Two great books for the holidays: 41 and America in Retreat

Posted By on December 4, 2014

AmericaInRetreat_BretStephens2014Finished the best book I’ve read all year, 41” by George W. Bush last weekend and started a new Kindle ebook on my tablet, America in Retreat” by the Wall Street Journal’s Bret Stephens. Both are well written and very enlightening … although I’ve just started the second.

gwb_41_portrait2014The GW Bush book about his father, President George H. W. Bush, was amazing in that it was easy to read and actually a pleasure.

Before the political hackles start flying, the reason the book impressed me was based on its humanity. Most of us know about the Bush “dynasty” and their political achievements and faults (or perceived shortcomings), but will likely learn, and be able to apply, lessons from an ambitious and talented man as as parent and father in our own lives. Now, when I think about Bush-41 and his legacy I will remember what an impact he had as a parent and father rather than a patriot and the man who said, “read my lips, no new taxes” and when on to compromise by “raising existing taxes” (not “new” taxes). Grr … still bothers me to this day … but it is truly a measure of a persons life to note the reverence his children (and friends) show and share about the man they respect and love, especially GWB, the author. Learning about 41’s early life as an entrepreneur was enlightening, as was rehashing may of the historic facts that we probably already knew. It is one book that I can highly recommend even if you were not a fan of Republicans or politics … or what you “think” you knew about the Bush family. It was definitely written in the George W. Bush style and looks to only been lightly edited; although they were not in the text, it was easy to read a few “Bushisms” between the lines. Very personal and well done.

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