Read The Matriarch Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty eBook Susan Page

Product details File Size 97406 KB Print Length 433 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN 1538713640 Publisher Twelve (April 2, 2019) Publication Date April 2, 2019 Sold by Hachette Book Group Language English ASIN B07CNPKZTC

The Matriarch Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty eBook Susan Page Reviews

• I've never particularly been a fan of Barbara Pierce Bush. She has always struck me as a woman with a waspish tongue and a rather prickly personality. I knew her adulthood had been shaped by the death of a daughter at the age of three from leukemia and from her long-term marriage to George Bush. But I was anxious to read Susan Page's new biography, "The Matriarch Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty." The book is very good and I've learned a bit about Mrs Bush that I didn't know before.
  
  There were three or four parts of Mrs Bush's life I thought were interesting and well-explored in Susan Page's book. One is the illness and death of young Robin Bush in the early 1950's, six months after having been diagnosed with childhood leukemia. Much has been made of the fact that George and Barbara played a round of golf after Robin died. But the truth was that both Bushes had spent months at Robin's bedside, nursing her though her treatments, and helping her along. Barbara Bush made one rule and that was no one could cry around Robin. The round of golf was a release needed by both grieving parents. And, of course, there was very little support for young George W in his grief over losing his sister, which is a whole other book.
  
  I also didn't realise that Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan hated each other. Both women were famous for protecting their husbands and Reagan was reacting to the somewhat vicious 1980 primary where George Bush ran against Ronald Reagan. Nancy was vile in her cold relations with the Bushes, leading to a final blow-up between the two women after Bush left office.
  
  Susan Page selected several other themes in Barbara Bush's life to explore in detail. She tells about George Bush's affair - or was it an affair? - with his aide Jennifer Fitzgerald, who was sort of around for a longish period in the 1980's. Whatever the relationship was, George Bush did little to clean up the situation, even knowing about his wife's distress.
  
  But Page writes movingly about Barbara Bush's period of depression in the 1980's. It was deep and it was dark and I can't figure out exactly how Bush came out of it. Those are just a few of the topics Susan Page covers in the biography. Page is a very "easy" and smooth writer. I have a better view of Barbara Pierce Bush after reading the book.
• First I really like Susan Page and knew this would be a well written book and it is. I see her on television often and trust her judgement. This book has broken my heart. I love Barbara Bush and have always admired her and admire her even more now. George H. W. Bush is the only Republican I have ever voted for, twice. No other. I am so sad about him after reading this I don't know what to do, but I am better off knowing. No man belongs on a pedestal, yet George stayed on one as long as she lived. She loved him, no matter what until the day she died. Loyalty to him and her family was who she was. Barbara Bush was a remarkable lady who had a lot of grief, but had a privileged life, lots of friends, and lived through remarkable times. She had much more influence than everyone knew and it is a good thing because she was an excellent judge of character with a wonderful mind and quick wit. Nancy It is just too bad she wasn't in politics herself. The book is great, very readable, sometimes sad and sometimes laugh out loud good.
• I'm one of those guys who had an on again, off again, feeling of love and respect for First Lady Barbara Bush. In 1984 I took umbrage at her for her disdain towards POTUS candidate Walter Mondale's choice for VP. I also recollect disappoinment in her when her husband, George H W Bush got elected Pesident, instead of MA Gov. Michael Dukakis. Then, however, I came to see how similar she was to my own grandmother and, well, I came to a greater appreciation of her despite her political allegiance.
  
  Now, after having read (and listened to the Audible edition) of "The Matriarch," I have a better understanding and much greater empathy for the person (and for the other wives of presidents and presidential candidates). Without giving any spoilers, if you do choose to read this book, pay especial attention to the small bit regarding Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.
  
  As for myself, I felt some sympathy towards Barbara, to be sure, but also a good deal of sadness at her disappointment and just how it hit her in a very personal way. In fact, it reminded me of some of my intimate discussions with my own mother as her life was edging toward its end. And, yes, before you ask, tears do now well up in my eyes in remembrance of the sadness recollected by mom regarding events of her youth or early adulthood. So far as I know, neither of my siblings ever heard the regrets she expressed.
  
  THAT is the worth of "The Matriarch."
  
  Incidentally, this is probably my last review for Customer Reviews. `For whatever reason, they seem determined to ensure my reviews do not post in a timely manner. Unlike times past, when I submit my reviews, chooses to delay posting until at least a dozen other reviews post first. The technique is known as burying the review. Further, my review of "Becoming" was removed after it posted more than 700 helpful votes. So, of course, I can take a hint...
  
  BLUSH FACTOR This is a book that can certainly be read by anybody. The only eff word, believe it or not, appears in the footnotes, which is something few word read anyway.
  
  WRITING & EDITING Flows very smoothly and with no typos or editing snafus. It doesn't have the same tonal quality as "Becoming" but it does keep one's interest throughout.
  
  BOTTOM LINE
  
  Four stars out of five. I enjoyed it, felt deeply saddened in places where Barbara Bush suffered tragedy or heartbreak, but also immense gladness when she experienced the happiness that comes when one is young and in love. I feel that this book made me see more sides of Babbs than I ever would have seen otherwise.
• This book gives a lot of insight into the Bush family. I found the best part being Barbara's relationship with Nancy Reagan. If Nancy could read the book - she would be seething. Loved that Barbara finally put Nancy in her place - a long time coming.
• I bought this for my wife, who, as a Texan loves the Bush family. We lived in Midland while the Bush family did and 41 was in the Oil business.
  She's enjoyed the book.
• Will make great gifts for Mother's Day! Thanks!!