The Family by Kitty Kelley is a good read

[realFedUp]

Forget the sliming GETV gave Kitty and
her well researched book on the Bush dynasty...
this is a great read. Very detailed. The
Bush family tree alone is worth the price of the
book.
Despite the numerous blockades, disappeared
documents and sources requiring complete anonymity,
she wrote a thorough accounting of this family.
She vetted it through lawyers and left anything
she couldn't corroborate out of the book.

I recommend it for anyone who wants to look
behind the curtain.

[jeff30997]

1. Sounds great !

I can't wait to read it !

[AgadorSparticus]

2. i agree. i am very much enjoying this book. i wasn't sure why

she went into such detail about dd walker, bert walker, and prescott bush. but now i can see why she did that. it gives a nice background to their upbringing and family beliefs.

[pacalo]

3. It's definitely on my to-do list.

[RussBLib]

20. Did she cover much of the Prescott-Nazi connection?

Geez, four different companies that Prescott was involved with were shut down by the U.S. government for "trading with the enemy" (e.g. Nazi Germany).

How much depth did she give it?

[RussBLib]

21. any mention of Barbara drinking while pregnant with George?

Living in Houston, we've heard stories about how the Bush parents were prodigious drinkers. No doubt Babs had a few while pregnant. Could explain some of chimpy's defects.

[nostamj]

22. actually, she largely debunks that issue

Prescott comes off quite good in the book.

"the blood thins from there"

Prescott was, according to this book, quite progressive (on civil rights, esp.) and would have been horrified at the positions his son and grandsons took after his passing....

[kskiska]

31. Except that Prescott absolutely hated FDR

He hated the New Deal and thought FDR was a commie/socialist, although his business partner, Averell Harriman, was Ambassador to Russia at that time.

[AgadorSparticus]

39. i didn't get that impression at all. prescott comes off as a bigoted

elitist social climber. i can't find it in the book now, but i remember reading that an "eye-talian" (can't remember the name) came to his house to ask him for help in campaigning and Prescott was so appalled that this middle class Italian would even THINK that someone of Prescott's stature would help him. This Italian man went on to become the governor or something.

It struck me from the beginning that this entire family going back to Flora Prescott Bush (prescott's mother), lived and breathed class elitistism. He embraces trickle down economics (code for elitists/have's are the only ones qualified to run the nation because the poor/have not's have not evolved enough to do so). I think this is partly why he hated FDR so darn much besides the politics. Didn't FDR come from money and was seen as such a traitor to his class/people?

Maybe further on in the book, this is addressed in detail. But so far, I cannot imagine a man like Prescott bush being for civil rights or anything that would give the average joe any leverage.

edit: i forgot. he was for sexual equality. i'll give him that. he believed women should be considered equals.

[sffreeways]

26. She did go into it enough in my opinion

she covered it enough to let the reader decide. She points out that there has been alot made out of the connection and that some of it has been blown out of proportion. I think you have to decide how you feel about the connection. I personally think it's a perfect example of how far they will go to achieve money and power but she doesn't have Prescott rolling up his sleeves and building a concentration camp. She explains how he was involved through his business connections. I think it's an indictment. The man was involved but was he a Nazi ? That's something she left the reader to decide. It's been covered more in depth in the other unauthorized biography on the internet

All and all Prescott was not the man his son is. He voted for civil rights legislation and was pro womens rights and for a politician he was what most people think of as a real republican. Believe me if the son and grandson were only half the man Prescott was we could tolerate them. But that's the thing that makes all of the first 200 or so pages about Prescott worth the read, you really see how different things were when it came to Poppy. It's Poppy that is the personification of evil. She doesn't spare Poppy at all and rightfully so. Poppy and Barbara are less than human and she relies on facts and a good retelling of history to shape the readers opinion of him. And of course that gives you excellent insight into the son W. Yuck ! Poppy and W and the rest of Poppy's sons. Yuck !!

[RussBLib]

28. Well, I'd RATHER think the worst about Prescott

but I'll keep an open mind on it. Thanks for the info. Her book is on my to-buy list. Unfortunately, I have about 10 other recent books already waiting to be read. Yahhhhh!!!!

[AgadorSparticus]

36. i hear ya. i have about 4 other poli books on my tbr pile.

i just stopped reading the bush on the couch book so i could get to this. patience in not my best virtue. lol

[crickets]

33. There's a difference

between being a Nazi and being a fascist. Does she make the distinction?

I thumbed through the book recently but put it back because my finances are a bit tight at the moment. I hope I can check it out at the library or something, because I really do want to read it... and leave it lying around my (Republican) parents' house for them to read. I know my mom can't resist Kitty Kelley.

[AgadorSparticus]

27. she did cover it. here is what she says of it:

the only thing she mentioned was that Prescott Bush and a man named, Knight Woolley were managing partners for a company named Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH). BBH did alot of business with UBC, a company owned by Fritz Thyssen (an early supporter of the 3rd reicht and also called "hitler's angel"). in fact, Prescott bush even owns 1 share of this company.

But the reason they couldn't prosecute is because it is a Dutch owned company. Apparently they haven't found any intelligence documents to assert that Prescott endorsed Nazi ideals or supported Hitler. According to Kelley, he was like his father in law (Bert Walker) "whose priorities--first, last, and always---were to make money."

Kelley goes on to add that John Loftus, a former prosecutor in Justice dept.'s Nazi War Crimes Unit, reevaluated Prescott/BBH and their dealings with UBC during WW2 to see if any crimes were committed.

In 2002, Loftus said, "If Prescott Bush were alive today, I would move to have him indicted for giving aid and comfort to the enemy in time of war". Apparently, Prescott did get some fringe benees ("lucrative fees" that BBH charged UBC for 16 yrs.) by being the managing investment partner of BBH.

But she did leave it to you to decide if he was guilty of anything. She brings up the lack of remorse about Hitler which I can see because if they could make money dealing with Hitler and get away with it, it seems they would jump at it in a heartbeat. It's all about the money. And it ties into all the other lack of character traits and values that have been covered so far about this family.

[RussBLib]

30. Thanks for the info

I read recently that FOUR companies in which Prescott was involved were shut down in 1942 by the U.S. gov't for "trading with the enemy."

"It's all about the money" would make as much sense, I suppose, as suggesting that the Bush's were Nazi sympathizers. On that score, not much has changed with this family over the years. Money, money, money.

There was, of course, quite a bit of sympathy with Germany and the Nazis in this country between the two World Wars. Quite a number of our citizens emigrated from Germany, plus, of course, anti-Semitism is a world-wide phenomenon.

[kskiska]

32. Other companies quit dealing with the Nazis on moral grounds

but Prescott's company held out till the last minute, taking in every last penny they could until it became embarrassing.

[AgadorSparticus]

40. it's so sad how this group is so devoid of morality. none. zip. nada.

their god is truly the god of money.

[Cha]

4. Thanks! I'm salivating at the

thought! I'm going to ask my Library if they will get it, too!

[crispini]

5. It's very well written and entertaining...

worth it even if it wasn't the BFEE.

[Kanary]

6. Good review....... I was disappointed not more splash on this book!

I'm really surprised..... I thought there'd be a big hullaballoo about it....... BFEE must have "arranged" it ahead of time, because there's hardly a peep. I saw her twice on TV with it, and that's all. :(

Glad to hear it's as good as all that........ maybe it will have some effect, if we can get the word out....

Kanary :hi:

[nostamj]

7. it is NOT the 'juicy' 'gossipy' tome that was predicted

at least, as far (400+pp) I've read.

no, it's a detailed and sourced history of the entire diseased family. at 400+ pages, W is still a minor character.

KK does NOT stop at exposing GHWB's infidelity, she exposes his utterly empty resume and lapdog mendacity in the pursuit of personal power for himself which he extends to advance the CRIMINAL careers of his extended family.

to be sure, Kevin Phillips provides a more sober and nuanced account of the same history, but Kelley salts her account with jaw-dropping specifics and quotes.

I really thought it would be a two-day speed read. wrong!

[CornField]

I thought the same

I'm a big reader -- been known to devour a book in a single sitting. KK book has so much detail in it that I'm only on page 250 after four days!

I've just finished the part where HW wins his first Congressional seat. I haven't found it to be 'gossipy' either. The first portion was overall quite flattering to Prescott.

[Geek_Girl]

8. The Family

I haven't finished it yet but so far I am pleasantly surprised. The media made it seem like it was tabloid trash but I find it to be credible and well documented with relevant sources.

[Cleita]

9. I thought her historical background to

the principals involved is quite good and accurate especially how the firms the Bush ancestors were involved in were founded and how their fortunes were made. The history is very accurate so there is no reason those parts of the book that can't be verified for various reasons shouldn't be as well.

[realFedUp]

10. GETV punditry

It was obvious and embarrassing to watch
the various pundits treat Ms. Kelley as though
she writes for the National Enquirer...
asked why should anyone believe an anonymous
source.
Gee, maybe someone should ask that of Bob Woodward
or the countless "journalists" who depend on
the facts without the retribution from the Bushies.

Can we get our money back?

[dryan]

11. This is an excellent book...

I think it is the best book she has written.

[Chovexani]

12. I'm still reading it

I got it from Costco the day it came out and I thought it'd be a quick read (I read fast) but it's a lot to take in. It's far from tabloid trash though--her research is top-notch and though the family itself is quite trashy she manages to stay above it.

I love Kitty's writing style, it's really quite funny. Some of the little turns of phrase she uses are hilarious (I especially liked the "bibbity bobbity boo" comment about Dubya's National Guard records).

[realFedUp]

13. bump for nightwriters.

[UTUSN]

14. Agree! The First Third Had Me Wondering

In the great-grandparents' generation it was sketchy and then it seemed she was giving a pass on everything, like the Nazi thing, but I'm into the middle of it, the faltering rise of Poppy, and KELLEY is not missing the nuances of the politics, how Poppy NEVER stood for anything but "success", how he would cover his cowardly ass at every turn. KELLEY knows what politically courageous stands ARE and what they are NOT, and the research is showing.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. I've read 200+ pages, and it's anything but tabloid trash

it is well-researched and fascinating. She lets the family's actions reveal their true characters, and writes in a non-judgemental manner.

[oldlady]

16. had to call in sick to finish the book

that's how much I enjoyed it *heehee*
I agree that it was an enjoyable read. I've already lent my copy out and am encouraging lots of others to read it-- it gives such a nice overview and feeling for the character of the family (especially the last several chapters--just to add to the salivation of those not yet finished). The overwhelming feeling at the end is this: how did 41 EVER get elected (all about the power, a crybaby with no ideas whatsoever) & how did 43 EVER get elected (bully boy with no intellectual curiosity)?

My favorite line: "the dumbest person ever to sit in the Oval Office"

[Lex]

17. If you want to get a deal on the Kelley book, I saw it at Costco tonight

along with Jon Stewart's new book "America", Mareen Dowd's new book, and Seymour Hersch's new book.

Yes, there were some repuke books there too but I treated them like haz-mat while I was browsing.

[Chovexani]

29. I get all my brand new hardcovers from Costco

They sell them at ridiculously reduced prices. I paid $17.39 for my copy of "The Family" there.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

18. I agree. I finished it this week.

and was amazed at how dysfunctional they are. They are unable to relate to anyone.
It 's like they all live their own seperate bizzaro worlds and think it's real.

[nostamj]

19. well, I got past 500 pages

since my first post on this thread.

and again, it is NOT the trash-fest some predicted.

at 500+ pages, the chimp is STILL a minor character. that said, the depiction of GHWB's presidency is devastating. he comes across as a pathetic cipher concerned only with winning, never about policy.

the role that his mistress, Jennifer Fitzgerald, played is quite stunning (while she is anything but! yikes.)

maybe the mud will be flung in the closing chapters, but, so far, it's anything but a fast read as I expected...

[Mr_Spock]

23. Yes, this book is a must read. Once I heard about the vetting for this

book, I was convinced that this was a worthwhile investment of my time.

[Bozvotros]

24. Really is NOT a hatchet job

But a solidly researched book with the occasional left hook right in their faces.

Poppy's race baiting Texas Senate race was an eye opener and I don't remember hearing much about it in 1988 or 92. He was adamantly opposed to the Civil Rights Act and tried to paint his opponent as a n***** lover. Poppy got his ass handed to him in the LBJ landslide over Goldwater. Later when he ran for the House, he played it the other way and made up claims about setting up an NAACP fund at Yale while he was there. Trouble was they never had such a fund then.

The thing that gets you about this Klan is they have all been vicious competitors, willing to do anything or say anything to win, are quick to switch positions without any sign of cognitive dissonance, and are seemingly constitutionally unable to admit how much their success comes from other kin and corporate slimeballs greasing the way for them.

Kitty does make them sound as if they have been rapidly de-evolving from Prescott who was the kind of guy who could make money off the Nazi war machine and still support Civil Rights in this country.

[sffreeways]

25. I agree an excellent political history of the Bush dynasty

Really great book. I finished reading it this afternoon. It took me a good while to read it because it's written in such a way that you want to understand how their power unfolded from begining to where we are now.

I don't know why the press made such a fuss, it wasn't all that gossipy or shocking. It was reality.

Great research and not that many anonymous sources at all. The way she covered the familys political climb to power was concise.

Some very funny stuff too. There is one thing that she said in an interview with Tweety about the book that really best describes the way I felt about what I read. "why are these things such a surprise". There aren't any real surprises and everything I read is very believable and she gives plenty of examples, testimony, and explainations that show the reader why it's believable.

Her take on Poppy is great and it's all a reminder of how horrible he was as a president and a man and why he raised such a bunch of rotten corrupt self serving entitled sons. I recommend this book because it's a damn well written book and it has integrity.

It could have ben much worse. This is no unauthroized biography like the one that's been circulating on the internet for the past few years. It's digestable and mainstream. Great book. If you haven't read it yet get yourself a copy and you'll be pleased to have it as part of your political collection of good reads.

[UTUSN]

34. Kick for Good Review n/t

[jerryvov]

35. Kelley rips The Chimp...

in a passage that freeze-frames the Bush family's narcissistic, spoiled, entitled view of themselves...she writes:

"George W. Bush's career is marked by a slash of carelessness. He was careless with other people's money, careless about rules, careless about using the Bush name, and careless with the truth. He, like his brothers, was carless in the way that F. Scott Fitzgerald defined the term in "The Great Gatsby":

They were careless people... They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that held them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.


I think Kitty Kelley did an astute job of capturing the massive ignorance, total lack of ethics, and complete absence of any sense of morality that permeates this family. May as well be expecting moral decency from the Corleone family (Godfather) as from the Bush tribe...the level of deceit, narcissism and general thuggery is about on a par for either Bush or Corleone. Except that we will be decades cleaning up the mess that Chimpy & Co. makes of this country before they are done...sad.

[progressivebydesign]

37. Getting the book for my birthday next week!!!

Great present! Can't wait for a nice read of some trashy dirt. 'bout time someone spilled the beans on the republicans for once. I won't compre to Lynn Cheney's bodice-ripper of a paperback, but it'll still be a good read.

[SidDithers]

38. Just waiting for my public library to get it in...

budget doesn't really allow for much in the way of purchases right now.

Sid