Rating: Summary: Part Lincoln, Part Reagan, Partly Like His Folks. Review: This was a very insightful book. Remember that Abraham Lincoln, too, was a late bloomer who lost more elections than he won before becoming the greatest President of his century. Bush will be a tremendous President if he continues the work he has done in Austin. I recommend that everyone buys this book...get to know your next President!
Rating: Summary: A look into the mind of a man who strikes me as real Review: In an election year, new faces, and new figures become a fixture in our daily lives; A Charge To Keep introduced me to a man who's more than mere media perception, someone who laughs, cries, and gets embaressed like you or me. My mind isn't made up on whether he might receive my vote next fall but his words allowed me to get to know him better--and will keep my ear focused on all he has to say from this point out.
Rating: Summary: Great Minds Think Alike Review: A great read and good insight into our future president. This book will prove the skeptics wrong and also provide good background information on "W"'s life. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to you.
Rating: Summary: A Guiding Light Review: George W. Bush's autobiography, A Charge To Keep, is very inspiring and motivating. As I progressed through this book, Governor Bush's experiences, not only in his personal life, but professional life, made me reflect on the hymn, after which this book is titled. As a student, this book made me reflect on my own life, looking within myself regarding spirituality, family and the kind of impact I want to have in the future. Governor Bush's stance on various political issues, such as education, are elaborated upon. After reading this book, if this is what "compassionate conservatism" is, then I would like to be part of it. It is obvious to me, if elected, Governor Bush will govern through principles, not polls, actions, not words.
Rating: Summary: The Best Book by any of the Presidential Candidates Review: Before reading this book I knew only what I had heard about Governor Bush on the news. I was extremely impressed with the Bush's intellectual command of the issues facing our country today. His eloquence and down-to-earth attitude expressed by his written words demonstrate why Governor Bush is the front-runner for both the Republican primary and the General Election. He presents the current problems facing our nation and the steps that need to be taken to solve these problems. The book also offers readers insight into the man who could be our next President. Bush's words show him to be a man dedicated to our nations best interests and a man of honor and integrity. I've been reading the books by the major presidential candidates, and this by far is the best. Governor Bush shows that he is the candidate most in touch with average voters feelings and beliefs. It demonstrates that his compassionate conservative philosphy is one shared by most Americans. I definitely would encourage people to read this book.
Rating: Summary: Though ghostwritten, a perfect reflection of an empty mind Review: Even by the caterpillar-high standards of the campaign biography, this is an amazingly, staggeringly, brain-freezingly vapid book. A real "Conversations With George" book might have some Harry Trumanesque wit and bite to it, I'd love to sit down with him over a beer and hear him trash Yale, but this mental enema, written by Bush's Edgar Bergen, Karen Hughes (who quotes her own speeches endlessly), takes everything human out of what minuscule life story Bush has had. Imagine an entire book written in the style of a memo from the head of your company's HR department, and you have this waste of trees. The thing is, Bush isn't just announcing a new way for the HMO to screw you; he's dealt with real issues, like executing people, and on the evidence of this book he did it with all the human concern and feeling of an upperclassmen torturing a pledge. This book is the greatest argument against his stature to be president possible.
Rating: Summary: Almost Too Shallow For Words Review: Why is this guy so popular? I mean, through his ghost writer (you really didn't believe Bush wrote this himself, did you?) he presents us with a portrait of a very shallow and empty life. Until his election as Governor of Texas, George W. Bush never succeeded at anything in his entire life. And even that is questionable. Everything has been handed to him his entire life, and if he hadn't been fortunate enough to carry his daddy's name, the Texas governorship probably wouldn't have been handed to him either.He has no intellectual curiosity or public accomplishments, and this book says as much. His only drive is to become president, but he really can't tell us why. This book was supposed to address that problem, but it only attempts to paper over the flaws in Bush's unstoried past. With this book George W. Bush really has proven that he isn't ready (and probably never will be) to serve as president of our nation. He's a man that carries all the personal failings of our current president and all the intellectual abilities of his father's vice-president. Not an attractive combination.
Rating: Summary: Yet another disapointment from the Texas Guv... Review: As a United Methodist Youth Minister in Miami, Florida, I represent much of the 'private charity' which George W Bush speaks of. Yet, without a doubt, I can tell you that the Governor's analysis on the role of government in this book is fatally flawed - it will drown itself with the shackles of unjust conservatism and do-nothing spirits. The Governor in the book gives in to the old Republican view that 'government is not the answer but the problem.' Just look at some of his suggestions - want to fix Social Security? Sure - Bush says - let's look at partially privatizing it. Want to cut taxes? Sure - Bush says - let's eliminate or cut taxes on wealthy investors and the richest 1% of estates and inheritences. Want to reform the legal system? Sure - Bush says - let's limit legal liabilities of companies which exploit and abuse workers. Want to reduce government? Sure - Bush says - let's ignore the reduced buying power of the Minimum Wage, privatize Medicare and not do anything about the 1 in 5 children living in poverty. The Governor proposes no new solutions - they all come out of the Bush family mantra of '1,000 points of light.' This volunteerism, when combined with her sensible public initiatives, is quite good. After all,volunteerism is what makes my church what it is. I know this from a personal view. God's work in Miami could not be done without regular people. Yet, I know that government does have a role to play. What if Social Security, Medicare, environmental and labor protection and the Minimum Wage were to be as Bush wants them? What would happen to our families, our workers and our elderly? What about our children who must go to public schools, breathe our air for the next 90 years and someday work in underprotected places of business? What about them? What about our Christian duty of love and compassion for them? Do they have a voice? Yet, to this, Bush simply replies that government's role should be 'minimal.' That's compassionate conservatism for you! All it says is 'boy, you're off badly - I wish I could help you - but I can't - but, boy, do I feel your pain!' Mind you, if you want to see what Bush would do as President, get this book, and become familiar with his agenda. That's what America needs to do - and badly. Thus, in an odd way, I would recommend this book. Buy it, read it and then evaluate for yourself. You'll see that Bush is not a practicer of compassion and that he is a practicer of conservatism - cold hearted conservatism.
Rating: Summary: A refreshing analysis of Governor George W. Bush's life. Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. I have been reading everything I can about Governor Bush. I want to know why so many people have supported him already. This book explains it. I finally got a thorough review of the Governor's life. He talks about his views and beliefs. It is a great behind the scenes review of some tough times for the Governor. I was glad to have the insight that this book gives. Good luck, Governor! I hope to meet you when you come to town!
Rating: Summary: Bush is more intelligent than a turnip Review: That's about all that one will conclude upon finishing this book. When I was done, I felt like I had consumed solid air, or fat-free cream cheese.
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