A Charge to Keep [Hardcover]

George W. Bush (Author), Karen Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 17, 1999

In this political memoir, the governor of Texas and front-runner for president in the year 2000 tells us who he is and what he stands for. The George W. Bush who leaps off these pages has his father's energy, his mother's tart and honest wit, and his own irreverence and impatience. He has prospered as George and Barbara's boy -- "How can I deny it?" -- but has walked a very fine line between loyalty and independence.

He addresses the questions that may well decide who becomes the next president: crime, education, abortion, tax and tort reform, and the continuing battle "for the soul" of the Republican Party. He is, by no one's definition, a conventional candidate.

Will George W. Bush become the next president of the United States? A Charge to Keep will help the American public decide.

In this political memoir, the governor of Texas and front-runner for president in the year 2000 tells us who he is and what he stands for. The George W. Bush who leaps off these pages has his father's energy, his mother's tart and honest wit, and his own irreverence and impatience. He has prospered as George and Barbara's boy -- "How can I deny it?" -- but has walked a very fine line between loyalty and independence.

He addresses the questions that may well decide who becomes the next president: crime, education, abortion, tax and tort reform, and the continuing battle "for the soul" of the Republican Party. He is, by no one's definition, a conventional candidate.

Will George W. Bush become the next president of the United States? A Charge to Keep will help the American public decide.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The political biography, complete with life-altering turning points and a political philosophy for leading the United States into greatness, has become obligatory for those running for president--just one more thing to check off the "to do" list on the way to the Oval Office. A Charge to Keep is George W. Bush's offering: a light and breezy book mixing personal and political remembrances that proves heavy on chatty anecdotes and light on policy prescriptions. If you read the last chapter you'll sort of learn where George W. stands on most things, but still not really discern how he would actually run the country. There are no revelations, either personal or political: Bush's wild side and youthful indiscretions, like stealing a Christmas wreath from a New Haven hotel for his Yale fraternity, are touched on lightly when he discusses them at all. A Charge to Keep is so upbeat and positive, in describing the Houston woman to whom he was engaged in college and from whom he "gradually drifted apart," Bush says simply: "I still think the world of her, and our parting was friendly. We were very young, we lived in different places, and we gradually developed different lives."

George W. has been labeled a lightweight by some; A Charge to Keep will do nothing to dispel that notion. It features lots of Bush family memories and numerous mentions of George W.'s famous parents, including letters from his president father. George W. has followed closely in his father's footsteps, attending the same prep school and college. He even belonged to the same secret society at Yale, Skull and Bones. From college it was on to flight school and the Texas Air National Guard, Harvard Business School, and then (again, like his father) the Texas oil business and politics. George W. seems mostly in sync with his father on policy issues as well. "A thousand points of light" is transformed slightly to become "compassionate conservative," which pops up in the final chapter more than 10 times. Readers will come away knowing many of the experiences and events that have helped shaped George W., but his future is still an open book. --Linda Killian

From Library Journal

Despite the subtitle, this book, first published in 1999, does not include any report of the President's 2000 campaign nor the postelection drama of the Florida vote count. Typical of the books that presidential candidates write to introduce themselves to the American public and promote their campaigns, the narrative gives insight into the experiences that shaped Bush's life and his decision to run for president. Co-written with his communications director, Karen Hughes, the book stresses his educational reform successes as governor of Texas and describes faith-based programs supported by the state's agencies as examples of "compassionate conservatism." Bush also offers background and explanations for his decisions on several controversial issues, such as the death penalty and health-care reform. The overall tone of the book projects the "uniter not divider" image. Recommended for public libraries that do not own the 1999 edition. Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (November 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688174418
• ISBN-13: 978-0688174415
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

GEORGE W. BUSH is the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009. He previously served as Governor of Texas. He now lives in Dallas, where he founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Every American Should Read August 21, 2010

By Carmen A. Hernandez

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is phenomenal! I came across this best seller for the first time while trying to secure a copy of what I thought would be George W. Bush's first book, being released later this year. In the end, I was glad not to have read it when it first came out because now I have an opportunity to read without wondering whether the author really meant his words, or was simply painting a convenient picture so as to influence the reader with deceit.

Every American that cares about truth and about being fair should read this book. In A Charge to Keep, our 43rd President shares the road and set of values that took him to hold office as the 43rd President of the United States. You will learn about the principles that guide him, such as honesty, persistence, fairness, as well as his ups and downs in business ventures and much more. All this is presented with a frank, fresh sense of humor that will have you not wanting to put this book down for a minute and laughing to your enjoyment while being inspired by President Bush's view of himself and others.

Having held President Bush in the highest regard since I first heard him laying down his vision for America, and saw that straight-forward look on his face, so uniquely his, I still didn't have a factual, from-the-horse's-mouth understanding of him, just my feelings and perceptions. A Charge to Keep gave me the factual insight I was missing.

In a Charge to Keep you will find that there was always a deep conviction behind his decisions and policies. I gathered that his recognition of the dignity in every individual is what guides everything that he does.... Standing by policies that encouraged that dignity to the forefront was his way of making us all aware that we all have something to contribute as individuals and should therefore put that something to work for the common good.

In sum, this book is full of personal and political stories through which you will be able to capture a clearly honest picture of the world as he sees it. In the end, you will be sad to know that you have reached the last page. But then, right there, there is a big surprise, something that will keep you thinking and reflecting, putting the mirror right in front of you--Can't tell you what it is, though. Go and find out for yourself. A Charge to Keep is at the top of a list of books to pass on to my beloved nephew as part of a character-building inheritance for him to treasure.

I am one of many Americans who agree with the President's decision to invade Iraq and also believe we are better, safer, because of it. You don't like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's menacing speeches against Israel? Well, I didn't like Hussein's menacing threats, and attacks on his neighbors and his own people year in and out. We paid a costly price for it, but we did it under his leadership and children being born in Iraq these days have a better chance to live a decent life in freedom.

When some political strategists dare to ask, "Do you want us to go back to the Bush years?" hoping that the mindless and ill-conceived noise that existed around us towards the end of 2007 still cloud our good judgment, my immediate response is, "Yes, please do let me." Please do take me back to the time when there was a fragance of dignity in the air, a pursuit of what was good and right, of hope, of expectation from the individual to put their dignifying worth at work, to contribute, to be part of something dignifying. I do remember the Bush years. I do remember how he kept the economy going during time of war, in spite of us being attacked in our own land, his leadership got us through much better off than any other celebrated leaders. He was a man for history. History was what he made; the good kind, that is.

If you are one of those people who may not have honestly agreed with President Bush, or have not heard much good about him, and perhaps have jumped in the "I hate Bush" wagon for the fun of it, without giving it much thought or study, I suggest that you get off the wagon, read A Charge to Keep and reconsider whether with a just heart you deem it appropriate to get back on the wagon. I do believe that you will end up walking firmly with your own two feet instead, on the road dictated by your own judgment.

We all should celebrate each other's dignity and I don't think we have been fair to President Bush in this regard. So, read A Charge to Keep and get to know the man I so highly respect to call my living hero. You don't have to call him so, but after reading this book, I am sure you will be inspired and remember what we had during the Bush years and proudly ask for more. Go and find out what our 43rd President is doing these days and you will find the same man, trying to keep his charge, as we all should be doing along with him. Read more ›

40 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Candidate to Keep November 28, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

After hearing so many positive things about George W. Bush, I decided to find out if this man is for real. This book confirms that George W. Bush is a compassionate conservative, committed to helping Americans succeed. After reading this book, I feel as if I know him personally. He is passionate and fervently fights for what he believes in. I highly recommend this book for every voter in America in order to personally get to know George W. Bush.

21 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look into the mind of the President September 25, 2001

By cdhale

Format:Hardcover

I read the other reviews and thought I should post my own. One review griped about the "shallowness" of the book. Come on, He isn't William Faulkner. It was a completely readable and enjoyable book. I was wavering on whether to vote for him or not last year (I would have chosen a third party candidate) until I read this book. I saw a man that has strong convictions. He is not influenced solely by the opinion polls. He will do our nation proud as its president. I am glad that I read this book and have been his supporter. I will continue to do so.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read! June 12, 2011

By S. A. Wald

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

George Bush's name has been trampled and thrown in the mud since his presidency so I decided I wanted to hear his side of things; therefore, I picked up this book and Decision Points. This in an incredibly informing book that will shed light on Bush's political ethics and concern for Texas and America.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charge to keep April 4, 2011

By Billye J. Glady

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great book and I'm so pleased that the book came in before it was due and it is very new shape. I would purchase it again for my family and friends..

30 of 46 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost Like Sitting In A Conversation March 23, 2001

By S. Kelley

Format:Paperback

I located a hard copy of this book and decided to just hear what the then Gov. Bush had to say. It was a few months after the rollercoaster of the presidential election.

To be honest, I can't figure out why this book has received such low ratings. I went into the book with an open mind (I was one of those who were on the fence this past election and opted for who I thought was the best man). I had concerns on some of the views and stances Mr. Bush took as Gov. of Texas.

I found this book extremely easy to read and follow. It was almost like spending a weekend in conversation with someone while touching a vast array of topics in getting to understand the person. It was rather enjoyable, especially if you embarked on reading this with an open mind. I have read far worse and/or "dry" books.

I suggest if you would can open this book with an open mind and would like to hear President Bush's thoughts, rational and stances that the reader could come out with more insight to George W. I don't think the book itself would have swayed me during the election but I appreciate the openness of discussing various topics. On hindsight, maybe had I been open enough to have read the book, I would have had an easier time making my presidential decision this past election.

To me, this book deserved a three plus star rating but I have no qualms recommending it to interested readers and giving it a four star rating, in my opinion.

26 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Provides Insight Into Bush December 15, 1999

By Russ

Format:Hardcover

I found this book to be very insightful. The media is limited to only a minute or two in all of its reports on the race for the White House. You can not gain a true understanding of who these men are, who are campaigning by simply turning on the television. That's where this book comes in. I enjoyed this simple text and recommend it to anyone who wants to find out more about George W. Bush - the person. He reveals what items are of most importance to him and he offers some suggestions to the problems facing America today. Whether you are already a Bush supporter or not, this book will at least educate you to what is on the mind of the Texas governor.