From Publishers Weekly
In this favorable look at the politics and faith of the nation's current president, Mansfield, who has penned several historical biographies with faith emphases, examines Bush's spiritual journey and discusses how it shapes his administration. Although he writes that Bush's faith has waxed and waned over the years, Bush "is among a small number of American presidents to have undergone a profound religious transformation as an adult... he came to the presidency, then, with the zeal of the newly converted." To understand the president's brand of faith, Mansfield traces his family legacy, his boyhood in Midland, Tex., his playboy years and his lifelong love affair with baseball. Bush's marriage to Laura helped stabilize him spiritually, and Mansfield details later encounters with evangelists Arthur Blessit and Billy Graham that he believes were pivotal in Bush's spiritual formation. He also shows the role of Bush's Christianity in running for various offices, implementing faith-based initiatives and responding to 9/11 and war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout the book, Mansfield offers his own interpretations about events in writing that is often rich and specific in detail. Noticeably absent is commentary on Bush's controversial environmental policies and how his faith has-or has not-informed them. But Mansfield is correct when he writes that "whatever else the presidency of George W. Bush imprints on American history, it will at the least have granted the nation an opportunity to rethink the role of religion in its public life."Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Great writing and a balanced reading propel the life story of one of our most controversial presidents. Even Bush-bashers will be riveted to their audio players as the narrative shoots holes in the oversimplified view of Bush his detractors like to portray. Is he a Christian or a champion of the "three great religions"? Is he the demon of gay and minority causes or the president with many such appointees in Cabinet and diplomatic positions? The sections on Bush's early business and political life are illuminating. While the unflattering episodes are described minimally, this presentation invites a calmer consideration of Bush's life than a tell-all approach would allow. A biography that people of all political persuasions will enjoy. T.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Book Description
The first book to explore the religious ideals that drive the policies and politics of Bush as president and that have privately shaped Bush as a man.

More than any other president in recent years, George W. Bush's presidency is "faith based." His life demonstrates the power of faith to create change, to build a family and political career, and to shape the destiny of a nation with his leadership.

This book allows us to see how George W. Bush interjects his faith and belief in God into every detail of his life. From the President's devotional time alone each morning to his frequent incorporation of Scripture into his speeches, Bush relies upon his faith to direct his actions and goals.

In 1986, Bush responded to the Biblical conversion story of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus by asking Jesus to be his friend, and as a result he overcame a growing dependence upon alcohol and turned to the Bible to save his marriage and his family. During his presidential campaign, he brought leading pastors to his governor's mansion to lay hands on him and pray for his future, telling them that he had been "called" to seek higher office.

From the tragedy of September 11th to the present-day conflict in Iraq, President Bush has learned to use his personal faith to help him live his life-both in office and in private. This book will inspire others to do the same.


About the Author
Stephen Mansfield is the author of numerous books on history and leadership, including Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill and Then Darkness Fled: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"I feel like God wants me to run for president. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen and, at that time, my country is going to need me. I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it."

So said then-Governor George W. Bush to a few trusted friends about the 2000 presidential race. As president, Bush has continued to bring his deep religious belief to his job-a fact that has delighted the nation's conservative Christians and distressed many others.

That Bush has appointed likeminded Christians to high posts-including Secretary of State John Ashcroft, who was once quoted as saying that America had "no king but Jesus"-has only fueled the controversy. So have Bush's support and funding of faith-based initiatives. And with his administration swearing to keep the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, a matter which the Supreme Court will take under consideration this fall, many are left wondering: Whatever happened to the separation between church and state?

But Bush's faith is an asset to his presidency and not a weakness, argues Stephen Mansfield in his provocative new book, The Faith of George Bush. In this spiritual biography of the president, Mansfield shows that Bush uses his faith to help him be a better leader (and man and husband and parent) without allowing it to dictate policy decisions. Said his close friend, Commerce Secretary Don Evans: "It gives him a desire to serve others and a very clear sense of what is good and what is evil."

With anecdotes that are both inspiring and eye opening, Mansfield traces the arc of Bush's spiritual (and not-so-spiritual) life from his childhood to the present:

*The religious influences of his parents, George, Sr. and Barbara.

*His academic difficulties at Andover and Yale, which may have been exacerbated by a possible learning disorder such as dyslexia.

*His aimless, decadent lifestyle after Yale, which consisted of driving around Houston in his Triumph, dating beautiful women, drinking, and partying.

*His future wife Laura, who introduced Bush to the Methodist church.

*A little-known meeting between Bush and evangelist Arthur Blessitt in 1984, which Bush has never spoken about publicly, which helped to define his commitment to Jesus and give shape to his previously shapeless, aimless life.

*Bush's famous walk with the Reverend Billy Graham in 1985, which led Barbara Bush to say, "George has been born again."

*How Bush's faith helped him to give up drinking.

*His first forays into politics: running for a Congressional District seat at age 31; working on his father's presidential campaign (where his faith helped him to resist the advances of an attractive young campaign worker and keep his family first and foremost); and winning the Texas gubernatorial race against Ann Richards, a victory which he owed to his beliefs and his outspoken views about religion.

*His appointments of cabinet members, top advisors, judges, and others, many of whom share his commitment to Jesus-and how that circle of faith helps him to help the nation.

*...and more.

The Faith of George Bush is a fascinating look at a man whose spirituality brought moral renovation to his life, set him free from his lesser self, and made him an extraordinary, complicated, and for some, controversial leader.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this favorable look at the politics and faith of the nation's current president, Mansfield, who has penned several historical biographies with faith emphases, examines Bush's spiritual journey and discusses how it shapes his administration. Although he writes that Bush's faith has waxed and waned over the years, Bush "is among a small number of American presidents to have undergone a profound religious transformation as an adult... he came to the presidency, then, with the zeal of the newly converted." To understand the president's brand of faith, Mansfield traces his family legacy, his boyhood in Midland, Tex., his playboy years and his lifelong love affair with baseball. Bush's marriage to Laura helped stabilize him spiritually, and Mansfield details later encounters with evangelists Arthur Blessit and Billy Graham that he believes were pivotal in Bush's spiritual formation. He also shows the role of Bush's Christianity in running for various offices, implementing faith-based initiatives and responding to 9/11 and war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout the book, Mansfield offers his own interpretations about events in writing that is often rich and specific in detail. Noticeably absent is commentary on Bush's controversial environmental policies and how his faith has-or has not-informed them. But Mansfield is correct when he writes that "whatever else the presidency of George W. Bush imprints on American history, it will at the least have granted the nation an opportunity to rethink the role of religion in its public life." (Nov. 11) Forecast: This book has the advantage of being the first spiritual biography of George W. Bush, but it won't be the last: in April, W Publishing Group will release A Man of Faith: The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush, by former Time senior correspondent David Aikman. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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