Newhart is one of my idols. His arid sense of humor and timing have been the source of a tremendous deal of laughter in my family. I have an extensive video collection of all four of his television series “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Newhart,” “Bob,” and “George and Leo.” Although I have never had the chance to meet him, he has signed a few autographs for me through the mail (one is pictured at bottom).

My friend Jimmy picked this up from a bookstore in Southern California where Newhart was doing a book signing. I’m anxious to dive into this book which promises to echo his stand-up comedy. Here’s the autograph on the title page:

Continue with 2006…

My parents always supported Jimmy Carter and so I did as well. My admiration for Carter hasn’t wavered in the slightest as you can probably tell by my numerous postings about him. But I think Reagan did an outstanding job in manipulating our economic policies and restoring confidence in the government in the 1980′s after his defeat of Carter. His peace talks also paved the way for the end of the Cold War, realized under the regime of George Bush.

This book is read by President Reagan himself and covers his entire career with a heavy emphasis on his Presidential years. Those wanting to hear more about his movie career will be disappointed, when his description of his invovement with motion pictures is nearly shorter than his proclamation of how much he loves to ride horses. Since this version is abridged, it will be interesting to check out the actual book and see if the written biography has more information to balance his earlier careers.

At times, Reagan goes a bit overboard on explanations and defenses of his policies, but that is quibbling. He speaks in the familiar, comforting voice that he addressed Americans with for eight years – and does do a great job of outlining his administration’s actions and goals. I’d give this audiobook a 7/10.

This book is comprised almost solely of letters that Bush has written throughout his life, intermingled with diary entries he made during some of our nation’s most historic times. By the nature of how this book was comprised, I was confident that these writings reflected the true nature of President Bush. If you have faith that all of these letters were legitimate (which I do), then you will come away from reading or listening to this book and feel that you really understand the motivations behind the actions of the former President.

Although private and seemingly wooden in public, I came to understand how incredibly sensitive, humorous, and loyal Bush always was to his family and his country. These were values that remained in him from the time he was a young pilot in World War II through his post-Presidency. I could even feel his frustration and pain when he lost the Presidencial race in 1992.

Bush doesn’t seem to shy away from anything potentially embarassing in his career (although any mention of Dan Quayle is conspicously absent – but the CD is abridged). One of the most engrossing portions of the book tells of Bush’s confusion and eventual disillusion of Nixon’s administration during the Watergate scandal, during which time Bush was serving as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. This is followed by the “Read my lips” uproar, the broccoli comment, and even the Tokyo vomiting incident on the Prime Minister of Japan.

The high (and low) points of Bush’s Presidency are amply covered as are his WWII years as a Navy pilot, his family life, business ventures, his terms in Congress, his jobs as Ambassador to China, director of the CIA, and Vice-President, and his retirement years (including his near-obsession with making a final parachute jump).

Although Bush himself only reads a handful of his letters during the six-hour audio CD, he does provide historical context before handing each letter over to a member of his family to read. By the time I finished this CD, I felt like I was one of the Bush grandchildren. That ‘condescending voice’ I had always heard became more like a ‘Mr. Rogers’ voice to me. He was a little corny and backwards sometimes, but also a rugged, determined man who always wanted what was best for his country and family. I’d give this book an 8/10.