Journalist Kilian (What Was Watergate?) quotes newspaper reports and interviews members of the Bush White House staff, presidential scholars and Barbara's friends to paint a fond, somewhat lackluster portrait of the popular former first lady. Sandwiched between the highly visible Nancy Reagan and the controversial Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush will primarily be remembered as a mother and wife to presidents; her years in the White House, Kilian admits, were "not especially notable." There's nothing genuinely remarkable about her life either, but Kilian makes sure to toss in the occasional odd tidbit along with the basic biographical facts. Readers may know, for example, that Barbara Pierce grew up in an affluent suburb of New York City, was well adjusted if a trifle sheltered and met her future husband at a country club dance. But they might be surprised to learn that she took an auto mechanics class and, as wife of the then vice president, occasionally repaired the family cars. Though Barbara has always been well liked, and later in life has seemed rather like America's grandmother, Kilian maintains that she has a dark side: she suffered from a bout of depression during her husband's term as head of the CIA, for instance, and she's fiercely protective of her family. Kilian wraps up her workmanlike tale with the election of George W. and some speculation about Barbara's feeling vindicated for her husband's defeat. A competently researched and reasonable general account, this title will be popular with fans of the former first lady, even though it fails to break new ground. (Sept.)
Forecast:This could join the recent biography of daughter-in-law Laura Bush as a popular read for those who like their first ladies inoffensive.
