Looking Forward; An Autobiography

In this autobiography, written by a Vice President while still in office, George Bush looks at his previous career, from navy pilot in World War II to his financial success in the Texan oil fields in the 1950s. He then served three Republican presidents and survived encounters with Democratic Presidents Johnson and Carter. This book throws light on his years as congressman, UN Ambassador, Republican National Committee Chairman during Watergate, envoy to China and Director of the CIA. Bush also discusses the failings he believes led to the Iran-Contra affair. He offers anecdotal views on international figures - Reagan, Nixon, Kissinger, Mao, Gorbachev and Thatcher, and reveals the political issues he is championing for the presidency of the United States. His personal life is also covered. He describes his young daughter's battle with leukaemia and his wife Barbara's courage during the ordeal. The royalties are to be split equally between research into leukaemia and the United Negro College Fund.

An early salvo in the vice-president's campaign for the White House in 1988, this is a standard candidate's biography but livelier than others because Bush has held such a variety of important positions. As a young man from Connecticut and a former Navy pilot in World War II, he went to Texas and made a fortune in the oil fields. After serving in the House of Representatives and two failed attempts at the U.S. Senate, he served as U.S. representative to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee (steering the party through the Watergate scandal), envoy to China in the last years of Chairman Mao and head of the CIA. Bush writes about his seven years as vice-president, stressing his belief that the prime requisite of the number-two spot is loyalty, and concludes by emphasizing his political conservatism. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.