All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings [Paperback]

George H. W. Bush shows us his life by sharing the details. This book's strength comes from the small moments of the author's family life, military experience, and public service. The sixteen chapters are composed almost entirely of selected letters that George Bush wrote to other people, accompanied by a few lines of background about each. There is an intimacy to this collection that would not remain had the letters been edited into a narrative. Readers can hear this former president's voice and judge if it rings true.

George Bush has an understated sense of humor only rarely seen by the public during his presidency. A few examples:
- He brought in Dana Carvey to "play" him at a White House staff meeting.
- A serious memo to President Reagan ends with the "blind man" joke.
- Awarding a "Scowcroft Award" to anyone who falls asleep in a Cabinet meeting then makes a brilliant recovery upon awakening.
- "Being called dishonest by Bill Clinton is like being called ugly by a frog."
- "Mikhail--I want you to have this first message that I have ever sent to a foreign leader on my new computer..."

George Bush is also a decent man, who values his friends and lives his values. This seems particularly clear as we read about:
- The letters he wrote to the families of soldiers who died fighting for their country
- His deep disappointment in Richard Nixon over Watergate and their continuing friendship afterward
- His restraint when dealing with a press corps "...more hateful than I can ever recall in modern times."
- His sincere efforts to remain friends with those he disagreed with politically
- The value he places on equality and civil rights in the face of extremists from the right and the left

This is a well-written book by a man who made a difference in the world without demanding the spotlight, even as president. We hear about this world as he described and interpreted it for others. Those interested in a more traditional treatment of world events during George Bush's time in the White House may prefer A World Transformed, co-authored with Brent Scowcroft.

This book was a gift to my daugter a few years ago and she said she liked the book very much

.... you may want to look for another book. this one is full of "corrections" of what the actual man himself said. parts about family money made off the holocaust have been edited out, unfortunately. specifically in some letters addressed to leslie baukerberg (his life-long accountant) and tina goethe (his admitted former girlfriend) who both had invested in a brilliant stock some of that same money that granted him the ability to pay off campgain debts! as a fan of bush sr's work in the white house i was shocked to see these glaring omissions from letters i had previously read via the internet. perhaps the best book for this subject is the less-heavily-edited "sons of tommorrows sunshine" compiled by son jeb bush and the late author benjamin kowlestein will guide you more in the history of this man and his family.