Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush

Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush

  • Downloads:2779
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-11-07 11:21:41
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Russell Levenson, Jr.
  • ISBN:1668627582
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

This is the untold intimate and eye-witness account of the character, integrity, service, faith, and dignity of former President George H。W。 Bush and first lady Barbara Bush by their priest, pastor, and friend。 George and Barbara Bush belonged to and were active members of a Houston church for more than 50 years。 The rector of that church, Reverend Russell Jones Levenson, Jr。, believes he was invited into private moments with these public individuals so he could serve as a witness: a witness to observe, and a witness to tell。 With never-before shared correspondence, experiences, and personal stories, Levenson offers new insight into the Bushes' wit and wisdom; their commitment to family and friends; their tireless desire to bless the lives of others; and their steadfast loyalty to their church, their faith, and their God。 Before embarking on writing this book on faith, Levenson sought and received the blessing of all the Bush children, including the 43rd president。 Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired as Levenson ponders how and why he was put in this unique pastoral position, asking questions like, What on earth was I doing reading the sports section of the paper with the forty-first president, his cabinet member Brent Scowcroft, and a Chinese official on a breezy morning at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine? Levenson writes with emotion about being with President Bush and Barbara Bush as they each took their last breaths on this earth。 He then describes in full detail the surreal experience of planning a state funeral and giving a eulogy with other presidents in the front row。 This is book is for readers who yearn for our public officials to serve with faith and integrity like the Bushes。 But above all else, this book shows how powerful it is when world leaders are humbled before the power that rests above all powers。

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Reviews

Jennifer

What a powerful and thought provoking book。 I laughed, I cried, I was moved。 This was not about politics, more about relationships。 I loved it。

Katie

Witness to Dignity was written by the Bush’s pastor, Russell Levenson, Jr。, and authorized by all the Bush children。 As their pastor for over a decade, from 2008 until their deaths in 2018, Levenson shares his personal experiences with the former President and First Lady as he witnessed their faith in action, in public as well as in private。 During these years, the Bushes were retired from public office, but they used that time to dig deeper into their faith; to humbly serve others; and to showe Witness to Dignity was written by the Bush’s pastor, Russell Levenson, Jr。, and authorized by all the Bush children。 As their pastor for over a decade, from 2008 until their deaths in 2018, Levenson shares his personal experiences with the former President and First Lady as he witnessed their faith in action, in public as well as in private。 During these years, the Bushes were retired from public office, but they used that time to dig deeper into their faith; to humbly serve others; and to shower love, grace, and generosity on everyone around them。 The examples they set provide valuable lessons for us today in living a godly life, sharing the hope we have, and always doing what is right, whether popular or not。 Levenson also challenges the reader to not just reminisce about the good old days, but to fill the hole the Bushes left behind and continue their ministry of prayer and making this country a “kinder and gentler” place。Since Levenson is an Episcopal priest, albeit a conservative and evangelical one, there were some points of Biblical Christianity where I disagreed with him。 But I found the author to be very humble, respectful, and only interested in promoting the way the President and First Lady lived and shared their faith, never lifting up himself。 And he leaves no doubt that the Bushes relied on Jesus alone as their savior and were not afraid during their final days and hours because they had the certainty of heaven。 Through life and death they wanted nothing more than to glorify God, love others well, and share the Hope they lived on a daily basis。 This book is a fascinating look into the lives of the 41st President and First Lady during their final years。 Levenson shares stories from time spent with them at their homes in Houston and Kennebunkport; at church and the Presidential library; with family, friends, and strangers。 They were always gracious, hospitable, kind, and full of humor。 A large part of the book covers planning and officiating their funerals, toward which the Bushes gave quite a lot of input。 They wanted their homegoings to be worship services from beginning to end, pointing to the One who takes the believer through the door from this world into eternity。 I highly recommend this book as an excellent testimony of two lives well lived in service to others and their God。*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Hachette Center Street publishers。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more

Sue Fernandez

This is not a book about politics but rather a long relationship between two people who loved each other until they parted at death。 I feel I learned a lot about how my relationship could improve by reading this book。 It was really a lovely story, and I would highly recommend it。 Thank you to NetGalley and Center Press for a digital advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 All opinions are my own。

Barbara Brewer

It was a good book。 I loved the faith aspect of it。 I love reading。 About certain people and this was one of them。 The way they retold their last days was sad but happy。 It was touching。 This book was approved for me to read and review by netgalley and the publisher。

Rachel

Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H。W。 and Barbara Bush by Russell Levenson, Jr。 is a great memoir and remembrance of a wonderful couple。 I have always been a fan of the Former First Lady Barbara Bush, and I have also always been impressed, awed, and smitten with the timeless, sweet, and wonderful relationship and romance between the former President George HW Bush and former First Lady。 Their dedication, love, partnering, and examples of what true love and respect can be is just Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H。W。 and Barbara Bush by Russell Levenson, Jr。 is a great memoir and remembrance of a wonderful couple。 I have always been a fan of the Former First Lady Barbara Bush, and I have also always been impressed, awed, and smitten with the timeless, sweet, and wonderful relationship and romance between the former President George HW Bush and former First Lady。 Their dedication, love, partnering, and examples of what true love and respect can be is just so lovely。 To read more about their relationship, their time together and with loved ones, and how that all stemmed from and incorporated their strong foundation of beliefs amd faith, was just so endearing, inspiring, and touching。 To read these insights and personal stories, it really means a lot。I really enjoyed this。 5/5 stars Thank you NG and Center Street for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion。I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/15/22。 。。。more