cover image The First Mom: The Wit and Wisdom of Barbara Bush [With One-Hour DVD from A&E Biography]

The First Mom: The Wit and Wisdom of Barbara Bush [With One-Hour DVD from A&E Biography]

Barbara Bush. Rugged Land Books, $24.95 (214pp) ISBN 978-1-59071-026-5

Wife to the 41st president, mother to the 43rd president and direct descendent of the 14th president, Franklin Pierce, Barbara Pierce Bush is uniquely poised to offer an intimate view of the East Wing of American politics. Prefaced with a brief biographical introduction, the wide collection of quotes offers insight on her love, marriage, literacy, weight struggles, life in the White House and more, in the frank and jocular tone that won her fans well beyond her husband's Republican base. Editor Adler does not divide the dull from the divine, mixing amusing quips (""I married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell this to my children, they just about throw up"") with flat-liners (""So many great things have happened to me because I married well""). Released in an election year, the book's fluffy fare will please Bush fans, but leave anyone interested in the former First Lady's true feelings on real and current issues seriously dissatisfied. Includes one-hour DVD from A&E Biography.