (and remains to be) committed to her husband and family, she has a heart for people that stretches to the corners of the world. She used her platform as First Lady to serve others and bring attention and aid to some of the most devastating circumstances around the globe.
Spoken from the Heart discusses painful topics for the former First Lady, from the tragic accident that took a friend’s life and the grief-stricken years to follow, to the challenging decisions her husband was faced with every single day and her admiration for him to persevere in tough times. She does a marvelous job “humanizing” the former First Family. The Bush family respected each other and remained committed despite all the negative circumstance and attention surrounding them. They stayed true to themselves and served our country with honor and integrity.
Something that came to mind frequently while reading Spoken from the Heart was a quote from the Book of Esther. When Esther is called to be Queen, her uncle tells her she was called, “…for such a time as this.” I truly believe President Bush was called for his time. He brought with him a beautiful family and a strong, caring, loving and gracious wife.
Laura Bush is a genuine soul who continues work for many of the initiatives she began in the White House. As a fellow lover of books and literacy, she has inspired me to consider where I can lend my hand and support. To share books with others, to encourage education and literacy, to meet authors and enrich our understandings, all of this is a gift to be shared.
What more can I say other than I respect, admire, and appreciate Laura Bush. I thank her for opening up to the world and writing a memoir, despite her preference for privacy. I thank her for her efforts and her faith in the human people to help one another. And I recommend this memoir to anyone who admires the Bush family, enjoys autobiographies and memoirs, or just wants to be inspired to make a difference in their world.
March 29, 2011
It is ironic that a librarian would write a book that would convince me not to read, but this book has officially turned me off the genre of public figures and their so called autobiographies. The lack of self reflection and depth becomes intolerable. The ability to skip over the painful and uncomfortable stuff. The reluctance to analyze intentions or actions.
Laura is the daughter of a Texas businessman and and an awesome, educated housewife. Sadly, her parents had at least 2 still born children other than Laura. This theme is strong, but not really explored. That is what irks me. It is all very safe, and little is exposed. In the same way, before she has her daughters, Laura and George seriously looked at adoption. But there is not any follow up on that. It seemed once she had the twins, the goal was met, no need to adopt. But can't be there a sentence or two about that topic?
This skipping of the authentic, personal experience happens again when (in one of the parts that ring true), Laura is a little kid, going on vacation with her parents. She is all alone in the back seat. This is where she felt the lack of those lost siblings. Despite this sympathetic glimpse of the woman, overall, it is hard to warm up to this book.
Interestingly, Laura speaks highly of "Bar", who I thought might be portrayed as a bit of a bitch. It seems that Laura really does loves G., but does not convey this in a resounding way, you just kind of accept it. She does simply say they met each other at the right time--they both were ready to settle down and wanted to have a family. Again, another crumb where you might relate, but it retreats quickly.
When she was in high school, Laura was in a terrible car accident that killed one of her peers. The account is poorly handled and rings of self justification. She states there were other accidents at the same intersection. She regretted not reaching out to the family of the victim, and it does not seem that she ever connected with them. The lack of clarity in this comes across as a lack of sincerity.
I found it funny how she says things like "I was worried about G. having to give the press conference" but does not really analyze or comment in detail about his personality and character. The 9/11 stuff has some sappy, self serving garbage, but is very exciting.
Overall, the book is kind of boring and not very insightful. But if I thought it would be insightful, I'm the dummy, I have not one to blame but myself.
Laura is the daughter of a Texas businessman and and an awesome, educated housewife. Sadly, her parents had at least 2 still born children other than Laura. This theme is strong, but not really explored. That is what irks me. It is all very safe, and little is exposed. In the same way, before she has her daughters, Laura and George seriously looked at adoption. But there is not any follow up on that. It seemed once she had the twins, the goal was met, no need to adopt. But can't be there a sentence or two about that topic?
This skipping of the authentic, personal experience happens again when (in one of the parts that ring true), Laura is a little kid, going on vacation with her parents. She is all alone in the back seat. This is where she felt the lack of those lost siblings. Despite this sympathetic glimpse of the woman, overall, it is hard to warm up to this book.
Interestingly, Laura speaks highly of "Bar", who I thought might be portrayed as a bit of a bitch. It seems that Laura really does loves G., but does not convey this in a resounding way, you just kind of accept it. She does simply say they met each other at the right time--they both were ready to settle down and wanted to have a family. Again, another crumb where you might relate, but it retreats quickly.
When she was in high school, Laura was in a terrible car accident that killed one of her peers. The account is poorly handled and rings of self justification. She states there were other accidents at the same intersection. She regretted not reaching out to the family of the victim, and it does not seem that she ever connected with them. The lack of clarity in this comes across as a lack of sincerity.
I found it funny how she says things like "I was worried about G. having to give the press conference" but does not really analyze or comment in detail about his personality and character. The 9/11 stuff has some sappy, self serving garbage, but is very exciting.
Overall, the book is kind of boring and not very insightful. But if I thought it would be insightful, I'm the dummy, I have not one to blame but myself.
September 11, 2010
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 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.
The book is written with such honesty and openness that you feel almost as if Laura Bush is speaking directly 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.
October 30, 2020
This was a long, but enjoyable book. Mrs. Bush gives so many details about so many events before and during living in the White House. I learned a lot and understood certain things better after reading her book. One thing I must say is that she LOVES her husband and is protective of him as she should be. Also when referring to evacuees from hurricane Katrina she used the word refugees. I’m surprised no one corrected that.
Read
September 21, 2012EDITORIAL REVIEW: **In this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, Laura Bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story. ** Born in the boom-and-bust oil town of Midland, Texas, Laura Welch grew up as an only child in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. She vividly evokes Midland's brash, rugged culture, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that sustain her to this day. For the first time, in heart-wrenching detail, she writes about the devastating high school car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead and about her decades of unspoken grief. When Laura Welch first left West Texas in 1964, she never imagined that her journey would lead her to the world stage and the White House. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1968, in the thick of student rebellions across the country and at the dawn of the women's movement, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained to be a librarian. At age thirty, she met George W. Bush, whom she had last passed in the hallway in seventh grade. Three months later, "the old maid of Midland married Midland's most eligible bachelor." With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about her early married life as she was thrust into one of America's most prominent political families, as well as her deep longing for children and her husband's decision to give up drinking. By 1993, she found herself in the full glare of the political spotlight. But just as her husband won the Texas governorship in a stunning upset victory, her father, Harold Welch, was dying in Midland. In 2001, after one of the closest elections in American history, Laura Bush moved into the White House. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 9/11, when fighter-jet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter. She writes openly about the White House during wartime, the withering and relentless media spotlight, and the transformation of her role as she began to understand the power of the first lady. One of the first U.S. officials to visit war-torn Afghanistan, she also reached out to disease-stricken African nations and tirelessly advocated for women in the Middle East and dissidents in Burma. She championed programs to get kids out of gangs and to stop urban violence. And she was a major force in rebuilding Gulf Coast schools and libraries post-Katrina. Movingly, she writes of her visits with U.S. troops and their loved ones, and of her empathy for and immense gratitude to military families. With deft humor and a sharp eye, Laura Bush lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House, from presidential finances to the 175-year-old tradition of separate bedrooms for presidents and their wives to the antics of some White House guests and even a few members of Congress. She writes with honesty and eloquence about her family, her public triumphs, and her personal tribulations. Laura Bush's compassion, her sense of humor, her grace, and her uncommon willingness to bare her heart make this story revelatory, beautifully rendered, and unlike any other first lady's memoir ever written.
October 1, 2010
Confession: I voted for George W. Bush. Both times.
Before all the Pajibans I know write me off as a narrow-minded, religious, right-wing nutjob (although I'm afraid that some of you already have), allow me to add that my politics have changed a lot since 2004. Now, I'm an open-minded, religious, right-wing nutjob (yes, we do exist).
But when I think about Bush and how easy it is to vilify him as this money-grubbing idiot who cares more about pleasing corporate America and carrying out a vendetta that his father started, I can't help but to think that I'm not seeing the whole picture.
I don't think that any of our presidents have ever failed at patriotism. If you're even going to run for President at all, I think you have to have at least a modicum of desire to see our nation thrive and prosper.
I don't agree with many of Barack Obama's policies, but I have no doubt that he loves this country and is doing what he believes will help it. And even after my politics changed, I still believed that Bush was a patriot and a decent guy, even though I came to strongly disagree with his politics.
So when my girl Jane gave me this book to read, I was determined not to judge it in light of her husband's politics.
It was a pretty interesting read. She had an interesting childhood, and she describes growing up in Midland, Texas, with great care and nostalgia. She described how she came to love books, her family life, the tragedy that shaped her young adulthood, and meeting George.
Then, she starts getting into the political stuff... without really getting into the political stuff. While she drops enough White House trivia to give you a comprehensive picture of life as the First Lady, she also hits all of the major events during her husband's tenure as President. She could use this memoir as a way to tout her own political ideology, and even to defend her husband's decisions. She does counter some of the criticisms that were lobbed at him throughout his presidency, though not really from a political standpoint. Instead, she shows us the heart of a wife who loves her husband, and how it aches when he's faced with impossible decisions.
I still couldn't avoid the world of politics entirely. There are certain sections where she seems to presume political standpoints (the war in Iraq in particular) that I just couldn't agree with. But that never got in the way of seeing these events through her eyes.
While this memoir was neither a page-turner nor a mind-changer for me, it did serve to confirm my opinion that, all politics aside, the Bushes seem like nice people. If they were my neighbors, I'd probably go to their barbecues and have a great time. It's a good reminder that I don't care as much about people's politics as I do about their character.
Before all the Pajibans I know write me off as a narrow-minded, religious, right-wing nutjob (although I'm afraid that some of you already have), allow me to add that my politics have changed a lot since 2004. Now, I'm an open-minded, religious, right-wing nutjob (yes, we do exist).
But when I think about Bush and how easy it is to vilify him as this money-grubbing idiot who cares more about pleasing corporate America and carrying out a vendetta that his father started, I can't help but to think that I'm not seeing the whole picture.
I don't think that any of our presidents have ever failed at patriotism. If you're even going to run for President at all, I think you have to have at least a modicum of desire to see our nation thrive and prosper.
I don't agree with many of Barack Obama's policies, but I have no doubt that he loves this country and is doing what he believes will help it. And even after my politics changed, I still believed that Bush was a patriot and a decent guy, even though I came to strongly disagree with his politics.
So when my girl Jane gave me this book to read, I was determined not to judge it in light of her husband's politics.
It was a pretty interesting read. She had an interesting childhood, and she describes growing up in Midland, Texas, with great care and nostalgia. She described how she came to love books, her family life, the tragedy that shaped her young adulthood, and meeting George.
Then, she starts getting into the political stuff... without really getting into the political stuff. While she drops enough White House trivia to give you a comprehensive picture of life as the First Lady, she also hits all of the major events during her husband's tenure as President. She could use this memoir as a way to tout her own political ideology, and even to defend her husband's decisions. She does counter some of the criticisms that were lobbed at him throughout his presidency, though not really from a political standpoint. Instead, she shows us the heart of a wife who loves her husband, and how it aches when he's faced with impossible decisions.
I still couldn't avoid the world of politics entirely. There are certain sections where she seems to presume political standpoints (the war in Iraq in particular) that I just couldn't agree with. But that never got in the way of seeing these events through her eyes.
While this memoir was neither a page-turner nor a mind-changer for me, it did serve to confirm my opinion that, all politics aside, the Bushes seem like nice people. If they were my neighbors, I'd probably go to their barbecues and have a great time. It's a good reminder that I don't care as much about people's politics as I do about their character.
May 24, 2014
I've long been fascinated by the stories of the women "behind the men" - the wives, lovers, sisters and daughters of the famous men we read about in the history books. But mostly my interest has veered towards women in the distant past, most likely because linking oneself to a man was really the only way to achieve upward social mobility. Today, a woman can carve out a page in history for herself, on her own terms, without necessarily needing that "wife of" addendum to her name.
So reading the autobiography of Laura Bush was something different for me because of its very modernity. I was also drawn to her book for another reason - a curiosity to explore a part of my own past. I was a 12-year-old on a family vacation in Florida when Laura's husband George was waiting anxiously to hear the results from the electoral college, and I was a twenty-year-old in a campus bar when Barack Obama became the first African American president. From 12 to 20, those are some pretty pivotal years in anyone's personal development, and I was eager to delve further into the larger global events (because let's face it, even though I'm Canadian, America exerts an enormous political and cultural influence on us) that informed, shaped, or briefly touched my adolescence and own coming-of-age.
9/11, anthrax, the War on Terror, the Iraq War, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the Washington sniper, Hurricane Katrina, the Boxing Day tsunami...reading this book, I was reminded of how scary the world had sometimes felt to me in the first half of that first decade of the new millenium. I distinctly remember racing down the street after a night of babysitting around the corner, terrified that a sniper in a car trunk had me in his crosshairs. I remember writing in my diary the day Saddam Hussein's sons were caught by American troops. I was worried, and wrote with the typical naivete of a sheltered 15 year old: "were these men evil? Should they be get the death penalty? Is a war ever really just?" Yes, I was definitely an overly serious and bookish teen, but I don't think my fears and worries were unique. It may be too soon to look back on those years with any kind of scholarly appraisal, and maybe there really wasn't anything particularly scary about them at all when you compare 2000-2008 to any other eight-year stretch in history.
Now, as to the actual content of the book - it felt almost like two different books, rather abrasively attached. The first half was my favourite - it read like a "prairie gothic" or "southern gothic" novel, set in the dusty, gritty, howling landscape of West Texas. It was written beautifully, and full of yearning and a surprising amount of depth and honesty for a political autobiography. I wanted to read more about this Laura Welch. I liked her.
The second half is much more the presentation of the traditional politician's wife, toeing the line and maintaining the status quo. Although there are interesting details in there (she writes about the history of pilfering that goes in when guests - including very high-profile ones! - visit the White House and feel compelled to steal anything that hasn't been bolted down, including embroidered hand towels!) and I enjoyed the insights into world leaders from Putin to Sarkozy to the sheiks of the UAE, sometimes it read like a meticulously scheduled litany of events, places and times.
Her husband George also remains frustratingly elusive. We never get a glimpse into the "real" George or really any inkling of a personality he may have. He is portrayed as stoic, dauntlessly moral and unwavering in his commitment to what he sees as the right thing. All admirable qualities, to be sure, but they make for a flat, two-dimensional sketch of a person. Between Laura's portrayal of her husband and the late night talk show hosts' vicious lampooning of "Dubya", I feel like I have two polar opposite presentations of the man behind all the myths. Even a funny anecdote would have done something in fleshing George out a bit.
Some of the things I took away from the second half: both Laura and George are devoted parents, Christians and friends. They stayed very close to the same group of friends all their lives and didn't really run in a Washington jet set crowd. Whenever they could, they went home to their Crawford, Texas ranch. Laura's love of books is genuine and deep, and that love of reading really shone through this book. I was also really impressed by her and George's commitment to fighting AIDS and malaria in Africa, and Laura's own personal interest and volunteer work in Afghanistan working for female education and for greater awareness of breast cancer and heart health for women around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Her work speaking out against the atrocities being committed in Burma was also really admirable. I think Laura Bush sometimes gets written off as a "good girl", quiet, docile, baking cookies in the White House and only sticking to "fluff" causes like, oh, you know, READING (ha!), but she tackled some tough, gritty issues and wasn't afraid to get in there, to travel to dangerous places and to see, hear and touch the dirty sides of life.
Laura Bush famously agreed to marry her rising political star boyfriend only if he promised she would never have to make a speech. She says that's the only promise he's ever made to her that he broke. And that's a good thing, because her speeches, and this book, are worthy of being heard and read. She's led a remarkable life and parts of it I certainly don't envy (I can't imagine how she was able to ignore the vitriol directed against her husband; whatever your political leanings are, I think we can agree that Bush received a LOT of hate during his presidency and that's got to be hard for a spouse to hear), but I did enjoy the book.
So reading the autobiography of Laura Bush was something different for me because of its very modernity. I was also drawn to her book for another reason - a curiosity to explore a part of my own past. I was a 12-year-old on a family vacation in Florida when Laura's husband George was waiting anxiously to hear the results from the electoral college, and I was a twenty-year-old in a campus bar when Barack Obama became the first African American president. From 12 to 20, those are some pretty pivotal years in anyone's personal development, and I was eager to delve further into the larger global events (because let's face it, even though I'm Canadian, America exerts an enormous political and cultural influence on us) that informed, shaped, or briefly touched my adolescence and own coming-of-age.
9/11, anthrax, the War on Terror, the Iraq War, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the Washington sniper, Hurricane Katrina, the Boxing Day tsunami...reading this book, I was reminded of how scary the world had sometimes felt to me in the first half of that first decade of the new millenium. I distinctly remember racing down the street after a night of babysitting around the corner, terrified that a sniper in a car trunk had me in his crosshairs. I remember writing in my diary the day Saddam Hussein's sons were caught by American troops. I was worried, and wrote with the typical naivete of a sheltered 15 year old: "were these men evil? Should they be get the death penalty? Is a war ever really just?" Yes, I was definitely an overly serious and bookish teen, but I don't think my fears and worries were unique. It may be too soon to look back on those years with any kind of scholarly appraisal, and maybe there really wasn't anything particularly scary about them at all when you compare 2000-2008 to any other eight-year stretch in history.
Now, as to the actual content of the book - it felt almost like two different books, rather abrasively attached. The first half was my favourite - it read like a "prairie gothic" or "southern gothic" novel, set in the dusty, gritty, howling landscape of West Texas. It was written beautifully, and full of yearning and a surprising amount of depth and honesty for a political autobiography. I wanted to read more about this Laura Welch. I liked her.
The second half is much more the presentation of the traditional politician's wife, toeing the line and maintaining the status quo. Although there are interesting details in there (she writes about the history of pilfering that goes in when guests - including very high-profile ones! - visit the White House and feel compelled to steal anything that hasn't been bolted down, including embroidered hand towels!) and I enjoyed the insights into world leaders from Putin to Sarkozy to the sheiks of the UAE, sometimes it read like a meticulously scheduled litany of events, places and times.
Her husband George also remains frustratingly elusive. We never get a glimpse into the "real" George or really any inkling of a personality he may have. He is portrayed as stoic, dauntlessly moral and unwavering in his commitment to what he sees as the right thing. All admirable qualities, to be sure, but they make for a flat, two-dimensional sketch of a person. Between Laura's portrayal of her husband and the late night talk show hosts' vicious lampooning of "Dubya", I feel like I have two polar opposite presentations of the man behind all the myths. Even a funny anecdote would have done something in fleshing George out a bit.
Some of the things I took away from the second half: both Laura and George are devoted parents, Christians and friends. They stayed very close to the same group of friends all their lives and didn't really run in a Washington jet set crowd. Whenever they could, they went home to their Crawford, Texas ranch. Laura's love of books is genuine and deep, and that love of reading really shone through this book. I was also really impressed by her and George's commitment to fighting AIDS and malaria in Africa, and Laura's own personal interest and volunteer work in Afghanistan working for female education and for greater awareness of breast cancer and heart health for women around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Her work speaking out against the atrocities being committed in Burma was also really admirable. I think Laura Bush sometimes gets written off as a "good girl", quiet, docile, baking cookies in the White House and only sticking to "fluff" causes like, oh, you know, READING (ha!), but she tackled some tough, gritty issues and wasn't afraid to get in there, to travel to dangerous places and to see, hear and touch the dirty sides of life.
Laura Bush famously agreed to marry her rising political star boyfriend only if he promised she would never have to make a speech. She says that's the only promise he's ever made to her that he broke. And that's a good thing, because her speeches, and this book, are worthy of being heard and read. She's led a remarkable life and parts of it I certainly don't envy (I can't imagine how she was able to ignore the vitriol directed against her husband; whatever your political leanings are, I think we can agree that Bush received a LOT of hate during his presidency and that's got to be hard for a spouse to hear), but I did enjoy the book.
August 9, 2019
I enjoy reading all the First Lady’s Bios
Read
May 7, 2010I am not quite sure how to rate this book. I picked it up out of curiousity; I am not a huge fan of the Bush family nor am I a Texan. But it was an interesting book.
Laura spends a lot of time setting the scene. In most of the first half she introduces us to the small town Texas that she grew up in during the 1950s and 60s. She was very close to her father and that shines through abundantly. Yes, she touchs on social issues, but most often to make the point that those issues were not on the front burner of her life then. (Having grown up just a few years earlier in small town Iowa, I can attest to that.)
The last half of the book was an account of the George W Bush presidency and how it was colored by the Sept 11 attacks. And how she struggled to live with the tragedy and to live with hope for a better tomorrow.
The woman who shows herself in this book is someone who grew up as a very private person who found herself thrust into the public eye because she loved her husband. In some places in the book I found myself saying "Oh, really!" with varying shades of intonation. But still I have a sneaking admiration for her.
And I did find myself thinking of the horrible novel An American Wife. I couldn't do a direct comparison, because I didn't finish the novel. But for sheer readability, the memoir is better.
Laura spends a lot of time setting the scene. In most of the first half she introduces us to the small town Texas that she grew up in during the 1950s and 60s. She was very close to her father and that shines through abundantly. Yes, she touchs on social issues, but most often to make the point that those issues were not on the front burner of her life then. (Having grown up just a few years earlier in small town Iowa, I can attest to that.)
The last half of the book was an account of the George W Bush presidency and how it was colored by the Sept 11 attacks. And how she struggled to live with the tragedy and to live with hope for a better tomorrow.
The woman who shows herself in this book is someone who grew up as a very private person who found herself thrust into the public eye because she loved her husband. In some places in the book I found myself saying "Oh, really!" with varying shades of intonation. But still I have a sneaking admiration for her.
And I did find myself thinking of the horrible novel An American Wife. I couldn't do a direct comparison, because I didn't finish the novel. But for sheer readability, the memoir is better.
November 1, 2012
I admit I came to this book with my left wing bias, I was prepared to dislike Laura Bush and to discount her.
I am chagrined to admit she succeed in reminding me that too often we make assumptions about people that are unfair. I was won over by her love and faith in education. I was impressed by her pro choice and gay friendly stance.
Don't expect deep political analysis from Laura Bush. She is conventional in her support of her husband and sees only the best of intentions in republican policies and American values.
Her tone is warm and she gives the little things, dresses, interiors, menus and flower arrangements their due. There is an underlying belief in the goodness of people that contributes to this small town homey feel. I'm reminded of a lesson on the workings of the Vatican in which worldly and sophisticated archbishops pick a humble priest to be pope.
This book will no doubt delight followers of the Bush regime, and might remind those in the other camp that at the end of the day we are individuals and we should make up our own mind up about people before blindly believing the media.
June 12, 2010
I was very interested in reading Laura Bush's memoir when I first heard about it. I've always thought her to be a sweet, caring, considerate and kind woman and that impression certainly hasn't changed.
I enjoyed the book except for the fact it was a bit too overdone about her childhood growing up in Texas but other than that it was truly a great read.
I was very disappointed in the "older" Barbara Bush who essentially ignored Laura for the first 10 years of her marriage to George and managed to "insult" every single one of Laura's friends with her acerbic tongue. A real tsk, tsk for a supposed First Lady.
All in all, the book was wonderful and Laura Bush continues, in my mind, to be a lovely woman who deserves all the good things that life can bring her. She loves her daughters and her husband, unconditionally.
I enjoyed the book except for the fact it was a bit too overdone about her childhood growing up in Texas but other than that it was truly a great read.
I was very disappointed in the "older" Barbara Bush who essentially ignored Laura for the first 10 years of her marriage to George and managed to "insult" every single one of Laura's friends with her acerbic tongue. A real tsk, tsk for a supposed First Lady.
All in all, the book was wonderful and Laura Bush continues, in my mind, to be a lovely woman who deserves all the good things that life can bring her. She loves her daughters and her husband, unconditionally.
June 17, 2010
According to the Wall Street Journal, "Mrs. Bush's delicate rendering of the virtues and rhythms of mid-century Texas life sets this book far apart from the typical score-settling reminiscences of politicians or their spouses." Indeed, the former First Lady's autobiography is pleasantly--if unsurprisingly, given her famously serene demeanor--mostly free of political spitefulness. However, the critics unanimously declared that this sincere and self-assured memoir appears to be two books masquerading as one: a sentimental and richly detailed account of growing up in small-town America and a lackluster chronicle, "more travelogue and recitation" (Washington Post), of her years in the White House. Thoughtfully and elegantly written, Spoken From the Heart lovingly evokes Bush's beloved Texas even if it adds nothing new to readers' understanding of her husband's presidency. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.
May 19, 2010
Mixed emotions about this book! I LOVED the first three-quarters of the book--a trip down memory lane mainly through all the happenings during her husband, George Bush's presidency. So much of this is OUR history--9/11, Katrina etc. I believe that Laura Bush truly speaks from her heart and the story is well-written and quite emotional in places. However, I found that towards the end of the book which was also the end of Mr. Bush's presidency, the writing became a defense of the man Mrs. Bush loves so dearly and who received such negative press and hurtful taunting. I understand her stance--I think many women would do the same and I found it enlightening to see President Bush from a totally different perspective--as a loving husband, father and humanitarian. No matter what your political persuasion, I would recommend this read. Laura Bush is a class act and her memoir certainly reflects this!
March 8, 2011
While not a fan of her husband, I always had a soft spot in my heart for Laura Bush--especially for her emphasis on literacy and the importance of reading in America. I've especially enjoyed National Festival of the Book which she sponsored in Washington, D.C. A good time is always to be had there for anyone as addicted to reading as I am. Laura Bush's story is a typically American one in that people often end up far removed from what they thought their life's path would be. Raised in Midland, Texas, she was an elementary school teacher and then a librarian before her whirlwind courtship with George W. Bush. Laura Bush describes her life as a newcomer to a political family, her husband's rise through political circles, the presidential campaign, and then life in the White House during some very turbulent times. Candid, well-written, and informative.
July 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Very Texan/americana, but George bush is so cringe and by default so is laura (EVEN THOUGH based on this book she was a much better First Lady than he was president IMO). I can’t lie I laughed out loud while listening to the audio when she was reading dem’s criticisms of bush (loser and a liar!!!) Expanding access to reading and education are super important and I appreciate Laura’s work in those areas. I miss republicans like her
Picked this up after visiting George’s presidential library on SMU’s campus, much more interested in the First Lady duties and her life prior to the White House than her defense of American interventionism and her husband starting a war 🥰
Picked this up after visiting George’s presidential library on SMU’s campus, much more interested in the First Lady duties and her life prior to the White House than her defense of American interventionism and her husband starting a war 🥰
May 12, 2018
Enjoyed listening to Mrs. Bush’s family history, details of her early years, the very heartbreaking memories she shared and her account of the two terms in the white house. I’m proud to hear of her efforts with literacy, aids, women’s heart health and other issues. I was sad to learn of all the ugliness of politicians and journalists that have continued since. I recommend listening to her audiobook in her words. Very touching and a great review of that time in the Bush presidency.
March 29, 2023
It's interesting to read different perspectives about the past. I really enjoyed reading about the first lady. Her background, her accomplishments before and during her tenure in the White House.
January 25, 2020
I enjoyed learning about Laura Bush and what made her who she was and her experiences in public and private life. It was interesting to learn how she was an only child and the close relationship she had with her parents, the effect of a car accident when she was a teenager, her love for books, her life as a teacher and librarian, the impact of JFK's assassination in her community and life, marrying George and then being related to the Vice President and President, and especially her life as a mother, governor's wife, and First Lady. About one half of this book is kind of a day by day journal of her time in the White House. There were definitely some historic moments that were interesting to learn about from her perspective--the 2000 election results delay, the inauguration, 9/11, her desire to help the women and girls of Afghanistan, and Hurricane Katrina. While no one is perfect, I believe these are two good people who made a difference for many people. It was nice to get to know their family, their personalities, and their lifestyle a little more through her recollections. Here are some quotes I liked:
"Once my father chose Midland, there was no turning back. However, Harold and Jenna Welch didn't stay put. They had lived in three homes before the first one I remember (p. 17)."
"At Christmas, people gathered up the tumbleweeds, tied them together in threes, and sprayed them with white flocking to make desert snowmen for their lawns (p. 19)."
"From the time of the first settlers, West Texas was a land of magnificent distances and empty ranges, and the promise and the risk that come with both (p. 24)."
"Mother introduced me to literature in that house, starting with Golden Book stories about Snow White and Pinocchio. Suddenly I was transported. The curtain of my imagination lifted. We began Little Women when I was only seven years old. I listened curled up with her on top of the guest room bed (p. 41)."
"I was a homebody even as a child. My mother enrolled me in ballet, piano, and Brownies, but I was happiest at school or at home. The absence of brothers and sisters had another side: it cemented the deep bonds between my parents and myself. We were a tightly knit unit of three (p. 45)."
"I wasn't the only one gazing up at that all-encompassing sky. Amid baseball diamonds, backyard slides, and sandlots,another child was listening to the croak of frogs and watching for the stars. That boy was George W. Bush. My Midland childhood was his as well. We were the same age, and only about ten blocks separated our two homes...but the closest he and I ever came to meeting was passing each other in the hallways of the seventh grade at San Jacinto Junior High (p. 48)."
"It is almost impossible to be raised in Texas and not know that Texas was once an independent nation (p. 54)."
"Teaching is, even for those who love it, at times isolating (p. 83)."
"Reading and books were my passion, and I began to think seriously of enrolling in graduate school for library science (p. 90)."
"After lunch at the Bushes' home, George's dad pulled out his pocket calendar and looked over each weekend that fall. In a few minutes, we had picked a wedding date: November 5, 1977, one day after my birthday, one day before the anniversary of the awful accident, and only about three weeks away. There was no time even to order printed wedding invitations. Mother wrote and addressed all of ours by hand (p. 95)."
"We were not destined to hang around home (p. 98)."
"When George and I met, it was as if two parallel lives suddenly converged. Our childhood memories, the places we had known, even many of our friends overlapped. We were like the last two pieces of a puzzle, our similarities and contradictions sized to fit. George was boisterous and loved to talk, while I've always been quieter. And George came from a big family. It was an unexpected answer to my childish wishes on all those stars. On my side, George got to be the only son-in-law. But these layers of connections and commonalities forged a deeper, richer bond (p. 99)."
"Suddenly, all my old story hours had a very different use. Out on the campaign trail, I discovered that politics is really about people, and even though I was more reserved than George, I liked meeting the oilmen, the farmers, the moms, and the store owners. I wanted to be with them and listen to their stories (p. 101)."
"George and I now existed in that particularly strange netherworld of celebrity by association. In Midland, cars drove slowly past our house as locals pointed out 'this is where Vice President Bush's son lives' to their out-of-town guests (p. 103)."
"George and I had no experience with babies, and suddenly we had two, who seemed to cry all the time (p. 109)."
"What was more unexpected for George and me was the relationship we formed with his parents amid the whirling chaos of a presidential campaign (p. 123)."
"Campaigning for office is like running a marathon, day after day (p. 153)."
"On December 12, election 2000 finally came to an end. The Supreme Court issued two decisions... a 7-2 ruling that the manual Florida vote recount had violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution... a 5-4 decision...that there was no fair way to recount all the votes yet again and allow Florida to participate (p. 163)."
"'Our country's authors have helped forge the American identity, create its memory, and define and reinforce our national consciousness (p. 169).'"
"For me, the inauguration is the thing of beauty, the scene that will last when all others have faded away (p. 171)."
"There was another idea that I wanted to initiate, a National Book Festival, to be held in partnership with the Library of Congress, to bring some of the nation's leading authors to Washington...and carry their words to the country (p. 180)."
"I knew that yesterday would be with us, each day, for all of our days to come (p. 206)."
"George lowered his gaze and said quietly, 'I'm fighting an enemy that I can't see (p. 210).'"
"Across the country, people had stopped going to shopping malls and to restaurants. They had stopped flying on airplanes and staying in hotels. No one could promise them that other strikes would not come (p. 215)."
"He would speak from the Treaty Room, the place where other presidents had pursued peace, with the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial rising in the background... Twenty-six days after 9-11, my husband was formally announcing military action. The Taliban had ignored every ultimatum (p. 217)."
"Since September 12, the doors had been closed. No tours (p. 220)."
"Although it was George Washington who chose the site for the White House, the first president to live inside its walls was John Adams (p. 220)."
"Every night, I went to bed wondering, What will tomorrow bring (p. 230)?"
"If we were to set aside one day to honor each victim of 9-11, it would take us nearly a decade to complete our tribute. There were, at final count, 2,973 innocent dead from that morning... 'Americans are willing to fight and die for our freedoms, but more importantly, we are willing to live for them (p. 231).'"
"Both here and in Russia, he repeatedly chided Putin for cracking down on the press, telling the Russian president that his country had to have a free press, that a free press is essential for a democracy (p. 236)."
"On December 22, when the last holiday party had ended and the last hand had been shaken, at just before 8:30 in the morning, the Olympic torch arrived at the White House on its way to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. We watched the torchbearer, Elizabeth Anderson Howell, whose husband, Brady, had been killed on 9-11 at the Pentagon, carry the flame up the Southeast Drive. She handed her torch to George, who dipped it into the Olympic cauldron, setting it alive with fire (p. 244)."
"I turned to books for comfort (p. 249)."
"I wanted women to have seats at the table and every Afghan child, girls as well as boys, to be offered an education (p. 251)."
"Saddam Hussein was sitting on a massive stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (p. 255)."
"Condi had become like family. She traveled with us, joined us for dinner, and whenever she was in the room, her lively mind and sparkle were on full display. We are fortunate to have had not only her advice but her friendship (p. 263)."
"George did not want war. No president ever does. He knew how precious any child is, and every person sent into war is someone's child, and often someone's mother or father too (p. 276)."
"George's favorite Twain quotation is 'Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest (p. 280).'"
"George read the names of every man and woman who died in Iraq and wrote a personal letter to each family (p. 287)."
"I prefer to stand against oppression, to stand, with George, for freedom (p. 295)."
"George believes in the capacity of human beings to change their lives and the lives of others for the better. He believes in the generosity of the human spirit. And he believes that everyone, no matter what his or her circumstances, deserves a chance. I believe it as well. His inaugural words and ideals would inspire me in the four years to come (p. 309)."
"I'm happy to be here for a reason--I love and enjoy being with the man who usually speaks to you on these occasions (p. 326)."
"I have been changed by Africa on each visit, in large measure because of the tremendous hope I have seen among its people in the midst of overwhelming despair (p. 333)."
"There were countless lessons to be learned. Katrina was in many ways the perfect storm; everything that could go wrong, did (p. 343)."
"To live in the White House is to live with your predecessors, with their decorating, their renovations, their furniture... George and I both pored over biographies and histories of the men and women who had inhabited these walls... And there was a real solace to these constant reminders of what had gone before (p. 347)."
"We knew people were praying for us, and we were raised up by their compassion. We are grateful for those millions of anonymous prayers (p. 395)."
"'Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility (Pope Benedict, p. 409).'"
"No one, not even a president, is going to make the right decision every time. Presidents may have more information on which to base their decisions, but they do not have the benefit of hindsight. They must be prepared to take risks for what they believe is right (p. 420)."
"As must as I treasure my public life, I also treasure the quiet of my private one (p. 432)."
"Once my father chose Midland, there was no turning back. However, Harold and Jenna Welch didn't stay put. They had lived in three homes before the first one I remember (p. 17)."
"At Christmas, people gathered up the tumbleweeds, tied them together in threes, and sprayed them with white flocking to make desert snowmen for their lawns (p. 19)."
"From the time of the first settlers, West Texas was a land of magnificent distances and empty ranges, and the promise and the risk that come with both (p. 24)."
"Mother introduced me to literature in that house, starting with Golden Book stories about Snow White and Pinocchio. Suddenly I was transported. The curtain of my imagination lifted. We began Little Women when I was only seven years old. I listened curled up with her on top of the guest room bed (p. 41)."
"I was a homebody even as a child. My mother enrolled me in ballet, piano, and Brownies, but I was happiest at school or at home. The absence of brothers and sisters had another side: it cemented the deep bonds between my parents and myself. We were a tightly knit unit of three (p. 45)."
"I wasn't the only one gazing up at that all-encompassing sky. Amid baseball diamonds, backyard slides, and sandlots,another child was listening to the croak of frogs and watching for the stars. That boy was George W. Bush. My Midland childhood was his as well. We were the same age, and only about ten blocks separated our two homes...but the closest he and I ever came to meeting was passing each other in the hallways of the seventh grade at San Jacinto Junior High (p. 48)."
"It is almost impossible to be raised in Texas and not know that Texas was once an independent nation (p. 54)."
"Teaching is, even for those who love it, at times isolating (p. 83)."
"Reading and books were my passion, and I began to think seriously of enrolling in graduate school for library science (p. 90)."
"After lunch at the Bushes' home, George's dad pulled out his pocket calendar and looked over each weekend that fall. In a few minutes, we had picked a wedding date: November 5, 1977, one day after my birthday, one day before the anniversary of the awful accident, and only about three weeks away. There was no time even to order printed wedding invitations. Mother wrote and addressed all of ours by hand (p. 95)."
"We were not destined to hang around home (p. 98)."
"When George and I met, it was as if two parallel lives suddenly converged. Our childhood memories, the places we had known, even many of our friends overlapped. We were like the last two pieces of a puzzle, our similarities and contradictions sized to fit. George was boisterous and loved to talk, while I've always been quieter. And George came from a big family. It was an unexpected answer to my childish wishes on all those stars. On my side, George got to be the only son-in-law. But these layers of connections and commonalities forged a deeper, richer bond (p. 99)."
"Suddenly, all my old story hours had a very different use. Out on the campaign trail, I discovered that politics is really about people, and even though I was more reserved than George, I liked meeting the oilmen, the farmers, the moms, and the store owners. I wanted to be with them and listen to their stories (p. 101)."
"George and I now existed in that particularly strange netherworld of celebrity by association. In Midland, cars drove slowly past our house as locals pointed out 'this is where Vice President Bush's son lives' to their out-of-town guests (p. 103)."
"George and I had no experience with babies, and suddenly we had two, who seemed to cry all the time (p. 109)."
"What was more unexpected for George and me was the relationship we formed with his parents amid the whirling chaos of a presidential campaign (p. 123)."
"Campaigning for office is like running a marathon, day after day (p. 153)."
"On December 12, election 2000 finally came to an end. The Supreme Court issued two decisions... a 7-2 ruling that the manual Florida vote recount had violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution... a 5-4 decision...that there was no fair way to recount all the votes yet again and allow Florida to participate (p. 163)."
"'Our country's authors have helped forge the American identity, create its memory, and define and reinforce our national consciousness (p. 169).'"
"For me, the inauguration is the thing of beauty, the scene that will last when all others have faded away (p. 171)."
"There was another idea that I wanted to initiate, a National Book Festival, to be held in partnership with the Library of Congress, to bring some of the nation's leading authors to Washington...and carry their words to the country (p. 180)."
"I knew that yesterday would be with us, each day, for all of our days to come (p. 206)."
"George lowered his gaze and said quietly, 'I'm fighting an enemy that I can't see (p. 210).'"
"Across the country, people had stopped going to shopping malls and to restaurants. They had stopped flying on airplanes and staying in hotels. No one could promise them that other strikes would not come (p. 215)."
"He would speak from the Treaty Room, the place where other presidents had pursued peace, with the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial rising in the background... Twenty-six days after 9-11, my husband was formally announcing military action. The Taliban had ignored every ultimatum (p. 217)."
"Since September 12, the doors had been closed. No tours (p. 220)."
"Although it was George Washington who chose the site for the White House, the first president to live inside its walls was John Adams (p. 220)."
"Every night, I went to bed wondering, What will tomorrow bring (p. 230)?"
"If we were to set aside one day to honor each victim of 9-11, it would take us nearly a decade to complete our tribute. There were, at final count, 2,973 innocent dead from that morning... 'Americans are willing to fight and die for our freedoms, but more importantly, we are willing to live for them (p. 231).'"
"Both here and in Russia, he repeatedly chided Putin for cracking down on the press, telling the Russian president that his country had to have a free press, that a free press is essential for a democracy (p. 236)."
"On December 22, when the last holiday party had ended and the last hand had been shaken, at just before 8:30 in the morning, the Olympic torch arrived at the White House on its way to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. We watched the torchbearer, Elizabeth Anderson Howell, whose husband, Brady, had been killed on 9-11 at the Pentagon, carry the flame up the Southeast Drive. She handed her torch to George, who dipped it into the Olympic cauldron, setting it alive with fire (p. 244)."
"I turned to books for comfort (p. 249)."
"I wanted women to have seats at the table and every Afghan child, girls as well as boys, to be offered an education (p. 251)."
"Saddam Hussein was sitting on a massive stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (p. 255)."
"Condi had become like family. She traveled with us, joined us for dinner, and whenever she was in the room, her lively mind and sparkle were on full display. We are fortunate to have had not only her advice but her friendship (p. 263)."
"George did not want war. No president ever does. He knew how precious any child is, and every person sent into war is someone's child, and often someone's mother or father too (p. 276)."
"George's favorite Twain quotation is 'Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest (p. 280).'"
"George read the names of every man and woman who died in Iraq and wrote a personal letter to each family (p. 287)."
"I prefer to stand against oppression, to stand, with George, for freedom (p. 295)."
"George believes in the capacity of human beings to change their lives and the lives of others for the better. He believes in the generosity of the human spirit. And he believes that everyone, no matter what his or her circumstances, deserves a chance. I believe it as well. His inaugural words and ideals would inspire me in the four years to come (p. 309)."
"I'm happy to be here for a reason--I love and enjoy being with the man who usually speaks to you on these occasions (p. 326)."
"I have been changed by Africa on each visit, in large measure because of the tremendous hope I have seen among its people in the midst of overwhelming despair (p. 333)."
"There were countless lessons to be learned. Katrina was in many ways the perfect storm; everything that could go wrong, did (p. 343)."
"To live in the White House is to live with your predecessors, with their decorating, their renovations, their furniture... George and I both pored over biographies and histories of the men and women who had inhabited these walls... And there was a real solace to these constant reminders of what had gone before (p. 347)."
"We knew people were praying for us, and we were raised up by their compassion. We are grateful for those millions of anonymous prayers (p. 395)."
"'Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility (Pope Benedict, p. 409).'"
"No one, not even a president, is going to make the right decision every time. Presidents may have more information on which to base their decisions, but they do not have the benefit of hindsight. They must be prepared to take risks for what they believe is right (p. 420)."
"As must as I treasure my public life, I also treasure the quiet of my private one (p. 432)."
March 6, 2018
I put this book on hold several months ago after reading George W. Bush's book Decision Points which I really enjoyed. I like to learn about things, in this case their eight years in the White House and the events that transpired, from all angles...his perspective...her perspective. It will undoubtedly put me on the road to reading more political memoirs. I've got a few in mind right now.
As a First Lady I never really paid Laura Bush much attention. She didn't always seem to crave the spotlight like Hillary Clinton did and as a result she faded into the background of the political scene. I am afraid I somewhat bought into the media bias of her being the little submissive wifey to President Bush. I was wrong.
This was a fantastic memoir. I really enjoyed learning more about Laura Bush. It was so refreshing. I found her writing to be personal and candid especially for being such a private person. In the book she talks about what it was like growing up in West Texas, her young adulthood, and her marriage and family in addition to their time in the White House. I loved the insight she gave on President Bush as a man, husband and father and the deep toll the presidency took on him.
I was rather ignorant of what it meant to be the First Lady of the United States of America which is so much more than just being the President's wife. It was interesting to learn about what causes Mrs. Bush is passionate about...I really had no idea that she was such a champion of womens rights, childrens rights, literacy and the arts. I was fascinated by her travels, her relationships with foreign dignitaries, and her perspective on all the dramatic events that occurred during their eight years in the White House. She brought me to tears while reading about the tragedies of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and her meetings with the families of the victims and the men and women in the armed forces serving our country. She writes with such grace, humility, compassion and empathy.
I feel that she has been misunderstood by many and has not been seen as the independent, intelligent, and passionate woman who has been working quietly and diligently behind the scenes to make the world a better place without seeking recognition or the spotlight.
It was interesting to read her thoughts and feelings about the mockery and ridicule that was directed at her husband by the media and the politicians in Washington which she handled with grace and dignity. I particularly liked this quote from the book:
"It is easy to criticize a sitting president when you are not the one in the Oval office, when you are not responsible for the decisions that must be made for the whole of the nation. I thought of that when I heard the daily rants from the campaign trail. It got so that even the weather was George's fault. I wondered if Barack Obama, who spent far more time attacking George than he did his opponent John McCain, would want to amend his words once he discovered the reality of the White House and was himself confronted by the challenges and crises that hit a president every day, all day." (page 420)
That just furthers my belief that being President of the United States is a thankless job at times and there is so much we do not even know that goes into the Presidency and the toll it takes on those who hold the office.
This is a wonderful book in which Mrs. Bush shares her struggles, her hopes and her faith. I appreciate it when authors are not afraid to discuss their faith and their relationship with the Lord. It is also a love letter not only to Texas but to the United States of America. I highly recommend this book.
My Rating: Excellent
As a First Lady I never really paid Laura Bush much attention. She didn't always seem to crave the spotlight like Hillary Clinton did and as a result she faded into the background of the political scene. I am afraid I somewhat bought into the media bias of her being the little submissive wifey to President Bush. I was wrong.
This was a fantastic memoir. I really enjoyed learning more about Laura Bush. It was so refreshing. I found her writing to be personal and candid especially for being such a private person. In the book she talks about what it was like growing up in West Texas, her young adulthood, and her marriage and family in addition to their time in the White House. I loved the insight she gave on President Bush as a man, husband and father and the deep toll the presidency took on him.
I was rather ignorant of what it meant to be the First Lady of the United States of America which is so much more than just being the President's wife. It was interesting to learn about what causes Mrs. Bush is passionate about...I really had no idea that she was such a champion of womens rights, childrens rights, literacy and the arts. I was fascinated by her travels, her relationships with foreign dignitaries, and her perspective on all the dramatic events that occurred during their eight years in the White House. She brought me to tears while reading about the tragedies of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and her meetings with the families of the victims and the men and women in the armed forces serving our country. She writes with such grace, humility, compassion and empathy.
I feel that she has been misunderstood by many and has not been seen as the independent, intelligent, and passionate woman who has been working quietly and diligently behind the scenes to make the world a better place without seeking recognition or the spotlight.
It was interesting to read her thoughts and feelings about the mockery and ridicule that was directed at her husband by the media and the politicians in Washington which she handled with grace and dignity. I particularly liked this quote from the book:
"It is easy to criticize a sitting president when you are not the one in the Oval office, when you are not responsible for the decisions that must be made for the whole of the nation. I thought of that when I heard the daily rants from the campaign trail. It got so that even the weather was George's fault. I wondered if Barack Obama, who spent far more time attacking George than he did his opponent John McCain, would want to amend his words once he discovered the reality of the White House and was himself confronted by the challenges and crises that hit a president every day, all day." (page 420)
That just furthers my belief that being President of the United States is a thankless job at times and there is so much we do not even know that goes into the Presidency and the toll it takes on those who hold the office.
This is a wonderful book in which Mrs. Bush shares her struggles, her hopes and her faith. I appreciate it when authors are not afraid to discuss their faith and their relationship with the Lord. It is also a love letter not only to Texas but to the United States of America. I highly recommend this book.
My Rating: Excellent
June 25, 2011
Personal memoir of one of my favorite First Lady's. She writes deeply and poignantly about her life and time spend in the White House, about the tragic car accident she had while in high school, which killed her friend and left her devastated, about her platforms she feels strongly about, etc.
A wonderful, insightful look into her life and heart.
Enjoyable and painful at times...as she writes about 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Africa, war, etc.
Favorite Quotes:
"We had luxuries that we could not have afforded in our private life, such as an exquisite home and furnishings, a full staff, a chef, and a fully staffed weekend retreat at Camp David. Presidents and their families are fortunately not responsible for a White House mortgage or the White House utility bills, and it is more than fair that they pay for personal items like every American household.
George and I covered the costs for our own food each month---breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the White House and at Camp David---and if the girls came home or we had friends to dinner or guests who stayed overnight, we were billed for their food as well. We paid for our dry cleaning and outside laundry, and if we hosted a private party, as we did when George's parents celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, we paid the expenses ourselves, including the hourly wages for the waiters and servers and the setup and cleanup crews, who needed to receive time and a half if the party was held after 5:00PM. Every month, we received an itemized bill fo rour living and personal expenses at the White House." p 185-6
"Just a door away from the offices was the corridor for the family bedrooms. Our room was the traditional first lady's bedroom, while the president's bedroom was our sitting room. Not until Gerald and Betty Ford took up residence at the White House did the custom of a separate presidential bedroom officially end. Tefore that, a host of American presidents...chose separate but usually adjoining rooms for themselves and their wives." p 222
"When I had put on the headphones and bent over the microphone to read the address, I had thought of those Afghan women, wieghed down under their burkas, with nothing more than tiny mesh slits to uncover their eyes, hidden away from the world and having the world hidden away from them. They were truly powerless. At that moment, it was not that I found my voice. Instead, it was as if my voice had found me." p 238
A wonderful, insightful look into her life and heart.
Enjoyable and painful at times...as she writes about 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Africa, war, etc.
Favorite Quotes:
"We had luxuries that we could not have afforded in our private life, such as an exquisite home and furnishings, a full staff, a chef, and a fully staffed weekend retreat at Camp David. Presidents and their families are fortunately not responsible for a White House mortgage or the White House utility bills, and it is more than fair that they pay for personal items like every American household.
George and I covered the costs for our own food each month---breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the White House and at Camp David---and if the girls came home or we had friends to dinner or guests who stayed overnight, we were billed for their food as well. We paid for our dry cleaning and outside laundry, and if we hosted a private party, as we did when George's parents celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, we paid the expenses ourselves, including the hourly wages for the waiters and servers and the setup and cleanup crews, who needed to receive time and a half if the party was held after 5:00PM. Every month, we received an itemized bill fo rour living and personal expenses at the White House." p 185-6
"Just a door away from the offices was the corridor for the family bedrooms. Our room was the traditional first lady's bedroom, while the president's bedroom was our sitting room. Not until Gerald and Betty Ford took up residence at the White House did the custom of a separate presidential bedroom officially end. Tefore that, a host of American presidents...chose separate but usually adjoining rooms for themselves and their wives." p 222
"When I had put on the headphones and bent over the microphone to read the address, I had thought of those Afghan women, wieghed down under their burkas, with nothing more than tiny mesh slits to uncover their eyes, hidden away from the world and having the world hidden away from them. They were truly powerless. At that moment, it was not that I found my voice. Instead, it was as if my voice had found me." p 238
June 14, 2010
While I may not have ever voted for Laura Bush’s husband, I was very interested to read her autobiography. Unlike other political memoirs I have tried to read (Hello Clintons!), Bush’s autography covered enough material to be interesting, but did not delve into boring and self-seeking detail. Of course, of even more interest to me was Laura Bush’s love of reading.
Laura Bush as first lady is every book lovers dream. Bush was able to hold literary symposiums about her favorite authors and meet many current favorite authors. She mentioned one of my favorite novels, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather more than once. Indeed, Bush’s love of books is apparent throughout the book and her favorite authors seem to match up with mine. I really loved that one of her favorite things that she did as first lady was to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Missouri.
Laura Bush writes the story of her life starting from the very beginning and through the move back to Texas after the end of George Bush’s presidency. I found her entire story intriguing, and was a great modern history. The book seemed to show me what I had always thought; Laura Bush is the kind of person I would like to sit down with for dinner and chat with. She is a normal person who just happened to be first lady (although her talk about the ranch being small at 4,000 sq. ft. did give me a chuckle).
I must say the book did give me a new way of thinking about some of George Bush’s policies, although some of Laura Bush’s defense of certain items was weak at best. For example, the defense against the invasion of Iraq was maybe we should have bombed Afghanistan in 2000 so 9/11 wouldn’t have happened . . . that is not the way the world works.
Overall the strength in the book was the interesting American life that Laura Bush has led and her great love of books. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to all of my friends, be they Republican, Democrat, or other.
Laura Bush as first lady is every book lovers dream. Bush was able to hold literary symposiums about her favorite authors and meet many current favorite authors. She mentioned one of my favorite novels, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather more than once. Indeed, Bush’s love of books is apparent throughout the book and her favorite authors seem to match up with mine. I really loved that one of her favorite things that she did as first lady was to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Missouri.
Laura Bush writes the story of her life starting from the very beginning and through the move back to Texas after the end of George Bush’s presidency. I found her entire story intriguing, and was a great modern history. The book seemed to show me what I had always thought; Laura Bush is the kind of person I would like to sit down with for dinner and chat with. She is a normal person who just happened to be first lady (although her talk about the ranch being small at 4,000 sq. ft. did give me a chuckle).
I must say the book did give me a new way of thinking about some of George Bush’s policies, although some of Laura Bush’s defense of certain items was weak at best. For example, the defense against the invasion of Iraq was maybe we should have bombed Afghanistan in 2000 so 9/11 wouldn’t have happened . . . that is not the way the world works.
Overall the strength in the book was the interesting American life that Laura Bush has led and her great love of books. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to all of my friends, be they Republican, Democrat, or other.
October 29, 2010
I've always admired Laura Bush since my days of living in Texas... I really enjoyed this memoir and learning about the behind-the-scenes happenings in the White House. She's a strong woman with good principles, and I've always admired her dedication to education and literacy.
Quotes:
p. 83 "The realities of an elementary school classroom are far from the Hollywood romance of tweedy academics or wisecracking professors. The movies can condense an entire school career into a little over two hours. That doesn't take most teachers even through the morning. Teaching is, even for those who love it, at times isolating. It happens behind closed doors, on adult navigating the needs and complexities of twenty or more children, twenty or more entirely different personalities. We are not, in truth, so far removed from the days of the one-room schoolhouse. As much as teachers may talk to other faculty members, they don't go out to lunch or briefly laze by coffeepots or watercoolers. Elementary school teachers must calculate when their classrooms are subdued enough for them even to escape to the bathroom. But I never found it boring, and as I got my bearings, it became deeply rewarding."
p. 86 "Every weekend I would get the "Sunday sads"; I dreaded returning to my classroom on Monday morning."
p. 104 "The English language lacks the word to mourn absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child, or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful, some not. Still, we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only "I am sorry for your loss." But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent, ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"
Quotes:
p. 83 "The realities of an elementary school classroom are far from the Hollywood romance of tweedy academics or wisecracking professors. The movies can condense an entire school career into a little over two hours. That doesn't take most teachers even through the morning. Teaching is, even for those who love it, at times isolating. It happens behind closed doors, on adult navigating the needs and complexities of twenty or more children, twenty or more entirely different personalities. We are not, in truth, so far removed from the days of the one-room schoolhouse. As much as teachers may talk to other faculty members, they don't go out to lunch or briefly laze by coffeepots or watercoolers. Elementary school teachers must calculate when their classrooms are subdued enough for them even to escape to the bathroom. But I never found it boring, and as I got my bearings, it became deeply rewarding."
p. 86 "Every weekend I would get the "Sunday sads"; I dreaded returning to my classroom on Monday morning."
p. 104 "The English language lacks the word to mourn absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child, or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful, some not. Still, we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only "I am sorry for your loss." But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent, ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"
October 18, 2015
The former First Lady's autobiography is truly a Texas treasure. She describes her growing-up years in Midland, her relationship with her parents and disppointment being an only child; how she met George, enjoyed raising her two girls (Barbara and Jenna) and faced the reality of enduring politics and public service.
What surprised me was her sincerity in describing her feelings as a daughter, friend, wife, mother, and First Lady. I found myself breaking down in tears as she recalled her childhood, and then also again during the events of 9-11. I didn’t want to read that chapter, but I did, and it opened up the flood gate of emotions that all Americans must have felt on that horrific day. She explains how she dealt with the media’s opinion of her during those many years, and how she leaned on the help and advice of many friends and advisors. The book closes with how she and George were relieved to return to private life, yet they were sad to say good-bye to the many people they worked with at the White House. She often longs for a quiet, anonymous life, similar to her childhood in Midland, but she settles for the busy, post-presidential life in Dallas and in Crawford, at the Prairie Chapel Ranch.
I was blessed by her book in that it was indeed “spoken from the heart”. Great time was put into recording specific details about both personal and national events during their presidency; but in her notes, she recorded how she felt and the people she met during the highs and lows of the decade. Her pride in being a mother, daughter, and loyal wife is evident and contagious. I was left knowing so much more about her complex and interesting life. This is a must-read for all Texan moms, of course.
What surprised me was her sincerity in describing her feelings as a daughter, friend, wife, mother, and First Lady. I found myself breaking down in tears as she recalled her childhood, and then also again during the events of 9-11. I didn’t want to read that chapter, but I did, and it opened up the flood gate of emotions that all Americans must have felt on that horrific day. She explains how she dealt with the media’s opinion of her during those many years, and how she leaned on the help and advice of many friends and advisors. The book closes with how she and George were relieved to return to private life, yet they were sad to say good-bye to the many people they worked with at the White House. She often longs for a quiet, anonymous life, similar to her childhood in Midland, but she settles for the busy, post-presidential life in Dallas and in Crawford, at the Prairie Chapel Ranch.
I was blessed by her book in that it was indeed “spoken from the heart”. Great time was put into recording specific details about both personal and national events during their presidency; but in her notes, she recorded how she felt and the people she met during the highs and lows of the decade. Her pride in being a mother, daughter, and loyal wife is evident and contagious. I was left knowing so much more about her complex and interesting life. This is a must-read for all Texan moms, of course.
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