The Call to Serve

The Life of an American President, George Herbert Walker Bush

By: Jon Meacham

Narrated by: Jon Meacham

In honor of the one hundredth anniversary of George H. W. Bush’s birth, this visually stunning chronicle features never-before-published photos and memories celebrating the forty-first president’s vision of leadership as service to country—curated by Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Jon Meacham.

Lavishly illustrated, The Call to Serve is an intimate, illuminating portrait of the forty-first president, a man who was so much more than just his politics. In words and images—many found in a lifetime of scrapbooks kept by Barbara Pierce Bush—Jon Meacham brings George H. W. Bush vividly to life. From the values of integrity, empathy, and grace that Bush learned in childhood to his leadership at the highest levels in tumultuous times, the forty-first president embodied an ideal of service that warrants attention in our own divided time.

Bush pursued a life of service to America through his heroic combat experience in the Pacific during World War II, his political rise in Texas, his serving as U.S. ambassador to the UN, his time as envoy to China and as director of the CIA, his tenure as Ronald Reagan’s vice president, and his election as the forty-first president of the United States. Set against the background of America during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, this book commemorates the legacy of a man who was far from perfect—he could be cutthroat on the campaign trail—but whose ambition was not an end unto itself. Bush’s drive to succeed was, rather, a means to put the values of balance, patriotism, and respect for others into action in the political arena. Toward the end of Bush’s life, the forty-fourth president, Barack Obama, said that Bush put the country first “both before he was president, while he was president, and ever since.”

Featuring more than 450 photographs, Meacham’s introduction and commentary throughout, and narration drawn from his biography of George H. W. Bush, Destiny and Power, this is an essential tribute to a uniquely American life.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of photos from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Jon Meacham (P)2024 Random House Audio

Last American Hero

The time that meant the most to me was his Presidency. I was serving in the Army during Desert Shield/Storm. I always said even as a life long Democrat he was my CIC. I drove from Pennsylvania to Washington DC so I could salute him one last time.

A concise overview of George HW Bush’s life

It was condensed and well-researched. Refreshing during a time when we need politicians that are more mindful of using power for the good of other people.

A overall good reflection

I prefer unabridged works. However, this is an all around good memoir and performance. The quoted highlights are insightful and poignant for today’s political landscape.

LUV this book & Happy 100th George!🎉

Lovely stroll down memory lane… gotta re-listen to his ‘destiny’ book! His narration was great, it continued to improve after the first few minutes. The photos are a treasure… worth pulling my iPad out to zoom in and view them. As with his other books, I’m sure I will be listening to this book more than once.

Upstanding and Decent

This is the 2nd book that I have read about George H.W Bush. I learned a bit more about his early life and what influenced his development. He was competitive but kind
seemingly his whole life. I saw little flashes of his heritage come through as well.
I appreciated knowing more about roles he accepted once he began his political career.
He sure was not entitled or a whiner. The Grand Old Party used to contain a majority of decent citizens with varying beliefs. It helped a lot to have open minded leaders.

What a large disappointed it was to see how the Republican Party began to corrode by an ultra right faction in the 1980’s. I learned a few names in this book of people responsible. I know the intent of this book was to praise Bush not spotlight evil influence. I did nod my head at how this developed. What a pity people were not paying attention.

I really enjoyed this book and hope thousands of young people read it, especially young military men and women