{"id":584,"date":"2018-12-31T12:57:01","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T12:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/?p=584"},"modified":"2018-12-31T12:57:01","modified_gmt":"2018-12-31T12:57:01","slug":"lone-star-reviewsmichelle-newby-nbcc-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/?p=584","title":{"rendered":"Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/span><\/span>Lone Star Reviews<\/span>Michelle Newby, NBCC,<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n

Contributing Editor<\/span><\/h1>\n
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<\/span><\/span><\/span>Texas Reads<\/span>Glenn Dromgoole<\/span><\/h1>\n

>> archive<\/span><\/a><\/span>Biographer offers critical appraisal of Bush\u2019s presidency<\/span><\/h1>\n

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Historian and biographer Jean Edward Smith<\/span> gets right to the point in Bush,<\/span> his critical 800-page biography of President George W.\u00a0 Bush (Simon & Schuster, $35 hardcover). It goes on sale Tuesday. \u201cRarely in the history of the United States,\u201d he writes in the opening paragraph, \u201chas the nation been so ill-served as during the presidency of George W. Bush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith says Bush prided himself on being decisive, but \u201chis self-confidence and decisiveness caused him to do far more damage than a less assertive president would have.\u201d<\/p>\n

The writer is especially critical of Bush\u2019s decision to go to war with Iraq. \u201c(His) decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 was a tragic error,\u201d Smith writes. \u201cIt was compounded by his follow-on decision to install Western-style democracy, and the ensuing military occupation that entailed. The tragic loss of life, the instability, the sectarian strife, and the rise of ISIS are all in many respects attributable to those decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Smith also credits Bush with \u201cnoteworthy\u201d accomplishments: Leading the global fight against AIDS; making tough and unpopular decisions to rescue Wall Street and the American auto industry in 2008 when the nation was on the brink of another Great Depression; improving educational standards; extending Medicare to include prescription drugs for seniors; and providing for a smooth transition of power to President Obama.<\/p>\n

Smith, author of comprehensive biographies of Presidents Eisenhower, Grant, and Franklin Roosevelt, said he was not permitted to interview Bush for the book. An interview had been arranged, he writes, but he received a phone call from Bush\u2019s assistant who said, \u201cThe president does not wish to see you. You have written a book critical of his father (George Bush\u2019s War<\/span>), and because of that he does not wish to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first 150 pages of concern George W.\u2019s early years, presiding over the Texas Rangers baseball team, serving as governor of Texas, running for president, and the Supreme Court decision that finally settled the 2000 election. The next 500 pages or so deal with the many aspects and issues of Bush\u2019s two terms as president, followed by about 150 pages of notes, bibliography, and index.<\/p>\n

The biography, though certainly critical, seems even-handed, reasoned, dispassionate, not harsh or shrill. Bush comes across as a pretty likeable person. But the book will probably not find favor with Republicans, and one wonders how many Democrats will want to devote that much time to reading an in-depth analysis of Bush\u2019s presidency.<\/p>\n

It is, however, a compelling and coherent examination of how decisions were made in the Bush White House and how Bush\u2019s faith strongly influenced his world view \u2014 for better or worse \u2014 especially with regard to Iraq. Bush left office with a historically low public approval rating and was ranked in a survey of historians in November 2008 as the worst president in American history.<\/p>\n

Smith doesn\u2019t go quite that far. \u201cWhether George W.\u00a0 Bush was the worst president in American history will be long debated,\u201d Smith concludes, \u201cbut his decision to invade Iraq is easily the worst foreign policy decision ever made by an American president.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glenn Dromgoole<\/span> is co-author of 101 Essential Texas Books.<\/span><\/a><\/span> Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.<\/p>\n

>> <\/span>Check out his previous Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Lit<\/span><\/a><\/span>erary Life<\/span><\/h1>\n
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LONE STAR LISTENS interviews\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>>> archive<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n

Kay Ellington, Editor and Publisher<\/span><\/p>\n

7.3.2016\u00a0 Jamie Brickhouse: from hamming it up on the \u201cBelle of Beaumont” to making it big in the New York book world<\/h1>\n

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In the past month Beaumont, Texas, native Jamie Brickhouse has been coast to coast<\/span> promoting the release of the paperback version of his best-selling memoir <\/span>Dangerous When Wet.<\/span> Between an interview with Rumpus, a reading at a Trinity University alumni chapter in New York, and a performance and talk at the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, he took time out to be interviewed by LSLL.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two decades in New York publishing taught him how to get his story out, and a life with his mother, Mama Jean, taught him how to do it with flair. Here\u2019s what he says about it all.<\/p>\n

LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE:<\/span> For our readers not familiar with <\/span>Dangerous When Wet, <\/span>how would describe the book in your own words?<\/span><\/p>\n

JAMIE BRICKHOUSE: <\/span>The subtitle added for the new paperback edition paints a succinct picture: booze, sex, and my mother. Essentially, it\u2019s about the two most defining relationships of my life\u2014alcohol and my mother, Mama Jean\u2014one of which almost killed me; the other saved me. Guess which one. It\u2019s a darkly comic tale, since my sense of humor is the only way I know how to process the world, told episodically. Most chapters can almost stand alone. I take readers on my journey into alcoholism and away from Mama Jean\u2019s all-consuming love (it was the crack cocaine of mother love) with comedic and poignant adventures in Texas and New York City. >>READ MORE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . .<\/h1>\n

Lone Star Literary Life celebrates 2016 Texas Readers\u2019 Favorite Bookstores TOP TEN<\/h1>\n

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Texas readers have spoken! <\/span>More than 1,000 of Lone Star Literary Life\u2019s readers have cast ballots in our statewide contest to recognize Texas\u2019s favorite bookstores. Their selections are as diverse as the state itself, and honorees include big indies, small indies, chain stores, used bookstores, and new bookstores in every far-flung corner of the state.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 From the shadows of Houston\u2019s skyscrapers to the winds whistling down the plains, from the Piney Woods of East Texas to the beachside burbs on the coast, Texas bookshops are connecting with their communities, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase Texas\u2019s Top Ten Favorite Bookstores. Today, we unveil the full results of your votes!\u00a0 >>READ MORE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events<\/h1>\n

Bookish Texas<\/span> event highlights 7.3.2016
<\/span>>><\/span><\/a><\/span> GO this week\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Michelle Newby, Contributing Editor<\/span><\/h1>\n

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MONDAY, JULY 4\u00a0 Happy Independence Day! For a fun Independence Day read set in Texas, download Barbara Brannon\u2019s<\/span> novella Give a Cup of Water<\/span><\/a><\/span> to your Kindle. FREE for the holiday!<\/span><\/span><\/span>DALLAS\u00a0\u00a0 Tues., July 5, Half Price Books Mothership, New York Times bestselling romance author Abbi Glines will participate in a Q&A and sign her book Up in Flames, 7PM [PASS REQUIRED]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>AUSTIN\u00a0 Wed., July 6, Bullock Museum, High Noon Talk: Vicki Tongate discusses her new book, Another Year Finds Me in Texas: The Civil War Diary of Lucy Pier Stevens, 12PM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>AUSTIN\u00a0 Thurs., July 7, BookPeople, Writers DAVID TODD & JONATHAN OGREN speaking & signing The Texas Landscape Project: Nature and People, 7PM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>AUSTIN\u00a0 Fri., July 8, BookPeople, Avid Outdoorsman M. M. WOLTHOFF speaking & signing The West Texas Pilgrimage, 7PM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>AMARILLO\u00a0 Sat., July 9, B&N, Walking the Llano book signing with Shelley Armitage, 2PM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>WEBSTER\u00a0 Sat., July 9, B&N, Melanie Chrismer signing Lone Star Legacy: The Texas Rangers Then and Now, 11AM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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News Briefs 7.3.16<\/h1>\n

Photographer\/author Enlow to give talk about Waggoner Ranch cowboys aboard Dallas trolley, sign books afterward, July 14<\/h1>\n

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The award-winning photographic volume Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch<\/span> author Jeremy Enlow<\/span> will kick off a new author lecture series in Dallas Thursday, July 14.<\/p>\n

Enlow will talk aboard the Green Dragon trolley about what life is like on the famed Waggoner Ranch, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The trolley will end at Klyde Warren Park, and Enlow will have a book signing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. under the Southwest Porch at the park.<\/p>\n

This is a joint venture between Uptown Dallas Inc, McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) and Klyde Warren Park. >>READ MORE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Keynoters Set For Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference July 22-23, Grapevine<\/h1>\n

Gilbert King<\/span> (Devil in the Grove<\/span>) and Sheryl WuDunn<\/span> (A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity<\/span>) will give keynote speeches at the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference in Grapevine. Prices include dinner. Advance registration required; for more information visit\u00a0 www.themayborn.com\/registration.<\/p>\n

King: 5:30 p.m. July 22 at Austin Ranch banquet hall, 2009 Anderson Gibson Road. $60.<\/p>\n

WuDunn: 6 p.m. July 23 at Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center\u2019s International Ballroom, 1800 State Highway 26 East. $100.<\/p>\n

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(Information and photos from organization’s press release and website)<\/p>\n

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VISIT AUSTIN, Texas\u2019 #1 Bookish Destination!<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/span><\/span>WHERE IN TEXAS?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Don’t miss a reading or a good read! Sign up for our FREE weekly
e-newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION<\/h1>\n

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THE MEMORY OF US by Camille DiMaio<\/h1>\n

Visit with Camille through July 5<\/p>\n

6\/21 Missus Gonzo\u00a0 — Review<\/p>\n

6\/22 Books and Broomsticks\u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

6\/23 The Page Unbound\u00a0 \u2013 Author Interview #1<\/p>\n

6\/24 Texas Book Lover\u00a0 \u2013 Guest Post<\/p>\n

6\/25 The Librarian Talks \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

6\/26 Country Girl Bookaholic\u00a0 \u2013 Excerpt<\/p>\n

6\/27 It’s a Jenn World \u2013 Author Interview #2<\/p>\n

6\/28 Byers Editing Reviews & Blog\u00a0 — Review<\/p>\n

6\/29 Forgotten Winds \u2013 Book Trailer<\/p>\n

6\/30 Margie’s Must Reads \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/1 Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books \u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

7\/2\u00a0 The Crazy Booksellers \u2013 Author Interview #3<\/p>\n

7\/3 My Book Fix Blog — Review<\/p>\n

7\/4 StoreyBook Reviews\u00a0 \u2013 Author Interview #4<\/p>\n

7\/5 Hall Ways Blog \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION<\/h1>\n

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WINNING TEXAS
by Nancy Stancill<\/h1>\n

Visit with Nancy through July 9<\/p>\n

7\/3\u00a0 A Novel Reality — Promo<\/p>\n

7\/4 Country Girl Bookaholic\u00a0 \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/5 The Crazy Booksellers\u00a0 \u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

7\/6 The Page Unbound\u00a0 \u2013 Guest Post<\/p>\n

7\/7 Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/8 Forgotten Winds \u2013 Author Interview<\/p>\n

7\/9 StoreyBook Reviews\u00a0 \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION<\/h1>\n

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GUARDIANS IN BLUE
by Ken Bangs<\/h1>\n

Visit with Ken June 28 through July 7<\/p>\n

6\/28 My Book Fix Blog \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

6\/29 Books and Broomsticks \u2013 Excerpt #1<\/p>\n

6\/30 Missus Gonzo\u00a0 \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/1 The Crazy Booksellers \u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

7\/2\u00a0 StoreyBook Reviews\u00a0 \u2013 Author Interview #1<\/p>\n

7\/3 The Librarian Talks \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/4 It’s a Jenn World \u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

7\/5 The Page Unbound\u00a0 \u2013 Excerpt #2<\/p>\n

7\/6 Country Girl Bookaholic\u00a0 \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/7 Margie’s Must Reads \u2013 Author Interview #2<\/p>\n

NOW ON TOUR: TEXAS SPORTS<\/h1>\n

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WEST TEXAS MIDDLEWEIGHT<\/h1>\n

by Frank Sikes<\/h1>\n

Visit with Frank through July 10<\/p>\n

7\/3 Forgotten Winds \u2013 Guest Post #1<\/p>\n

7\/4 Margie’s Must Reads \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/5 Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books \u2013 Promo<\/p>\n

7\/6 StoreyBook Reviews\u00a0 \u2013 Author Interview #2<\/p>\n

7\/7 Book Chase \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

7\/8 The Page Unbound \u2013 Author Interview #3<\/p>\n

7\/9 Missus Gonzo\u00a0 \u2013 Guest Post #2<\/p>\n

7\/10 It’s a Jenn World \u2013 Review<\/p>\n

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Lone Star Literary Life Facts and FAQs<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u2022 Editorial policies<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Review policies<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Advertising policies<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Lone Star Literary Archives<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u2022 Weekly issues<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Lone Star Listens Interviews<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Lone Star Book Reviews<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Texas Reads<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Events<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Announcement: LSLL Launches<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC, Contributing Editor Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole >> archiveBiographer offers critical appraisal of Bush\u2019s presidency Historian and biographer Jean Edward Smith gets right to the point in Bush, his critical 800-page biography of President George W.\u00a0 Bush (Simon & Schuster, $35 hardcover). It goes on sale Tuesday. \u201cRarely in the history of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}