Laura Welch Bush was born in Midland, Texas in 1946. Her father built houses and was into real estate, and her mother worked as a bookkeeper. She had no siblings. She loved reading as a child, which is something that I identified with. She was involved in a car accident in which she killed another classmate, which impacted her emotionally a great deal. She genuinely felt really terrible about it, accepted that she was the one at fault (she ran a stop sign), and really had to work through that mentally. She attended college, was in a sorority, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She worked as a teacher while getting a Master's Degree in Library Science. She met her future husband in 1977 at the home of some mutual friends. They were married four months later, which seems so fast to me personally. The couple had twin girls, Jenna and Barbara. She supported her husband in his campaigning for governor and president, and did a lot of work in her own right.

She did a lot of work for several literacy programs for children, which I respect a great deal. She also raised money to help fund public libraries. She also helped out case workers and children in need of state intervention (abused and neglected children). She also raised awareness for Breast Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease, both of which impact many families across the country, including mine. As a political figure, she kept to promoting the things that she cared about- women, children, and literacy. She did not try to put forth policies and political changes like the former First Lady, which people seemed to appreciate. She identified as a Republican, so a lot of her beliefs and ideas did not reflect a great percentage of Americans, especially American women. She did, however, say that she believed everyone should have the right to marriage if they were consenting adults and that abortion should remain legal, though she felt that abortions would decrease by teaching abstinence. (Abortions would decrease if women were able to get affordable birth control without hassle in all states, be able to be sterilized without hassle or the consent of their spouse in all states, if men would use condoms in all states, if biology and sex education were taught before people were old enough to be having sex in all states, and if people would stop raping folks or sexually manipulating them. Obviously, medical issues will arise that are beyond control, and people should be able to make the best decision for them without being forced to have an abortion or being forced into giving birth. Simply saying do not have sex is not the answer.) I respect her attitude towards issues that a lot of other people in her political party are ridiculous about. I also respect the work she did for literacy.

This book was an interesting read, because I did not know a lot about her as a person. She and her husband were in the white house when I was in eighth grade throughout my high school life. I remember we held a mock election for President Bush to see who would win if we controlled the vote, which was a way to teach us about elections. I thought it was really neat because we got to learn about campaign issues. This book did not have the humor or with that her mother in law's book did, but it was still a good book. I don't think she tried to make herself out to be the greatest person in the world who could do no wrong. She said what she said, and she owned what she said. Regardless of her political affiliation, she really did have the best interest at heart with the programs and awareness that she promoted. Literacy is extremely important for the future leaders of the world, and to create people who can go into life and succeed. Check this book out if you are interested in learning more about former First Lady Laura Bush.