41: A Portrait Of My Father (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Whatever you think of George H. W. Bush's legacy as president, everyone can find inspiration in the story of his life of public service. GHWB was probably the most prepared for the office of president of anyone in the 20th century. His accomplishments include: high school class president at Andover, joined the Navy at age 18, became the youngest Navy pilot in WW2, was shot down by the Japanese during a bombing run on Chichi Jima and rescued at sea, Yale economics graduate where he was captain of the baseball team and honors student, oil drill bit salesman in Compton, CA and other places, owner of a Texas offshore oil company, Sunday school teacher, Harris County TX republican committee chair, U.S. Congressman from Texas, US Ambassador to the United Nations, national chairman of the Republican National Committee, US liason to the Republic of China, Director of the CIA, Vice President for two terms under Ronald Reagan, President, and only the 2nd person to be both president and the father of a president (and also the father of the Governors of Texas and Florida concurrently). And of course avid birthday parachute jumper, completing his most recent jump at the age of 90.As a federal employee, I have so much respect for this man who served such a full and diverse life of public service. I've read his book of letters as well which also shows, as does this book, that he is an honorable and humble man, and is married to a great (and hilarious) lady as well. It was a pleasure to work in the executive branch during his administration. This book was a great inside look at his life of public service. Sure, his son does interject a few unnecessary jabs of commentary at his father's opponents, and tried a few too many times to point out how his administration was like his fathers, but that did not distract from the book for me. Obviously his son is going to be a biased author.His time in WW2 and losing his friends in the war, and how that affected him the rest of his life was a special part of this book. I won't deny it, I graded this book on a curve. I am not a fan of everything the President (43) while in office but I never doubted his sincerity or desire to do what was right. As a college student at the time I was perhaps even less tolerant of 41. With time my appreciation, much like the nation's, of HW has grown. This book is a son's love letter to his father and in this respect the book works. Written in a very comfortable and plain spoken prose the President (43) talks about what made HW what he is. Much has been made of W's desire to step out from his father's shadow. If there ever was any resentment, you won't find it here. The book works best before HW becomes President, then we get W's perspective of his father's accomplishments and failures. Not really a revelation and some points are easy to argue. The whole Iraq War discussions goes off on a tangent to justify his own actions later during his own presidency. Later, as we enter his own administration the book falters more, although it is such a short section that it is difficult to get too upset. Much of what W says here has been said before, repeatedly and even in his own book. All in all, a good work and fun read.
What do You think about 41: A Portrait Of My Father (2014)?
An American patriot writing about an American patriot. Bush haters need not apply.
—Toni
George W. Bush recounts the story of his father's life with genuine admiration.
—Sam
Revealing look at a man who was super qualified to be our 41st President.
—nm31
