Customer Reviews

Spoken from the Heart

5 star:		(159)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

This book starts out with what a number of professional reviewers called, rightly, "lyrical descriptions" of Mrs. Bush's small-town childhood. I enjoyed that portion and found her recall of specific childhood incidents to be impressive and meaningful. She also did a beautiful job of telling the reader in a very straightforward way of the events of the night when, as an inexperienced driver, she accidentally killed a friend.

Where the book changed tone was in the many descriptions of White House events and the people who attended various state dinners. While these lists were complete, Mrs. Bush almost never provides any personal comments about the famous people she has met, whether celebrities or heads of state. Having gotten to know her in the preceding sections of the book as a thoughtful, loyal and gracious person, it would have been nice to get her "take" on people; instead, she maintains a gracious, somewhat distant tone. Perhaps this is consistent with the sensitive and graceful aspects of her personality but it does make for dry reading.

Overall, a well-written book with many details of a fascinating life but certainly no Kitty Kelly-like tell-all. Recommended for those who want to know both the story behind the news and to appreciate the complexity of the role of First Lady.

By the way, since so many reviewers here took pains to say they are Democrats or Independents, I am proud to say that I am a Republican, like almost half the country. We, too, read books and have opinions.

No matter your politics, Laura Bush has always been a woman that most of us respect. She portrays the love of her man and her family. She loves to read, she likes to travel, take care of her home, and loves her country. Within this book,she has given us a piece of herself.

Laura starts her book by relating her childhood in Midand, Texas Her parents loved children, but her mother had several miscarriages, so Laura was the only child. She was much loved and grew up in a strong, supportive family. She had a normal lively childhood. When she was a young teen, she was driving her friend to a movie, she missed a stop sign and had a collision. One of her good friends died in the crash, and this changed Laura's life. No one spoke about the death, ever. In her book, Laura recommends that everyone face their demons and stand up to them. She wishes she had visited the family, but no one thought it a good idea. This life altering event was faced alone. She went to college, graduated and met George. They fell in love quickly and married. In a few years, twins came along, and Laura's life was complete. All this time her life was private, and then George entered the political world and it changed. She was able to maintain some of her privacy but much of her life was out there for all to see. She discusses her travels as the President's First Lady, her life as a wife and all that entails. She does discuss George Bush's propensity for alcohol, and his decision to stop drinking after a 40th birthday party get away. He is a man of great disclipine, she says, and he found exercise and athletics a joy. One of her happiest days was the day they moved back to their ranch as private citizens. She talks about her life now. Taking her mom to Target to Christmas shop. The life of a woman who has seen the world and much prefers home.

Laura Bush opened her private life to share, and it truly is spoken from the heart. I am not a fan of her husband's politics, but I admire Laura Bush a great deal. She has remained true to herself and her family. Her two daughters are beautiful and bright and helpful to the world. She loves her husband, and their ranch near Crawford is where they want to end their days. Kudos to Laura for a story well told.

The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush

Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady

I have long respected and admired Laura Bush. After reading Spoken From The Heart my respect and admiration for her greatly increased. To read about the scheduled events and obligations; the meetings, dinners, and trips as First Lady, is to realize how little personal time she had left for family and friends and introspection. During her years as First Lady, she worked tirelessly to highlight and to make aware of the many basic unmet human needs in health in Africa and Haiti and elsewhere, literacy and women's rights in Afghanistan, and the many freedoms that are so lacking in many countries around the world. Through her efforts avenues were opened to begin to bring solutions to some of these serious problems. Through the many shattering events of the Bush Presidency she helped illuminate and honor the resiliency of the human spirit of people everywhere. This book was an eye opener for me into the lives of President Bush and Mrs. Bush, and all the people who served with them and the utter complexity of solving world problems. She met many people; the rich and the poor, the powerful and famous and the unknown, the well and the sick, the kind and the rude, and treated them all with the civility and grace that are her hallmarks. She is truly a remarkable person.

I am an independent who read this book not for the politics, but to learn more about the former First Lady. Mrs. Bush has had an interesting and surreal life. I enjoyed reading about her childhood and her roots. Her rise from small town girl to the First Lady of the United States is fascinating. She endured an unbelievable amount of unfair attacks and criticism. But, she showed grace and grit by rising above it all. Mrs. Bush brought dignity to her position...a trait that is sorely lacking in recent years. This book gives an intimate glimpse into the life of an extraordinary woman. Bravo Mrs. Bush.

This chatty biography of former First Lady Laura Bush will appeal to anyone wanting a glimpse of what it is like to be a private person in the public spotlight. The book appears to perfectly capture the author's personality: polite, graceful, a little forgettable but worthy of respect. Whatever your politics, this firsthand account of the day-to-day activities and challenges of a president's spouse will entertain and enlighten.

The most interesting chapters are the first two, about growing up in Midland, Texas. Bush paints a vivid portrait of small-town life. Her beloved Daddy would come whistling into the house, "with dust on his shoes," telling funny stories, eating jalapeños and laughing with her mother. Bush's mother introduced the girl -- a future librarian and teacher -- to her lifelong love of reading, starting with Pinocchio and Snow White. Bush describes sedate "Daddy dates" at age 13, sitting in the backseats of cars driven by her escort's father. At 17, Bush causes a car accident that kills a good friend; the memory haunts her.

After Bush marries W at age 31 (as one townswoman sniffs: "the most eligible bachelor in Midland marrying the old maid of Midland"), the book settles down into recollections of raising twin babies and political travels. Bush is a quiet influence on her husband and girls, as she asks George to stop drinking, and worries the twins might have problems with their eyesight. There is nothing surprising or revelatory here, but it is diverting and well-written.

Included: 78 photos, both color and black and white, on glossy paper.

Other interesting looks at Laura Bush include W. and American Wife: A Novel.

Here's the chapter list:

1. Through the Nursery Glass
2. Dreams and Dust
3. Traveling Light
4. One Hundred and Thirty-two Rooms
5. Goodness in the Land of the Living
6. "Grand Mama Laura"
7. "I Told You I Would Come"
8. Prairie Chapel Mornings

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book is engaging and flows well. The recollections of her childhood were whimsical and carefree, which starkly ended with the terrible accident resulting in the death of her friend. After the accident, which she describes in heartbreaking detail, it's very clear - even from the writing style - that her whole world changed.

The recollections of her years at President Bush's side, as the First Lady of Texas, and later as the First Lady of the US were a bit more mechanical, but she relayed with great emotion those events and causes that were near and dear to her. She recalled adversities that she and her family faced, including the time one of her daughters was threatened by a university teaching assistant (something along the lines of, "You won't get an A in this class unless you ask your father not to go to war,"). Despite this, she handled these issues with great restraint and class.

Overall, some may approach this book (or not approach it at all) with the attitude that Mrs. Bush is some "Stand By Your Man" Stepford Wife with no real contributions of her own. They could not be more wrong.

Laura Bush has always conducted herself with dignity. She is an example of a real
lady who is respectful even to those who do not deserve respect.

When reading this book, at least the reader knows what is contained within its pages
is true. Not so, with others who have been caught in lies and exaggerations that
are laughable. I will continue to select things to read that teach me something.
Laura has a lot to teach me.....even with 4 "earned" diplomas on my wall.

Regardless of your political views, you should read this book. If the American public would have been made aware of what Mrs. Bush and her husband had quietly and without media reporting been doing during their eight years in the White House, I am certain that many people who hold negative viewpoints would have changed their mindset. Laura Bush is a class act and she and her husband did so much for oppressed women and children that the media virtually ignored. I was surprised to learn about their commitment to literacy in the US and the world. I could go on and on, but in her quiet, dignified voice, Laura Bush reveals what was really happening during her husband's administration. What I found refreshing is that she is open and honest and does not sugar coat the truth or cover up the problems. Bravo Mrs. Bush!

Laura Bush, married to the first U.S. president with an earned M.B.A., found herself stereotyped by large portions of the media. Her high intelligence and useful contributions to social welfare --- especially literacy and women's rights --- were often largely ignored and seriously (perhaps intentionally?) under-reported.

Meanwhile, her husband's useful and wise policies were ignored also as opposing politicians called him "a liar" and "stupid" among other epithets. Disagree with George W. Bush if you choose --- but the man is definitely not stupid and certainly not a liar. Why does political disagreement have to take us to such desperate places? Where is the congeniality one finds in the Texas legislature and why is the U.S. Congress so devoid of grace and courtesy?

Now in her own words, given an opportunity to "strike back" against frequent injustices --- Mrs. Bush graciously declines. She does manage to call out a few transgressors, notably Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, but she does so without calling them any names. She simply quotes them and asks "Why did these people speak in this way?" It's a question voters should ask, especially in Nevada and California.

This is an honest, soul-searching book by a public figure whose personal life tends more toward the introvert. Anyone hoping for deeper glimpses into Mrs. Bush's persona will be rewarded here: The real Laura Bush can, and does, stand up.

Well-written and definitely a good read ---- the kind of volume you'd expect from someone with an interest in books and literature.

Five stars for being informative, refreshing, insightful and --- despite the temptations to get even --- quite civilized.

Dr. David Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Author of "The Soul Mate Marriage" and 9 other books

I am a Ph.D. in literature and I say that because I feel qualified to evaluate the literary quality of the writing. Excellent, graceful, intelligent, moving.
The class of this lady comes through all the writing. The best part is the first half, her growing up in Midland and her early years with George. The latter part is more of a travelogue and descriptions of her projects. However , all of it is interesting. The book is honest, restrained (in her criticsm of Bush enemies),
and full of her loving actions after 9-11. I think history will record that George Bush was one of our presidents with the most integrity, and the softest heart,and part of that comes from the elegant lady he chose when they were both 30 years old. What an enviable marriage! I highly recommend this book.