The former first daughters share intimate stories and reflections from the Texas countryside to the storied halls of the White House and beyond. Born into a political dynasty, Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in the public eye. As small children, they watched their grandfather become president; just twelve years later they stood by their father’s side when he took the same oath. They spent their … They spent their college years watched over by Secret Service agents and became fodder for the tabloids, with teenage mistakes making national headlines.
But the tabloids didn’t tell the whole story. In Sisters First, Jenna and Barbara take readers on a revealing, thoughtful, and deeply personal tour behind the scenes of their lives, as they share stories about their family, their unexpected adventures, their loves and losses, and the sisterly bond that means everything to them.
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I wanted to love this memoir from the Bush twins, the way I loved Decision Points by their father and Spoken from the Heart by their mother. I enjoyed Sisters First well enough but I can’t say I loved it. Perhaps it was too all over the map for my taste, bouncing from one place and one time period to another as well as bouncing between twins. I did love the glimpses of their relationships with their parents and their grandparents. It does, indeed, seem to have been a wild and wonderful life for them both. I listened to the audiobook, so it was fun hearing it in the sisters’ own voices.
a warm, intimate portrait of what its really like to be a presidential daughter— way passed the politics — just humans busy being human!
I throughly enjoyed Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by them both. I laughed, I cried, and I learned a lot. Now I think I’ll go call my sister!
I enjoyed reading this memoir, especially the dual points of view provided in alternating chapters. The close thread tying the twins to one another is evident throughout, but there are as many differences between the sisters as there are similarities, so their stories were quite distinct. I was also struck by the realization that presidential families, up until recently, are bound in a sort of fraternal relationship with one another, wholly apart from political party or philosophical differences. Living in the White House and under similar conditions and circumstances gives them a unique experience in common. The book touches on joyous, sad, touching, and embarrassing moments throughout the two women’s lives, narrating them with frankness, humor, and tenderness. Now that I “know” Barbara and Jenna better, I’ll be expecting more splendid accomplishments from them.
This book is non-fiction, and has lots of info about the Bush family from the grandparents to the kids. a fun read.
If you are looking for a political slant or a way to bash the Bush family then you might be disappointed. If you are looking for inside life experiences from twins who happen to the children and grandchildren of two Presidents of the USA then you might enjoy it as much as I did.
I laughed at their antics and respective reprimands. I appreciated how their individual life experiences and the encouragement received from family to find their own voices in the world played out as adults.
Twins are twins and their bond is strong even though their separate life choices and differences in opinions.
Yes I enjoyed this book about real people, their integrity, and especially their love and respect of their family. It was also nice to learn of some behind the scene actions from their parents as parents and grandparents as grandparents who could be quite firm and yet listened to all sides when decisions were made.
Jenna and Barbara did a great job of telling the story of their lives being the famous Bush twins in this book. It was so interesting to hear of their childhood and how they became who they are today. It’s written with great humor and personal family stories that show you how close their family really is.
This was a very cute story that I really enjoyed reading. Putting aside politics, this really made me appreciate the importance of a solid support system, sisterhood and family. I loved hearing personal stories about what it was actually like living in the frenzy of D.C. Honestly, I wished they went into more depth about the details of meeting with Malia and Sasha Obama and other touching stories like that. The reason this book gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because I personally felt some of the sentence structures were hard to follow and it almost detracted from the story sometimes as I had to reread parts to understand what point they were trying to get across. Overall it was an enjoyable book written by non-authors with a beautiful message to remind us all to better appreciate the relationships we are all lucky to have.
Loved this book!
This is a great book written by the Bush twins. They truly think of each other first and love their family.
Loved this book and learning more about the Bush girls. Well written and quick read. I enjoyed this book!
Very natural, not at all self-inflating story of growing up in a famous family. The Bush family was down-to-earth, “regular” folks with clear and heart-warming values. These girls were not coddled in any way and were taught to respect the offices their relatives held and the country they served.
I learned so much about our former President. The words came from his daughters and was not sugar coated in the least. My opinion of him certain,y changed. He was a fabulous, father and husband. He truly cared about our ountry, and service men and women he sent into war. I gained so much respect for him, he was a good man and president. God Bless Him he had to make very difficult decisions.
I really enjoyed this story of sisters who clearly love and respect one another, their parents and their grandparents even though they don’t agree on everything.
so so, not very interesting, same old thing.
I liked this book. It was nice to hear the stories of the Bush girls and what lovely young women they are. It was refreshing to read of a family who loves each other so much. In this day of so much hatred, it was nice to read something sweet.
Fun seeing people from a different perspective.
Loved this book. Made parents and grandparents come alive for me. The relationship between these sisters is so special.
Really liked this book. Each twin tells her own story, so you can hear their own voices. Got to see two former presidents as Dad and Grandad. Charming book.
I enjoyed learning more about the Bush twins and their entire family. They share perspectives about their parents and grandparents that help to make them more human than larger than life. It is clear that the girls are committed to making the world a better place. They are both good writers. They engaged me at the start and kept my attention throughout the book.