Laura Bush

School librarian, voracious reader, mother of twin daughters, and confidant to the President, Laura Bush is the calm center, the smiling face and softer side of America's First Couple. Described as George Bush's "secret weapon," Laura has overcome a natural introversion to assume an ever more prominent role behind the scenes of the Bush presidency. This entry (clearly authorized by the Bush family) in A&E's Biography series chronicles Laura's life, from growing up as an only child in midland Texas, through her political baptisms of fire on the campaign trail during her husband's successful bids for governor of Texas, and later President. Laura Bush has led a happy and fortunate life, the notable exception being a tragedy when a teenaged Laura (Welch) ran a stop sign, killing another motorist. Determined to become a teacher, Laura seemed destined to live a quiet, academic life. Instead, after a whirlwind courtship, she married George Bush and the pair became the proud parents of twin daughters Jenna and Barbara, who both discuss their mom and dad here in one of their first public interviews. A "Republican by marriage," Laura brought focus and purpose to her husband's life, helping him to overcome his wild side and a drinking problem, demanding that he choose "between her and Jim Beam." After becoming First Lady, Laura hoped to promote the causes of reading, childhood education, heart disease, and breast cancer awareness, a full slate that suddenly changed after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, leading to a wider role as "comforter in chief." In addition to the interviews with the Bush daughters, the documentary also contains comments from former President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush, childhood friends, and, of course, the President himself, who describes Laura as "easy to love" and the calm, thoughtful center of every storm. An informative, if decidedly uncritical, look at the First Lady on the brink of a second term, this biography--lacking any conflict--tends to repeat the same points too often, but should still be considered a strong optional purchase for most collections. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)