Most Helpful Customer Reviews
160 of 178 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two different books....., May 31, 2010
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
148 of 168 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Private Life That Became Public, May 4, 2010
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
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
147 of 169 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bravo, May 11, 2010
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
