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Spoken From the Heart (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,516 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
2011 Audie Award Finalist for Solo Narration—Female
The intimate and startlingly candid memoir from one of America’s most beloved and private first ladies.
In a captivating and compelling voice that ranks with many of our greatest memoirists, Laura Bush tells the story of her unique path from dusty Midland, Texas to the world stage and the White House. An only child, Laura Welch grew up in a family that lost three babies to miscarriage or infant death. She masterfully recreates the rugged, oil boom-and-bust culture of Midland, her close relationship with her father, and the bonds of early friendships that she retains to this day. For the first time, in heart-wrenching detail, she writes about her tragic car accident that left her friend Mike Douglas dead.
Laura Welch attended Southern Methodist University in an era on the cusp of monumental change. After graduating, she became an elementary school teacher, working in inner-city schools, then trained as a librarian. At age thirty, 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.”
As First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush championed education and launched the Texas Book Festival, passions she brought to the White House. Here, she captures presidential life in the frantic and fearful months after 9-11, when fighter jet cover echoed through the walls. She writes openly about the threats, the withering media spotlight, and the transformation of her role. One of the first U.S. officials to visit war-torn Afghanistan, she reached out to disease-stricken African nations and tirelessly advocated for women in the Middle East and dissidents in Burma. With deft humor and a sharp eye, Laura Bush lifts the curtain on what really happens inside the White House. And she writes with honesty and eloquence about her family, political life, and her eight remarkable Washington years.
Laura Bush’s compassion, her sense of humor, her grace, and her uncommon willingness to bare her heart make this story deeply revelatory, beautifully rendered, and unlike any other First Lady’s memoir ever written.
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"This book is not about President Bush, it is Mrs. Bush recollections of her life, beginning with growing up in Texas and continuing through her marriage and their time in the White House. As other reviewers have said, her descriptions of growing up in Texas are positively lyrical. I also found interesting the insights into her relationship with George (especially since I just finished reading Decision Points). I also found interesting how much she acted as a representative of the President during his time in office, in foreign travels, domestic travels, and before Congress. It was rather fascinating to learn about that side of her. It's true that she doesn't give her opinion of many of the dignitaries she meets as First Lady, but I think that seeming detachment is part of her grace in refusing to say a negative word about (almost) anyone. I listened to the audiobook and she narrates it herself. Charming."
— Jo (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A deeply felt, keenly observed account of her childhood and youth in Texas—an account that captures a time and place with exacting emotional precision and that demonstrates how Mrs. Bush’s lifelong love of books has imprinted her imagination.”
— New York Times -
“Mrs. Bush’s delicate rendering…sets this book far apart from the typical score-settling reminiscences of politicians or their spouses…Spoken from the Heart reveals Laura Bush to be a beautiful writer, a keen observer and a tender soul who drew on her roots to live a life in the public eye with compassion and grace.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“This is Laura Bush, unplugged... She comes across with a keener eye, a sharper tongue and a readier laugh than in interviews during the eight years while her husband was president.”
— USA Today -
“A real, moving, intimate story.”
— People -
“Wide-ranging…candid…deeply personal…A beautifully written book.”
— Ann Curry, The Today Show
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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An Audie Award Finalist
Spoken From the Heart Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed listening to Laura Bush's voice almost as much as I enjoyed her autobiography. She is a wonderful narrator and sincere writer. I don't remember a great deal about her as FLOTUS, as I was younger and not much interested in politics, that is until Sept. 11th when our nation was forever changed. I couldn't imagine living in the White House during that time, or any time for that matter after hearing Bush's description of the security detail, the loss of privacy and independence and the stress of running the nation that goes along with the job. Bless these courageous men and women who step up to do the job. "
— Julie, 12/20/2018 -
" I think she's a fine person, and a good wife. It was interesting to put things in order. We certainly did not agree with her husband in many ways, but she hits just the right note of supporting him. Glad I read it. "
— Ellie, 2/17/2014 -
" I read a memoir to understand a person's thought processes during life's moments. While the beginning of the book was filled with those moments, I read very little of that in the rest of the book. She spent a lot of time talking about place settings and White House events, and she also talked about policies established during their time in office. It was informational for me but not entertaining, and that is why I've given this book three stars. "
— Song, 2/16/2014 -
" I listened to this one on CD and it was nice to hear her words from her own mouth! "
— Liza, 2/6/2014 -
" Must read if you've already read Curtis Sittenfeld's American Wife. There is more than meets the eye with Laura here! "
— Frédérique, 2/3/2014 -
" I liked hearing about Laura Bush's early life, the latter years were not as good. "
— Gayla, 2/3/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. It gave an inside view of what went on in the White House and the government during the Bush years and why some of the decisions were made. It really gives you a different perspective compared to what the press said. It also tells about all the good causes that she was involved in and all the service she did. Her early years were interesting but a little too long in the book. "
— Kay, 1/28/2014 -
" THe part I liked the most was her life up to the Whitehouse. "
— Coleta, 1/15/2014 -
" I really enjoyed seeing things from Mrs. Bush's perspective. I liked her before; I respect her even more after reading the book. "
— Debra, 1/7/2014 -
" A very interesting look into the life of a very charming First Lady. I felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table speaking with Laura about her life experiences. I found myself to be in no rush to finish this book. "
— Fran, 12/30/2013 -
" I am not a political person at all but to read about the stress and pressures of running our country it made me appreciate the Presidents job. It was also interesting to see how the position affected their children. I am grateful I am not faced with making decisions that affect so many people. "
— Lanell, 11/22/2013 -
" Long read but an amazing story. I liked Laura Bush before I read her book. Now I have nothing but respect for her. "
— Teresa, 2/3/2013 -
" There were some interesting stories in this book, but it was too slow for me. She has had a unique life as an only child, and her personality is totally different than I expected. "
— Mandy, 12/10/2012 -
" This is a wonderful book! I highly recommend the CD version. Mrs. Bush reads her book and that just makes it special and personal. This book truly is "spoken from her heart!" "
— Laurie, 11/12/2012 -
" WONDERFUL BOOK WITH A GOOD VIEW OF HER LIFE AND THE MANY ACCOMLISHMENT AS A FIRST LADY "
— Betty, 9/4/2012 -
" ok, well i didn't finish it. i just couldn't. I got to page 120 ish and couldn't read anymore. "
— Julia, 8/1/2012 -
" I loved the opening section with descriptions of West Texas in the 1950s, the same time and place of my father's childhood stories. But the rest of it was too overly detailed and tedious for my liking. "
— Rebecca, 4/21/2012 -
" Interesting in the end, but oh so hard to get into "
— Maresa, 4/6/2012 -
" Got the facts from Laura ... "
— Nancy, 12/20/2011 -
" This book is so aptly named. Laura Bush has to be one of the most gracious and generous people in America. What a treasure that she has shared so much of her heart with us through this book and through her life of service. "
— Evelyn, 12/6/2011 -
" A little repetitive and slow, but interesting "
— Cdenning5, 5/22/2011 -
" Very good book. I enjoyed reading about her relationship w/her mother-in-law and about her childhood. "
— Karen, 5/3/2011 -
" Loved it. What a classic First Lady she was and always will be. Loved reading about what Texas was like when she grew up and what the Bush family was really like before either of the Georges were President. Fascinating! "
— Dianne, 4/25/2011 -
" I listened to this as an audio book and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the authors reading. Bush history from another point of view. "
— Susan, 4/23/2011 -
" I like Laura Bush and her quiet but strong demeanor. I'm looking forward to reading about her life from her perspective. This was a good book, it is about her life, not her husband's. It was interesting to read about all that Mrs. Bush has been involved in. "
— Jen, 4/21/2011 -
" Great book! She tells about her family and life growing up, and finally gets to say what really went on in the White House that the left-wing media didn't report. "
— Tonya, 4/16/2011 -
" Very well written, warm & engaging look at former First Lady Laura Bush's life. Interesting to read about her early years and then her perspective on events that occurred during her time in the White House. "
— Shannon, 4/16/2011 -
" I really enjoyed listening to this book. I have always liked Laura Bush because she is a librarian also! She is a gifted writer. I really liked her discription of what happened to her on 9/11. "
— Amy, 4/15/2011 -
" Good description of the Bush era from Laura's perspective. Also included her life before George. It was interesting to read about historical events which paralleled my life. "
— Linda, 4/10/2011 -
" Loved reading this gracious lady's autobiography. "
— Margery, 4/9/2011 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography. Mrs. Bush writes well and is definitely worth the read. "
— Laura, 4/9/2011
About Laura Bush
Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009, is known for her support of literacy and education. She founded both the National Book Festival and the Texas Book Festival among numerous other volunteer and philanthropic projects. She is author of her memoir, Spoken from the Heart, as well as a coauthor of the children’s book, Read All About It!, with her daughter Jenna Bush Hager.