Exploring the Legacy of Barbara Bush: How One Woman Shaped an American Dynasty

B. S.: Über ein TV Interview mit Helmut Kohl wurde mein Interesse an Ihrer Biographie geweckt. Barbara Bush sei EINE GANZ TOLLE FRAU waren seine Worte. Dies erstaunte mich, denn Kohl ließ m. E. kein gutes Haar an irgendeinem politischen Weggefährten. Vorab was Sie nicht war. Sie bestach nicht durch guten Geschmack, machte sich nichts aus Luxus, die dreireihige Perlenkette - ihr Markenzeichen - war Modeschmuck (genauso wie die berühmte von Jacqueline Kennedy), den sie trug, um ihre Halsfalten zu verbergen. Sie war typisch amerikanisch auch in dem Sinne, vielleicht zu leger zu sein. Es existiert ein Foto von Ihr auf einem Sofa mit Ihrer Nachfolgerin als First Lady - Hillary Clinton -, da hat sie ein Bein auf dem Sofa, beinah noch der Schuh. Was sie konnte war mit ihrer uneitlen Art - sie konnte einstecken - Menschen für sich einnehmen. Ihr größtes Verdienst war wohl die zickige, oberlehrerhafte Raissa Gorbatschowa auf ihre Seit gezogen zu haben. Deren Einfluß auf Ihren Mann war bekannt, wenn nicht berüchtigt. Dies hat wohl die Weltgeschichte verändert. Wie es dazu kam? Man parlierte auf einem Staatsbesuch der Gorbatschows während einer Autofahrt über Rezepte für...

Germany on Jan 23, 2022

Phyllis: I have loved this book totally. True story and I can hear her voice in every quote in the book.

Canada on Dec 01, 2019

Linda M.: I felt as if I knew her by the time I finished this book. Such a lovely role model! The pictures are an added bonus!

Canada on Sep 25, 2019

lalto: This is a very light biography with small paragraphs and a breezy, journalistic style. There was not a lot of depth or insight. The gossipy bits were all revealed in the publicity for the book. I did not come away understanding Barbara Bush better than when I started. I was looking for more substance. I finally gave up because I was bored. Shame because Barbara Bush as a person never bored me. Might be okay as a book for a flight or a beach read, but don’t expect any juicy revelations.

Canada on Jun 13, 2019

Debbie: I never really liked the Bush family but it was interesting to see the family dynamic's at play here with Barbara Bush. She was an interesting woman with an interesting story. There were times I fully agreed with her and there were times when I felt she overstepped but what mother doesn't. She is fiercely protective of her family shows the family flaws as well as hers. I would recommend this book

Canada on May 15, 2019

C Wm (Andy) Anderson: 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...

United States on Apr 04, 2019

gammyjill: 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...

United States on Apr 02, 2019