George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage

by Christopher Andersen

Book Overview

This intimate look into the White House and the marriage of the President and First Lady by the #1 New York Times bestselling author is now available in paperback with a new Epilogue and 32 pp. of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0066213703
• ISBN13: 9780066213705
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Beautifully written

Unlike "Laura" by Antonia Felix -- which is shallow, and "borrows" from newspaper clippings -- "George and Laura" is beautifully written from beginning to end. It never loses its punch, and provides a wonderful portrait of two special people, "warts" and all -- especially in the case of "W." in his earlier years. Buy it; you will not be disappointed.T.D. Naegele...

A Winner!

Whilst certain reviews seem to have been entered here simply to attract sales for forthcoming books, I feel it right to redress the balance and enter a review that refers specfically to Andersen's work.Writing a doctorate thesis at Oxford University on American Politics from 1950-present, has giving me the opportunity to study a wide variety of secondary and primary sources.I am not one to give praise freely, but this work has finally put a missing piece in the puzzle. Andersen's masterful reconstruction of the Bush marriage has provided a sensitive yet penetrating account of the characterisitics required to obtain the presidency.This book offers a unique insight into the Bush marriage and how their private lives have effected their decisions on the national stage: it is a must for any serious scholar or simply for those with an interest in the human condition.It is a breath of fresh air to find a book that one is willing to continue reading outside of the library.

Sense of the Family

I've read most of Mr. Andersen's popular biographies with pleasure: they generally reveal and synthesize the interesting details that flesh out the most celebrated people of our times. "George and Laura" surpassed my expectations! While George was not my choice for president (I admit to being a third-party liberal), I was comforted by the personal side of him and was very impressed by Laura's inner strength. I still don't agree with GW's politics, but Mr. Andersen has given me an excellent sense of our First Family.

A Marriage That Made a Presidency Possible

Regardless of where you stand politically, Christopher Andersen's portrait of President George W. Bush and his wife and balance wheel, Laura, will inform and fascinate. For this reader, who did not vote for Mr. Bush, but who wanted to know more about him, Andersen's "George and Laura" creates a remarkable amount of understanding and in a number of instances, a generous amount of justified sympathy. The political road to the presidency travelled by George W. Bush was a short one, remarkably short-less than seven years in elective office. And it's clear from Andersen's reporting that there were a number of chances for him to go off the political road into a ditch. Without Laura by his side it easily could have happened. In short, Bush never would have been a contender without her, and as Andersen surmises, Laura Bush continues to be a sounding board, critic and advisor. The author says of his own wife in the acknowlegments section, "...no one is more deserving of my gratitude (not to mention my love) than Valerie, my wife, partner, and best friend for thirty years." George W. Bush no doubt could say the same about his Laura."George and Laura" is a fascinating read, and like everything Andersen takes on (my wife and I are fans of his), it is very well written, researched and a page-turner. Enjoy it.

A great read!

I did not want to like them...in fact I am ambivalent about their politics, but this book made them seem real and remarkably likeable.All the trials in their lives brought them to this place in time and they have become superb role models. Once again, Andersen has written a book that is so engrossing you can't put it down!