Spoken from the Heart

By: Laura Bush

Narrated by: Laura Bush

In this brave, beautiful, and deeply personal memoir, Laura Bush, one of our most beloved and private first ladies, tells her own extraordinary story.

Born in the boom-and-bust oil town of Midland, Texas, Laura Welch grew up as an only child. She vividly evokes Midland's brash, rugged culture, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that sustain her to this day. For the first time, she writes about the devastating high-school car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead and about her decades of unspoken grief.

When Laura Welch first left West Texas in 1964, she never imagined that her journey would lead her to the world stage and the White House. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1968, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained to be a librarian. At age 30, she met George W. Bush, whom she had last passed in the hallway in seventh grade. Three months later, "the old maid of Midland married Midland's most eligible bachelor." With rare intimacy and candor, Laura Bush writes about her early married life as she was thrust into one of America's most prominent political families, as well as her deep longing for children and her husband's decision to give up drinking. By 1993, she found herself in the full glare of the political spotlight. But just as her husband won the Texas governorship, her father, Harold Welch, was dying in Midland.

In 2001, after one of the closest elections in American history, Laura Bush moved into the White House. Here she captures presidential life in the harrowing days and weeks after 9/11, when fighter-jet cover echoed through the walls and security scares sent the family to an underground shelter. She writes openly about the White House during wartime, the withering and relentless media spotlight, and the transformation of her role as she began to understand the power of the first lady.

©2010 Laura Bush (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

History

Great recounting of history through my childhood years. I loves Laura Bush’s personal thoughts and ability to be genuine.

Wonderful and Heartfelt

Wonderful to learn more about Laura Bush, her childhood, her courtship and her family. Very insightful to hear about events that took place while her husband was president from her perspective! Genuine words from a genuine person!

endearing

I enjoyed learning of one of our most loved first ladies. Her story was something so different but yet so familiar to my own.

Classy

Mrs. Bush speaks with grace and dignity. Enjoyed listening to this along with President Bush's book, Decision Points. Both together paint a personally revealing story of the heart they share for each other.

Spoken from the Heart

I've always admired Mrs. Bush. This book gives such an insight to the private lives of two remarkable people. Everyone should read it.

Great book

Great story of a great Christian women and patriot! Its gives an inside view of the life of a First Lady.

Refreshing!

I really enjoyed Laura Bush’s book. I felt it was sincere and that she spoke candidly from the heart. Her book has changed my views on a lot of topics and issues pertaining to the White House and her husband and family as a whole. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing the Bush family intimately to help change any biases the news media might have planted in their mind. This is truly a lovely Christian family who just tried to make a difference in the world during their time in office! Thumbs up for this one!!

What a life...so far

I have always admired Mrs. Bush but I admire her even more if that is possible. It made it better that she read it. Very insightful and I learned a few things I wasn't aware of.

It was ok.

Mrs. Bush read her book. It wasn't like other Audible productions where there is a narrator who uses inflection to tell the story. Don't get me wrong.....I enjoyed the book, but I would not recommend as an audio book.

Spoken From The Heart - Laura Bush

I didn’t know what to expect when I purchased this book. The only thing I can say is that it’s the best book I have read in years. What a wonderful insight to a political family. I’d recommend this to anyone who would like to have a better understanding of the ramifications of living a personal life in a very public position. Kudos Mrs. Bush.