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Title: Reflections: Life After the White House by Barbara Bush ISBN: 0-7432-2359-4 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: 20 October, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3 (37 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Not as great as the first one
Comment: I confess I didn't enjoy this book as much as her first one, Barbara Bush: A Memoir. Reflections was mainly a detailed activity of Mrs. Bush's life after they left the White House, i.e, I was invited to speak at such-and-such engagement and met such-and-such people, or such-and-such person spent the summer with us at Walker's Point. It was not as lively and a bit exhausting because you sometimes had to plow through seemingly endless pages of dinners, engagements, speaking engagements, etc., without a single interesting paragraph to hold your attention.
Some bright spots in the book are numerous witty stories sprinkled here and there and the chapter covering the events surrounding 9/11. She said loyalty is a treasured quality in her family and it's something that's evident in the book: She tried to steer clear of controversies involving a member of her family and never discussed issues that would put them in a bad light. Something else that's interesting is that she rarely says anything negative about anyone, even the Clintons. Not even with the books that she's read, and there were some you could tell that she didn't particularly enjoy, did she criticize the author, the writing or the storyline. It's perhaps her choice as she says in her book that this is her life as she sees it and it is very biased.
Rating: 3
Summary: Not as good as her first; but still has some value
Comment: I collect books about the Presidential Families of the U.S. I am especially interested in the period of 1900-Present. I enjoy reading trivia about the White House, the political process and what makes our Presidents, their advisors, and our Congress human.
I am very impressed by the narratives our current first ladies have left us. As I write this I reflect on Jackie Kennedy's memorial (she died this day 10 years ago). Because of zelous secrecy on the part of her family -- the country does not have one good narrative by or about her. This is a shame. Our first ladies have all seen and done lots to help their husbands and their countries.
Barbara Bush wrote an excellent book about her time as First Lady. It is refreshing, seemingly honest, and well written. This second book does not measure up to her first effort. I think I agree with the other reviewers that the book contains lots of trivia regarding her speeches and fundraising efforts. She also does come across as sarcastic and elitist, but at least she is honest.
It is because of her honesty that I feel this book has a place in collections of first ladies. It does give the reader a feel for life on the speech-giving/spin-meistering/fund-raising circuit. I think she held back on lots of opinions and events because her son in now in office and was/is up for re-election at the time she wrote the book. Even though I didn't like all of her opinions, at least I got to know them, and that is very valuable.
Mrs. Bush has the ability to write well. I hope that after her son's presidency is over, and God willing she is in good health; she will offer us another book. Perhaps the book she really wanted to write in the first place. I am hoping she keeps a journal with the intent that it be published; because of her age. None of us get to live forever, so journals are important as well as permiting her personal papers to be printed at her descretion. She is a lively, feisty lady.
By all means by the book for it's historical place. There are gems between the lines.
Rating: 3
Summary: This is an ok book
Comment: I found this book to be slow reading. The best parts of the book is when Barbara Bush talks about the over seas trips they take. I usually read a book in a decent amount of time. This book took me at least a month to read. I would pick it up and read a few pages then put it down. If you give up easy on reading a book do not buy this one.
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Title: Barbara Bush: A Memoir by Barbara Bush ISBN: 0025196359 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: 09 September, 1994 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: Ten Minutes from Normal by Karen Hughes ISBN: 0670033057 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 30 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell ISBN: 0399151729 Publisher: Putnam Pub Group Pub. Date: 25 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush by Ann Gerhart ISBN: 0743243838 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 12 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
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Title: Sweet Caroline : Last Child of Camelot by Christopher Andersen ISBN: 006621369X Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 21 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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