Sisters First

Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

By: Jenna Bush Hager, Barbara Pierce Bush, Laura Bush - foreword

Narrated by: Barbara Pierce Bush, Jenna Bush Hager

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Funny and poignant personal stories and reflections from former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.

Born into a political dynasty, Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in the public eye. As small children, they watched their grandfather become president; just 12 years later they stood by their father's side when he took the same oath. They spent their college years being trailed by the Secret Service and chased by the paparazzi, with every teenage mistake making national headlines. But the tabloids didn't tell the whole story of these two young women forging their own identities under extraordinary circumstances.

In this book, they take listeners on a revealing, thoughtful, and deeply personal tour behind the scenes of their lives, with never-before-told stories about their family, their adventures, their loves and losses, and the special sisterly bond that fulfills them.

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

©2017 Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Family & Global Connection: It Is Wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you like autobiographies and the sound of the authors' reading, this is a touching collection of many stories beyond politics. The Bush Girls establish their own independence and tell stories of their remarkable parents and grandparents ability and determination to raise them in a healthy home despite their fishbowl life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sisters First?

To learn that after Barbara experienced heartbreak, her father texted her every morning with supportive words, a Bible reference, or just an emoji. She would text or emoji back. I told my husband how much it means to our daughter to do likewise and he took that to heart and started making contact every morning with her and they are closer. George W, regardless of his position, is a warm-hearted father who adores the women in his family and shows what Love is. Any negative opinions of him melted away and my respect for him grows. He truly does care for and honors veterans.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the girls ordered peanut butter sandwiches from the staff at the White House from the bowling alley by phone to the staff when their grandfather was president, and instead they got a personal visit by their grandmother Barbara Bush who informed them they were guests and to never ever do that again. It was something I would have done as a kid probably, but Grandma had her standards and demanded respect for others and for the White House and the office of the presidency. Touching.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Their Grandfather, President Bush, greeting Jenna and placing his hand on her stomach on Christmas day in the hospital when his condition turned grave and him telling her he couldn't wait until he met the new baby.. She broke down crying and believed he would never meet her child, whereas, his wife, Barbara talked nonstop about how he was going to meet the baby and all the things he had yet to do, that he could not die, and he didn't. Also, it was touching to hear one of the girls state that every night, the President and Barbara Bush hold hands when falling asleep.

Any additional comments?

Having children about their age, and hearing all that they did, as normal kids do, I recognized how normal they were, as well as mine were, and how much our children mature and come back to the nest and their roots with love and loyalty and greater understanding. I did not vote for their parents and grandparents, but I adore and respect them greatly, so don't shy away from this book as it is sans politics--a good lesson in today's atmosphere. Also, I am in admiration and in awe of Barbara's dedicated work for AIDs resources in our country and Africa. I want my children to do the same--be caring human beings and taking care of our planet near and far and their family. I needed that inspirational book and was so moved that I donated (unasked) to their organization for global health.

You don't have to be a Republican to love this one

I thoroughly enjoyed this book ... the story, the narration, and the historical walk down memory lane were all wonderful. I think it's always important to be aware of perspectives other than your own. I am neither a Republican or a twin, but we are all more alike than different. I highly recommend this listen

Texas Proud

I have watched these girls through the years. I didn’t keep up with them much because I was busy raising my own two girls here in Texas.
I am proud that they’ve grown to be movers and shakers in their own worlds. You can take the girls out of Texas but you can’t take that true Texas spirit out of them. Thanks girls for trying to make the world better place.

Charming Memoir

This memoir by the fraternal Bush twins has the forward by their mother, Laura Bush. Jenna Bush Hager is a correspondent for NBC’s Today Show and Barbara Pierce Bush is CEO and founder of Global Health Corps.

They discuss their early life in Midland Texas and attending high school in Austin, Texas when their father was Governor. They tell about life in the Governor’s Mansion and in the White House.

The book is full of heartwarming anecdotes as well as humorous ones. The reader gets a glimpse into the life of the Bushes as well as that of the senior Bush family. Barbara “the Enforcer” Bush has several great one-liners. They discussed the effects on the family watching their maternal grandfather decline due to his Alzheimer’s disease. This is not a political book but a family story.

The book is six and a half hours long. The Bush twins narrated the book. Great to hear their stories in their own voice. It seems to make the book more personal.

Getting to know them

I listened to 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama before I listened to 'Sisters First'. I realized, listening to Becoming, that listening to a memoir is so much more personal that reading it. I loved both girls, and I was reminded how many things we share as human beings, even if we don't share political ideas. I loved the girls, and their parents, their grandparents. Again, I felt like I was siting down, sharing a coffee and talking with these beautiful ladies.

Exceeded my expectations!

I’ll say I low expectations. But have grown to love JBH on the today show and wanted to give this a book a go because I’ve enjoyed their press interviews of the book. Truly, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll smile and enjoy the book so much. I can imagine listening to it again just for JBH’s hilarious narrations.

Great Perspective

I loved this book. It was fascinating to learn about the behind-the-scenes life of this family. All politics aside, anyone, and particularly sisters and women will enjoy this book. These two women are relatable and inspiring. An uplifting read. Enjoy!

Love these girls!

This was such a fun book! Yes, it will make you laugh and cry but I loved that each of the girls narrated their chapters. When George H. W. Bush died recently I was reminded of the beautiful stories the girls told about Poppy. As the mother of four daughters I only hope that they will experience this incredible bond throughout their life.

Great job ladies!

the relationship between Jenna and Barbara is one for the books. I admire them, I laughed and I cried. I felt their pain. love them

Love this book

What a great story of not only sisters but memories of your family and lives. Very well done!

Great content, sub standard delivery

The narrators have a very stressful delivery style. They make everything sound urgent and overly important, even when talking about fun events. The style is appropriate for certain sections, but it’s very tiring to listen to for the entire duration of the story.

Great listen

Heartwarming and so uplifting about twins the White House years and lots of great smiles and laughs.