Portraits of Courage

A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors

By: George W. Bush, Laura Bush - introduction, Peter Pace - introduction

Narrated by: George W. Bush

*This audiobook download includes a bonus full-color PDF of all of the portraits and murals featured in the book.

A vibrant collection of oil paintings and stories by President George W. Bush honoring the sacrifice and courage of America’s military veterans. With forewords written and read by former First Lady Laura Bush and General Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally.

Our men and women in uniform have faced down enemies, liberated millions, and in doing so showed the true compassion of our nation. Often, they return home with injuries—both visible and invisible—that intensify the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. In addition to these burdens, research shows a civilian-military divide. Seventy-one percent of Americans say they have little understanding of the issues facing veterans, and veterans agree: eighty-four percent say that the public has "little awareness" of the issues facing them and their families.

Each painting in this meticulously produced hardcover volume is accompanied by the inspiring story of the veteran depicted, written by the President. Readers can see the faces of those who answered the nation’s call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians. It is President Bush’s desire that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our veterans and empower them to succeed.


President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war.

Critic reviews

“[A] departure from anything anyone named Bush — or any other President — has published after leaving office . . . Accompanying the portraits are stories, also written by Bush, about how each subject dealt with setback and then mounted a recovery. The paths are anything but straightforward, and Bush's book, in words and pictures, is a challenge and a road map for anyone who faces difficulty.”
-TIME

“What an uplifting volume. It’s a testament to, for sure, the GIs it portrays – and, by implication, to all our soldiers, airmen, and sailors. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.”
-Seth Lipsky, New York Post

“Evocative and surprisingly adept . . . After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. 1 on The Times’s nonfiction best-seller list.”
-Jonathan Alter, the New York Times Book Review

“Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . . . There is genuine empathy in Bush’s embrace of the stories told by these soldiers . . . He demonstrates in this book and in these paintings virtues that are sadly lacking at the top of the American political pyramid today: curiosity, compassion, the commitment to learn something new and the humility to learn it in public.”
-Philip Kennicott, the Washington Post

“[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home . . . Spend a little time in the presence of these pictures, and one is overwhelmed by their subjects’ sacrifices, their courage, their strength and, in some cases, their turmoil.”
-Task and Purpose

A really inspiring story

A great story that is a real reflection of what is means to be an American. I found great growth and development in this book and I highly recommend it.

A Heroes Reception

Note: While driving, I listened to the book without looking at the portraits.

Every hero's story described an even larger portrait of the character of the men and women who sacrifice for the freedom of America and the entire world. Written from a soldier's point of view, the stories are never sappy but powerful in their humility, determination to overcome adversity and pride in our America.
As Mr. Bush read the book, I envisioned sitting in an armchair next to him as he shared a scrapbook of images while telling of the sacrificial stories of each of these soldiers. This experience caused me to be even more aware of the hidden injuries of our war veterans (as in PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury). I am eternally grateful to those who served and continue to serve.

One of the greatest books I have ever read or heard

This book made me tear up at several points. President Bush is an amazing man. He has brought to light the stories of soldiers who the media never reports. His programs and openness with veterans on his ranch is beyond words. I am proud that he was our President and continues his support of the troops. Thank you President Bush

THE TRUE ESSENCE OF BEING AN AMERICAN

I love hearing the courageous story of our vets in the war & upon their return.

AMAZING!! Have Kleenex ready

President Bush is an amazing man person and an even better president he did an absolute fabulous job with this book he has brought attention to things that most normal people would never dream to even think about. I however have family in the military so it's something I know all too well. I have always loved President Bush but this book just made me love him even more