Review of “A Portrait Of My Father” by George W. Bush
In the preface of “A Portrait Of My Father,” as our 43rd President prepares to inform us of his father’s life, George Herbert Walker Bush, our 41st President, he says that this story may not be objective. Forty-three states: “This book is a love story – a personal portrait of the extraordinary man who I am blessed to call my dad.” George W. holds firmly to his word that this writing indeed is a “love story.”
George H.W. Bush was blessed with a good family history and was well educated but that is not what is important to me. It is how he took the path less travelled, the harder journey, that proved what kind of a man he was and is today. His love for his wife, Barbara, and the rest of his family, loyalty to his friends (which were many) and his service to our country gives one an idea of what kind of a man he is.
George H. W. graduated from high school and enlisted in the Navy on his eighteenth birthday in 1942 when World War II was in progress. He became a pilot and even though his plane was hit by the Japanese, he and his two man crew completed their bombing mission. George and one of the crewmen parachuted from the damaged plane into the Pacific. The other crewman never made it out of the plane. George H. W. was the only member of the crew who survived when a United States submarine surfaced to rescue him.
The years between 1945 and 1948 would be a busy time for George H. W. that would exemplify his great activity for decades to come. He married Barbara Pierce in January, 1945 (which he called the happiest day of his life), received his honorable discharge from the Navy later that year, had his first child, George W. in 1946 and by 1948 completed his degree in economics at Yale in two and a half years.
Instead of taking a job with his uncle on Wall Street, which pretty much assured success, George H. W. moved the family to Midland, Texas, to try his hand in the oil business. He had many successes in business as well as in the political world but also faced some drawbacks. He learned from his father, who lost a Senate race that you should: “Not allow defeat to extinguish your dreams” (page 68). George H. W. served his country for decades in the Navy, the United States Congress, Ambassador to the United Nations and Chairman of the National Republican Committee. When he was offered the more prestigious position of either Ambassador to Great Britain or France, he selected Liaison to China because he foresaw China becoming a world force in the future. He served two terms as Vice President under Ronald Regan and, of course, served one term as President.
Despite all the important positions George H. W. held, I am most impressed with his character, his devotion to Barbara (with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage this January) and the impact he had on his 5 children (a sixth one died of leukemia at the age of three). He was also a great writer of letters, corresponding with the families of the two crew members who lost their lives in the bombing raid during World War II and hundreds of others who were close friends or whom he met. His outgoing personality, hospitality and communication paved the way of friendship with not only his political foes (many of whom turned friends) as well as leaders of other countries. He also helped some of his children refine their interests in politics and serving our country by including them in some of his political activities.
If you want to take the quick track in learning about George H. W, you can find out about his political endeavors quickly over the Internet. However, you won’t learn about the quality of a man he is. If you choose to read this book, you will learn so much more about H.W.’s relationship with his family, the social and political events of his time, the teaming up with Bill Clinton at the request of then President George W. Bush to help raise over $100,000,000 to assist those involved in three natural disasters, and of course more about Barbara. I loved the quotes in the book of H.W. and Barbara Bush which exemplified their differing personalities when George W. was participating in a marathon shortly after his father lost his bid for re-election. As their son ran by them near the end of the race, H.W. yelled: “That’s my boy.” while Barbara yelled: “Keep moving George there are some fat people ahead of you (page 252).
One of George H. W. Bush’s favorite sayings is: “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words”.
It is my belief he meant this saying to apply not just to his spiritual life but the character he showed in his everyday living. It is abhorrent that more of our political leaders do not measure up to this philosophy!
Jeff Hall, Honey Brook, contributes columns to Tri County Record.