The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty by Susan Page

Barbara Bush was a matriarch, a figure that guided numerous generations of the Bush family, from the start of its political dynasty to the present day. Susan Page’s book “The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty” chronicles her influence on a political dynasty that began in the 1980’s and continues to shape American politics today.

Page starts with Barbara’s childhood and her matriarchal influences, her parents Pauline and Marvin Pierce. Her father was an EPA administrator, a position that offered the Pierce’s an opportunity to move around the country - Barbara lived in New York and Massachusetts before ultimately settling in Texas. This experience gave Barbara a cosmopolitan worldview that was not typical for someone from a small town in the Midwest.

Page then focuses on Barbara’s relationship with her husband, George H.W. Bush and their 41-year long marriage. The couple had six children, including George W. Bush and Jeb Bush, who both went on to serve in the White House. Barbara was an engaged mother and an active member in her church and the community. She believed in the importance of education - all of her children pursued advanced degrees and most went on to have successful careers.

Barbara gained prominence when her husband was elected President of the United States in 1988. While her husband served in office, Barbara made headlines multiple times for her candor, charm, and wit. The book tells how Barbara became a public spokesperson for multiple causes, including literacy and literacy programs for inner-city schools. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work.

Page then explores Barbara Bush’s longevity and the evolution of her views throughout the years. During the election of her son, George W. Bush, she stayed in the background and was careful to not to make public statements that might harm her son’s candidacy. Barbara developed a reputation for charm and wit, but also for being fiercely protective of her family.

The book ends with an assessment of Barbara’s legacy and her influence on American politics. Page praises her popularity, noting that her “legacy stands as one of the best examples of grace and dignity in the Oval Office and too few people have given her the credit she deserves”.

Susan Page’s book “The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty” is an incredible look at the life and matriarchal influence of Barbara Bush on the Bush family, and American politics in general. Page paints an intimate portrait of the Bush family, from Barbara’s childhood to her death, and provides an insight into her tremendous influence on her husband, her six children, and the country she served as the wife of an American president.