The Matriarch
Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty
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Narrated by:
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Kate Levy
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By:
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Susan Page
About this listen
A vivid biography of former first lady Barbara Bush, one of the most influential and underappreciated women in American political history.
Barbara Pierce Bush was one of the country's most popular and powerful figures, yet her full story has never been told.
The Matriarch tells the riveting tale of a woman who helped define two American presidencies and an entire political era. Written by USA Today's Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page, this biography is informed by more than 100 interviews with Bush friends and family members, hours of conversation with Mrs. Bush herself in the final six months of her life, and access to her diaries that spanned decades. The Matriarch examines not only her public persona, but also less well-known aspects of her remarkable life.
As a girl in Rye, New York, Barbara Bush weathered criticism of her weight from her mother, barbs that left lifelong scars. As a young wife, she coped with the death of her three-year-old daughter from leukemia, a loss that changed her forever. In middle age, she grappled with depression so serious that she contemplated suicide. And as first the wife and then the mother of American presidents, she made history as the only woman to see - and advise - both her husband and son in the Oval Office.
As with many women of her era, Barbara Bush was routinely underestimated, her contributions often neither recognized nor acknowledged. But she became an astute and trusted political campaign strategist and a beloved first lady. She invested herself deeply in expanding literacy programs in America, played a critical role in the end of the Cold War, and led the way in demonstrating love and compassion to those with HIV/AIDS. With her cooperation, this audiobook offers Barbara Bush's last words for history - on the evolution of her party, on the role of women, on Donald Trump, and on her family's legacy.
Barbara Bush's accomplishments, struggles, and contributions are many. Now, Susan Page explores them all in The Matriarch, a groundbreaking audiobook certain to cement Barbara Bush as one of the most unique and influential women in American history.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019 Susan Page (P)2019 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"[A] highly readable portrait...Like the arc of her life itself, [Bush] created a bridge for first ladies that reached from traditional feminine pursuits to modern feminism. This definitive biography is a welcome contribution to our understanding of the complex role of presidential spouses."—The Washington Post
"Susan Page has given us an insightful and engaging portrait of a remarkable American. Wife to one President, mother to another, Barbara Bush was fascinating and complicated, and this absorbing biography brings the woman George H.W. Bush called 'the Silver Fox' to vivid life."—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush
"Formidable and fearless, candid and sharp, Barbara Bush was among the most interesting people of our time. Susan Page's intimate biography covers both the triumphs and tribulations that made her so fascinating and beloved."—Walter Isaacson, Pulitzer Prize finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, and Einstein
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First Ladies
- The Ever Changing Role, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump
- By: Betty Boyd Caroli
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 20 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Betty Boyd Caroli's engrossing and informative First Ladies is an essential resource for anyone interested in the role of America's First Ladies. Caroli observes the role as it has shifted and evolved from ceremonial backdrop to substantive world figure. This expanded and updated fifth edition presents Caroli's keen political analysis and astute observations of recent developments, including Melania Trump's reluctance to take on the mantle and former First Lady Hilary Clinton's recent run for president. Caroli here contributes a new preface and updated chapters.
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Thorough
- By Kindle Customer on 10-11-20
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Stronger
- Courage, Hope, and Humor in My Life with John McCain
- By: Cindy McCain
- Narrated by: Cindy McCain
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Cindy Hensley was just out of college when she met and fell in love with the celebrated Navy hero John McCain. They embarked on a thrilling life together that put her at the center of American politics for over four decades. Stronger, her moving and inspiring memoir, tells the story of her adventurous life with John for the first time.
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Not What I Expected
- By DAK04 on 05-22-21
By: Cindy McCain
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Lady Bird and Lyndon
- The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President
- By: Betty Boyd Caroli
- Narrated by: Amanda Carlin
- Length: 16 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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A fresh look at Lady Bird Johnson that upends her image as a plain Jane who was married for her money and mistreated by Lyndon. This Lady Bird worked quietly behind the scenes through every campaign, every illness, and a trying presidency as a key strategist, fundraiser, barnstormer, peacemaker, and indispensable therapist.
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Lady Bird & btw Lyndon
- By Richard on 11-27-15
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We Are Our Mothers' Daughters
- Revised and Expanded Edition
- By: Cokie Roberts
- Narrated by: Cokie Roberts
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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In this 10th anniversary edition, renowned political commentator Cokie Roberts once again examines the nature of women's roles. From mother to mechanic, sister to soldier, Roberts reveals how much progress has now been made and how much further we have to go. Updated and expanded to include a diverse new cast of women, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Billie Jean King, and others, this collection of essays offers tremendous insight into the opportunities and challenges that women encounter today.
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A must read or “listen” for all women and girls!!
- By monica on 09-30-19
By: Cokie Roberts
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The Last Republicans
- Inside the Extraordinary Relationship Between George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush
- By: Mark K. Updegrove
- Narrated by: Milton Jeffers
- Length: 14 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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In this balanced, illuminating audiobook, Updegrove tells the story of the Bushes' relationship from the birth of George W. through their postpresidential years and Jeb Bush's failed candidacy. Drawing on exclusive access and interviews with both presidents and the key people in their lives, Updegrove reveals the Bushes' views on the current state of the nation and the GOP and how the party they both led and helped build is undergoing a radical transformation.
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Father and Son Presidents
- By Jean on 02-14-18
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Lady Bird
- A Biography of Mrs. Johnson
- By: Jan Jarboe Russell
- Narrated by: Andrea Gallo
- Length: 16 hrs
- Unabridged
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A revealing biography of Lady Bird Johnson with startling new insights into her marriage to Lyndon Baines Johnson and her unexpectedly strong impact on his presidency. Long obscured by her husband's shadow, Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson emerges in this first comprehensive biography as a figure of surprising influence and the centering force for LBJ, a man who suffered from extreme mood swings and desperately needed someone to help control his darker impulses.
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Do not waste an audible credit
- By Sandra B. on 10-15-23
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Lyndon
- An Oral Biography
- By: Merle Miller
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 32 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling presidential biographer Merle Miller has crafted a candid portrait of one of the most complex, fascinating, difficult, and colorful figures in American history. From his birth in 1908 to his death in 1973, the story of Lyndon B. Johnson is told with no sparing his personal excesses and contentious public image - while also highlighting the strength of his greatest accomplishments in Washington.
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Flawless
- By Jeffrey on 01-04-21
By: Merle Miller
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America's Queen
- The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- By: Sarah Bradford
- Narrated by: Sandra Burr
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Abridged
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Using remarkable new sources, Sarah Bradford has written a timely celebration of a life that was more private than commonly supposed. Revealing new testimony from many of the couple's friends shows the complexities of this apparently very public relationship and of her controversial marriage to Aristotle Onassis. Here is the private Jackie - neglected wife, vigilant mother, and working widow - whose contradictory and fascinating nature is illuminated by all that Bradford has discovered.
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American Royalty
- By Kindle Customer on 06-10-16
By: Sarah Bradford
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41
- A Portrait of My Father
- By: George W. Bush
- Narrated by: George W. Bush
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, has authored a personal biography of his father, George H. W. Bush, the 41st president. Forty-three men have served as president of the United States. Countless books have been written about them. But never before has a president told the story of his father, another president, through his own eyes and in his own words. A unique and intimate biography, the book covers the entire scope of the elder President Bush’s life and career.
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Heartwarming and Honoring
- By Marie on 12-24-14
By: George W. Bush
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November 22, 1963
- Reflections on the Life, Assassination, and Legacy of John F. Kennedy
- By: Dean R. Owen, Helen Thomas - foreword
- Narrated by: Arnell Powell, Kimberly Farr, Arthur Morey, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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As the fiftieth anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination draws near, the events of that fateful day will undoubtedly be on the minds of many throughout the world. Here Dean Owen curates a fascinating collection of interviews and thought-provoking commentaries from notable men and women connected to that notorious Friday afternoon. Those who worked closely with the president, civil rights leaders, celebrities, prominent journalists, and political allies are among the nearly one hundred voices asked to share their reflections on the significance of that day and the legacy left behind by John F. Kennedy.
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Disappointed in the content
- By ScoobyDo on 03-04-21
By: Dean R. Owen, and others
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1960
- LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon--The Epic Campaign That Forged Three Presidencies
- By: David Pietrusza
- Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
- Length: 18 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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It was the election that would ultimately give America "Camelot" and its tragic aftermath. 1960 is a stunning recreation of the bare-knuckle politics of the primaries, the party conventions' backroom dealings, the unprecedented television debates, along with hot-button issues of race, religion, and foreign policy. And, at the center of it all, three future presidents - Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. In this essential work of history, David Pietrusza chronicles 1960's struggle for power by bringing to life its towering events and personalities, unlocking its secrets, and turning expert scholarship into rich, human storytelling.
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No F words, but the N-word is allowed
- By Porter on 12-04-18
By: David Pietrusza
What listeners say about The Matriarch
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kari
- 04-08-19
Outstanding, Inspiring, Fascinating
I thought I loved and respected Barbara Bush before but this book drove home just how incredible she was and really how incredible their family was and is. The insight into the relationships she had with her family give such a rich and different light on them from what we, in the public, saw as the politicians. They are truly a family built on love and faith and are made from tough stuff. She wasn't an easy person, but man she had integrity and heart. This book honors her and in a way honors all of us who love Barbara Bush by confirming that she truly was as amazing as we've all thought all along.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Kristin V. Johnson
- 08-09-19
Organization holds it back
I enjoyed this story of Barbara Bush, but felt the way the book was written held the story back from getting top reviews. Jon Meacham's book on GHW Bush was much better and easier to follow. However, it is still well worth a listen. I always admired Bar.
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- Me
- 06-28-19
Amazing story of an amazing woman
As a proud democrat who respects the office of the presidency so much and those who hold it (outside of 45’s shameful term), I’ve always admired the Bush’s. Barbara was the backbone of that ‘dynasty’ and Ms. Page did a fantastic job of accounting for the amazing woman Barbara was. Ms Levy’s narration, however, was almost painful. The tone was very monotone and much to ‘historical’ - it needed more emphasis on emotion to really convey what was being told about Mrs. Bush. Her reading wasn’t bad, per se, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re tired and there’s a chance to fall asleep.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-06-19
Democrat for Barbara
I loved this book because as a life long Dem it gave me some good perspective and made me take another look at the Bush family. It was a little dry, not sure if thats the author or Babs but she was a woman who thought things through and stuck to her guns. Even if you dont agree with every view point, you have to respect that.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Patricia H. Miller
- 12-31-19
A GREAT BOOK
Susan Page has a real success here. Her book about Barbara is fantastic. ....a great read.
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- backintheoc
- 08-27-20
Good but not great
I thought this biography of Barbara Bush was good. It just wasn’t great, like I expected it to be. Biography, autobiography, and historical fiction are my favorite types books, but this one fell a little flat. I found that oftentimes it didn’t keep my attention, although there were a few parts that were excellent. It was nice to learn more about her, even though I grew tired of the repeated stories and details that seemed to drone on. Maybe it was the narrator’s voice that made me space out. I’m not sure.
I liked “41: A Portrait of My Father” much better. This one is not written as well as that book, but it’s a nice perspective.
So, like my title says, it was good and worth listening to. It just wasn’t great.
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- NancyF
- 05-05-19
Entertaining and Perfect for Listening
I am a big fan of Audible because of how it has tripled the number of books I get to read. Matriarch is a good example of why. Not only is it entertaining with so many new anecdotes on the Bushes, I found it an easy, pleasant way to refresh on three decades of politics having great relevance to today. I can do all this listening and learning while I drive, garden and make dinner. Combine all of this with Susan Page's excellent writing and Kate Levy's great reading, and you have a perfect listening experience.. (Neat trick: As an older reader, I like to enhance relaxation and comprehension on this and all other Audible books by reducing the speed to .75)
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- Patricia Poling
- 10-22-22
Wonderful insight
What an awesome insight to the life of Barbara Bush and a back door insight to the humble woman who was the force behind Bush 41 and 43!!
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- optimist22
- 03-16-20
Amazing Woman
I have finished reading the book about Barbara Bush, The Matriarch and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have always admired her, but there is a lot I didn’t know. As with all of us, she had a lot to deal with in her life complicated by the fact that she had to do most of it in the public eye. She is going to go on my list of people with whom I would like to have dinner. The writing and performance were excellent.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Bonnie Scherry
- 06-10-19
Wonderful story
Wonderful job of providing details of her life and the work that was so important to her. Magnified my respect for her!
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