Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

I probably never would have read this book, but I've recently been on a books-about-First-Ladies kick. After reading First Lady Barbara Bush's biography and learning how complex and sometimes different she was from her husband (she was pro-choice), I decided to embark on a similar journey with the younger Bush clan.

I had a rather negative view of George W. Bush before reading this book. To put it bluntly, I thought he was a fratty partier, puppeteered by Dick Cheney. But the Bush sisters helped me humanize their dad. The president who I thought was a frat star has actually been sober since his daughters were two or three. The president who sent our nation (and my own dad) to Iraq was deeply hurt and emotional upon making and sustaining show more this decision. The president whose own father exacerbated the HIV/AIDS crisis in the U.S. created the first-ever policies to address AIDS domestically and abroad.

The women in George W. Bush's life are redeeming factors for me. His wife, Laura Bush, a librarian and teacher, is passionate about lifting up women around the globe and environmental conservation. I admire her greatly. His daughter, the younger Barbara Pierce Bush, founded the Global Health Corps to eradicate HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases around the globe. She's also a fierce advocate for women. And neither of George W. Bush's daughters are registered Republicans. It shows me that although they hail from America's Republican family dynasty, they are brave enough to lean into their own beliefs as individuals and work toward a better country as they see fit. show less

Breezy, pleasant read. There aren't as many White House details as I'd hoped, but Hager and Bush didn't actually live in the White House that long. A very loving tribute to their parents and grandparents, especially their Bush grandparents. The summers at Walkers Point in Maine sound wonderful. Don't read this looking for a clear-eyed view of George W, Laura, George HW, or Barbara Bush. Even some things that could be seen as negative, such as the late Barbara Bush's sharp tongue, or George W's alcoholism, are painted in a positive light. The authors seem like nice people, with a sense of noblesse oblige. They don't really dig into their privilege. Barbara Pierce Bush makes a very good case for attending boarding school in Rome for a show more year, and her parents can't find any objections, so she gets to go. No real discussion of how she was aware of such a school (she visited Rome with her grandmother), or that for thousands of teenagers, a safe, adequately funded high school in their district is an unimaginable dream. I enjoyed reading it, but I'm glad I didn't buy it. I don't want to feed into any mistique around the Bushes. show less

I really enjoyed hearing about Jenna and Barbara's lives. I am close to their age so I can relate to some of the same things (flip phones, etc.). I love how the Bush family writes so many personal letters and they are shared in the book. Hearing the girls read their story was wonderful. This book touched upon political topics (like the Gulf War, elections) but it was because it was part of their lives and not in a preachy way. I loved hearing about the bond they share and how they have chosen very different paths in life but remain close. 5/5 Stars

Barbara and Jenna Bush write and then narrate this book about their lives together growing up with George and Laura Bush as parents. I'm not a fan of their father as president, but i have to say that as a father, George Bush was excellent. So many things he did well while managing to keep his family close while also being governor of Texas and the President. The sisters let a few interesting things out, but this isn't an inside tell all book. It focuses on their lives growing up together and all that involves in the very public way they had to live. I recommend this book.

I am always interested in getting glimpses into the lives of the privileged and those that live their lives in the spotlight. I enjoy celebrity bios, and seeing the other side of these individuals that are focused on in the tabloids and the media - although I'm not sure you can always believe either side...

I do think that these girls has been kept VERY grounded in spite of all the focus and spotlight that has been on them. Politics aside, these two twins (Barbara and Jenna Bush) had extraordinary parents and grandparents raising them and I think they kept them pretty grounded in spite of it all. Which no doubt was not easy.

But the book was pretty light and fluffy, an easy read with no real secret insights or family issues. It was a bit show more boring at times, and swapped from one twin to the other narrating - which left stories often being repeated.

I am definitely jealous of the sisterly bond these two share - which is very close and very sweet and it's nice to see that in spite of growing up with everyone watching - they've both become pretty great contributing members of society and I applaud them for that. show less

3.5 An articulate memoir penned by both Bush twins. It was interesting to learn what life was like having a grandfather, then a father in the White House and going through adolescence in the Texas governor's mansion; it gives a very human side to people we all feel we have a claim to by virtue of their public persona. And of course very timely due to Barbara Bush's recent death. Though I don't agree with their family politics (they don't always either I learned), I was sympathetic to the intensity of the media's gaze, not to mention starting college with a secret service detail in tow. The family is admirable for its work on social issues like AIDs and Barbara the younger currently runs a public health NGO, so altruism seems to be the show more lasting legacy of their dynasty. And compared to current Republican leadership, the 90s/early 00s era feels like a blissful reign. Their sisterly twin connection is a little self-indulgent at times -- the book includes some personal notes to each other and many anecdotes of support and shenanigans, but the overall takeaway is positive and admirable. Some cute family pictures too! show less

Say what you will about politics---it's hard to find issue with Jenna and Barbara Bush. I felt like they were the coolest first daughters in 2000. And I find the family fascinating. Their grandmother reminds me of my great-grandmother. There is so much wisdom to be found in their Gampy's words.

I loved getting an insight into the Bush family. But I learned so much about their heart for African women.....or Jenna's start at the Today show......or the family summers in Maine. It was a nice read.