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Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants
In this powerful new collection of oil paintings and stories, President George W. Bush spotlights the inspiring journeys of America's immigrants and the contributions they make to the life and prosperity of our nation.
The issue of immigration stirs intense emotions today, as it has throughout much of American history. But what gets lost in the debates about policy are the stories of immigrants themselves, the people who are drawn to America by its promise of economic opportunity and political and religious freedom--and who strengthen our nation in countless ways.
In the tradition of Portraits of Courage, President Bush's #1 New York Times bestseller, Out of Many, One brings together forty-three full-color portraits of men and women who have immigrated to the United States, alongside stirring stories of the unique ways all of them are pursuing the American Dream. Featuring men and women from thirty-five countries and nearly every region of the world, Out of Many, One shows how hard work, strong values, dreams, and determination know no borders or boundaries and how immigrants embody values that are often viewed as distinctly American: optimism and gratitude, a willingness to strive and to risk, a deep sense of patriotism, and a spirit of self-reliance that runs deep in our immigrant heritage. In these pages, we meet a North Korean refugee fighting for human rights, a Dallas-based CEO who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico at age seventeen, and a NASA engineer who as a girl in Nigeria dreamed of coming to America, along with notable figures from business, the military, sports, and entertainment. President Bush captures their faces and stories in striking detail, bringing depth to our understanding of who immigrants are, the challenges they face on their paths to citizenship, and the lessons they can teach us about our country's character.
As the stories unfold in this vibrant book, readers will gain a better appreciation for the humanity behind one of our most pressing policy issues and the countless ways in which America, through its tradition of welcoming newcomers, has been strengthened by those who have come here in search of a better life.
The issue of immigration stirs intense emotions today, as it has throughout much of American history. But what gets lost in the debates about policy are the stories of immigrants themselves, the people who are drawn to America by its promise of economic opportunity and political and religious freedom--and who strengthen our nation in countless ways.
In the tradition of Portraits of Courage, President Bush's #1 New York Times bestseller, Out of Many, One brings together forty-three full-color portraits of men and women who have immigrated to the United States, alongside stirring stories of the unique ways all of them are pursuing the American Dream. Featuring men and women from thirty-five countries and nearly every region of the world, Out of Many, One shows how hard work, strong values, dreams, and determination know no borders or boundaries and how immigrants embody values that are often viewed as distinctly American: optimism and gratitude, a willingness to strive and to risk, a deep sense of patriotism, and a spirit of self-reliance that runs deep in our immigrant heritage. In these pages, we meet a North Korean refugee fighting for human rights, a Dallas-based CEO who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico at age seventeen, and a NASA engineer who as a girl in Nigeria dreamed of coming to America, along with notable figures from business, the military, sports, and entertainment. President Bush captures their faces and stories in striking detail, bringing depth to our understanding of who immigrants are, the challenges they face on their paths to citizenship, and the lessons they can teach us about our country's character.
As the stories unfold in this vibrant book, readers will gain a better appreciation for the humanity behind one of our most pressing policy issues and the countless ways in which America, through its tradition of welcoming newcomers, has been strengthened by those who have come here in search of a better life.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 20, 2021
164 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
About the author
George W. Bush
110 books1,008 followersGEORGE W. BUSH is the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001 to 2009. He previously served as Governor of Texas. He and his wife, Laura, now live in Dallas, where they founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University. President Bush is the author of 41: A Portrait of My Father and his previous book, Decision Points, is the bestselling Presidential memoir of the modern era.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
May 13, 2021
This book is the work of a kind-hearted person. I spent years thinking that President Bush was a monster. I didn't know what a monster truly was back then. And I feel a little bad about it now.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not ever going to be a fan of the Bush presidency(s), but hindsight is lending bitter perspective. And one thing is clear, this man has good intentions. Also, he's a much better painter than I will ever be.
While the former president's paintings are a component of this book, for me, they weren't the most important part of the contents. That's why I'm going to strongly recommend you consider listening to Out of Many, One as an audiobook.
First, get past the immature feeling that you're listening to a Will Farrell impression when you hear the former president's oh-so-familiar voice. These portraits aren't just paintings, each subject is written up in an essay, and hearing them in President Bush's voice adds a very personal layer to the portrait. I don't think anyone will be surprised when I suggest that President Bush is not a sophisticated prose stylist. Doesn't matter. He's a plain-spoken man. This is in his voice.
But it's not just his paintings and his voice. Almost all of the immigrants featured in the portraits have their say--in their own voices, with their diverse accents, at whatever level of fluency, and in their authentic words. And it is so, so wonderful hearing them all speak! It sounds like there were interviews with prompts like: What's your American dream? Or, What would you say to other immigrants? And these weren't formal, polished responses. These were real people speaking from their hearts. The subjects of these portraits are a fascinating cross-section of Americans. They were from India, Korea, Sweden, Palestine, Cuba--they were from every corner of the globe. And they emigrated legally, illegally, as asylum seekers, as children, as adults, some famous and successful, others from the most modest backgrounds, each with a story of their own. Yes, many cliches were spoken. Some of the stories felt repetitive. There was a not-very-subtle undercurrent of faith that didn't speak to me. And there were entirely too many people proclaimed, "Great Texans!"
And I don't care about any of the flaws or shortcomings described above, because it was all in service of a message of tolerance, inclusivity, and welcome. Many of these people suffered terrible hardships and trauma before arriving here. I'm guessing that these people don't get love from every American they encounter. But they're not complaining. They speak of gratitude and forgiveness. They speak of the greatness of this country. I've never been a fan of reflexive or performative patriotism, but it was very powerful. I was moved to tears more than once.
And I circle back to the kindness of the author. He references his charity throughout the book. He is using his considerable platform to do good, and his efforts have changed lives. But he is also trying directly to change attitudes, and he feels that this country has gone astray when it comes to immigration.
Who would have ever thought that George Bush and I could find common ground? If there's hope for us, well, who knows what's possible?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not ever going to be a fan of the Bush presidency(s), but hindsight is lending bitter perspective. And one thing is clear, this man has good intentions. Also, he's a much better painter than I will ever be.
While the former president's paintings are a component of this book, for me, they weren't the most important part of the contents. That's why I'm going to strongly recommend you consider listening to Out of Many, One as an audiobook.
First, get past the immature feeling that you're listening to a Will Farrell impression when you hear the former president's oh-so-familiar voice. These portraits aren't just paintings, each subject is written up in an essay, and hearing them in President Bush's voice adds a very personal layer to the portrait. I don't think anyone will be surprised when I suggest that President Bush is not a sophisticated prose stylist. Doesn't matter. He's a plain-spoken man. This is in his voice.
But it's not just his paintings and his voice. Almost all of the immigrants featured in the portraits have their say--in their own voices, with their diverse accents, at whatever level of fluency, and in their authentic words. And it is so, so wonderful hearing them all speak! It sounds like there were interviews with prompts like: What's your American dream? Or, What would you say to other immigrants? And these weren't formal, polished responses. These were real people speaking from their hearts. The subjects of these portraits are a fascinating cross-section of Americans. They were from India, Korea, Sweden, Palestine, Cuba--they were from every corner of the globe. And they emigrated legally, illegally, as asylum seekers, as children, as adults, some famous and successful, others from the most modest backgrounds, each with a story of their own. Yes, many cliches were spoken. Some of the stories felt repetitive. There was a not-very-subtle undercurrent of faith that didn't speak to me. And there were entirely too many people proclaimed, "Great Texans!"
And I don't care about any of the flaws or shortcomings described above, because it was all in service of a message of tolerance, inclusivity, and welcome. Many of these people suffered terrible hardships and trauma before arriving here. I'm guessing that these people don't get love from every American they encounter. But they're not complaining. They speak of gratitude and forgiveness. They speak of the greatness of this country. I've never been a fan of reflexive or performative patriotism, but it was very powerful. I was moved to tears more than once.
And I circle back to the kindness of the author. He references his charity throughout the book. He is using his considerable platform to do good, and his efforts have changed lives. But he is also trying directly to change attitudes, and he feels that this country has gone astray when it comes to immigration.
Who would have ever thought that George Bush and I could find common ground? If there's hope for us, well, who knows what's possible?
May 26, 2021
Fifteen years before he published this book, Bush made an Oval Office speech that could be its thesis statement: “We’re a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We’re also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time.”
He supports each part of that statement in a series of 43 portraits and stories of first-generation immigrants, plus a handful of pages outlining his thoughts on immigration policy, which he summarizes as “badly off track.”
A few observations:
The paintings. Not too shabby for a post-presidential new hobby.
The people. I understand he chose them to tell a particular story (the contributions immigrants make to our society and economy). But prepare to feel like a significant underachiever as you read about their work and accomplishments.
The politics. Refreshing is a word I’d rarely use for the topic, but it fits here. Bush gives specific examples of both Democratic and Republican efforts that have made America’s immigration policy better at times. Both parties! Refreshing, right? Occasionally, he gets specific about his own ideas, such as his support of legal status for Dreamers. “I oppose blanket amnesty, and I oppose illegal immigration. I also oppose punishing children for their parents’ decisions.”
As much as that is a political position, he works hard to make the book apolitical.
“I delayed publication of this book so as to avoid the politics of a presidential election years. I did not want the people I painted to become exploited politically. While I recognize that immigration can be an emotional issue, I reject the premise that it is a partisan one. … Becoming an American citizen is challenging, time-consuming, and competitive – as it should be. The immigration system is also confusing, costly, and inefficient, and needs to be fixed. “
He wants the focus, though, to be mostly on the people who came to make new lives in this country.
You will laugh when a Lebanese immigrant mentions he learned English by watching hundreds of episodes of Seinfeld and The Simpsons.
But much more often you will ache at the suffering in which so much of the world exists. One Cuban man tells how his parents sent him away, alone, when he was 14. “Later on in life, when you have kids, you learn that’s the greatest sacrifice a parent can make: to separate from a child in order to save them.”
Faith is not part of every story, but it’s key in some. A North Korean refugee met a South Korean Christian missionary after fleeing her country: “I asked him, ‘Why do you love me so much without any expectations, unconditionally?’ He told me that it was because he believes in Jesus. … I told him, if his religious belief is truly the source of loving others and upholding their dignity, I want to practice the same religion he does.”
A Bosnian woman lived for two years in a Hungarian refugee camp before finally coming to America. “It was a deeply depressing experience to be confined behind barbed wire, without any hope or near-term solution. We had escaped war, and now it felt like we were in jail.”
Among all the people you don’t know you’ll also find some familiar names: Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger and Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, who told Bush: “I tell people they can call me Arnie, they can call me schnitzel, they can call me Danny DeVito’s twin. Just never, ever call me a self-made man. There is no such thing.” (I would not have guessed he’d be on the side of smashing the self-made-American myth, but there you have it.)
I lingered for a long time on one of the final elements, a two-page spread that uses numbers and colors and statistics to tell the story of immigration to the U.S. since about 1850. I wish I could make it into posters and hand them out on the street.
(Ditto the two-page green card flowchart that immediately follows.)
Bush reaches far back into the country’s history to highlight immigration as a core American value.
“Yet for all our noble intentions of being a welcoming nation, some throughout the years have reacted negatively, and sometimes harshly, to immigrants. At times, immigration has inspired fear – fear of open borders, fear of job losses, fear of cultural degradation. Presidents have had a choice: to soothe those fears or to stoke them. History shows that the latter route should be the road less taken.”
The parts that are his are heartfelt and plain spoken. The parts that are others’ stories are heartbreaking and incredible. The Americans who have helped the newcomers give me hope for the future. There’s no magic solution offered for the policy issues, but there’s a compelling argument that we – collectively – should be looking for one.
All together, this makes for a thoughtful few hours of reading.
Tiny bonus, because I can never skip the dedications or the acknowledgements: For Laura, “whose patience knows no bounds. She waited decades for me to pay any attention to art. Now that we share that interest, I continue to test her patience – now by tracking paint from my studio onto her furniture.”
He supports each part of that statement in a series of 43 portraits and stories of first-generation immigrants, plus a handful of pages outlining his thoughts on immigration policy, which he summarizes as “badly off track.”
A few observations:
The paintings. Not too shabby for a post-presidential new hobby.
The people. I understand he chose them to tell a particular story (the contributions immigrants make to our society and economy). But prepare to feel like a significant underachiever as you read about their work and accomplishments.
The politics. Refreshing is a word I’d rarely use for the topic, but it fits here. Bush gives specific examples of both Democratic and Republican efforts that have made America’s immigration policy better at times. Both parties! Refreshing, right? Occasionally, he gets specific about his own ideas, such as his support of legal status for Dreamers. “I oppose blanket amnesty, and I oppose illegal immigration. I also oppose punishing children for their parents’ decisions.”
As much as that is a political position, he works hard to make the book apolitical.
“I delayed publication of this book so as to avoid the politics of a presidential election years. I did not want the people I painted to become exploited politically. While I recognize that immigration can be an emotional issue, I reject the premise that it is a partisan one. … Becoming an American citizen is challenging, time-consuming, and competitive – as it should be. The immigration system is also confusing, costly, and inefficient, and needs to be fixed. “
He wants the focus, though, to be mostly on the people who came to make new lives in this country.
You will laugh when a Lebanese immigrant mentions he learned English by watching hundreds of episodes of Seinfeld and The Simpsons.
But much more often you will ache at the suffering in which so much of the world exists. One Cuban man tells how his parents sent him away, alone, when he was 14. “Later on in life, when you have kids, you learn that’s the greatest sacrifice a parent can make: to separate from a child in order to save them.”
Faith is not part of every story, but it’s key in some. A North Korean refugee met a South Korean Christian missionary after fleeing her country: “I asked him, ‘Why do you love me so much without any expectations, unconditionally?’ He told me that it was because he believes in Jesus. … I told him, if his religious belief is truly the source of loving others and upholding their dignity, I want to practice the same religion he does.”
A Bosnian woman lived for two years in a Hungarian refugee camp before finally coming to America. “It was a deeply depressing experience to be confined behind barbed wire, without any hope or near-term solution. We had escaped war, and now it felt like we were in jail.”
Among all the people you don’t know you’ll also find some familiar names: Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger and Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, who told Bush: “I tell people they can call me Arnie, they can call me schnitzel, they can call me Danny DeVito’s twin. Just never, ever call me a self-made man. There is no such thing.” (I would not have guessed he’d be on the side of smashing the self-made-American myth, but there you have it.)
I lingered for a long time on one of the final elements, a two-page spread that uses numbers and colors and statistics to tell the story of immigration to the U.S. since about 1850. I wish I could make it into posters and hand them out on the street.
(Ditto the two-page green card flowchart that immediately follows.)
Bush reaches far back into the country’s history to highlight immigration as a core American value.
“Yet for all our noble intentions of being a welcoming nation, some throughout the years have reacted negatively, and sometimes harshly, to immigrants. At times, immigration has inspired fear – fear of open borders, fear of job losses, fear of cultural degradation. Presidents have had a choice: to soothe those fears or to stoke them. History shows that the latter route should be the road less taken.”
The parts that are his are heartfelt and plain spoken. The parts that are others’ stories are heartbreaking and incredible. The Americans who have helped the newcomers give me hope for the future. There’s no magic solution offered for the policy issues, but there’s a compelling argument that we – collectively – should be looking for one.
All together, this makes for a thoughtful few hours of reading.
Tiny bonus, because I can never skip the dedications or the acknowledgements: For Laura, “whose patience knows no bounds. She waited decades for me to pay any attention to art. Now that we share that interest, I continue to test her patience – now by tracking paint from my studio onto her furniture.”
February 20, 2022
I bought the book and then realized my library had the audiobook so I listened to Bush narrate each person’s story while reading along and looking at his paintings in the book. You really get the “full experience” this way! In the audiobook, each person says a few sentences at the end of their summary which was neat to hear their voice. These powerful stories will remind you of how much of a privilege it is to be born in America.
May 31, 2021
I would have loved it if this had included some normal-level achievers too, because I resist the notion that you have to be a stunning brilliant overachiever to be worthy (as an immigrant or anyone else). But I see what he is trying to do with this, and I appreciate it for what it is (and I really like seeing his paintings and artistic side).
August 22, 2021
I am SO conflicted about this book. The overall and timely message reiterating that "America is the sum of its immigrant parts" is important and always worthy of repetition, and...okay, fine, George Bush seems like a basically decent man with a good heart. And of course, looking back from the post-apocalyptic wreckage of the Trump presidency, it is tempting to think that "maybe Bush wasn't that bad."
And yet that just makes it so important to remember that he WAS THAT BAD; that he was an unmitigated disaster as a president (or more correctly, the ventriloquist dummy to his Vader-like vice president), and remains personally and permanently responsible for all the carnage of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars - as well as the ultimate cause of the heartbreaking images coming out of Kabul even as I write this.
But to the book itself, though - nice quotes and/or short narratives on a number of very impressive immigrant individuals, (and extra points to Bush if he actually wrote them himself), and it is these people and their stories alone which I am honoring with 4 stars, (the man himself remains an overall 1+ stars at best). The paintings are…well, typical George Bush paintings - the heartfelt if amateurish products of an enthusiastic but untrained dabbler, whose occasional glimpses of talent are overwhelmed by the majority of his "mandatory high school art class" pedestrianism. But maybe that means ol' Dubya is just where he is supposed to be today - oh, what I wouldn't give for Donald Trump in retirement to be no more than a harmless, shitty painter!
And yet that just makes it so important to remember that he WAS THAT BAD; that he was an unmitigated disaster as a president (or more correctly, the ventriloquist dummy to his Vader-like vice president), and remains personally and permanently responsible for all the carnage of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars - as well as the ultimate cause of the heartbreaking images coming out of Kabul even as I write this.
But to the book itself, though - nice quotes and/or short narratives on a number of very impressive immigrant individuals, (and extra points to Bush if he actually wrote them himself), and it is these people and their stories alone which I am honoring with 4 stars, (the man himself remains an overall 1+ stars at best). The paintings are…well, typical George Bush paintings - the heartfelt if amateurish products of an enthusiastic but untrained dabbler, whose occasional glimpses of talent are overwhelmed by the majority of his "mandatory high school art class" pedestrianism. But maybe that means ol' Dubya is just where he is supposed to be today - oh, what I wouldn't give for Donald Trump in retirement to be no more than a harmless, shitty painter!
June 14, 2021
W’s art is good
I’ve spent the last twenty- one years hating Bush and the Republican Party. I’m sure anyone who knows me will be shocked that I was tempted to give a war criminal five stars. W’s art is good. The portraits, for the most part are lively, full of energy, color, and reflect a true image of the subject. I truly enjoyed the art and the moving stories that accompanied the portraits, especially the story of Paula, the Bush family housekeeper. More Republicans need to speak out against their party. Bush has much to atone for and this book is a start. We are a nation of immigrants and must celebrate diversity along with their many invaluable contributions to our nation.
Highly recommended.
* review of library OverDrive Kindle edition. I did not purchase a copy.*
I’ve spent the last twenty- one years hating Bush and the Republican Party. I’m sure anyone who knows me will be shocked that I was tempted to give a war criminal five stars. W’s art is good. The portraits, for the most part are lively, full of energy, color, and reflect a true image of the subject. I truly enjoyed the art and the moving stories that accompanied the portraits, especially the story of Paula, the Bush family housekeeper. More Republicans need to speak out against their party. Bush has much to atone for and this book is a start. We are a nation of immigrants and must celebrate diversity along with their many invaluable contributions to our nation.
Highly recommended.
* review of library OverDrive Kindle edition. I did not purchase a copy.*
April 25, 2021
George W Bush is a war criminal who belongs in prison. This person is responsible for the death of millions. Untold suffering, carnage, and greenlit a torture program detaining innocents in Gitmo. Now the media is rehabilitating this war criminal and pushing his book filled with his shitty paintings.
July 16, 2025
Such a timely read as to why immigration is such a vital piece to America let alone the heart of our country.
Read
March 17, 2022Who knew Bush was an artist? I want to give a copy of this book to every person I know who thinks every immigrant is the same or thinks conservatives can't be supportive of compassionate immigration reform! These beautiful portraits in art and word show the depth and breadth of the individuals who make up the fabric of our nation of immigrants, as well as highlighting the problems and reforms we need to fix our broken immigration system.
I recommend both reading the book to see the beautiful art and also listening to it, since the audio book contains extra material at the end of each chapter, the highlighted immigrant’s own words in response to questions about what it means to them to be an American. Luckily, both were available at my library!
I recommend both reading the book to see the beautiful art and also listening to it, since the audio book contains extra material at the end of each chapter, the highlighted immigrant’s own words in response to questions about what it means to them to be an American. Luckily, both were available at my library!
December 31, 2021
At the end of each year, I try to read at least one inspirational book. W has written 43 profiles a wonderful group of immigrants to America. There are several that are famous including some sports figures like Albert Puhols and Dirk Novitzky. But most are not famous. They tell an interesting set of stories. The book also includes a series of paintings of each done by the former president.
Bush and his 43 profiles make a compelling case for the contributions of immigrants to the fabric of the US and for getting our political figures in Washington to make some sense out of our current policies on immigration.
Bush and his 43 profiles make a compelling case for the contributions of immigrants to the fabric of the US and for getting our political figures in Washington to make some sense out of our current policies on immigration.
August 14, 2021
What an excellent book! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the paintings and hearing the varied stories of these immigrants who have influenced and enhanced our country!
April 30, 2021
I’m pleased that former President George Bush has written books about other people. Not all of the people have acquired fame, but the 43 immigrants featured in this book certainly were fortunate to find new lives in America. Each short biographical profile of a person was straight to the point, with distinct intriguing facts about coming to America. A painting drawn by George Bush, accompanies each of the 43 individuals.
June 11, 2021
George Bush & I don’t agree on much. I’m not sure I even fully see eye to eye with him on the issue of immigration. However, it’s nice to see a voice standing up for and fighting for immigrants. Many of these stories brought tears to my eyes. But I also know there are many many more stories that didn’t make it to this book because they don’t have good endings.
June 29, 2021
My main criticism of this project is that I wish it had incorporated more "regular" immigrant stories. This collection of stories is poignant, but many of the stories featured are very high achieving, successful stories (Madeline Albright, Henry Kissinger, Arnold Schwarzenegger for example). I was hoping for stories that helped Americans gain more empathy for some of the immigrant stories that are a little more diverse. George W included maybe one "dreamer" and very few instances where a legal path to citizenship wasn't really a attainable option. That's what I think people need to hear... that it's not always feasible to immigrate the "right" and legal way and maybe then we'd have more understanding for the problems we see today. However, this is an important project to attempt to counteract the xenophobia of the trump administration. George W's heart seems to be in the right place in wanting to emphasize that our country is what it is because of a long history of being a melting pot and that accepting and supporting immigrants and asylum seekers is something we all benefit from.
May 23, 2021
War criminal at his best.
Out of the many artless portraits I couldn't find at least one from the thousands of children that died because of his and his boss cheney thievery of oil, at gunpoint in Iraq.
Those omitted children had no chance to immigrate to America to escape the hell he unleashed.
All for oil and money.
God bless America.
Out of the many artless portraits I couldn't find at least one from the thousands of children that died because of his and his boss cheney thievery of oil, at gunpoint in Iraq.
Those omitted children had no chance to immigrate to America to escape the hell he unleashed.
All for oil and money.
God bless America.
July 25, 2021
I love that Former President Bush read this book. I listened to the audio and loved hearing the voices of the many immigrants portrayed in the book. It gave me a new perspective on how important immigrants are and how crucial it is for America to remain a home for refugees.
I loved the focus on immigrants who have given back to the country that gave them a new life, and I love the stories of those who had nothing and with a little help made a huge contribution to America. And many continue to make large contributions to their country of origin to pay it forward!
We tend to focus a lot of attention on those who illegally cross our southern border. But the truth is that America has always been a nation who extended legal immigration to those persecuted in other countries. We need to continue to do this.
As President Bush says, we need better immigration laws, better enforcement, and a way for those who came here as children to become legal Americans.
I loved the focus on immigrants who have given back to the country that gave them a new life, and I love the stories of those who had nothing and with a little help made a huge contribution to America. And many continue to make large contributions to their country of origin to pay it forward!
We tend to focus a lot of attention on those who illegally cross our southern border. But the truth is that America has always been a nation who extended legal immigration to those persecuted in other countries. We need to continue to do this.
As President Bush says, we need better immigration laws, better enforcement, and a way for those who came here as children to become legal Americans.
May 16, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this compilation of experiences and admiring how President Bush captured the expressions of these 43 immigrants and their stories. My journey to citizenship may not be as traumatic or remarkable as theirs, but I do share something in common with them, and it is an immense sense of gratitude and admiration for this great land which has adopted me as one of her own. I am deeply proud of my heritage but at the same time, I dearly love the country I now call home. I traveled to the United States multiple times over the years, first as a tourist, then as a student, later on as permanent resident. Years later, I became an American citizen during the Bush administration (I safely kept his welcome letter and will now tuck it in the pages of this book). I will never forget how I felt the first time I came back into the country and after presenting my blue passport, the immigration officer said, "welcome home". This is home indeed.
May 9, 2021
Wow! This may be one of my favorite books I've read this year! A powerful reminder of how decadent we are as U.S. Citizens. The account of the immigrants featured in this book brought both smiles and tears. I complain all the time, but this book reminded me that I need to work harder not to. I take living here for granted and these stories were a strong reminder of just that! My life has been pretty easy even though I work hard. These stories are well told and captivating. I didn't want this one to end.
As my oldest sister reminded me, we haven't had to fear for our lives or go hungry. We have medical care and safety nets if we get in trouble. And yet, we still complain.
It also really made me miss Ames, IA and the diverse population I lived and worked with. It especially made me miss working with the Sudanese refugees.
Remember to be a little kinder than necessary, you may be helping someone transitioning to their new home.
As my oldest sister reminded me, we haven't had to fear for our lives or go hungry. We have medical care and safety nets if we get in trouble. And yet, we still complain.
It also really made me miss Ames, IA and the diverse population I lived and worked with. It especially made me miss working with the Sudanese refugees.
Remember to be a little kinder than necessary, you may be helping someone transitioning to their new home.
February 15, 2023
I asked my daughter to gift this book to me for Christmas. She did and I just finished reading it. Not only did I learn more about many immigrants through the individual portraits, I also learned a lot about former President G. W. Bush. The chart on "Becoming An American" details how difficult it is to gain a green card and citizenship in the U.S. (far different than many of our politicians claim) and the "Facts on Immigrantion" is a great review of American history on immigration. It's hard to believe at times that the Lady Liberty is suposed to reflect America's open doors to the tired and poor, (etc.) because that does not reflect much of America's history. But for those immigrants who did eventually receive a green card and citizenship, our country has been the recipient of their many talents.
July 10, 2021
A beautiful collection of GWB’s portraits of immigrants. Each portrait tells their story and of their success. Many of them, he knows personally.
This book really affected me. It opened my eyes to how lucky we are to be in this country. So many other places are facing genocide, poverty and war and we take it for granted.
It also made me want to speak out more about the rights of immigrants. We need them and their beautiful stories and ideas.
This book really affected me. It opened my eyes to how lucky we are to be in this country. So many other places are facing genocide, poverty and war and we take it for granted.
It also made me want to speak out more about the rights of immigrants. We need them and their beautiful stories and ideas.
August 11, 2021
The dust jacket flap copy adroitly says volumes about the pages that follow: readers will gain a better appreciation for the humanity behind one of our most pressing policies issues and the countless ways in which America, through its tradition of welcoming newcomers, has been strengthened by those who have come here in search of a better life. The paintings are haunting, they give me a sense of each person behind their picture. I admire GW Bush's painting technique...it renders his subjects so very real. And I appreciate The Bush Institute's comments at the end of the book - that there does need to be immigration reform while never abandoning an immigrants hope for a better life.
May 13, 2021
I found a well-crafted and compelling case for immigration reform in these portraits and concise bios of US immigrants written and painted by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the stories of these outstanding contributors to our country and culture and seeing their likenesses in oil on canvas.
May 21, 2021
Fantastic! This book gave me a renewed sense of the struggles so many immigrants go through to come to America to better their lives. As a result, they enrich America and make it a better place for all of us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book full of beautiful paintings and stories about beautiful people.
June 24, 2021
George W. Bush did a wonderful job of painting the immigrants he featured in Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants. I was impressed by his talent. I knew him as a politician, but that he was such an incredible artist was a surprise to me. Painting from photos, he captured a good quality in each one. It felt as if I had met each in person. The writing with it provided a life story. Each immigrant was thankful to be an American and contributed much to their new life in our country. I saw a side of George W. Bush that showed he had a moral compass and a deep passion for those who were able to rebuild their lives.
February 6, 2024
A beautifully written book about several immigrants that have made America their home. Their contributions are amazing! This is a must read for anyone who thinks we need to close our borders to immigrants. So many of the people highlighted came from war-torn countries. No matter what your politics are - this is a book worth delving into.
August 1, 2021
Love him or hate him, George W. Bush does a fantastic job in his latest book, centered around immigrants. His paintings are so well done, especially when you take into consideration that he began painting late in life. His immense respect and admiration for the people he features jumps off the pages, and he includes his typical humor at relevant points in his stories.
August 7, 2021
I loved this book! I’m so impressed with President Bush’s artistic talent. Reading each person’s story opened my eyes to the many ways people immigrate to America.
March 10, 2022
Such a beautiful reminder of how crucial immigration is to America’s story. Absolutely loved listening to the audiobook!
July 3, 2021
What a fascinating look into the lives of immigrants who have come to America for better lives and opportunities. President George W. Bush is a man who understands and appreciates immigrants and their continued contributions to our country to make it a better place for all!
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December 18, 2021I didn't think I works read a book by George W. Bush but I heard him talking about it on the radio and it sounded interesting. I enjoyed reading the stories of each person.
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