Customer Reviews

George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I suppose it is indicative of the times that we live in that the marriage of President George W. Bush and the First Lady is the subject of a book less than two years after they moved into the White House. However, it is refreshing to look at a solid partnership like this one after the endless tales that were news fodder with the previous First Couple.

There are no great surprises in GEORGE AND LAURA. The drama of the administration immediately preceding this one --- mysteriously convenient deaths, defensive secrets transferred to enemies of this country, the clandestine rendezvous with interns on the Presidential Seal --- is gone. George and Laura Bush are...boring. The most interesting tidbit in GEORGE AND LAURA is that George, during his misspent youth, served as a dinner escort for...Tricia Nixon.

Sure there was tragedy in both of their pasts --- the death of his sister and the accidental death of her friend, but none of this is news to most readers. And yes, the background on each of their families that opens the book succinctly fills in gaps for anyone who has not studied their world, but none of what we read is earth-shattering revelation.

To his credit, Andersen tries to liven things up; the tales told in GEORGE AND LAURA would be far less interesting in the hands of a lesser writer. But there's not much in the way of explosions, karate, and ripped bodices here. Yes the First Couple has trouble with their teenage daughters, but to anyone with a teenager in the house, this is hardly novel. George is an alcoholic, in recovery some 15 years now. His wayward youth is recounted in some detail, and it is impossible to read about his behavior in his younger days without noting that the immediate past president behaved in a similar manner. The difference between the two is that 42 never stopped. W's wild days --- the drinking, the wenching, the carousing --- are over. His predilection toward a well-turned ankle disappeared upon his engagement to Laura; his drinking stopped a few years after their marriage.

It may be politically incorrect to note that women, in general, have a civilizing effect on men, but the thrust of GEORGE AND LAURA is that in the case of the President and the First Lady it is undeniably true. However, to me, Andersen does not really give W enough credit for the cessation of his destructive behavior. You cannot effectively stop such behavior for someone; you have to do it for yourself. But Andersen's account certainly demonstrates his penultimate point, which is that Laura gave the President ample reason to reform.

Andersen, to his credit, subtly drives home that the predictability of the Bushes relationship is a good thing. The lack of high drama in their relationship to each other is matched by their quiet passion, their mutual love and, of equal importance, their respect for each other. The First Lady is strong enough to unconditionally support the President, even when she strongly disagrees with him; this gives him room to do what he does best, which is the job he was elected to do. As Andersen so brilliantly and succinctly concludes, it is in their very ordinariness that they have proven themselves to be extraordinary. It is a standard, and an example, to strive for.

The bonds in their relationship gave them strength as this presidency was tested by fire within its first nine months, and surpassed even unreasonable expectations. There are those who have suggested that Bush was transformed by monumental, monstrous tragedy from an inept figure to a strong leader. What this theory ignores is that the magnitude of the attack on September 11th was such that it did not leave room for a transformation; those effected either had the right stuff to rise to the occasion or they did not. Bush, by his actions, demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that he has it. And to some extent GEORGE AND LAURA explains why.

If there is a disappointment with GEORGE AND LAURA, it is that many of Christopher Andersen's journalistic sources are known to be hostile to the President. The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Time, and other sourced periodicals have been uniformly, if predictably, anti-Bush since his nomination by the Republican Party. When Andersen quotes a columnist he quotes Molly Ivins, whose unrelenting hostility toward all matters Bush often approaches the level of incoherence. If there is a balance here, it is that Andersen is an obvious fan of Laura Bush; the thinly veiled thread that runs through GEORGE AND LAURA is his conclusion that Laura is the great woman behind the President.

As Andersen points out, Laura Bush does not consider being First Lady tantamount to having been elected co-president. She leaves him room to be great, while providing him with the additional incentive to do so. She coaxes, prods and helps him to refine his weaknesses --- his dress, his occasional tendency toward inappropriate goofiness, his much-reported malapropisms --- while at the same time adding to his considerable strengths in the areas of leadership, integrity and courage. This marriage is a partnership that makes both people stronger for its own strength. And their story is one that a lot of Americans can take stock in --- and feel good about leadership and values again.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Unlike "Laura" by Antonia Felix -- which is shallow, and "borrows" from newspaper clippings -- "George and Laura" is beautifully written from beginning to end. It never loses its punch, and provides a wonderful portrait of two special people, "warts" and all -- especially in the case of "W." in his earlier years.

Buy it; you will not be disappointed.

T.D. Naegele
...

I've read most of Mr. Andersen's popular biographies with pleasure: they generally reveal and synthesize the interesting details that flesh out the most celebrated people of our times. "George and Laura" surpassed my expectations!
While George was not my choice for president (I admit to being a third-party liberal), I was comforted by the personal side of him and was very impressed by Laura's inner strength. I still don't agree with GW's politics, but Mr. Andersen has given me an excellent sense of our First Family.

I've read some of Christopher Andersen's previous biograhies and always found them entertaining and packed with new information. But frankly I didn't think the story of George and Laura Bush's marriage would --or could -- be as much fun to read as his books on Princess Diana, the Clintons and John F. Kennedy, Jr. I was wrong. This up-close "portrait of a marriage" brings their relationship and personalities into much clearer focus. I still don't like George Bush's politics, but I was fascinated by this behind-the-scenes glimpse into what brought him and Laura together and why their marriage works. It kept me turning pages from start to finish.

I found this to be yet another poignant and prolific work from Christopher Andersen. He is truly one of the great biographers of our time. Although I am not a fan of George W. Bush, this book was a perfect blend of solid investigative journalism and touching human complexities. I saw both the president and his wife in a new light. Once again Mr. Andersen has earned the praises of this reader!

I had positive expectations when I picked up this biography, and they were more than met. George and Laura is a page turner, light and interesting reading, with plenty to make you chuckle or stir your heart.

Yes, George Bush was born into wealth and privilege, but he really seems to have spent most of his life trying to be just a regular joe, albeit with a very substantial safety net. But his core character trait has always remained very consistent...fierce loyalty to his family and friends.

Laura also had a privileged childhood, but like George, her parents successfully instilled in her the values of middle America. Its heartening to know that the closest friends of both George and Laura are the ones who've known them for 30 or 40 years...not the here today, gone tomorrow relationships of convenience.

The book clearly reveals the source of the strength of this powerful union...a strong foundation in faith, family, and values.

I really learned a great deal about the Bush family from this book, and I felt that it was a fair and unbiased biography of George and Laura Bush.

Beginning with early childhood, and the all the years in between, this book takes George and Laura all the way to the White House. The good times, the bad times and the wild times of George W. are here for all to read. He seemed to be a lovable child who had friends and was very popular. When he had any problems, he seemed to be able to handle whatever consequences that he faced and to land on his feet. The President was born with the gift of gab and could talk and charm his way out of most situations. Laura on the other hand appeared to be the dream daughter of doting parents. Their personalities are quite different. Laura is quiet, calm and pays a lot of attention to details. She's also very lady-like, kind to people and loves to read. George W. is more emotional, outspoken and seems to have a keen understanding of people and, is able to joke easily and put people at ease. He's proud of being a Texan, and enjoys that role in his public life. He's not stuffy and if he mispronounces a word or makes some type of social mistake, he laughs about it, even when the press responds with some type of critical comment. Laura knows how bright her husband is and she's resentful of the cracks that are sometimes made at his expense.

The President and First Lady are both loyal to family and friends and from what I took from this book, really compliment each other in their marriage relationship. Her calmness and gentleness seems to take the edge away from her husband's stronger personality when he might tend to be a little sarcastic. They each had a very tragic incident in their lives that made a lasting impression and perhaps gave them another connection. I enjoyed the excerpts about the President's parents and found the bound and closeness that they share to be touching. George W. and his father, sometimes refer to each other as Forty-one and Forty-three.

The book is well written and it has an enormous amount of information and details about the Bush family. I felt that the author Christopher Anderson did an amazing job of laying out the personalities of these two people and explaining how their families and the circumstances of their lives shaped their characters. I finished reading the book, knowing that President and Mrs. Bush are both strong and very intelligent people and I also learned that there is nothing phony about either one of them.