Spoken from the Heart
According to theWall Street Journal, "Mrs. Bush's delicate rendering of the virtues and rhythms of mid-century Texas life sets this book far apart from the typical score-settling reminiscences of politicians or their spouses." Indeed, the former First Lady's autobiography is pleasantly--if unsurprisingly, given her famously serene demeanor--mostly free of political spitefulness. However, the critics unanimously declared that this sincere and self-assured memoir appears to be two books masquerading as one: a sentimental and richly detailed account of growing up in small-town America and a lackluster chronicle, "more travelogue and recitation" (Washington Post), of her years in the White House. Thoughtfully and elegantly written,Spoken From the Heartlovingly evokes Bush's beloved Texas even if it adds nothing new to readers' understanding of her husband's presidency.