“Every child in America should have access to a well stocked school library. ” Straightforward, inspiring, and educational. These few words do her no justice. Laura Bush said very little, but what she said was very impactful and important. When she talked people listened and people gravitated toward her. What makes her so gravitational was her likability and the fact that she had the same concerns that every other American had. So she used her platform given to her by her husband’s Presidency to help make a difference in the United States.
Lastly, throughout the book, the audience almost gets to see first hand what it was like to live in Laura’s world. From her childhood in West Texas, to teacher, librarian, and First Lady. Laura Bush, born Laura Lane Welch was born in Midland, Texas on November 4th, 1946 (Felix, 12). Her parents were Harold and Jenna and she was an only child (Felix, 10). She attended at Robert E. Lee High School and was passionate about reading. Laura was very shy and always wanted to please her parents (Felix, 15).
In high school, she participated in yearbook, signed up for honor classes and attended school dances (Felix, 25). After high school, Laura went to college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas (Felix, 19). She received a bachelor’s degree in early education and afterwards decided to teach second graders for a few years, before receiving her master’s degree in library science at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas (Felix, 26). Summary This book is a true autobiography, capturing Laura’s tenure as the first lady as well as being a parent of twins for the first time.
Not to mention, the story talked about her childhood, her passion with literacy and children, her reactions in times of national crisis, for example 9/11 and the Iraq war, and lastly, her generous work with countless charities and organizations. Some of the main characters in the book were Laura’s mom Jenna and her father Harold. In fact, they were so important to her that they had half a chapter about them in the book. The next important character other than herself was her now so called husband George W. Bush and how they meet and married within three to six months (Felix, 33).
The last of the important characters were her fraternal twin daughters Barbara and Jenna, which she named after her mom and George’s mom (Felix, 37). Laura and George were actually deciding to adopt before she found out she was pregnant. She had a hard time during her pregnancy with getting sick all of the time and had to have her children five weeks early or else her kidney’s would of failed (Felix, 83). A major life event and important development in Laura Bush’s life was on her 17th birthday. Laura was heading to a party around 8 p. m. hat evening, when all of a sudden Laura ran a stop sign and hit another car, killing the driver instantly (Felix, 28). Laura and her friend in the passenger seat had minor injuries and Laura was not charged with anything, due to the fact she was not drinking (Felix, 29). This book was organized fairly great, except for the part of the first chapter which talked about 9/11 and that was confusing, because as a reader, usually the background of the person’s life is first. The 9/11 chapter would have fit more appropriately towards in the ending of the book.
The theme that was evident to was that anyone from anywhere can grow up to be the biggest, most popular and most powerful person on the planet. Another theme that was evident was that a girl could do anything a guy could do and still make an impact. Something that was different than any other biography or autobiography, was the fact that in the endnotes she had her famous Cowboy Cookies and pictures and a list of more famous people that was out of the same town Laura was out of. Sources In, Laura: America’s First Lady, First Mother, the author, Antonia Felix, appears to have great respect for Laura.
The author also was also unbiased, giving the reader a fair opportunity to make judgment of Laura Bush. When researching Mrs. Antonia Felix, I found that she studied at University of Wisconsin and has written ten books. Not only, is she a writer but also an opera singer. Credibility wise, as for the author, research would say she is so-so. The only thing concerning is she is also a singer, so as a reader that is concerning because that is not her primary job, which could have a possible effect in her writing skills.
As for the credibility of the book, it seems credible. sons being she got her sources from print media, radio/ television transcripts, websites, books, and conducted interviews. There were many sources used, in fact, when counted upon there were 58 total sources used. These sources were credible to the book because they were from enormous television networks, radio networks, print media, reliable books and interviewers. Lastly, a specific source worth nothing would be Time Magazine, NPR, Library of Congress, New York Times, and the Oprah Show.
Strengths and Weakness A major strength of the author would be her capability to capture important live events of Laura and put it in the book and somehow draw vivid imagery in our minds. Additionally, a major strength would be Laura’s exciting life that she had, without it there would be a very boring book. Another strength would be the author’s even-handed manner and her ability to present the information, without trying to make a political statement or bash and corrupt the minds of the reader’s.
Some weakness would include, the fact that she is not as popular as other First Ladies for example, Michelle Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Hillary Clinton. Another downfall would be the lack of consistency of writing material. It seemed that different chapters were given more effort into it and others were lacking. Additionally, there was no climax to this book were the reader got pulled in and swept off their feet. All in all, the writer did a good job trying to create a story out of a person who is not so famous and not so interesting. Critique All in all, the book was impressing. I was impressed that I was ble to learn so much from someone who I felt was not as important than any other First Lady.
This was a quick read and something that almost anyone could read and comprehend. The book, however, suffers from some serious flaws. The most flagrant, it seems, is the lack of editing. There were a few speeches and it seemed the author had used the whole speech, instead of excerpts. Additionally, there were citations missing for quotes that were said. Lastly, there was a chapter devoted just to her husband, George W. Bush. From a reader’s standpoint that felt unnecessary because this book was supposed to be about her.
Others should read this book because Laura is a an iconic First Lady that helped change the country. She was an educator who thought education was key to a successful life and a better tomorrow. She was never in the spotlight for a wrong doing and kept a low profile. In today’s social media that is almost unheard of. Her countless hours of volunteering and community work is commendable. After reading this book, it seems she is an ordinary down to earth women, who cared about women’s right, cancer, and education. At the end of the day, this book deserves an three out of five stars, but Laura Bush, Laura Bush deserves an five out of five stars.
