Put aside your political affiliations, and you
will find this book interesting and appealing. The author
is the little-known daughter of former president George H.W.
Bush and Barbara Bush. Her name, Doro, was shortened from
Dorothy. She wrote the story to tell about her father, the
man, and not the politician. Both George and Barbara are featured
throughout the book and speak in their own voices at various
times.
Prior to starting the biography, the author used
her parents' Christmas card list and wrote to each person
on the list, asking for anecdotes about her father. She combines
the written replies with personal interviews and her own recollections
to paint a warm and loving picture of the man we knew as a
world leader. In addition to information about family events
and relationships, she includes many references to the military,
business and political career of her father. Through her writing,
we hear the former president discuss his dealings with Richard
Nixon at the time of Watergate. We hear him offer personal
insight regarding Kissinger and Noriega. We learn that he
and another former president, Bill Clinton, not only work
together for charitable causes, but enjoy each other's company
socially.
Doro Bush Koch does not try to determine the
historical significance of her father's presidency, but she
does present an insider's view of a thoughtful, considerate
man who achieved fame as a World War II pilot, oil businessman,
UN Ambassador, U.S. Ambassador to China, CIA Director, Vice
President, and President of the United States. The book concludes
with George Bush reading a letter he wrote to all of his children,
knowing their concerns about his being 80 years old. It is
a beautiful message and shows much of the person who was once
our president. This alone makes it easy to recommend this
book.
,
by Doro Bush Koch (Read by the author and featuring George H.W.
and Barbara Bush)
