Looking Forward: an Autobiography

by George H.W. Bush, Victor Gold

In this autobiography, written by a Vice President while still in office, George Bush looks at his previous career, from navy pilot in World War II to his financial success in the Texan oil fields in the 1950s. He then served three Republican presidents and survived encounters with Democratic Presidents Johnson and Carter. This book throws light on his years as congressman, UN Ambassador, Republican National Committee Chairman during Watergate, envoy to China and Director of the CIA. Bush also discusses the failings he believes led to the Iran-Contra affair. He offers anecdotal views on international figures - Reagan, Nixon, Kissinger, Mao, Gorbachev and Thatcher, and reveals the political issues he is championing for the presidency of the United States. His personal life is also covered. He describes his young daughter's battle with leukaemia and his wife Barbara's courage during the ordeal. The royalties are to be split equally between research into leukaemia and the United Negro College Fund.

Genres: Biography, Politics, Presidents, Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 1987

About the author

George 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.

Reviews

[Jeff Danhauer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Billed as an autobiography, it is certainly NOT my idea of one and I've read quite a lot of biographies. Rather, it is written as a treatise annotating the reasons for political decisions leading up to and during his presidency. This was only the second book in my entire life which I decided not to finish once starting. However, life is too short to read books one has to force oneself to finish.

[Regan Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best president in my lifetime. Certianly the best qualified. A good look at leadership at the VP level.

[Andrew ✝️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I expected, this goes a bit more in depth to certain topics than the bio by John Meacham did. For example, H.W. went through his Vice Presidency more than Meacham did; the author of the bio made it look like H.W. really only did two things from 81-88. A better insight really. It kinda skims through his early years until you get to the 70s, and then it goes in depth. 4 stars.

EDIT 3-14-22: I found out recently that Bush did not actually write this book, so I'm taking it out of my autobiography tag and into my biography tag.