All The Best, George Bush: My Life and Other Writings (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The most intimate and revealing look at one of America's most private public figures.

Though reticent in public, George Bush has openly shared his private thoughts in his correspondence throughout his life. Fortunately, since the former president does not plan to write his autobiography, this collection of letters, diary entries, and memos, with his accompanying commentary, will fill that void.

Organized chronologically, the volume begins with eighteen-year-old George's letters to his parents during World War II, when, at the time he was commissioned, he was the youngest pilot in the Navy. Readers will gain insights into Bush's career highlights -- the oil business, his two terms in Congress, his ambassadorship to the U.N., his service as an envoy in China, his tenure with the Central Intelligence Agency, and of course, the vice presidency, the presidency, and the postpresidency. They will also observe a devoted husband, father, and American. Ranging from a love letter to Barbara and a letter to his mother about missing his daughter Robin after her death from leukemia to a letter to his children two weeks before Nixon's resignation to one written to them just before the beginning of Desert Storm, the writings are remarkable for their candor, humor, and poignancy.

As the Bushes continue to emerge as a major political family, this portrait of its unassuming patriarch is timely and important. That George Bush is allowing this much of the collection to be published is remarkable in itself. All the Best, George Bush provides a surprisingly intimate and insightful portrayal of the forty-first president of the United States.

As the author writes in his Preface: "So what we have here are letters from the past and present. Letters that are light and hopefully amusing. Letters written when my heart was heavy or full of joy. Serious letters. Nutty letters. Caring letters, and rejoicing letters....It's all about heartbeat."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1st edition (October 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068483958X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684839585
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #815,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real George Bush, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

As a collector of presidential biographies and memoirs, without a doubt All the Best by George Bush is the finest, most genuine, most personal look into the life of a President that I have ever encountered. The Bush letters, diary entries, official memoranda, and other sources cited offer the reader a "window on the soul" of our 41st President, and reveal a strength, an unrelenting decency, and an advanced sense of humor that many never knew existed (because the national media couldn't understand it). All the Best is a great book from one of the 20th Century's great statesmen.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lighthearted and insightful book...rare from a politician, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

In an era where politicians are looked upon with a great deal of contempt and are portrayed (sometimes rightfully so) as cold and heartless, along comes a book to buck the trend. President Bush opens himself up to the reader to get a glimpse of his thoughts and the events going on around him. It is very revealing in parts, and generally shows his maturation and perhaps some change in perspective as the years progress. Pres. Bush does not hide the fact that he is an emotional man, and that is expressed very well in this book. One can't help but be touched by the humor, sadness, insightful opinion, and lightheartedness this collection of letters encompasses. Fair warning to those expecting a book that is "wonkish" in policy and serious reading: this is not that kind of book. Nor does it pretend to be, and that's what makes it enjoyable. If you were expecting more serious material from President Bush, I suggest you try "A World Transformed", which he co-authored with Gen. Brent Scowcroft. All in all, "All The Best..." is a nice read, and should appeal to a wider audience than most memoir/autobiographical pieces from our political figures.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars maybe Character does count!unless you work in a flag factory, December 30, 1999

By	Mark (Newark, NJ) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed this book (which I received as a gift). In short, what you get are the letters of a good decent man. I found it insightful, particularly in an age where we communicate via short terse emails. As expected, Bush haters will hate it and Bush lovers will love it. I fall somewhere in the middle, but have concluded that if I ever got the chance to recast my vote in the Bush-Clinton affair..this time I would side with George (sorry bubba) Character does matter.