Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush

“Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush” is the most recent biography of the man who is perhaps one of the most underrated politicians American history: George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. Written by Jon Meacham and published in 2015, “Destiny and Power” is an elegantly written and altogether fascinating full-scale biography that brilliantly succeeds in being scrupulously fair and even-handed in its treatment of its subject. Meacham, a journalist who once served as editor of “Newsweek,” and is also the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Andrew Jackson, provides a surprisingly admiring and yet honest assessment of the life and accomplishments of George Herbert Walker Bush. In Meacham’s view, George Bush was a man who was humble and yet ambitious; a child of wealth and privilege who was generous almost to a fault with those less fortunate than he was; a man deeply imbued with traditional values who was at the same time pragmatic and forward-thinking; and a man who possessed both a well-defined sense of public duty and a strong work ethic. Meacham traces Bush’s long career of public service, beginning with his heroic stint as a naval aviator in World War II. After the war, he completed his education and set out for Texas with his new wife, Barbara Pierce Bush. It was there he made his own fortune in the booming Texan oil fields. It was also there that his political career began. Over the course of nearly three decades, he served in a succession of increasingly important government roles: Congressman, US Ambassador to the United Nations, US Envoy to China, CIA Director, and Vice President of the United States. Finally, in 1988, he was elected the 41st President of the United States. I found two sections of “Destiny and Power” especially fascinating: first, Meacham describes in detail Bush’s deliberate decision to break the “Read my lips: no new taxes” pledge he made during his 1988 Presidential campaign. Meacham lays out an argument that Bush’s decision was pragmatic, courageous, and probably correct. (It also very likely led to his defeat in his 1992 reelection bid.) Especially noteworthy is Meacham’s discussion of Bush’s feelings about the Presidency of his son, George W. Bush. Meacham describes Bush’s candid and sometimes critical views on George W. Bush, the Iraq war, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and others. I really enjoyed “Destiny and Power.” I didn’t necessarily agree with all of Jon Meacham’s assertions in the book, but he definitely made his portrait of George H.W. Bush a compelling one, filled with narrative detail and clear analyses. Meacham has certainly researched his subject carefully and backed up his arguments thoughtfully. This biography of George H.W. Bush should not be missed. Highly recommended.

Refers to the audio book version Anyone writing a review will have to separate their own political feelings from a review of this book. On whole, it is a very-well written book with very good narration by Paul Michael. Mr. Michael doesn't give into drama during the reading - just reads! Perfect for me. While being a Democrat historically, I've always liked the calmness and professionalism of the 41st President. Enjoyed learning about his parents, especially his mother Dorothy whom I now admire. Perhaps a bit too much about childhood, but that's a personal feeling. If the reader is looking for info on the 43rd President, you need to skip this book. This is about George Herbert Walker Bush and as a father you quickly learn he loves his children and wife very deeply. Really very little about the Ronald Reagan presidential years but a few tidbits to nibble on. Many reviewers of this book seemed to have given low ratings simply because they disagreed with Mr. Bush on his policies - again, that should be left out of a review and the question asked should be - was Jon Meacham's book well written and grounded in facts and I say yes. You will learn a lot about a strong family and the inner workings of a real government, not the script of some late night movie.

Love Jon Meacham to begin with, brilliant, yet truly accessible to any level of reader. And regardless of political persuasion I believe anyone would love this book as it is about our lives! It was fascinating to read about the history that was evolving as I was (we were?) growing up. One tends to think that the historical perspective cannot be presented for so many years beyond when the people and events were in action. Yet in 'Destiny and Power' I am reading about the presidents of my own lifetime, and their inner circles, whose thoughts, words, decisions, and the ramifications of all of the above were taking place. (and still are) Essentially, Jon delivers the prequel to what is surrounding us today. And, when recently discussing this fabulous book with friends I said that I especially respect and admire Jon Meacham's total objectivity and was 'shut-down' by a friend who insisted that NO historian was objective, and that I was naive to think so! So this remark has triggered a curiosity that I am eager to investigate. And I am sure that the answers will spread across a spectrum, and I'd love to hear from other readers of biographies of any genre. Other works of Jon Meacham I have truly enjoyed: Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Franklin and Winston, they have all been outstanding. (Perhaps objectivity is harder to decipher when reading bios of those whose legacies are centuries passed.) And perhaps I am naive, but the volumes of biographies I have loved, including those by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Lytton Strachey, Alsion Weir, to name a few have inspired me to doing deeper and read more about the history and those that created it both before and since that period. Have never felt 'swayed' in any direction, just informed and eager to know more. That says to me that the author has succeeded in its mission I have always been insatiable when it comes to reading bios of great authors and artists as well...and again, objectivity is something I have not considered. I am too submerged in the world and the individuals and how that resulted in such incredible works of art. Sorry if I rambled, but I do strongly recommend this book and as I complete this review I am prepared to pounce on another 'great' biography..and open to suggestions!!

I find Meacham's presidential bios very interesting and very readable. He seems to focus on just the right level of detail and analysis on all the major points in his subject's life. I enjoyed this book very much, and came away from the book liking Bush '41 more than going in. Though I never voted for any of the Bushes I felt a lot of respect for Bush '41. I thought he elevated the office in a way that many of his contemporaries did not match. He was truly a gentleman President (ala FDR) and enhanced the office of the Presidency in the eyes of world leaders as well. Here are a few things that surprised me and/or that I feel are worth noting, in no particular order. The Bushes, early on, lost a three year old daughter, Robin, to leukemia. Bush mentions her many, many times throughout the entire book. Heart-wrenching. It is no surprise that he is an emotional guy. The word "cry" is mentioned a lot, but Bush 41 was tough when he had to be. There exists throughout the 600 pages evidence of a very strong, very loving, emotional bond within the family for one another. Barbara is mentioned often, particularly her view on things, while Laura is mentioned rarely, though affectionately and respectfully. While Meacham, in the epilogue, summarizes that Bush made a number of shifts in issue positions, largely for political reasons, I felt these were out-weighed by the number of occasions where he chose "to do the right thing" knowing he would pay a stiff penalty, e.g, raising taxes following "read my lips". Bush showed strong patriotic fervor for his country in enlisting fresh out of high school (soon after Pearl harbor) and is thought to be the youngest navy pilot at that time. Though his plane was badly crippled from anti-aircraft flak he flew on and dropped his bomb load on target before parachuting. Lots of detail here on his relationship with the Reagans, one that built slowly and was cherished eventually by both men - though apparently not with Nancy R. Bush had a rather varied career pre-presidency that included not only the CIA but also the RNC. I forgot that he was very close to the White House in the latter assignment during the Watergate days. I was surprised how tired Bush was from the job "only" 2 1/2 years into it; this was following victory in the first Iraq War, but apparently these post-victory crashes are par for the course. I'm sure in the days ahead I will think of a dozen other tidbits that I enjoyed and wish that I had included here, but bottomline - Highly Recommended.

Jon Meacham's treatment of Bush's life was very well done. Bush is one of those Presidents who flew under the radar. That was based on his personality and quiet style. One of the biggest things that struck me, in light of where we are politically and with our current President (writing this review in Fall of 2017), is what a class act he was. I knew that and remember it, but reading about him was a good reminder. Bush served at the period that I think of as the end of civility, compromise and progress in politics. Right at the crest of where the left chose to not listen to or work with the right, and vice-versa. The beginning of the broken system we now have. We follow Bush from his childhood, WWII service, his career in business and the into public service. The story is very well paced and was an easy read, while also being very in-depth. It also revealed a George Bush that I never really knew, except through his guarded public persona. What we see is a genuine person, and one who had a real sense of duty and a deep compassion for people. We also see a person who was singularly driven and focused on attaining the ultimate prize in American politics. And what's striking about that ambition is that he did it without the ugliness that we see in today's political creatures. Overall, this is one of the better Presidential biographies I've read. And it was a great reminder that, yes, someone who can earn one's respect through their actions and how they treat others - not take that respect for granted simply by the office they hold - can rise to the office of President of the United States.

Jon Meacham's biography of George HW Bush, "Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush" is a well-written and interesting book about our 41st president, but midway through it, I realised that it could very easily have been written by Bush as a mildly revealing autobiography. Biographies seem to to be written to two extremes. One is as a hagiography of the subject, while the other is a warts-and-all portrait. The second type seem to be mean-spirited and petty and while they are often fun reading - at first, anyway - the vindictiveness makes the book weary reading. However, the first type often gets tiring to read, too, as much is told but not much is revealed. They usually read like autobiographies where the writer/subject wants control of the story. (I find many autobiographies dull - Bill Clinton's was a good example of a winded book, while the Washington Post's Katharine Graham's autobiography was a masterful combination of great writing and internal revelation). Anyway, Jon Meacham's book is not an autobiography, but in a way it sure reads like one. Perhaps because it is based on Bush's personal diaries and notes, as well as long interviews with the former president, but much is written, but not much is revealed. George Bush comes off as favorably as if he had controlled the message, which in fact he did, in many ways. Meacham's telling of HW's dissatisfaction with his son's aides in pushing for war in the Middle East seems to be Bush's way of telling the public - AND his son - exactly what he thought. Jon Meacham became the "messenger", so to speak, in that and other matters. I'm in no way impugning Jon Meacham's book. He's an excellent writer and the book is quite interesting. I learned many things about our 41st president I hadn't known. I just wish it was a bit more "critical".

So, this isn’t a quick read, but it’s a good one, thick with information, back story and really tracing family genealogy at the onset so you get a sense of who is who. Also, before you get all angry about Republican vs. Democrat, etc. Keep in mind, it’s a biography, a well written one at that, which highlights some really interesting aspects of Former President Bush’s life, it’s relatively apolitical and focuses on the actions of Bush. It may seem a bit formal for some, but it’s actually a refreshing write, without yelling obscenities or blaming others, it’s a really good reflection on Bush, his life, and attitude and approach to various events. It is interesting that the book, in the Prologue, actually starts off in the defeat of Bush in 1992. However, in the Prologue it raises some interesting observations about the changing lens of America, moving away from President’s who actively served vs. those who did not. Overall, it’s an expansive look at Bush’s life, which keeps the reader moving forward with appropriate attention paid to details someone may wish to know a little bit more about, and then keeps moving forward. It’s a really good biography. An element that I did enjoy was the backstory to the Bush family in general. There is no hiding the aspect that it was and has been an affluent family for quite some time and gives insight into this rise of upper class, it even takes the time to go into a bit of the backstory of Andover, discuss Bush’s experiences at the school (at least from the lens of others) and moves in to Bush’s time at Phillips Academy. The relationship between “Poppy” (as Bush was called) and Barbara Bush is quite charming, having excerpts from early communication between the two, a relationship that began in 1941/42, prior to Bush entering the military. A random tid-bit, Bush sent a letter to his mother talking about wanting to remain a virgin prior to marriage, as he believed that was a character trait, and would be upset if his wife had “wife had known some other man,” essentially, he wasn’t a fan of a double standard. The book chronicles Bush’s time during the war, followed up with his time at Yale. It is interesting to note that Bush had a family while he was attending Yale and also played baseball. It is interesting to note that there was an aversion to relying on family money post-graduation from college, hence why he did not pursue a Rhodes scholarship. Bush moved out to Texas to pursue some business options, but there is a significant focus on their child Robin who passed away at 3 and a half. The mourning is touched on by the author, in particular Bush’s own recollection of the passing of his daughter, the maintaining of her photo (even in the White House), and inability to even talk about it in present day. There is an interesting aspect in which Barbara recognized her mourning over Robin was having a negative impact on “Georgie” and she realized that she had to refocus her life in order to be a good mother. The book continues, I worry about just rambling on about the whole thing in this review. However, there are a lot of letters that are referenced, interviews, and diary entries that come up. There are also these moments of humanistic insight of the Bush’s, such as their move to Washington and the vast number of house guests that they would have, with Bush inviting the moving men to even spend the night the first night that they lived in the house. It’s interesting to see the Bush’s as individuals who are very affable and young and welcoming to others. This is also reflected in Bush’s choice to see Johnson off when his presidency ended rather than being in town for Republican festivities. This courtesy also emerges again later on as Bush passes the presidency to Clinton and asks for only one element, which is to maintain an emphasis on volunteerism. If you have the Kindle version, the book is only about 55% of the actual Kindle; the rest are citations. The reading goes all the way through Bush 43’rds time in the office and after, discussing the relationship that father and son had together during this time. Prior to this point in the story it talks about Bush’s relationships and more publically known presence, with additional vignettes about how he interacted with people in private, more often than not maintaining respect and courtesy. I really liked the pictures, there were a fair number I had not seen before and gave a very humanistic perspective of Bush.

Before getting into my remarks about Quote” Jon Meacham is the editor of Newsweek, a Pulitzer Prize winning bestselling author and a commentator on politics, history, and religious faith in America.”(Source Goodreads) and his book, Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, let us play a pretend game. Pretend it is 100 years from now. The entire period from the Viet Nam War to, say 9/11 is covered in about 5 pages of the typical high school history book. Almost all the present day left/right politics has morphed into some other simplistic dichotomy. Pretend you picked up Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush not to prove and confirm whatever your present echo chamber has reinforced in your pre-existing ideas and ideology. This will be your first in depth take on President George W. W. Bush. Maybe all you will ever know about him. Using that as a test, what exactly has this Pulitzer Prize winner and author and commentator on faith and the rest told you? The entire Democratic Party is shrugged off early in the book with a partisan and derogatory quote. Never confirmed, denied or substantially considered. The press is unfailingly ugly. Why or what may have been the substance of that hostility is not worth mentioning. The occasional issue that receives any coverage is covered briefly and mostly about the terrible people who were leading that portion of the republican vote off handedly described as “passionate, unthinking voters.” There is the occasional mention of a democratic president, a scattering of highly placed other than American leaders, but the former are not important and most of the later are dealt with by an at home barbeque with the Bushes. In short, this book is so much an insider’s book, so dependent upon The President’s diaries that no reader of this book can fairly say they learned much about George H.W. Bush. We can be certain that we can recite what he and his, and his besties were likely to say, and at that only what they might say to his or his genuinely loving wife’s face. My problems with the book began with the title: Destiny and Power. Presidents certainly have power, but from whence comes Destiny? The word, and this book made me look it up, means: The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot. (Wordnik). How so was it that this man was destined for this or that life? It would be said of G.H.W’s son that “He was born on third base and claimed to have hit a home run.” This would be an unfair assessment of the father. George H.W. Bush was born to a lot of money, power and connections. He was never entirely dependent upon them. His war record was entirely of his making, it was honorable and heroic. Except that there was never any question but that he would be an officer. A Navy aviator by choice and talent (No one got pilot’s wings on family ties). His medal was for an action where he could have made a legitimate and easier choice. His business career was his own, except that he made smart use of his name and his family. He had to have had some skills at politics. Much of his political success can be thought of as his own achievement. There are some “howevers”, but in the main these are less about the man. It cannot be taken from him that his life could have been a lot simpler, less filled with personal achievements and he could have passed through America history as just another rich guy. He was just as determined to be more than a coaster. He early made the decision to make his own way and allowing for connections he worked a lot harder than he had too and delivered on more promise than was obvious at his birth. I was still thinking about ‘Destiny”. As often as Meacham would remind us that Mr. Bush could have made his way in an easier way, I was also reminded that he was born, white, male and Christian at a time when these things, as much as money and family meant that certain decisions were open to him. No woman, of whatever race or religion was going to pilot a warplane, at the front in World War II. Only a fixed percentage of Jews would have a chance to go to the schools that placed him among his generations of elites, and as for the choices a Black man had in 1930-1980 America, need I finish that sentence? None of this can properly be held against Mr. Bush. It is an unmentioned aspect of his destiny. It is in the nature of privilege, that its rewards are so given as to be assumed and therefore unnecessary to mention. Meacham seems to be unable to step back from his protagonist to perform any historian’s due diligence. Never to do we get context, depth or contrary opinion about any issue. Never mind the left/right, or even the right/right arguments, what might have been an objective documentation of any issue? We are told that Mr. Bush held a large number of very difficult and important jobs. He held many of them briefly. Did he really master diplomacy in hardly a year? Was he the real catalyst for the rehabilitation of the CIA in another brief year? He absolutely had a resumé a mile long, but objectively, how deep? How might his resume change if he was intended, from the beginning, to be a place holder, or a front man? What for a reader not 100 years from today? Jon Meacham gives us a good, patriotic, hard working family man. One who was conscientious about his service to his country and his political and religious values. George H. W. Bush was from early on determined to be more than a well to do scion of the Bush family largess. More than many who start down that road even given his advantages, he achieved much more than was average. If you are looking for a positive and uplifting book, Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush is all that. I wanted something more.

The author has tremendous respect for Bush and as a reader you can see that Bush 41 is a gentleman and honourable man. A fascinating read which show the merits of the president and the decisions he made while in office. By this account Bush is probably an understated leader. Will now read Jean Edwards Smith biography of Bush 43 to see what I make of him. Can't see me liking this joker. But maybe it will explain some of his deplorable decisions. Anyway great work Jon Meacham.

Bellissimo profilo personale di un presidente poco conosciuto. Piacevole, scorrevole, scritto con pieno accesso ai diari del presidente americano. Personalmente lo consiglio.

Jon Meacham's excellent biography of the 41st President, builds a portrait of GHW Bush that leaves readers feeling they know the man behind the public figure of America's 41st President. This book is a meticulously researched and compelling account of the life and achievemenst of a great American, who was a decent honourable gentleman who dedicated his life to the service of his country. George Bush snr was born into a patrician family, based on established wealth and entrepreneurism, but he made his own way in the world and built his wealth and success by his own efforts. Finishing schooling at age 18, instead of going on to Yale in the family tradition, George Bush joined the USN as a Naval Pilot trainee; he was subsequently awarded the Silver Star for his skill and courage in an attack on a Japanese Radio Tower on the Bonin Island of Chichi Jima. He successfully pressed home his attack, although his aircraft was hit by anti aircraft, and he was forced to bail out, being picked up by a US submarine. The crew of his Grumman Avenger were killed by the enemy fire that brought the aircraft down. In January 1945 George HW Bush married his wife Barbara Pierce, who was his mainstay support and confident throughout his long and illustrious career. In July 1946, their first child George Walker Bush was born. Post war Bush studied at Yale, graduating in 1948, and deciding to move to Texas and build a business in the Oil Industry, rather than enter a Walker family business, or take a Rhodes’ scholarship. Bush’s father Prescott Bush became a US Senator in 1953 during the Eisenhower Presidency which was to lead to Bush’s later interest in politics. Meacham relates George HW Bush’s career in great detail, having been given full and unhindered access to all the Bush Family’s diaries and archives without any caveats or restrictions. In November 2010 President Barack Obama awarded George HW Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour. President Obama’s remarks succinctly summarise Bush’s contribution: “From a decorated Navy pilot who nearly gave his life in World War II to US Ambassador to the United Nations, from CIA Director to US envoy to China to the vice presidency, his life is a testament that public service is a noble calling. As President, he expanded America’s promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. He reduced nuclear weapons. He built a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait. When democratic revolutions swept across Eastern Europe, it was the steady diplomatic hand of President Bush that made possible an achievement once thought impossible, ending the cold war without firing a shot. I would add that, like the remarkable Barbara Bush, his humility and decency reflects the very best of the American spirit. Those of you who know him, this is a gentleman, inspiring citizens to become points of light in the service of others, teaming up with a one time political opponent to champion relief for the victims of the Asian tsunami, then Hurricane Katrina, and then to cap it off, well into his 80s, he decides to jump out of airplanes because as he explains, “it feels good” ” The following quote from the prayer George HW Bush wrote for his inauguration, gives witness to the Character of George Bush: "For we are given power not to advance our own purpose, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve the people." George HW Bush was a single term President, losing to Bill Clinton in 1992, perhaps the story would have been different if Ross Perrot had not entered the contest, but hard economic times at home coupled with being forced to break a promise “read my lips, no new taxes” and a less than forceful election campaign led to Bush losing. Bush admits that he was not the communicator or orator that Reagan was in conveying his message to the American people. Perhaps domestically he may have not been the resounding success necessary to win a second term, but internationally George HW Bush was a giant, and his presidency was a legacy to the world, that makes him one of the truly great American Presidents. Jon Meacham’s biography is a fitting testament to the life of George Herbert Walker Bush

Muy interesante biografía de un presidente que probablemente deba considerarse como le mas capacitado del ultimo medio siglo.

Jon Meacham's biography of George H.W. Bush was exactly what I expected: a glowing hagiography that omits, or severely downplays, key aspects of Bush's presidency -- namely, his foreign policy as well as important aspects of his career leading up to it. Nevertheless, Meacham's book, whose prose is highly readable, served its purpose: it helped me prepare for one of the secondary topics in my doctoral defense. For a more complete picture of Bush's political career, I recommend Robert Parry's Secrecy and Privilege: Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq. Parry addresses the uncomfortable facts Meacham neglects.