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Fortunate Son: George W. Bush and the Making of an American President
Offers a portrait of the two-time governor of Texas, George W. Bush, and argues against his fitness to serve as president.
420 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 23, 2008
Well done biography of W. Ironically, its not frothing at the mouth- not at all- and the Bush people ran him into the ground for what he wrote. I mean, all the way to the Ground.
Watch "Horns And Halos", a superb documentary, for the truth about this very sad and extremely disturbing chapter in W's political history.
The man is utter failure and incompetencery on stilts. I almost did'nt even write "incompetent" because doing so would put a bad name for us incompetents everywhere. Then, I figured, what the hell.
July 17, 2008
Notable more for what happened to the author and the book at the time of publication than for anything actually contained within the book. For those that don't like Bush there is plenty of red meat, there is also a huge credibility gap with the author. I will say that it can't be worse than most of the political hatchet jobs that have come out since.
I worked in the industry at the time of publication and the Bush family used their connections to get it pulled from the shelves and destroyed, it was later reissued by soft skull press. Check out the doc "Horns and Halos" for the whole sordid affair.
I worked in the industry at the time of publication and the Bush family used their connections to get it pulled from the shelves and destroyed, it was later reissued by soft skull press. Check out the doc "Horns and Halos" for the whole sordid affair.
January 2, 2012
I read this book because I recently saw the documentary, "Horns and Halos" which was more about the author, James Hatfield, and how the writing of this book had such a negative impact on his life. Before the film was released, he committed suicide supposedly due to harassment by the Bush family and Republican power-brokers. I was expecting the book to be a complete hatchet-job, but actually I have more respect for Bush after reading the book that I did before.
The book is well-written, fully documented, and provides a rather realistic portrayal of a complicated character. Clearly, the man is more 'lucky', than 'successful', and I doubt if any of us would even know who he was had he not been connected to a powerful and wealthy political dynasty.
-His co-ownership of The Texas Rangers seems to be all about manipulation of money. To me, it is obvious that if the city of Arlington Texas felt that they needed a ballpark, municipal leaders making $60,000 to $80,000 could have attracted investment money and come up with the taxes necessary to fund the project. Why was it necessary for 'The Venture Capitalists'(Vultures) to come in, and skim millions off the top? If a stadium was deemed an asset to the community, then the assets should have gone to the community, and not to rich carpet-baggers.
The 'Big Reveal' about Bush's 1972 alleged cocaine bust is included in an Afterword to the book. Hatfield says that due to an arrest for possession, he was forced to work for Project P.U.L.L, a now-defunct inner-city program for troubled teens, and then his record was cleared. This was set up by his father, George H.W. Bush who was at the time the US ambassador to the UN. And, it seems that George W. was issued a new drivers license number in 1994 which effectively erased any trace of possible illegalities. Who deemed this necessary, and why? Years later Bush would hedge any questions about drug use, and would talk of a 'statute of limitations' which would apply to no other government official other than himself. He always has claimed that he was 'young and irresponsible', but he never cut anyone else any slack if they acted young and irresponsible.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is when they ask you how you want your jello before they throw the switch.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is like a vegetarian cannibal.
-"Born on third base, and is convinced that he hit a triple".
The book is well-written, fully documented, and provides a rather realistic portrayal of a complicated character. Clearly, the man is more 'lucky', than 'successful', and I doubt if any of us would even know who he was had he not been connected to a powerful and wealthy political dynasty.
-His co-ownership of The Texas Rangers seems to be all about manipulation of money. To me, it is obvious that if the city of Arlington Texas felt that they needed a ballpark, municipal leaders making $60,000 to $80,000 could have attracted investment money and come up with the taxes necessary to fund the project. Why was it necessary for 'The Venture Capitalists'(Vultures) to come in, and skim millions off the top? If a stadium was deemed an asset to the community, then the assets should have gone to the community, and not to rich carpet-baggers.
The 'Big Reveal' about Bush's 1972 alleged cocaine bust is included in an Afterword to the book. Hatfield says that due to an arrest for possession, he was forced to work for Project P.U.L.L, a now-defunct inner-city program for troubled teens, and then his record was cleared. This was set up by his father, George H.W. Bush who was at the time the US ambassador to the UN. And, it seems that George W. was issued a new drivers license number in 1994 which effectively erased any trace of possible illegalities. Who deemed this necessary, and why? Years later Bush would hedge any questions about drug use, and would talk of a 'statute of limitations' which would apply to no other government official other than himself. He always has claimed that he was 'young and irresponsible', but he never cut anyone else any slack if they acted young and irresponsible.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is when they ask you how you want your jello before they throw the switch.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is like a vegetarian cannibal.
-"Born on third base, and is convinced that he hit a triple".
March 30, 2008
If America could have collectively read this book, we wouldn't be in the situation we are today. It is a complete documentation of George W. Bush's life BEFORE he ran for president - completely documented. The Bushies never disputed one fact in the book. Instead, they threatened large publishers who had any significant sort of distribution so that the book would not receive public attention. There is a good documentary the covers the trials the author went through to get the book published and distributed.
It is too late obviously to undo the damage Boy George has done. But the book is worth reading because it shows 1) the information was out there before the election 2) it showed without exaggeration, distortion or lie that W is/was an utter incompetent. 3) information can be suppressed in a "free society" in creative ways 4) it could very well happen again (though it is unlikely just statistically speaking that we could elect a president as bad as W even if we tried). Finally, after all this - the information in the book, the failure and shame of the last 8 years, the war, the yellow cake uranium, scooter libby, institutionalized torture, secret prisons of the CIA, a broken military, trillions down a rat hole in Iraq (a war we can't win and can't leave?????). After all of that, 30% of Americans think this clown is doing "a heckuva job."
It is too late obviously to undo the damage Boy George has done. But the book is worth reading because it shows 1) the information was out there before the election 2) it showed without exaggeration, distortion or lie that W is/was an utter incompetent. 3) information can be suppressed in a "free society" in creative ways 4) it could very well happen again (though it is unlikely just statistically speaking that we could elect a president as bad as W even if we tried). Finally, after all this - the information in the book, the failure and shame of the last 8 years, the war, the yellow cake uranium, scooter libby, institutionalized torture, secret prisons of the CIA, a broken military, trillions down a rat hole in Iraq (a war we can't win and can't leave?????). After all of that, 30% of Americans think this clown is doing "a heckuva job."
September 1, 2008
Honestly, I thought this book would be better. It wasn't the writing that I didn't like, but with all the hype that surrounded this book, I thought it would include some really ground-breaking stuff. It doesn't really.
A little bit of this history: The original publisher decided not to sell the book after they had printed a number of copies. They went to the extreme step of destroying the books that they had printed already. Then the author was found dead and was presumed to have committed suicide. Then another publisher decided to publish the book.
A little bit of this history: The original publisher decided not to sell the book after they had printed a number of copies. They went to the extreme step of destroying the books that they had printed already. Then the author was found dead and was presumed to have committed suicide. Then another publisher decided to publish the book.
December 16, 2007
Insightful as to why W. is such a failure. He has skated his way to the top and never had to earn anything.
In his earlier years, oil companies gave him positions of power solely because of his name. Every oil company that he lead, he drove into the ground only to be bailed out by daddies friends latter.
This book explains George W. Bushs' debts to industry and carefully itemizes them. The author was careful to check his facts.
In his earlier years, oil companies gave him positions of power solely because of his name. Every oil company that he lead, he drove into the ground only to be bailed out by daddies friends latter.
This book explains George W. Bushs' debts to industry and carefully itemizes them. The author was careful to check his facts.
July 1, 2008
Wes let me borrow this book. It had so much detail. I did find it exhausting to read. The author had so much information to work with and provided tons of footnotes and information on the side.
Overall, I learned a lot but the writing didn't flow as well as it could have.
Given the circumstances of the author's death, I would suggest only minimally editing the book for an easier read. But preserve the writing as the author left it.
Overall, I learned a lot but the writing didn't flow as well as it could have.
Given the circumstances of the author's death, I would suggest only minimally editing the book for an easier read. But preserve the writing as the author left it.
January 1, 2009
Controversial look at George W. Bush's younger days and the allegatins of legal troubles covered up by his father. The author, Hatfield, commited suicide prior to the books publishing.
April 1, 2012
This is an good expose of the entire Bush family, that clarifies many of the more corrupt and telling corners of its long history
December 13, 2008
This book caused a big controversey when it was released. Neo-cons said it was a smear job, but strangely enough mainstream type liberals didn't over do it with their enthusiasm and Bush bashing when this came out. The original publisher ended up balking at releasing it. The author was smeared, attacked and after a while turned up dead under very shady circumstances. Knowing what I know about the Bush families history I expected a lot more because after reading this I was shocked at how LITTLE dirt there was on Bush in this. You really get nothing more than Bush was a mediocre student, he had a drinking problem for several years, he MIGHT have went awol from the National Guard and he MIGHT have done a lot coke. There was so much that was left out of this that I don't even know where to begin.
Overall this book is worth checking out from the library and reading but I wouldn't buy it. Webster Tarpleys book about Poppy Bush and American Dynasty by Kevin Phillips would be better choices if your researching the Bush crime family.
Overall this book is worth checking out from the library and reading but I wouldn't buy it. Webster Tarpleys book about Poppy Bush and American Dynasty by Kevin Phillips would be better choices if your researching the Bush crime family.
October 10, 2019
Well-researched and well-written. Not necessarily a joy to read, but certainly informative. I learned all sorts of things I never knew, from family connections to the business side of pre-gubernatorial Dubya. The foreword took me back to the 2000s in an almost visceral way. It's kind of funny to read that kind of invective now, it almost seems a bit old fashioned. Anyway, back then it was necessary and it still rings true.
The final chapter with 'anonymous sources' (not a great look) was written kind of terribly but Hatfield was falling apart at that time, and this chapter kind of destroyed him, so I suppose writing in clumsy clichés was all that was left. Kind of wish he hadn't offed himself, so that we might have gotten Part 2 of this bio, focusing on the presidency years.
Cause, you know: who cares if the prez did coke? He did get up to a bunch of worse things later in life.
The final chapter with 'anonymous sources' (not a great look) was written kind of terribly but Hatfield was falling apart at that time, and this chapter kind of destroyed him, so I suppose writing in clumsy clichés was all that was left. Kind of wish he hadn't offed himself, so that we might have gotten Part 2 of this bio, focusing on the presidency years.
Cause, you know: who cares if the prez did coke? He did get up to a bunch of worse things later in life.
May 25, 2011
Sure, it's written a bit like a blog post and it's probably a tad skewed...but Fortunate Son is a must-read. It contains critical (as in necessary, but also in the other sense of the word)information about our former president. I really wouldn't be surprised if Hatfield was assassinated by Bush and Co. And this is coming from a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic.
June 5, 2009
That my anger is righteous.
December 15, 2009
A gift from Donnie. Very interesting and a lot of information that makes me sad. Some bias but keep that in mind and its a lot of information I don't think it hurts to have.
Read
February 28, 2011looking back, I'm not sure how much of this was substantiated but that didn't stop me from loving this book as a youth
February 28, 2011
There seems to be questions regarding the authorship (at least by one side of the aisle). Don't know whether it's justified or just spin by the masters, the Bush family. Revealing.
September 15, 2011
Very insightful read about GWs early years.
November 3, 2024
Low four stars. Honestly, without the afterword, this would have been three stars. A bit too local for my tastes, and at times the coverage feels tabloid-y. Not the usual presidential coverage I expect, though of course that was to be expected given that this was pre-President Dubya. The Texas government narrative was still appreciated. Nonetheless, most people know this book for the afterword. On its own it's small in the grand scheme of things, but read it like a thriller and the entertainment value rises for me.
August 10, 2020
Shares that Bush chased skirt, was a drunk, draft dodger, not a good businessman, part owner of baseball team, ran for Gov. of Texas, questionable actions (some unpleasant crime data) then runs for President. B/W images, swearing.
April 23, 2020
This seemed appropriate to read before the elections. This book doesn't just discuss is faults, it simply states the facts. I think it is necessary to have books like this in print.
November 9, 2025
"Snowblind" rumors: Cracked
"facts" fed from a silver spoon.
The rest? History.
"facts" fed from a silver spoon.
The rest? History.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews