41: Inside the Presidency of George H.W. Bush

by Michael Nelson (Editor), Barbara A. Perry (Editor)

Although it lasted only a single term, the presidency of George H. W. Bush was an unusually eventful one, encompassing the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the invasion of Panama, the Persian Gulf War, and contentious confirmation hearings over Clarence Thomas and John Tower. Bush has said that to understand the history of his presidency, while “the documentary record is vital,” interviews with members of his administration “add the human side that those papers can never capture."

This book draws on interviews with senior White House and Cabinet officials conducted under the auspices of the Bush Oral History Project (a cooperative effort of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation) to provide a multidimensional portrait of the first President Bush and his administration. Typically, interviews explored officials’ memories of their service with President Bush and their careers prior to joining the administration. Interviewees also offered political and leadership lessons they had gleaned as eyewitnesses to and shapers of history.

The contributors to 41—all seasoned observers of American politics, foreign policy, and government institutions—examine how George H. W. Bush organized and staffed his administration, operated on the international stage, followed his own brand of Republican conservatism, handled legislative affairs, and made judicial appointments. A scrupulously objective analysis of oral history, primary documents, and previous studies, 41 deepens the historical record of the forty-first president and offers fresh insights into the rise of the “new world order” and its challenges.

Contributors: Henry J. Abraham, University of Virginia; Jeffrey A. Engel, Southern Methodist University; Hugh Heclo, George Mason University; Sidney M. Milkis, University of Virginia; Michael Nelson, Rhodes College and University of Virginia; Barbara A. Perry, University of Virginia; Russell L. Riley, University of Virginia; Barbara Sinclair, University of California, Los Angeles; Bartholomew Sparrow, University of Texas at Austin; Robert A. Strong, Washington and Lee University; Philip Zelikow, University of Virginia.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Presidents

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Michael Nelson is the Fulmer Professor of Political Science at Rhodes College. He has published multiple books, the most recent of which is Resilient America: Electing Nixon, Channeling Dissent, and Dividing Government (2014). Other recent books are The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776–2014, with Sidney Milkis (2015); The Presidency and the Political System, 10th ed. (2014); and The Elections of 2012 (2013). He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals such as the Journal of Politics and Political Science Quarterly and in periodicals such as Virginia Quarterly Review, the Claremont Review of Books, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Although most of his articles have been about American politics and government, he also has written about C. S. Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Charles Dickens, Garrison Keillor, football, and baseball. More than 50 of these articles have been reprinted in anthologies of political science, history, and English composition. He is editor of the American Presidential Elections book series for the University Press of Kansas and is currently writing a book about the 1992 election.

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Reviews

[Saba Sheikh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was informative about the events that took place during his presidency, but it waa biased in presenting the truth about who he is as a man. Painted him to be a saint, a kind and gentle (lol, see what I did there?) person who relied on others to get aggressive on his behalf if anyone needed their butt kicked. It is educational if you want to know what issues he faced but definitely would not recommend this to be the sole provider of information on him and his presidency.

[Marion Kipiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine contributions on American Conservatism (Heclo; Milkis) and 41's Supreme Court nominations (Perry and Abraham).

[Ann Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of our 41st president. I studied him in 1980 when George H. first ran for president. I was glad I picked up this book. George H had an amazing career. Learned a lot.

[Precious · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for a history class. Personally I would have never picked up this book to read but it was informative and I did learn a lot about Bush's presidency.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read from beginning to end.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fun to listen to a President fondly tell the story of his Presidential father. He obviously loves and admires his Father. There is a lot to admire about both generations.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75