Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre book on a below average subject
Review: Shrub curses a LOT, everyone knows that. And his use of christianity for politics is shameful and definetly UN-christian like. This book isn't sanctioned by the bush administration, but is being promoted as such by the far radical religious right.
Rating: 
Summary: I'll be inspired in spite of short sighted people.
Review: Someone sent me an email about The Faith of George W. Bush and The Faith of George W. Bush: Companion Study Guide. I had heard about the main book but not the study guide. At our Methodist church, a member of our Sunday School class will be teaching a series from these two books. We are excited about it. I hope a lot of people will email their friends about it. I'll be inspired in spite of short sighted people. One reviewer even said Christianity is stupid. I think that says a lot about the reviewer and nothing about the book.
Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: The general tone and subject of the book was of no surprise, but I found myself impressed with the quality of the writing and the way in which the subject was discussed. This is not just a listing of significant events, nor is it limited to discussing a single facet of George Bush. Rather, it is a picture of the whole man. The other thing that impressed me was the break from the usual sort of "analysis" book in which the author feels compelled to tidy up his whole work by defining the subject in some single, simple sentence. It's as if your subject is some sort of puzzle with a one phrase solution. Mansfield explicitly avoids that, instead choosing to present a number of influences that let you get a taste of the whole environment. And when time comes to "reach a dramatic conclusion", he deliberately sets up several scenarios before knocking each one down. He then cites several incidents which do not seem to fit in at all with any sort of view. At the end of it, you're given a greater understanding of the subject that depends less on some key psycho-analysis than it does on a general impression gained by "experience", as seen through the eyes of the author. It's an intriguing approach, and it makes me wonder if he gave Winston Churchill, George Whitefield, and Booker T Washington similar treatments.
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: Boring
Review: There is nothing new in this book. The author gives semi-interesting background on the Bush family, then follows several rabbit trails from Ozzy Osbourne to Pat Robertson. Disappointing, which is too bad because if the author did some real research this could have been a very interesting book.
Rating:
Summary: This Man is Not A Christian
Review: There seems to be some confusion here: this man (George W. Bush) is not a Christian, regardless of what he may claim. It's simple: Christianity is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. (duh) Jesus taught a message of peace and brotherhood, told us that we should love our enemies, and condemned the use of violence to achieve goals. Jesus also taught that the pursuit of wealth is futile and meaningless. Jesus was a champion of the poor, the oppressed, the disadvantaged, and other people rejected by society. The current president of the United States, on the other hand, is a money-grubbing war-monger, protector and champion of the rich and privileged few, and wouldn't know true Christianity if it bit him in the ass.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book
Review: This is a beautifully written book, full of insight and hope.
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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Job!
Review: This is a very good book. Finally, a real look at a true man of God. This book shows how he lives by & has guided this country by his faith in God. He will be the first to admit he not always lived the way he should have, but he always had the religious background. I have always thought highly of Mr. Bush, not only when he was governor of my home state, but as the president and as a fellow christian. This is a very revealing book of his faith and his life in general. This was a book that once I opened it I could not put it down. Every so often It did sort of drag, but it is a GREAT book about our President. I plan to read it again.
Rating:
Summary: W The President
Review: This is an outstanding read if you want to get to know what shaped George W. Bush's life, belief sytem, and his values. It begins at George W.'s birth, and follows his journey of faith all the way up to the September 11th attacks. It's a spiritual journey of reawakening. There is one part of this book that brought my father, a Vietnam War veteran, to tears when he read it. It was about George W. Bush, the Commander-in-Chief, kneeling beside a wounded soldier and saying a prayer for him. It certainly taught me about George W., the man, and how faith guides him through every step of his life. My admiration for him has grown by leaps and bounds after having finished this book.
|
