Rating: 
Summary: I Find it Fluff
Review: I am a Bush backer, but this book is fluff. This is ten minutes of a waste of time. Here's the premise:1. Karen admires George
2. George gets to White House
3. George becomes our best president (based on hughes criteria mind you, rather objective analysis)
4. Karen leaves George because husband is jealous
5. 9/11 happens.
6. George and Karen talk on 9/12, Karen advises George on what kind of cheese to have on cheeseburger.
7. Karen goes back to White House to save the day There, you just read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read!!
Review: Want to read an inspiring book about a skilled advisor to a great president? This is the book. Few have greater marketing savvy than Ms. Hughes, and she is so insightful about our political system. At a time of great challenge, and shaky recollections of former security personnel, Karen adds geniune prospective about what constitutes a credible president of integrity and honor. Buy and read this book. It's a wonderful antedote to the garbage that has recently been published by those with a grudge because they "didn't get their way". A man of faith and conviction -- what a novel concept in a recent-day president -that's our President George W. Bush.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Read by a Smart and Capable Woman
Review: Most political books have an axe to grind, a story to tell, but Karen Hughes provides an insightful and thoughtful inside glimpse into the life of a campaign consultant, friend, wife, and mom. It is a refreshing read by someone who at long last has not been changed by Washington, but by sheer force of her will and good Christian spirit may have done a little to change Washington. This book is not a dry political memoir, nor is it a kiss and tell biography, nor is it a payback opportunity, nor is it a slap-myself-on-the-back memoir. Instead, its a thoughtful, honest chronicle of a hard-working woman's ascent to the top of the political spectrum and how she never abandoned what was important to her. You will find a new and fresh look at President Bush and the way he thinks, operates, and the personal causes that beat at his heart. Even if you're on the opposite side of the political divide, you'll enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at the men and women who give their lives, often unappreciated and misunderstood, to serve their country. Many of them are devoting their time and energy out of a sense of duty to the land they love. What you will find in this book that few other White House tales will share is the common, everday occurences in a political campaign. Such as the logistics of travel as well as personal things, like arranging for a son's schooling or the impact of moving your family. This was really neat. Most of all, the Bush team presented by Karen Hughes comes across as loving, compassionate, and genuinely interested in the welfare of the American people. Not the partisan, emotionless, attack dogs they have been characterized as by the media. This book was a pleasure to read and I encourage anyone interested in a mom's perspective of a campaign to read Ten Minutes From Normal. Its amazing how far we've come, that a busy housewife can become the President's most trusted and frank adviser.
Rating:
Summary: A Long Way from Normal
Review: is ultimately how Karen Hughes describes her life, declaring that it wasn't her ultimate destination anyway. Rushing against fleeing traffic from Washington to an evacuated White House in order to make a statement of reassurance to our hysterical and dumbfounded country that the government was still functioning, she met met with a surreal scene of White House lawns covered with men in black brandishing weapons. She portrays an eerie tale as she steps into an empty WH and is led downward through a maze of tunnels and hallways, impenetrable doors slamming closed behind her, before finally entering the secret bunker where dramatic action was already being coordinated by the vice president, national security adviser and others in response to the largest, most viscous attack ever on American soil. The most negative and pessimistic comment this unusually upbeat and positive woman made was on September 12th, when the White House was under serious threat of attack, and President Bush declared that he (along with the senior staff, of which she was one) was NOT leaving. Under the stress he abandoned his salad diet and sent a mess steward scurrying to bring him a quick hamburger. Karen added with a sinking heart that he "might as well add the cheese." Highly intriguing are the up-close and truly personal looks at both President Bush and some of the "inner circle" principals (Andy Card, Condi Rice, Karl Rove, Colin Powell and others) of an administration that is turning out to be one of the most critical in America's young history. Before this book becomes a page-turner, beginning chapters swing humorously through her life-shaping experiences of childhood as an "army brat" who sometimes changes countries but clearly has a foundation that doesn't shift. An early adult career in news reporting further weaves into the fabric of her being the tools necessary for her crucial role in WH communications. As a woman who really knows who she is, and that work is "what you do and not who you are" she refused to play the games of the Washington scene or be sucked under in its negative political landscape. She didn't vie for the usual power grabs or even the highly coveted and now famous "Stephanopoulos" office space. She kept her identity intact and in no way elevated herself simply because she had the listening and attentive ear of the leader of the most powerful nation on earth. she uses her unusual platform to exhort and encourage individual every day Americans to understand their personal worth in the "larger scheme of things." Included in some powerful pages of this book are inadvertent lessons in how to discern "the truth" while being barraged by the darker subtext of biased newspaper headlines, and avoid the pitfalls of edited television clips taken out of context. Only a person like Ms. Hughes who has been a media player herself, could report so effectively "to the media" with honesty, yet not void of some clever Republican strategy. As counselor to the president she was one of the few individuals of high integrity in constant contact with him, except of course, for that brief moment crystallized in history when communication was cut off from Air Force One. It's a comfort to know that the current president of th United States of America selects and surrounds himself with wise counselors and is in no danger of falling into the pit of those who don't embrace the blessing outlined in Psalm 1:1. There's only one word to describe the potential effect this book could have on its readers: life-changing.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down. What a strong woman
Review: I took this book on vacation with me and couldn't put it down. This book really spoke to me. She gave up the ultimate career for family. I think that was very brave. She also put the President in a very Human light. I feel like Karen is a real person with real problems and prespectives. There is a truth telling in this book about our President that has been rare lately.
Great Job Karen
Rating:
Summary: Compelling--I couldn't put it down!! Thank you, Karen.
Review: I am not a big book reader, however, seeing Karen Hughes interviewed on the talk shows and then the subtitle of her book about "the woman who left Washington to be with her family," caught my heart. Karen, thank you so much for writing this book. The average person has no idea of the sacrifice of those who serve our country, and you painted a vivid picture for us. Let us not take you for granted. As a Christian, I loved the first chapters and seeing how God wired you the way He did--to be a woman for such a time as this. I applaud your courage, your dedication to your country and president, and your incredible boldness to speak the truth in love, no matter what the consequences. I hope many people will read your book before the next presidential election in order to see the depth of character of our beloved president, George W. Bush. What an incredible leader he is for our country and how wrongly judged he is so frequently by the press and the liberals. He is an exemplary leader, I belive one of the greatest presidents of all time. I haven't been able to put down your book. It is absolutely compelling. Thank you for all that you have done for our country and thank you for giving us a behind-the-scenes view of what really happens in Washington.
Rating:
Summary: Drivel
Review: Self-aggrandizing drivel. Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Your Enjoyment Will Depend on Your Views of Bush
Review: I will dispense with my typical, reasoned review style for this book. Whether you should buy and read this book is actually a fairly simple question. Ask yourself this: o) Do you approve of Bush? If so, you will greatly enjoy this loving, insider look at him and his campaigns.
o) Do you hate Bush? If so, this book will enrage you, and it's soft-focus view of the President will drive you wild.
o) Are you undecided about Bush? If so, decide if the insider look will be enjoyable to you, or if the fact that that this book is too admiring of Bush will drive you wild. Hughes makes no secret of the fact that Bush is Her Guy; whether he is Your Guy will ultimately determine if this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Very telling Book
Review: I though Karen's book was most excellent. But I was a little confused about the title. With her "unique point of view" I thought a more proper title would be "The View from Bush's colon looks wonderful"
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: I read this book straight through as soon as I bought it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is an honest, feel-good account of her life and service to this country and the President of the United States during her years with George W. Bush's Gubernatorial and Presidential administrations. Other positive reviews have covered the content of her book so nicely I find little else I might add. If a reader is looking for barbs and insider gossip, don't expect to find much - if any - in this book. Ms. Hughes, although frank, stays way, way up on the high ground throughout her personal story. Perhaps too much so... but that is her nature I suspect, and if it suits her then nobody should mind. It is slightly tortuous in its grammatical correctness and makes one long for a simpler writing style, but this is faint criticism when there is so much to enjoy about her storytelling. Well worth buying!
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