My First Guest post!

One of the things I want to do with this blog is to get in other people's opinions and feelings on different genre of books.  A book is different for everyone.  Today is my first guest post!  It's written by my cousin, Andy, and it's a perfect fit.  Today is President's Day, and the book we're looking at is 41: A Portrait of my Father  by George W. Bush.  I haven't read the book, but from Andy's words, it seems like an interesting read.  When Andy and I were talking about the book, he said that it was doubly interestnig for him because he listened to it and it was narrated by George W. Bush as well.  That make it feel even more personal, like you're listening to stories that he's telling.  Here's the review from Andy:

A memoir of the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, written by not only by his son, but also by the 43rd President of the United States. What a unique and complex perspective to examine the life of a president from!  This was a very enjoyable read, as it presents the story of two presidents and their childhoods, looking for interesting similarities and differences along the way. The story is told with great love and tenderness, which seems to almost burst from the pages at times. It pulls at the heartstrings and fills the reader to the brim with the “warm fuzzies”. But it is not blind love, and George, Jr. speaks about some of his father’s mistakes and shortcomings. Even knowing much of the history as I do, I loved the perspective of one man’s life, how he grew and changed with the times, yet remained much the same in many ways. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about politics, or memoirs and biographies, or who just love a good father-son story.

This is a book that was recommended to me by a student, and I admit my expectations were low going into it. So often, these memoir type books are cookie-cutter and self-congratulatory. Full discretion, this one doesn’t really escape that mold. With that said, though, I think it’s worth the time, because of the interesting perspective it provides. It helps that George, Sr., is one of my favorite presidents, especially in the modern era. I admire his strength and expertise, and above all, his pragmatism. He did what he needed to do without forsaking his ideals or becoming obstinate and mired in partisanship. If it weren’t for his “Read my lips: no new taxes” pledge, I (and George, Jr.) believe he would have won a second term and earned as much if not more adoration as Reagan or Clinton.

At any rate, this was an uplifting book. The story of a young man who worked his way up through the military, business, and government positions to become the 41st President of the United States, and how that man managed to raise his son to become the 43rd President, as well. It’s about both the man and the politician, through the eyes of his son and another politician. If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, this is a great choice.