Reflections: Life After the White House
by Barbara Bush
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"There is a myth in the United States -- you've heard it many times. It says that all American mothers hope that their child will grow up to be President of the United States. In my case that certainly is a myth. I never dreamed that any of ours would, there were days when I hoped they'd just grow up!...But on January 20, 2001...there we were sitting on the west side of the United States Capitol, waiting for our son George W. to be sworn in as the forty-third President of the United States show more of America." -- from the Prologue This inspiring follow-up to Barbara Bush's number one bestselling memoir covers the momentous eight years between President George H. W. Bush's leaving office and President George W. Bush's inauguration. Not since Abigail Adams has one woman been both the wife and mother to a president. Barbara Bush's prominent place in American history is matched by her extraordinary popularity, Republicans and Democrats alike appreciate her wit, her compassion, and her devotion to her family. Dignified, loyal, and unpretentious, Barbara Bush defied skeptics to become one of the most admired first ladies in history, she remains a beloved public figure today. Picking up where Barbara Bush, A Memoir left off, Reflections begins with the inauguration of her son, President George W. Bush, in January 2001, and then flashes back eight years to President Clinton's inauguration, when she and her husband President George H. W. Bush were leaving the White House. Drawing on excerpts from her diary, Mrs. Bush chronologically takes us through this time in her life, devoting one chapter to each year. She reveals her and her husband's inner lives through sometimes touching and often hilarious stories about their extensive travels, their hobbies, and their charity work. She discusses her experiences on the campaign trail with her sons, and relates her continuing interactions with VIPs from around the world. Mrs. Bush also touches on more controversial issues, such as her husband's resignation from the NRA, the caning of an American student in Singapore, and the hypocrisy of certain politicians. The extraordinary amount of love she feels for her family and the pride she takes in their many achievements is always clear, particularly when she writes of her relationships with her five children and fourteen grandchildren. In the epilogue, she reflects on the experience of having a president for a son and discusses the family's reactions to September 11, 2001, and its aftermath. Reflections will delight Barbara Bush's millions of admirers with the former first lady's warmth and wit, as well as with candid revelations and anecdotes from the past decade of a full and fascinating life. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I haven't read her memoir book yet, but, I plan to. This book doesn't have to follow the Memoir book, it's great just on it's on. I am in my 40's so I could relate to talk of the Berlin wall coming down and other events. I felt like I was refreshing my memory of history but, in a pleasant one on one conversation. I like that she talks about her faith and mentions many extraordinary things she was able to attend, help with or witness. It's a good read.
What a wonderful book talking about the Bush family, but mostly how it is seen through Barbara Bush's eyes.
I wished the book hadn't ended.
I wished the book hadn't ended.
Don;t waste your money
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Author Information
9+ Works 1,469 Members
Barbara Bush was born Barbara Pierce in New York City on June 8, 1925. She married George Bush on January 6, 1945 while he was on leave from the Navy. She was the wife of the 41st president of the United States and the mother of the 43rd president of the United States George W. Bush. She was a huge supporter of civil rights and literacy. While she show more was first lady from January 1989 to January 1993, she insisted that her press secretary be black, a first for that position, and started the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She wrote several books including C. Fred's Story: A Dog's Life and Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. The profits from those books went to literacy causes. She also wrote two memoirs entitled Barbara Bush: A Memoir and Reflections: Life After the White House. She died on April 17, 2018 at the age of 92. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Common Knowledge
- Original title
- Reflections: Life After the White House
- People/Characters
- Barbara Bush; George H. W. Bush; George W. Bush
- Important events
- United States presidential election (2000)
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.928 — History & geography History of North America United States 1901- Cold War, Vietnam War, Digital Age (1953-2001) George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) Fall of the Berlin Wall, Gulf War, German Reunification
- LCC
- E883 .B87 .B87 — History of the United States United States Later twentieth century, 1961-2000 George H.W. Bush's administration, 1989-1993
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 317
- Popularity
- 100,544
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 5
