George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage [Hardcover]

Christopher Andersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 2002

They would be called upon to lead a nation in one of its darkest hours -- but were they up to the task? He had been the wild, hard-drinking scion of one of America's premier political families. She was the school librarian with a warm smile and a tragic secret of her own. Yet after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, they rose to the challenge: He became the embodiment of America's fighting spirit and she assumed the role of "First Comforter" with effortless grace. Still, the true nature of their relationship has remained a mystery.

Until now. In the style of his #1 New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as his bestselling books about another President and First Lady, Jack and Jackie and Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to paint a vivid, sometimes startling, often inspiring portrait of America's First Couple. Among the intriguing insights and stunning revelations:

• Important new information about 9/11 and its aftermath -- including a gripping moment-by-moment account of how the President and First Lady coped as the horrific drama unfolded.
• The true extent of George W.'s drinking problem, the strains it put on his marriage, and the ultimatum that changed his life -- and the course of history.
• Their heartbreaking battle against infertility and how close Laura came to dying in childbirth.
• The early tragedies that shaped them, including the car crash caused by a teenage Laura that took the life of a former boyfriend -- and changed her life forever.
• Laura's surprising behind-the-scenes influence on U.S. policy -- foreign and domestic.
• The pressures of raising headstrong twin daughters in the glare of the media -- and how 9/11 has brought the Bushes and their children closer together than ever before.

George and Laura is a compelling look at their unique partnership, and the courage, grace, and humor that defines it. It is a stirring wartime saga of triumph and tragedy and, above all, a uniquely American love story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Andersen [delivers] White House secrets of the heart." -- Washington Post

"Andersen’s insights can be as sharp as his details." -- Newsweek

"[The book] gives us the real George W., warts and all." -- Buffalo News

Their story is one that Americans can take stock in - and feel good about leadership and values again. -- Bookreporter.com

[The book] gives us the real George W., warts and all. -- Buffalo News

About the Author

Christopher Andersen is the critically acclaimed author of twenty-three books that have been translated into more than twenty languages worldwide.A former contributing editor of Time and senior editor of People, Andersen has also written hundreds of articles for a wide range of publications, including Life and the New York Times.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (October 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0066213703
• ISBN-13: 978-0066213705
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,530,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, October 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage (Hardcover)

I did not want to like them...in fact I am ambivalent about their politics, but this book made them seem real and remarkably likeable.All the trials in their lives brought them to this place in time and they have become superb role models. Once again, Andersen has written a book that is so engrossing you can't put it down!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marriage That Made a Presidency Possible, November 1, 2002

By 

Richard W. Anthony (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage (Hardcover)

Regardless of where you stand politically, Christopher Andersen's portrait of President George W. Bush and his wife and balance wheel, Laura, will inform and fascinate.

For this reader, who did not vote for Mr. Bush, but who wanted to know more about him, Andersen's "George and Laura" creates a remarkable amount of understanding and in a number of instances, a generous amount of justified sympathy. The political road to the presidency travelled by George W. Bush was a short one, remarkably short-less than seven years in elective office.

And it's clear from Andersen's reporting that there were a number of chances for him to go off the political road into a ditch. Without Laura by his side it easily could have happened. In short, Bush never would have been a contender without her, and as Andersen surmises, Laura Bush continues to be a sounding board, critic and advisor.

The author says of his own wife in the acknowlegments section, "...no one is more deserving of my gratitude (not to mention my love) than Valerie, my wife, partner, and best friend for thirty years." George W. Bush no doubt could say the same about his Laura.

"George and Laura" is a fascinating read, and like everything Andersen takes on (my wife and I are fans of his), it is very well written, researched and a page-turner. Enjoy it.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner!, November 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage (Hardcover)

Whilst certain reviews seem to have been entered here simply to attract sales for forthcoming books, I feel it right to redress the balance and enter a review that refers specfically to Andersen's work.

Writing a doctorate thesis at Oxford University on American Politics from 1950-present, has giving me the opportunity to study a wide variety of secondary and primary sources.

I am not one to give praise freely, but this work has finally put a missing piece in the puzzle. Andersen's masterful reconstruction of the Bush marriage has provided a sensitive yet penetrating account of the characterisitics required to obtain the presidency.

This book offers a unique insight into the Bush marriage and how their private lives have effected their decisions on the national stage: it is a must for any serious scholar or simply for those with an interest in the human condition.

It is a breath of fresh air to find a book that one is willing to continue reading outside of the library.