The Bushes

Portrait of a Dynasty

By: Peter Schweizer, Rochelle Schweizer

Narrated by: Robertson Dean, Rochelle Schweizer

Length: 23 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Get the inside story on America’s most powerful political dynasty.

President George W. Bush leads our nation in a time of unprecedented peril. But how well do we really know him or his remarkable family, whose history often mirrors the history of America? Now, in the first full-scale biography of the Bushes, Peter and Rochelle Schweizer trace the extraordinary trajectory of their rise to power.

Through a series of exclusive, surprisingly candid interviews with members of the family and close friends, the inner workings of this very private family are revealed: their marriages and friendships; the intense sibling rivalry between George W. and Jeb Bush; divisions between father and son over the Iraq war; even Jeb Bush’s plans to run for president in 2008.

We see George W. Bush the way his family does, as an intensely driven person who has a much more complex relationship with his father than has often been portrayed in the media. Family members talk about how he deals with the stresses of the war on terrorism, why he sees it as a “religious war,” and how his personal faith influences what he says and does.

The Schweizers also delve into the Bushes’ sensitive and secret business dealings, including their long history of involvement in the oil business. Their shrewd alliances with other American dynasties—including the Kennedys, Rockefellers, and Tafts—have all helped to quietly consolidate their power within the Republican Party.

Indeed, what makes the Bushes so successful is that they function less like the great political families before them and more like a high-tech startup: free-flowing, pragmatic, and opportunistic. It is this distinction that assures them an enduring presence on the nation’s political stage, making The Bushes essential listening for anyone who cares about America’s future.

©2004 Peter Schweizer and Rochelle Schweizer (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Fascinating. . . . Provides illuminating insights into the internal dynamics of the Bush family dynasty." –The New York Times

"Entertaining . . . full of charming anecdotes. . . . A delightful book." –National Review

“Revealing about the internal dynamics of this interesting family. The Bushes opened up to the Schweizers and discussed intimate details of their history.” –The Washington Post Book World

Solid!

Terrific presentation of the Bush family, connections, history, impact, and passions. So well written by the Schweizers and delivered on audible, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to take in the next one. Thank you for your commitment to portraying the facts and solid perspective!

Well researched but outdated for 2023

This book was well researched for 2004 when it was published but needs some serious updating.

It also was repetitive at times often relying on the same quotes over and over again in different chapters.

Good but not great. Accurate but not critical. The author largely let the Bushes largely speak for themselves.

Very well researched

Very interesting research about a great family and a great president...

An interesting snapshot

The Bushes: Portrait of a Dynasty is a book that got clearance from those mentioned that’s clear but the book does provide insight into a family has played a role in American public life for over 50 years. The authors make clear that what drives the family forward is loyalty and interpersonal relationships, this helps one understand statements and situations that may on the face of it may seem inexplicable that is the big takeaway here. While the book has bias, I would not put it on the level of hagiography

Robertson Dean kept my interest throughout and gave a solid performance