Rating: 
Summary: Mrs. Bush Cleans Up After The Boys
Review: Mrs. Bush appeared to be so kind and available that, upon first reading "Memoirs" in 1995 , I contemplated writing to ask about a parenting issue. The woman is gracious and candid. Who wouldn't want her for a mother? But as I was reading then, there was a nagging cynical voice crying: "She's setting the stage for another Bush in the White House. She's letting us in on her private life because she's the only Bush with any credibility." No, she's concientously fair, I snapped aloud. But the doubt nagged.Post-Election 2000, I read it again. All bets are off; the cynic won! Mrs. Bush still has mountains of attributes. What she is, foremost though, is part of a family. She's the glue and the common sense. She is willing to care and support-- blind to many Bush family failings. And yes, she IS selling her family to us. She's covering for them, and now she's allowed her husband to buy her son a presidency. She's a sharp woman. Son George's subject-verb problems, disjointed syntax, alcoholic tendencies, amiably poor grades, and his turning to Poppy to save him (again and again) must have been evident early on? One supposes she is so devoted to George the Elder that, as with all his blundering during his presidential reign, the wife always found something to redeem "dear Poppy", and by default the son. In the re-reading, it is hauntingly evident that groundwork was being laid for a revisionist view of the Bush I presidency, and the the probable one to follow. Ironically, the reader notes that "Bar" expected the "bright one", JEB (aka John Ellis Bush) to proceed to the White House. Even in her motheringly doting way, this book's modestly enduring author would not foist George II on us--purposely. That said, I challenge any reader to make a close reading of "A Memoir" and not see that she was trying to "fix" George's unfortunate trail of a presidency. Only Barbara could have painted him as the kind, honorable hero whose unconditional love and emotionalism where "hidden" from public view. Too, she was clearing the path for the next generation. As one reads along, one notices that she's been cleaning up behind them all her married life. Is "Memoir" just another untidy chore for the First Lady many of us adored? I'm not sure, but I'm not prepared to forgive her, yet. ( And her deep convictions would never abide sympathy.) Still, this is a tender, open, funny book. It's also an engaging primer for "how to be the perfect inlaw and undying supporter of those you love." It's a shame none of the family seemed to "catch" the Babs gene of charisma, comedy and capacity to empathize with the human condition whilst maintaing intelligence and logic. Perhaps she shielded them, taking all the blows? Sort of a pernicious life lived by a neat woman. She is the valuable Bush. They'll never know it.
Rating: 
Summary: Stolid but not always tiresome, traditional reading
Review: Perhaps not so bad as far as political memoirs go. Though no one is reading this with the hopes of finding a private Hunter S. Thompson, Bush does have a certain kind of humor and consistency about her. Republicans will probably enjoy this book, Democrats will probably find it tinged with just a hint of gender inequality. One can not help, in the present era, of thinking "Let us see if Hilary will do any better."
Rating: 
Summary: Takes you around the world while meeting famous people.
Review: This is a great book. You truly see what it is like to live in the political world. Barbara Bush uses humor and moving stories to show what her life was like in China, New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Her positive atitude towards people is truly encouraging. I look up to her.
Rating:
Summary: Memorable Memoir
Review: Well written in an engaging style and based on Barbara Bush's personal diaries. It's easy to imagine sitting in your living room talking with your grandmother about family, friends, and history but the family of Barbara Bush is a presidential one, a number of friends are internationally known. The historical events are not seen through the eyes of the media stories most people know but are events personally lived by this remarkable woman. Purely personal and not at all political, this book is a must read for Barbara Bush admirers and history buffs alike. Highly recommended!
| 
