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All The Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings
One of the most private presidents since "Silent Cal" Coolidge shares his life in correspondence, diary entries, memos, and other writings, from his letter home as an eighteen-year-old Navy pilot during World War II to one written to his children on the eve of Desert Storm.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1999
202 people are currently reading
2157 people want to read
About the author
George H.W. Bush
75 books37 followersGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, from 1976 formerly directed the central intelligence agency to 1977, served from 1981 as vice under Ronald Wilson Reagan and from 1989 as the 41st president of the United States to 1993; Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and he in response initiated the Gulf War of 1991.
Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.
Bush held a multitude of political positions, including the 43rd in the Administration.
Dorothy Walker Bush bore George to Prescott Bush, senator of Massachusetts.
Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Bush at the age of 18 years in 1942 postponed going to college as the youngest naval aviator in history. He served until the end and then attended Yale University. Graduating in 1948, he moved his young family to western Texas and entered the oil business to attain a millionaire before the age of 40 years in 1964.
He founded his own oil company, and politics quickly involved him, who served as a member of the House of Representatives among other positions. He ran unsuccessfully in 1980, but party chose him as the nominee, and people subsequently elected them. During tenure, Bush headed task forces of Administration on deregulation and on fighting drug abuse.
In 1988,, Bush launched a successful campaign to succeed and to defeat challenger Michael Dukakis. Foreign policy drove Bush, who conducted successful operations in Panama and Persia at a time of world change; the Berlin wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union dissolved two years later. Domestically, Bush reneged on a campaign promise of 1988 and raised taxes amidst a struggle with Congress. In the wake of economic concerns, he lost the election of 1992 to Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
Bush fathered George Walker Bush, the 43rd, and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. Upon the death of Gerald Rudolph Ford in 2006, the oldest Bush lived.
Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.
Bush held a multitude of political positions, including the 43rd in the Administration.
Dorothy Walker Bush bore George to Prescott Bush, senator of Massachusetts.
Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Bush at the age of 18 years in 1942 postponed going to college as the youngest naval aviator in history. He served until the end and then attended Yale University. Graduating in 1948, he moved his young family to western Texas and entered the oil business to attain a millionaire before the age of 40 years in 1964.
He founded his own oil company, and politics quickly involved him, who served as a member of the House of Representatives among other positions. He ran unsuccessfully in 1980, but party chose him as the nominee, and people subsequently elected them. During tenure, Bush headed task forces of Administration on deregulation and on fighting drug abuse.
In 1988,, Bush launched a successful campaign to succeed and to defeat challenger Michael Dukakis. Foreign policy drove Bush, who conducted successful operations in Panama and Persia at a time of world change; the Berlin wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union dissolved two years later. Domestically, Bush reneged on a campaign promise of 1988 and raised taxes amidst a struggle with Congress. In the wake of economic concerns, he lost the election of 1992 to Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
Bush fathered George Walker Bush, the 43rd, and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. Upon the death of Gerald Rudolph Ford in 2006, the oldest Bush lived.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
January 1, 2010
Last book of the year, and a good one. The first President Bush is a thoughtful and witty letter writer, and the fifty years of letters collected here are a good tour of his life.
I didn't think much of him when he was President, but like most of the country I think I misjudged him. Some of that's his fault -- a rather private man, he never showed the candor and humor that comes through in these letters. But in retrospect, it's a little embarrassing that so many of us thought of a decorated veteran -- a man who once had to jump out of a burning torpedo bomber, and who was still willing to go parachuting in his seventies -- as a bit of a wimp. Mr. Bush would probably be the first to agree he isn't perfect, but he's a hell of a guy.
I didn't think much of him when he was President, but like most of the country I think I misjudged him. Some of that's his fault -- a rather private man, he never showed the candor and humor that comes through in these letters. But in retrospect, it's a little embarrassing that so many of us thought of a decorated veteran -- a man who once had to jump out of a burning torpedo bomber, and who was still willing to go parachuting in his seventies -- as a bit of a wimp. Mr. Bush would probably be the first to agree he isn't perfect, but he's a hell of a guy.
December 1, 2018
December 1, 2018. I'm saddened by the death of President George H. W. Bush, though it wasn't unexpected. Reportedly, he was receiving and interacting with visitors almost to the end, and I was touched to hear that President Obama spent time with him last Tuesday.
As usual, for me, I think of books, and this is one of the best presidential books I've read. I read it first in 1999 when it was published. It's not really a memoir but his life in letters, arranged chronologically. His prolific correspondence is almost legendary, and it's so revealing of his character and personality. A surprise to me was his quirky, self-deprecatory sense of humor. It's a wonderful, enjoyable read.
As usual, for me, I think of books, and this is one of the best presidential books I've read. I read it first in 1999 when it was published. It's not really a memoir but his life in letters, arranged chronologically. His prolific correspondence is almost legendary, and it's so revealing of his character and personality. A surprise to me was his quirky, self-deprecatory sense of humor. It's a wonderful, enjoyable read.
July 12, 2015
Loved meeting George Bush the person as opposed to president. Man has a thousand friends and we learn why here.
November 14, 2011
I enjoyed this book, although I thought he could have pared it down to at least 400 pages. That of course was when I was struggling at about that point to keep reading. It was 573 pages on my Sony Pocket Reader.
Great insight into the man, his experiences, his perspective, his humor and his integrity. Once again, as with Decision Points, gives understanding to the changing dynamics and sometimes not so clear lines a President actually faces with the decisions they have to make.
I remember many of the events he speaks of. Watergate, his loyalty, ongoing friendship and admiration of Nixon even as he was terribly let down and disillusioned at the time. His time as Director of CIA during Ford's administration, meeting with Carter after his election, his honest and reserved appraisal of Carter's administration. Even in that he shows constraint and respect.
His Vice-Presidency and growing respect for Reagan. He says very little about Clinton, focusing instead on his retirement from politics, and his life after. There the man really starts shining through. His humor becomes more evident. His letter on losing e-mail because they had to shut down the server due to a virus will make you laugh as he dramatizes his addiction to it and being cut-off and alone--isolated for several hours. If anyone needs to talk to him they'll have to pick up the phone and call! Or the last letter on aging and the differences he's noticing. How he selectively hears, and doesn't always remember. Funny and bittersweet.
Throughout his years in politics he shares his philosophy, conservative, pragmatic, realistic, but not extreme. He speaks of his time in China, of promoting trade and loans to them at that time. I believe this book was done in the 90's, but I couldn't help wondering if, in hindsight, this dedication to their development was such a good idea. Seems to have come back and bit us. I wonder what his thoughts are privately today, in almost 2012.
He notes his privileged background, almost defensively in the early years. He seems to want to be seen as relating the 'common man', but really his some might say 'elitist' status and attitude shines through pretty brightly. He speaks of associations and opportunities this privileged background gives him in casual terms. Taking for granted those things without the real ability to understand the majority would never have them--even to parachute jumping with the best. Later, as he grows older, he acknowledges it, relating his time as a pilot in WWII to Tom Brokaw as the time 'Coming out of a privileged background, I had very little exposure to the real world---to people of very different backgrounds', the camaraderie he had with other pilots. But the man cut half on the deck of the carrier by a propeller during a bad landing was a 'deck hand', with little notice or mention. This attitude, when it appeared really bothered me throughout the book.
All in all, I certainly recommend this book. The format in letter's, some formal many not, provided many insights into the times, the people and the man who was part of those decisions. And their humanity.
Great insight into the man, his experiences, his perspective, his humor and his integrity. Once again, as with Decision Points, gives understanding to the changing dynamics and sometimes not so clear lines a President actually faces with the decisions they have to make.
I remember many of the events he speaks of. Watergate, his loyalty, ongoing friendship and admiration of Nixon even as he was terribly let down and disillusioned at the time. His time as Director of CIA during Ford's administration, meeting with Carter after his election, his honest and reserved appraisal of Carter's administration. Even in that he shows constraint and respect.
His Vice-Presidency and growing respect for Reagan. He says very little about Clinton, focusing instead on his retirement from politics, and his life after. There the man really starts shining through. His humor becomes more evident. His letter on losing e-mail because they had to shut down the server due to a virus will make you laugh as he dramatizes his addiction to it and being cut-off and alone--isolated for several hours. If anyone needs to talk to him they'll have to pick up the phone and call! Or the last letter on aging and the differences he's noticing. How he selectively hears, and doesn't always remember. Funny and bittersweet.
Throughout his years in politics he shares his philosophy, conservative, pragmatic, realistic, but not extreme. He speaks of his time in China, of promoting trade and loans to them at that time. I believe this book was done in the 90's, but I couldn't help wondering if, in hindsight, this dedication to their development was such a good idea. Seems to have come back and bit us. I wonder what his thoughts are privately today, in almost 2012.
He notes his privileged background, almost defensively in the early years. He seems to want to be seen as relating the 'common man', but really his some might say 'elitist' status and attitude shines through pretty brightly. He speaks of associations and opportunities this privileged background gives him in casual terms. Taking for granted those things without the real ability to understand the majority would never have them--even to parachute jumping with the best. Later, as he grows older, he acknowledges it, relating his time as a pilot in WWII to Tom Brokaw as the time 'Coming out of a privileged background, I had very little exposure to the real world---to people of very different backgrounds', the camaraderie he had with other pilots. But the man cut half on the deck of the carrier by a propeller during a bad landing was a 'deck hand', with little notice or mention. This attitude, when it appeared really bothered me throughout the book.
All in all, I certainly recommend this book. The format in letter's, some formal many not, provided many insights into the times, the people and the man who was part of those decisions. And their humanity.
January 17, 2013
A good look at the man from a lot of different perspectives. His prolific letter writing has led to a volume that says much about himself personally and professionally. A good read. Very little partisan politics discussed, and really highlights the wonderful relationships the president had with many people who held very different political views than himself. All in all a really enjoyable read if you are into presidential politics at all.
May 11, 2013
Former President George Bush (#41) is a prolific letter writer and this wonderful book is a collection of his letters, emails and journal entries. Spanning a letter to his mother as an 18 year old ready to fight for his country in WWII to a present day note to President Obama thanking him for the bestowment of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this is an insightful look into his remarkable life. Letters and commentary in reaction to major events in history that he was witness to, including Watergate, Perestroika, the Reagan Revolution, 9-11 are very interesting. Most endearing, however, are the letters to his family and friends about both very philosophical items and the mundane (such as a mild complaint about the grandkids leaving the freezer door open all night and the ice cream melting). Though I might not have agreed with all of his political positions, after reading this book, I have new-found respect for him; he is an incredibly decent and good man.
July 6, 2009
This gave me a whole new image of George H.W. Bush. It's so very personal and poignant. I couldn't put it down. It's a testament to how the media can create an image of someone that isn't remotely true (the whole grocery scanner debacle). If you've admired him more since he left office you will love this book. And if you are not a Republican this book will be a pleasant surprise. I highly reccomend!
August 21, 2008
Letter writing is a lost art. From prior to WW II to the present, you'll read letters from the gentleman that Bush is.
September 3, 2010
This book is a collection of letters and personal diary entries from George H. W. Bush throughout his life. The book is divided into major sections that align with what he was doing at the time. It includes letters to his mom back when he voluntered to enter the US Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and goes all the way up until the date of publication of the book, just prior to his son's campaign for president. It includes sections during his time as an oil man in Texas, as a congressman, as the US Ambassador to the UN, as the Chairman of the RNC (during the Watergate era), as the Director of the CIA, as the US liaison to China, and of course as the Vice President to Ronald Reagan and ultimately as the US President. We get to see his thoughts on historical events like the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Panama invasion, Somalia, and, of course, Operations Desert Shield/Storm. But we also get to read his thoughts on infamous events like his upchucking on the Chinese Premier and the fallout from "Read My Lips" etc.
I have not read very many political autobiographies, at least not of the modern era. I figure they are pretty much attempts to justify their own actions, show things from their point of view, etc. But since this was a collection of actual letters written at the time I think that phenomenan is lessoned. Overall, I was very happy to have read this book...it was a far better experience than I was expecting. Afterall, George Bush, our 41st president is usually considered forgetable, despite Desert Storm. This is probably due to being only a one term president sandwiched between the personalities of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. It was fascinating, however, to see what his thoughts were regarding all of the events he participated in. He spent a lifetime at or near the top of huge events in this world and that fact can be easy to forget. But more importantly than the events he describes, I was struck by the very nature of the man. This book confirmed my impressions of him, showing him to be a compassionate man, who holds high ideals, who loves his family above all else, and who tends to give everybody, even his political foes, the benefit of the doubt. Of course an arguement can be made that only the letters that showed him in a positive light were included but there is just too much here to dispute the very nature of the man himself.
Pick up this one and enjoy the journey, no matter what your political beliefs might be.
I have not read very many political autobiographies, at least not of the modern era. I figure they are pretty much attempts to justify their own actions, show things from their point of view, etc. But since this was a collection of actual letters written at the time I think that phenomenan is lessoned. Overall, I was very happy to have read this book...it was a far better experience than I was expecting. Afterall, George Bush, our 41st president is usually considered forgetable, despite Desert Storm. This is probably due to being only a one term president sandwiched between the personalities of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. It was fascinating, however, to see what his thoughts were regarding all of the events he participated in. He spent a lifetime at or near the top of huge events in this world and that fact can be easy to forget. But more importantly than the events he describes, I was struck by the very nature of the man. This book confirmed my impressions of him, showing him to be a compassionate man, who holds high ideals, who loves his family above all else, and who tends to give everybody, even his political foes, the benefit of the doubt. Of course an arguement can be made that only the letters that showed him in a positive light were included but there is just too much here to dispute the very nature of the man himself.
Pick up this one and enjoy the journey, no matter what your political beliefs might be.
December 1, 2018
In honor of President Bush who died last evening, I post this short review. This book is a history by letters. Throughout his life George Bush composed letters. These letters were sometimes handwritten and often they were typewritten by Bush himself.
This book is a compilation of Bush’s letters from early in his life into his post-Presidential period. In reading these letters you will come to understand what a decent, self-effacing, humble yet motivated man he was. This was a man of courage and conviction. This was a man who loved Country and family. This man was a dedicated public servant—he faithfully served his Country for 40 years.
This book will give you insight into this man who raised impressive and accomplished children. He was a sensitive man who often cried when he spoke; yes, this was the man that gave us the thousand points of light.
In a time of political polarization, it would s good to be reminded of gentlemen past to whom we owe the duty of emulation. No, he was not perfect but he was good and decent and worthy of honor.
Read this book and allow the character of this man to influence you. We are all in his debt. All the best, my friends. Happy reading.
This book is a compilation of Bush’s letters from early in his life into his post-Presidential period. In reading these letters you will come to understand what a decent, self-effacing, humble yet motivated man he was. This was a man of courage and conviction. This was a man who loved Country and family. This man was a dedicated public servant—he faithfully served his Country for 40 years.
This book will give you insight into this man who raised impressive and accomplished children. He was a sensitive man who often cried when he spoke; yes, this was the man that gave us the thousand points of light.
In a time of political polarization, it would s good to be reminded of gentlemen past to whom we owe the duty of emulation. No, he was not perfect but he was good and decent and worthy of honor.
Read this book and allow the character of this man to influence you. We are all in his debt. All the best, my friends. Happy reading.
May 31, 2011
This is an interesting collection of letters written by George Herbert Walker Bush during his long life and career. Since Bush 41 has not written an autobiography, this is about the closest that we will get to him telling his story, which is unfortunate because his life has been a full and unique one. One interesting aspect of the book is to see the letters that Bush wrote his son, George W., who was not yet President at the writing of this book. Reading Bush's correspondence is a fascinating way to learn about one of our Presidents.
September 5, 2011
I enjoyed this book very much which I purchased used last week. I was and still am a fan of Bush the Senior. This book was a compilation of letters he wrote from prep school to his parents, as a Navy Pilot in WWII to both his family and Barbara, and then to friends, family associates and others throughout his adult life from Princeton after the war until after his presidency. The book shows his strong love of family, sensitivity to others, a great sense of humor, commitment to serve his country and his outstanding character. I think history will judge him well.
May 14, 2013
I really liked the stories and wisdom in this book, and it moved George HW Bush much further up in my list of leaders. I listened to the audio book read by the author and that added so much to the story. Having been involved in so many important events in history, Bush is someone that we should be thankful to for writing his memoires. Highly recommend.
March 16, 2013
George H wasn't much of a speaker, however he is an eloquent writer. The art of the letter is luscious in this collection of personal letters.
It is a wonderful insight into one of our most highly qualified Presidents.
It is a wonderful insight into one of our most highly qualified Presidents.
March 19, 2008
A precious insight into a wonderful man's life growing up as a child, a soldier, a son, a husband, a stateman, a father, and a President. Amazing.
July 14, 2024
I miss civility in politics. I love reading about the Bush family. They are kind, respectful despite the choices they’ve made in their political careers. One moment that stuck out to me in this book is when Pres. Bush lost his second term to Bill Clinton he didn’t all out pout but he wrote the Pres. Nixon and committed to finishing strong. He looked forward to family and life after politics. I wish current politicians could take a note out of his book. I love reading about President’s lives and the Bush family is one of my favorites. True class acts.
February 17, 2019
For some reason, I feel the need to explain why I chose to read the letters and journal entries of our 41st president. When he passed away last November, I watched parts of the funeral services on tv. I was moved by the emotion of George Bush, our 43rd president, over the loss of his dad. I knew this book existed and I thought my father-in-law might be interested in reading the collection of letters, written by President Bush. So I got on the waiting list at my library and waited until the book became available. When I brought it home, my father-in-law saw that it was 720 pages long and turned down the opportunity to read the book. So I said I would read it. My father-in-law said "You're going to read that? But he was Republican." I said "I know. But it's history." And history, it was.
This book was a collection of letters that George Herbert Walker Bush wrote, starting when he was just 20 and ending at the birth of his first great-grandchild, just a few years ago. The 43rd president served in the Navy as a pilot and was shot down in the Pacific. He owned several businesses, ran for office at various levels, worked as a diplomat, ran the CIA and was president. In his earliest letters that were sent to his parents and other family members, young George Bush (who was called Poppy by his family) described the events of his service and gushed over his future wife, Barbara, who was still in high school at the time. It was these expressions of love that opened my eyes and allowed me to see President Bush as a person.
A majority of his letters and journal entries discussed the political events that he lived through. Honestly, I will admit that I gritted my teeth through some of them, but they were interesting from an historical perspective. I was particularly intrigued by the Watergate years and those years that followed immediately after Watergate. At the time, future President Bush had been working with the U.N. as a Nixon-appointee. Then, he was head of the Republican National Committee. Later, he spent several years in China. I found those years, in the 1970s, to be the most informative for me because I really didn't know much, if any, of what was going on politically back then when I was in elementary school.
I was intrigued to read his writing about his years as vice president and then as president. His views about his son as President were also eye-opening. I appreciated the letters he wrote to parents of service men who had died, and the times that he expressed appreciation for our military. I most enjoyed and appreciated his letters and emails to his family where he was just letting them know he was thinking of them.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this man and about our country from World War II to 9/11.
This book was a collection of letters that George Herbert Walker Bush wrote, starting when he was just 20 and ending at the birth of his first great-grandchild, just a few years ago. The 43rd president served in the Navy as a pilot and was shot down in the Pacific. He owned several businesses, ran for office at various levels, worked as a diplomat, ran the CIA and was president. In his earliest letters that were sent to his parents and other family members, young George Bush (who was called Poppy by his family) described the events of his service and gushed over his future wife, Barbara, who was still in high school at the time. It was these expressions of love that opened my eyes and allowed me to see President Bush as a person.
A majority of his letters and journal entries discussed the political events that he lived through. Honestly, I will admit that I gritted my teeth through some of them, but they were interesting from an historical perspective. I was particularly intrigued by the Watergate years and those years that followed immediately after Watergate. At the time, future President Bush had been working with the U.N. as a Nixon-appointee. Then, he was head of the Republican National Committee. Later, he spent several years in China. I found those years, in the 1970s, to be the most informative for me because I really didn't know much, if any, of what was going on politically back then when I was in elementary school.
I was intrigued to read his writing about his years as vice president and then as president. His views about his son as President were also eye-opening. I appreciated the letters he wrote to parents of service men who had died, and the times that he expressed appreciation for our military. I most enjoyed and appreciated his letters and emails to his family where he was just letting them know he was thinking of them.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this man and about our country from World War II to 9/11.
August 27, 2024
must read
I wish this was mandatory reading for all politicians. What a great man. Humble and kind. America was blessed to have him serve.
I wish this was mandatory reading for all politicians. What a great man. Humble and kind. America was blessed to have him serve.
September 10, 2024
Convinced this should be required reading for everyone.
February 26, 2019
A nice read about a former president. It gives a lot of insight into who he was as an individual and as a president. It also gives you insights into who his kids are, and why so many people feel so positively about the family. Worth the read.
February 10, 2019
This started as a really difficult book to get through, simply because of the vast collection of correspondence, from a man who lived a long, eventful life. I finally stopped trying to read it like a novel, and sectioned it off. Then I basically skimmed each section, stopping to read whatever piqued my interest. I really enjoyed the early letters. He clearly loved his family, his Bar and his country. They are brimming with youth and hope and innocence. On the negative side, in the letters covering his Presidency, particularly the re-election campaign, the little pre-letter notes providing context, often came across as very defensive, sometimes bitter. Im certain defeat at that level is a massive-ego crush, and his post-Presidency comments do not have that petty feel, but I found it off-putting. Overall, it was a really educational and interesting look at a man who lived a life of service, with devotion to family, country and faith. You don’t have to agree with his politics or policies to appreciate that.
December 13, 2018
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings is a collection of personal letters and writings over seven decades in an autobiographical structure written by George H.W. Bush, the forty-first President of the United States of America. This book collects numerous personal writings that shaped the political career of the forty-first president.
George Herbert Walker Bush was an American political leader and Republican Party politician who served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989–1993. He earlier served as the forty-third Vice President of the United States from 1981–1989. He had also been a congressional representative, ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.
George H.W. Bush died a couple of weeks ago (30 November, 2018) am saddened that he had passed. I know very little about him – except what he had done as President of the United States. Therefore, I thought that it would be appropriate to read his autobiography right now, after hearing so many wonderful things about his life and times.
President Bush was infamously known to be rather inarticulate in public. However, in this collection of diary entries, memos, and letters written between 1942, when he started navy flight school, to March 1999, when he wrote a friend to express his consternation that his e-mail server was down, Bush proves himself to have been a gracious and staggeringly prolific correspondent.
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings contains long letters and funny diary entries from his presidency. There are letters to World Leaders like Deng Xiaoping, King Hussein, Mikhail Gorbachev, and others about matters of historical import. There are journal entries covering the Tienanmen Square massacre, the failed coup against Gorbachev, the Gulf War and other crises. Rarely does Bush display any partisan bitterness, and even then, it is not very pungent. Bush must have been tempted to write a memoir intended to beat historians to the interpretive punch.
The autobiography is written rather well, it is a wonderful collection of writings that the former president wrote for a huge chunk of his life. The entries were well chosen and were rather efficient to portray the narrative that he wanted. It was a wonderful personal insight on the forty-first President of the United States.
All in all, All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings is a well-written collection of personal writings through nearly seven decades of most of his life. It is amazing to read all the significant events through his eyes.
George Herbert Walker Bush was an American political leader and Republican Party politician who served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989–1993. He earlier served as the forty-third Vice President of the United States from 1981–1989. He had also been a congressional representative, ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.
George H.W. Bush died a couple of weeks ago (30 November, 2018) am saddened that he had passed. I know very little about him – except what he had done as President of the United States. Therefore, I thought that it would be appropriate to read his autobiography right now, after hearing so many wonderful things about his life and times.
President Bush was infamously known to be rather inarticulate in public. However, in this collection of diary entries, memos, and letters written between 1942, when he started navy flight school, to March 1999, when he wrote a friend to express his consternation that his e-mail server was down, Bush proves himself to have been a gracious and staggeringly prolific correspondent.
All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings contains long letters and funny diary entries from his presidency. There are letters to World Leaders like Deng Xiaoping, King Hussein, Mikhail Gorbachev, and others about matters of historical import. There are journal entries covering the Tienanmen Square massacre, the failed coup against Gorbachev, the Gulf War and other crises. Rarely does Bush display any partisan bitterness, and even then, it is not very pungent. Bush must have been tempted to write a memoir intended to beat historians to the interpretive punch.
The autobiography is written rather well, it is a wonderful collection of writings that the former president wrote for a huge chunk of his life. The entries were well chosen and were rather efficient to portray the narrative that he wanted. It was a wonderful personal insight on the forty-first President of the United States.
All in all, All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings is a well-written collection of personal writings through nearly seven decades of most of his life. It is amazing to read all the significant events through his eyes.
February 8, 2019
My impression of the 41st president after reading his quasi-memoir is that he was a personable, incredibly privileged and incredibly lucky man of rather mediocre ability and intelligence who continuously managed to "fail upwards." This book was interesting for the insider's first-hand, almost real-time account of world events of the '80s and '90s (and some of World War II). President Bush's sincerity also shines through and is infectious.
February 10, 2019
Whatever one’s politics, most people can agree that GHWB was a profoundly decent and likable man. These collected letters drive that point home. They are a wonderful glimpse into history, family, public service, and friendships.
May 17, 2018
I was one when George H.W. Bush was elected President, so naturally I remember absolutely nothing about his presidency. What I've read or learned since then about it has been pretty unremarkable. And perhaps he did have one of the less remarkable presidential tenures, but it's clear to me after reading "All the Best" that he is one remarkable man.
"All the Best" isn't a traditional memoir - it's a compilation of letters he wrote between 1942 and 2011. This, in my opinion, is better than a memoir because it eliminates the opportunity to retell the story or to state the events in any light other than that under which they occurred. Each letter conveys exactly how Bush thought and felt at that specific moment in time.
Bush is an incredible letter writer. He is a man of faith, intelligent, honorable, strong, and yet deeply caring. With all his accomplishments, he has the right to be proud, and he probably is inwardly, but he is also extremely humble - never failing to attribute his success to those around him who had a hand in helping. He clearly has many friends (from all different backgrounds) and in reading his letters to them - concern for whatever difficultly they were going through, eager willingness to serve them, expression of his love and care toward them - it's no wonder why! Perhaps most surprising to me (coming into it knowing nothing of the guy) is how FUNNY he is! Bush has a great sense of humor and adds an element of wittiness to many of his letters. Some of them had me literally laughing out loud, which is not necessarily what you expect from a presidential memoir. I closed the book wondering how anyone could not like the guy. Disagree with his policies, sure, but take a knock at his character? No way. That man is everything I hope my sons will be.
Yeah, at over 700 pages of pretty small print, the book is a time investment for sure, but it's one of the best memoirs I've ever read (certainly the most unique) and one I can see myself coming back to again in a few years.
"All the Best" isn't a traditional memoir - it's a compilation of letters he wrote between 1942 and 2011. This, in my opinion, is better than a memoir because it eliminates the opportunity to retell the story or to state the events in any light other than that under which they occurred. Each letter conveys exactly how Bush thought and felt at that specific moment in time.
Bush is an incredible letter writer. He is a man of faith, intelligent, honorable, strong, and yet deeply caring. With all his accomplishments, he has the right to be proud, and he probably is inwardly, but he is also extremely humble - never failing to attribute his success to those around him who had a hand in helping. He clearly has many friends (from all different backgrounds) and in reading his letters to them - concern for whatever difficultly they were going through, eager willingness to serve them, expression of his love and care toward them - it's no wonder why! Perhaps most surprising to me (coming into it knowing nothing of the guy) is how FUNNY he is! Bush has a great sense of humor and adds an element of wittiness to many of his letters. Some of them had me literally laughing out loud, which is not necessarily what you expect from a presidential memoir. I closed the book wondering how anyone could not like the guy. Disagree with his policies, sure, but take a knock at his character? No way. That man is everything I hope my sons will be.
Yeah, at over 700 pages of pretty small print, the book is a time investment for sure, but it's one of the best memoirs I've ever read (certainly the most unique) and one I can see myself coming back to again in a few years.
December 15, 2013
Revealing portrait of President George H.W. Bush as told through numerous letters, diary entries, and a speech here and there. The "book" spans almost his whole life up to that point (1999), starting with him enlisting in the Navy in WWII. Really, truly a remarkable and honest man. Family, friends, and his faith/values were, and certainly still are, the most important things to him and one can see this coming through in every page.
The letters span the entire range of motions: life, births, deaths, failure, success, frustration, worry, tranquility. It is heart-wrenching to read about the death of his four year-old daughter Robin, of leukemia, in 1953. You can see the anguish in him. He, and his wife Barbara, ultimately get past that by relying on their family, friends, and faith to see them through. A similar occurrence later in the book, the death of one of his best friends, is also a window into how much this thoroughly decent man grieved.
In a way, these letters and diary entries - collectively - serve as Bush's autobiography. He does complain quite a bit about the media and the Beltway mentality in Washington. But I could only imagine how frustrating that is to put up with on a daily basis. The "wimp" categorization clearly rankled him. Hard to understand how someone who was a distinguished veteran of WWII, started his own business, dealt with the death of a child, lost two Senate races, was a Congressman, Ambassador to the U.N., head of the Republican National Committee, special envoy (Ambassador, really) to China, Vice President for eight years, and President for four years can be labeled a wimp.
The letters span the entire range of motions: life, births, deaths, failure, success, frustration, worry, tranquility. It is heart-wrenching to read about the death of his four year-old daughter Robin, of leukemia, in 1953. You can see the anguish in him. He, and his wife Barbara, ultimately get past that by relying on their family, friends, and faith to see them through. A similar occurrence later in the book, the death of one of his best friends, is also a window into how much this thoroughly decent man grieved.
In a way, these letters and diary entries - collectively - serve as Bush's autobiography. He does complain quite a bit about the media and the Beltway mentality in Washington. But I could only imagine how frustrating that is to put up with on a daily basis. The "wimp" categorization clearly rankled him. Hard to understand how someone who was a distinguished veteran of WWII, started his own business, dealt with the death of a child, lost two Senate races, was a Congressman, Ambassador to the U.N., head of the Republican National Committee, special envoy (Ambassador, really) to China, Vice President for eight years, and President for four years can be labeled a wimp.
May 31, 2016
I'm not sure if this is considered George Bush's memoir. It was neat to read these letter throughout his life. I wonder, though, how did he get the letters back? That must have taken a lot of effort and I'm surprised that many were kept. This book reminds me of the Bible (I'm currently reading the New Testament in my personal study) and how we usually only get one point of view of what really happened at that time. There's so much that's missing that we don't know about! Although, in it's defense, one point of view is better than nothing at all. Anyways, the music was neat in this book, and I wonder why The Dubya didn't narrate anything of it. He was probably too busy winning the presidency election. I liked how Mr. Bush talked about his premonition of not winning the reelection (despite how badly it affected him afterwards) and that all would be OK.
He reminds me of Mr. McKusick from High School.
I admire the Greatest Generation. It's a shame that most have passed on from this life. I would love to sit down and talk with them and pick their brain. Those that are still around have experienced the most diverse changes in life's history from the Roaring 20's, the Great Depression, Seabiscuit: An American Legend, WWII, Israel being granted a state, Cold War, Vietnam, several minor Recessions, the landing on the moon, and finally the PC, Internet, and all the technological inventions. It must be wild being apart of that generation and be living today as long as you still have your memory intact.
He reminds me of Mr. McKusick from High School.
I admire the Greatest Generation. It's a shame that most have passed on from this life. I would love to sit down and talk with them and pick their brain. Those that are still around have experienced the most diverse changes in life's history from the Roaring 20's, the Great Depression, Seabiscuit: An American Legend, WWII, Israel being granted a state, Cold War, Vietnam, several minor Recessions, the landing on the moon, and finally the PC, Internet, and all the technological inventions. It must be wild being apart of that generation and be living today as long as you still have your memory intact.
May 24, 2014
"All the Best" was the 4th book in my Presidential writings project. President G.H.W. Bush has not written a memoir or policy book so I was stuck withe a collection of letters and diaries. I didn't not fare well with this format and only made it through half the book in two months before taking it back to the library. The letters, though somewhat interesting, did keep my attention. President Bush is an excellent writer and would read something by him with more continuity and content.
As I said, President Bush is an excellent writer. Even at 18, his letter to his family while he a pilot in WWII were expertly written. Interesting they carried the same emotions that all 18 years old men longing for their significant other (Barbara) have. The amount of correspondence prompted me to think about a time without email, IM, texting...the time of the hand written/typed letter and wonder if that is a lost art.
Beyond the mechanics, the content was only slightly interesting. I actually lost respect for President Bush. As President he was often criticized for being out of touch with the common man. This characteristic was really evident in his writing. At one point he said New York was "not real America." He was hyper-critical of the press even during Watergate. He came from such privilege, he didn't even second guess that he has opportunities that other did not. He came across mostly caring about moving up the ladder. I haven't got that impressions from the other Presidents.
As I said, President Bush is an excellent writer. Even at 18, his letter to his family while he a pilot in WWII were expertly written. Interesting they carried the same emotions that all 18 years old men longing for their significant other (Barbara) have. The amount of correspondence prompted me to think about a time without email, IM, texting...the time of the hand written/typed letter and wonder if that is a lost art.
Beyond the mechanics, the content was only slightly interesting. I actually lost respect for President Bush. As President he was often criticized for being out of touch with the common man. This characteristic was really evident in his writing. At one point he said New York was "not real America." He was hyper-critical of the press even during Watergate. He came from such privilege, he didn't even second guess that he has opportunities that other did not. He came across mostly caring about moving up the ladder. I haven't got that impressions from the other Presidents.
April 2, 2014
This was a surprisingly good and engaging book. The reason I was surprised is that it isn't a memoir but rather a collection of President Bush (Sr)'s letters that he sent. The beginning was a bit dubious, I worried, because it was him during WWII with his parents. But I think once he ran and won his seat in Congress, the book got interesting, and I remained engaged throughout the end. I think Bush Sr. is an interesting public figure -- I think he has the best resume of any presidential candidate in decades (possibly centuries?): Congress, unsuccessful Senate candidate, RNC chair, U.N. Ambassador, Chief Liaison (before we had "normal" relations) to China, CIA director, presidential candidate, vice president, and, finally, president. He's one of those folks like Bob Gates, Leon Panetta, or Don Rumsfeld who just have this huge list of public positions. Bush's personality really comes through his letters -- certainly a stereotypical member of his generation, a wicked, witty ever present sense of humor, and a refreshing frankness & ability to be direct with those who agrees/disagrees with. He's definitely a contrast to all other contemporary POTUS (slightly close to Fort and Carter, but it's not really an exact comparison). A definite to recommend to anyone interested in politics/government.
December 24, 2014
This is a comprehensive compilation of letters detailing the life of George H W Bush all written by him beginning when he graduated from prep school and entered the Navy during WWII and going through to the birth of his first great-grandchild in 2011. We see his life through his eyes as he is an avid letter writers who corresponds with family, friends, business associates, political colleagues and foes, campaign supporters and those in opposition and other people who have touched in his life in some way or whom he feels compelled to touch. Whether or not you are a supporter of his presidency, this book clearly shows 41 to be a man of deep personal integrity, moral conscience, Christian faith. We see him as a naval officer, a young married college student at Yale, a Texas businessman, a young Congressman, head of the RNC, Ambassador to China, Director of the CIA, presidential candidate, Vice-President, President, former president - quite the impressive resume! Since his presidency he has backed away from the limelight except for causes which he holds dear to his heart. I have always respected 41 but after completing this book, I now have even more admiration for who is is and what he stands for.
It took me a while to complete as since it is written in epistolary format it is easy to read short segments at a time!
It took me a while to complete as since it is written in epistolary format it is easy to read short segments at a time!
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