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Title details for The Bushes by Peter Schweizer - Available

The Bushes

Portrait of a Dynasty

by Peter Schweizer
Rochelle Schweizer
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Get the inside story on America’s most powerful political dynasty.

President George W. Bush leads our nation in a time of unprecedented peril. But how well do we really know him or his remarkable family, whose history often mirrors the history of America? Now, in the first full-scale biography of the Bushes, Peter and Rochelle Schweizer trace the extraordinary trajectory of their rise to power.
Through a series of exclusive, surprisingly candid interviews with members of the family and close friends, the inner workings of this very private family are revealed: their marriages and friendships; the intense sibling rivalry between George W. and Jeb Bush; divisions between father and son over the Iraq war; even Jeb Bush’s plans to run for president in 2008. Never-before-seen private photos add even greater detail and depth to this fascinating family portrait.
And above all, we see George W. Bush the way his family does, as an intensely driven person who has a much more complex relationship with his father than has often been portrayed in the media. Family members talk about how he deals with the stresses of the war on terrorism, why he sees it as a “religious war,” and how his personal faith influences what he says and does.
The Schweizers also delve into the Bushes’ sensitive and secret business dealings, including their long history of involvement in the oil business. Their shrewd alliances with other American dynasties—including the Kennedys, Rockefellers, and Tafts—have all helped to quietly consolidate their power within the Republican Party.
Indeed, what makes the Bushes so successful is that they function less like the great political families before them and more like a high-tech startup: free-flowing, pragmatic, and opportunistic. It is this distinction that assures them an enduring presence on the nation’s political stage, making The Bushes essential reading for anyone who cares about America’s future.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    January 8, 2004

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781415953297
      • File size: 665090 KB
      • Duration: 23:05:36

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Although the family dislikes the comparison, the Bush political dynasty rivals that of the famous Kennedys. George H.W. Bush, like his father, Senator Prescott Bush of Connecticut, committed himself to creating a firm financial foundation before entering politics. Son Jeb Bush built a fortune in Miami real estate before running for Florida governor, and son George W.--well, this family maverick unsuccessfully attempted to strike gold in Texas oil before joining the Bush political bandwagon and winning the race for Texas governor. All generations built political careers on the unyielding bedrock of family loyalty and business relationships. Narrator Robertson Dean is well suited to the subject, with a voice carrying neither Connecticut nor Texas undertones. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE BUSHES tells the Bush family story without any dirty laundry. For example, George W's National Guard unit is called the "Campaign Unit," alluding to the political connections of its members. In THE FAMILY, Kitty Kelley's less flattering biography, the same group is called the "Champagne Unit," suggesting instead a fraternity of wealthy party boys. The reading by Harry Chase is dignified and knowing--in the style of a loving and respectful friend who views the family foibles in a generous and heroic light. The malapropisms of both Georges are seen as endearing frailties while dubious campaign tactics are matters of "steely determination." The Bushes, after all, are only human. This vision of the First Family will appeal to listeners in the majority party. J.W. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 16, 2004
      Like Kevin Phillips in his bestselling American Dynasty,
      the Schweizers trace the history of the Bush family back to progenitors George Herbert Walker and Samuel P. Bush. It's easy to spot both continuity and change in four generations of prominent Bushes. Of Prescott Bush's career in business, we're told, "Consensus and camaraderie forged behind closed doors suited him perfectly," a description that fits his grandson's style in the White House. And many of the family's connections span decades: Back in 1928, a firm headed by Prescott Bush purchased Dresser Industries—which today is a subsidiary of Halliburton. However, the family's politics have shifted rightward like those of their party: Prescott Bush lost his first election after being "smeared" as an advocate of birth control, and later he became one of the first senators to denounce Joseph McCarthy—a bold gesture of moderation. Unlike Phillips, the Schweizers try hard to put a positive spin on the family saga. They insist that George H.W. Bush disliked negative campaigning, without mentioning the infamous Willie Horton ad that helped him win the 1988 election. When recounting the Florida election crisis of 2000, they find it "troublesome" that Carol Roberts, who oversaw the Palm Beach recount, was a Gore supporter, but fail to note that election supervisor Katherine Harris helped run Bush's Florida campaign. Thus, while this group portrait usefully gathers much family lore in a single, accessible source, the unbiased, authoritative story of the dynasty remains to be written.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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