The Faith of George W. Bush

Rating:
Summary: "Religiously Correct"
Review: Organized religion is great if/when it leads one to true spirituality. For many however it seems to simply be a list of dos and don't prescribed to them by previous generations. A connection to god is reflected in ones connections to humanity. It is shown in ones abilities to give of themselves to others and in ones ability to empathize with others. Bush may have gone through some transformations in his life and he certainly knows the "religiously correct" way to speak, but I don't see evidence of a true spiritual journey within his actions. I hope for his sake and for ours he is someday able to find his way.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite book of 2004
Review: The hardcover edition of "The Faith of George W. Bush" came out in late 2003, but I didn't pick this up until the paperback edition was issued in 2004. I read it while on vacation this summer, and re-read it recently. While not a hefty volume (190 pages), the author covers a LOT of ground, and it was definitely worthwhile to re-read it.

In "The Faith of George W. Bush", author Stephen Mansfield covers how religion has been a part of George W. Bush's life, from growing up in Texas to the high school and college years in New England to the aimless years thereafter, and finally as Bush finds his groove (Rangers baseball co-owner, Texas Governor), on his way to the White House. One thing that becomes clear is that while of course there are a number of pivotal evolutions in the growth of Bush's spiritual life, there was not one single event that causes Bush to become born again. Just a couple of anecdotes from the book that stayed with me: on running for President, Bush says (in early 1999) that "I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I feel my country is going to need me." This was 2 years before 9/11, wow. Bush on the success of faith-based initiatives while he was governor of Texas: "Government can do certain things very well, but it cannot hope in our hearts or o sense of purpose in our lives." So true!

The author makes clear that George W. Bush has committed many mistakes. Let he who has never made a mistake himself, throw the first stone. The reason why the President resonates well with a majority of this country is that he "talks the talk, and walks the walk". This is a wonderful book. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A Man For All Seasons
Review: This is a facinating look into the heart and soul of President George W Bush. Mansfield does not gloss over Bush's weaknesses or failures, but neither does he use those weaknesses to attack and villify Bush. Rather, he presents the facts as he found them, and leaves us with a portrait of a man with the human weaknesses we all share, but a man who found the faith to overcome and rise above his fallen human condition.
We see in George W Bush a man who has the total confidence of one who understands his purpose and who has total faith in his God, but who, at the same time, humbles himself before that God, knowing that all can and will be lost if he succumbs to the temptation of pride and forgets that he is only where he is by the grace of God.
This is a book that needed to be written, and should be read by all who truly want to understand what motivates this 43rd President of the United States.