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The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty Kindle Edition
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"[The] rare biography of a public figure that's not only beautifully written, but also shockingly revelatory." -- The Atlantic
A vivid biography of former First Lady Barbara Bush, one of the most influential and under-appreciated women in American political history.
Barbara Pierce Bush was one of the country's most popular and powerful figures, yet her full story has never been told.
THE MATRIARCH tells the riveting tale of a woman who helped define two American presidencies and an entire political era. Written by USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief Susan Page, this biography is informed by more than one hundred interviews with Bush friends and family members, hours of conversation with Mrs. Bush herself in the final six months of her life, and access to her diaries that spanned decades. THE MATRIARCH examines not only her public persona but also less well-known aspects of her remarkable life.
As a girl in Rye, New York, Barbara Bush weathered criticism of her weight from her mother, barbs that left lifelong scars. As a young wife, she coped with the death of her three-year-old daughter from leukemia, a loss that changed her forever. In middle age, she grappled with depression so serious that she contemplated suicide. And as first the wife and then the mother of American presidents, she made history as the only woman to see -- and advise -- both her husband and son in the Oval Office.
As with many women of her era, Barbara Bush was routinely underestimated, her contributions often neither recognized nor acknowledged. But she became an astute and trusted political campaign strategist and a beloved First Lady. She invested herself deeply in expanding literacy programs in America, played a critical role in the end of the Cold War, and led the way in demonstrating love and compassion to those with HIV/AIDS. With her cooperation, this book offers Barbara Bush's last words for history -- on the evolution of her party, on the role of women, on Donald Trump, and on her family's legacy.
Barbara Bush's accomplishments, struggles, and contributions are many. Now, Susan Page explores them all in THE MATRIARCH, a groundbreaking book certain to cement Barbara Bush as one of the most unique and influential women in American history.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTwelve
- Publication dateApril 2, 2019
- File size93008 KB
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There were three or four parts of Mrs Bush's life I thought were interesting and well-explored in Susan Page's book. One is the illness and death of young Robin Bush in the early 1950's, six months after having been diagnosed with childhood leukemia. Much has been made of the fact that George and Barbara played a round of golf after Robin died. But the truth was that both Bushes had spent months at Robin's bedside, nursing her though her treatments, and helping her along. Barbara Bush made one rule and that was no one could cry around Robin. The round of golf was a release needed by both grieving parents. And, of course, there was very little support for young George W in his grief over losing his sister, which is a whole other book.
I also didn't realise that Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan hated each other. Both women were famous for protecting their husbands and Reagan was reacting to the somewhat vicious 1980 primary where George Bush ran against Ronald Reagan. Nancy was vile in her cold relations with the Bushes, leading to a final blow-up between the two women after Bush left office.
Susan Page selected several other themes in Barbara Bush's life to explore in detail. She tells about George Bush's affair - or was it an affair? - with his aide Jennifer Fitzgerald, who was sort of around for a longish period in the 1980's. Whatever the relationship was, George Bush did little to clean up the situation, even knowing about his wife's distress.
But Page writes movingly about Barbara Bush's period of depression in the 1980's. It was deep and it was dark and I can't figure out exactly how Bush came out of it. Those are just a few of the topics Susan Page covers in the biography. Page is a very "easy" and smooth writer. I have a better view of Barbara Pierce Bush after reading the book.
Now, after having read (and listened to the Audible edition) of "The Matriarch," I have a better understanding and much greater empathy for the person (and for the other wives of presidents and presidential candidates). Without giving any spoilers, if you do choose to read this book, pay especial attention to the small bit regarding Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.
As for myself, I felt some sympathy towards Barbara, to be sure, but also a good deal of sadness at her disappointment and just how it hit her in a very personal way. In fact, it reminded me of some of my intimate discussions with my own mother as her life was edging toward its end. And, yes, before you ask, tears do now well up in my eyes in remembrance of the sadness recollected by mom regarding events of her youth or early adulthood. So far as I know, neither of my siblings ever heard the regrets she expressed.
THAT is the worth of "The Matriarch."
Incidentally, this is probably my last review for Amazon Customer Reviews. `For whatever reason, they seem determined to ensure my reviews do not post in a timely manner. Unlike times past, when I submit my reviews, Amazon chooses to delay posting until at least a dozen other reviews post first. The technique is known as burying the review. Further, my review of "Becoming" was removed after it posted more than 700 helpful votes. So, of course, I can take a hint...
BLUSH FACTOR: This is a book that can certainly be read by anybody. The only eff word, believe it or not, appears in the footnotes, which is something few word read anyway.
WRITING & EDITING: Flows very smoothly and with no typos or editing snafus. It doesn't have the same tonal quality as "Becoming" but it does keep one's interest throughout.
BOTTOM LINE:
Four stars out of five. I enjoyed it, felt deeply saddened in places where Barbara Bush suffered tragedy or heartbreak, but also immense gladness when she experienced the happiness that comes when one is young and in love. I feel that this book made me see more sides of Babbs than I ever would have seen otherwise.
Top reviews from other countries
Darauf übergab eine Bush Enkelin La Gorbatschowa ihre Handtasche, diese öffnete sie, fand mehrere Lippenstifte darin und kommentierte, in Russland könne man nur eine Sorte in einer Farbe kaufen, daher hätte eine Russin (damals) nur einen in der Handtasche... Great Book, great Buy, aber die Verarbeitungsqualität ( Seitenschnitt) läßt zu wünschen übrig.