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.
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