Reflections: Life After the White House

by Barbara Bush

“There is a myth in the United States—you’ve heard it many times. It says that all American mothers hope that their child will grow up to be President of the United States...” —Barbara BushNot since Abigail Adams has one woman been both the wife and mother of presidents. Barbara Bush’s prominent place in American history is matched only by her extraordinary Republicans and Democrats alike appreciate her wit, her compassion, and her devotion to her family. Dignified, loyal, and unpretentious, the former First Lady defied skeptics to become one of the most admired first ladies in history—and she remains a beloved public figure today. In this inspiring follow-up to her number-one bestselling memoir, Mrs. Bush covers the momentous eight years between President George H. W. Bush’s leaving office and President George W. Bush’s 2001 inauguration. Reflections comprises Mrs. Bush’s diary entries, travelogues, family photographs, even secret recipes. She discusses her experiences in the White House, on the campaign trail, and in the public eye, as well as her own views about such controversial issues as her husband’s resignation from the NRA, the caning of an American student in Singapore, and—in her candid epilogue—her family’s reactions to September 11, 2001. Throughout, the extraordinary amount of love and pride Mrs. Bush feels for her husband, five children, and fourteen grandchildren is always clear. Reflections will delight Barbara Bush's millions of admirers with her touching anecdotes and personal revelations from the past decade of a full and fascinating life.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, History, Memoir, Autobiography, Presidents

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 as the wife of George Herbert Walker Bush, president, actively promoted literacy.

She mothered George Walker Bush and Jeb Bush, governor of Florida. From 1981, she served as the second to her husband, vice to Ronald Wilson Reagan. Barbara Pierce Bush made the 41st.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara...

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and Barbara Bush are a Hoot! This is a look at the days after 41 lost the election to Clinton, and goes off of her diary entries until right after 9.11.01. It is honest, wise, slightly biased ( as she freely admits) and absolutely funny. Her puns are excellent. I was laughing a lot and I was dying at one scene. She is blunt but it’s tempered with compassion for others.

On a side note, I had no idea that Presidents and the First Ladies were so busy after they left the White House. I would’ve loved to have spent time with her and 41. She was such a spitfire and fun.

It was also so nice hearing her familiar voice reading it.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Bush sounds like a sweet lady, but just wasn't too into reading this book. I really wanted to though. I think I got disinterested because half of the people they were visiting/coming to visit (ok I'm sure more like 75 percent of these people) I had no clue who they were talking about. Sure I could have looked them up, but then I would have spent more time on reading about her visitors, than the book itself. Writing is not terrible, but just didn't interest me as much as I wanted it to.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better on audio as she is the one reading it. Very touching to hear Mrs. Bush tell the stories.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#49 of 130 books pledged to read during 2020

[Staci Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dare say I enjoyed this one better than her first book. It seemed more relaxed and natural but still relied quite heavily on her diary entries. As always, I enjoyed a behind the scenes peek at this beloved family. Several parts made me teary as she talked about her children and grandchildren. The strong family values and love runs deep without a doubt.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, let me say that I am a fan of Barbara Bush. I found her forthright conversations very refreshing. She was raked over by the press because she wasn't "young and beautiful" in the White House and journalists even had the gall to say she looked like his mother rather than his wife! Anyway, I probably would have enjoyed her first memoir much more. I didn't enjoy this book at all, and I cannot really complain because I got it in hardcover for only 25 cents at a thrift store. But the book just seemed to be nothing about name-dropping and place-dropping as to where all they went after leaving the White House. Okay, we get it--you were married to the head of the CIA, Vice President, and then President of the U.S., you were mother of another President (who was Governor of Texas) and the mother of another Governor in Florida. But I grew quickly weary of all the name-dropping. We get it.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always thought Barbara Bush had a good sense of humor, plus she was a book lover and a promoter of literacy. This is her second book and takes up her life and the Bush family after they left the White House. She traveled the world over more than once. She met many world leaders and famous people, like Kevin Costner, Patricia Cornwall, the president of the Republic of China, among many people. She had a great love for her family. That clan continued to grow. She reveals how nervous she was when her sons ran for governor, and then George W. for president. She and her husband hosted many get-togethers both at their home in Texas and in Maine. A hospital and a school were named after her. They both were on a speaker's bureau and kept up a whirlwind schedule.
She is very funny and is able to take jokes made at her. She's also candid about her weight and her health.
It was a fun read, and I learned a lot about the literacy movement, politics, travel, and her family, etc. I'm glad I read her book. I read her first one years ago. Impressive woman.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I enjoyed her memoir a few years ago, and was excited to find this one. She is such a neat, positive, loving person and I enjoy reading about her life. How did she keep up that pace in her 70's? She was speaking all over the place, had family and friends visiting constantly and loved it all. I don't know how she could keep track of all the people and "dear friends" that she knows. I love how candid she is about things. The first meal she cooked at home after the White House was spaghetti. Her husband: "I like my pasta rare." Bwahaha!! She hadn't done much cooking, driving, etc. in the last 12 years. She included some funny interactions with people who didn't recognize her or her husband as they were doing normal, everyday things. It was funny to read about those. She included how she felt about things when her son was elected to the presidency as well, and we get a look into her unusual situation. Neat lady, fun to read about!

[~mad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed thi book about Barbara Bush's post-White houe years. I quit about 2/3 of the wy thru because there were events and more events and speeches and trip in wach chapter, listing who attended, who organized, who went on the trip and who they visited, including housequests.

She wrote from her diaries and those were interesting but the listing ad naueum got to me - and I don't mean that in a bad way - I just couldnt do it anymore and far more interesting books waiting in my to-be-read pile(s)!

Just be aware...

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is excerpts from Barbara Bush's diary after George H. Bush left office to shortly after George W. Bush was elected. I liked reading it because George W. lived in my community prior to and during his elected office. I found it interesting to see what the Bushes endured during that time. I did find it a little boring at times since it was a reflection of Barbara's diary, and, well, as with any family life cannot always be excitement.

[Lydia Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

So surprisingly good to hear from Barbara about some difficult years, but also of her unwavering love for and the joy she found in her dear husband and family. These sort of books just put politics aside, and that is so refreshing! Especially a fun read as a Houstonian, just a little dry at times as we are taken through her many travels and golf tournaments, otherwise this would be four stars for me!

[Elyse Mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Bush was an amazing woman and leaves behind a wonderful legacy enabling literacy across the world. What amazed me was the schedule she and President Bush kept after leaving office. They were constantly on the move visiting, fundraising, speaking and opening their homes to friends and family. She had an amazing life and is a wonderful role model for all of us.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics aside, I loved Mrs. Bush’s honest and matter of fact style she used in her memoir. I felt like she stated ‘it’ as she remembered ‘it’ or as she knew ‘it’ to be, (from a Bush family perspective). I would say however, I found perhaps she was a little too honest. But then I came from the background where if you couldn’t say anything nice, perhaps you shouldn’t say anything. :)

[Maria McIlwain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the casual tone and especially enjoyed the mention of books she read and recipes. I’ll have to try some.

Of course, I didn’t agree with every point of view, but it was an intimate glimpse into what life is like after the presidency, which was cool. I also liked the vignettes into the Bush family dynamic.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an abridged audiobook read by the First Lady herself. Fairly interesting look at the period between when 41 left office and 43 assumed office. My favorite part was the constant book dropping - apparently she loved to read.

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because I learned more about Barbara Bush's life after leaving the White House. I loved Barbara's honesty and candor. I thought the book was well written. It is a must read.

[Mark Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the abridged audio book version and really enjoyed it. The events were fascinating and sometimes funny. She did a marvelous job narrating the audio book; adding to my enjoyment.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, enjoyable listen.

[Theri Rowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading her trip to Europe with her granddaughters

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow. Gave up

[April Suter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Bush was an amazing woman!!! Her love for her husband, family and country is shown in this book of her travels after they left the White House and then when they return as First Parents.

[tyRonE hArDing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her first book. Is interesting, but really doesn't tell much. Just goes from event to meaningless event. (audio)

[Danna Townsdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think I picked it up at a library book sale a couple of years ago, and finally started reading it. Once I started, it was a quick and enjoyable read. It covers Barabara Bush's life between George H.W. Bush leaving office and George W. Bush taking the office. She candidly admits to being biased when it comes to her family, and how blessed she is, but she's also warm-hearted, entertaining, and could be anyone's grandmother. She (obviously) loves literacy and reading, and I love that she shares the books she read during these years throughout the book - I added a few of these to my to-read list after her some of her comments. Having read this, I'm also going to pick up Barbara Bush: A Memoir from the library to read (backwards, I know, but hey, it works).

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about what life is like after the presidency, you think after having the stress of running the country you would want to slow down and relax but this was not the case for the Bushes. This book shows the love and support that she has for her family and that she would be there for anything. I also enjoyed reading about all of the work she did with her Literacy programs, I did not realize that she focused on the whole family and not just the child and helped parents get their GED's, it was moving. My only complaint about this book is that she'd start talking about a story and I'd be laughing and wanting to read more but she'd jump in and talk about something else. Overall enjoyable.

[Marita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book together with Mary Slawson's March enrichement mtg. on journals inspired me to start a book diary of my own. This goodread site might evolve into my new one?? Anyway, I was very impressed that Mrs. Bush mentioned books she was reading when she reflected on her life. This struct a cord with me since I do spend a lot of my time reading. What I love about goodreads is that I can put books into selves- I now have a quick way of seeing where I've been mentally so now I can control better where I am going to go next...:). Thanks Linnet for inviting me in!

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Barbara Bush quote..."AT the end of your life you will never regret not having passed one more test, not wining one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child or a parent.
This book was enjoyable. I wish it could have had a little less "we went here and we went there" and a little more "I think"
I am happy to have read this though.

[Lori]

Picked this up at the Bush Presidential library this past weekend where I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her early life & excerpts from her diary and letters which made me want to read more. I've been a fan of hers since she told her husband's handlers she would do anything they wanted except loose weight or die her hair. Who can't love a woman like that?!

This has become my "between books" book.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Barbara Bush's tales of the White House years, and I was pleasantly surprised that she even managed to work in some favorite family recipes into her book. She brings a unique perspective to GHWB's presidency, and speaks honestly of how it feels to be the mother of a president as well. Great if you're a fan of the family; otherwise, not recommended.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriging. Barbara Bush is warm, down to earth, witty and a good writer. The book follows the Bush's busy life after the White House years from trying to cook dinners without the aid of kitchen help for the first time in 12 years to traveling around the world to meet old friends to hosting family gatherings at the Kennebunkport compound. Very interesting. Very open.