Spoken from the Heart

By: Laura Bush

Narrated by: Laura Bush

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Insightful!

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at behind the scenes of the First families life, plus her candor about her life before and during was refreshing. Laura Bush is so completely forthcoming about everything! It was an insightful look at behind the scenes during crisis' that our nation faced...Loved, loved, loved this book!

Absolutely Wonderful

Gave me an entirely new insight on Laura. She’s so warm and caring for others. Makes me wish I could meet her. Her book was excellent.

Better than expected, another strong women in the White House.

I have a goal to listen to all the First Ladies books this year. Laura really surprised me, we had more in common than just being women. She did so many awesome things for women and children around the world, I wish she could have done some of that for the native Americans. Good work Laura.

Done with grace and class

As a rule I do not chose abridged books and do wish this were available unabridged. This however, is so beautifully done and truly heart warming.

An amazing read

I loved hearing more intimate details of her view of the presidency and the love that flows through every part of their family.

Beautiful

It was a classy perspective given by a classy lady. I love the fun and serious stories of a lifetime. Whether you think you know her life or don’t know it at all, it is worth a listen as it truly is an interesting tale.

Spoken from the Heart

Thank you, Mrs. Bush! I have laughed and cried. God Bess you and President Bush.

Good to Know

I'm very glad that I listened to this book. I could go so many directions with this review, but I believe my main takeaway is that the words from Scripture to, "always be humble and kind" are more than just good advice: they are essential to wisdom. Be humble because there is always someone who knows more than you do, has been to more places than you have, rubbed shoulders with more influential people than you have, and done more good deeds than you probably ever will. Always be kind because there's there's so much you really do not know about any given person . The rich variety of Laura's experiences and the pain she suffered when not just her husband's decisions but his character and ability were attacked breathe life and depth into this admonition that bears repeating: Always be humble and kind. Thank you, Laura Bush, for the visual that you gave us, and for the one you lived among us.

Excellent book!

What a special glimpse into the lives of Laura President Bush! It is so great to see such wonderful examples of how people should act. I am always proud of how classy both Laura and President Bush are, even when treated poorly by others in government.

Lovely book

So much information about the Whitehouse
Refreshing and straightforward
I like Laura Bush better now than before I read the book
Highly recommended!