Rating: 
Summary: It's a credible account of privilege and smooth talking
Review: Fortunate Son is a well-written and well-documented book and I am puzzled by the furor from the Republicans over its publication. Most of the information in the book has been covered in newspapers and magazines; however, it does put under one cover, the extraordinary advantages of having rich friends who are so eager to share their wealth, their expertise, and their silence with seemingly no desire for return. It appears that GW Bush is able to talk his friends into almost anything, particularly where money is involved. This probably accounts for the arrogance that comes across in Hatfield's account. It's no wonder that people who supplied information did not want their names revealed. For someone who professes to be against bringing suit against others, it's ironic that this is often the threat when Republicans see something they don't like. It's an interesting read for anyone who would like to know more about the personality and past of our current president. I plan to share my copy with friends. AB Muhs
Rating:
Summary: A well-supplemented text
Review: The biography itself is engaging and informative reading. The supplementary materials for the second edition are worth the price of the book itself.There are some typos and such spread throughout the text, constituting a minor flaw. It is sad that Mr. Hatfield will not be able to give us a third edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Factual biography of GW Bush
Review: A "just the facts, ma'am" biography. Not especially good reading but a nice little reference book that gives an outline of GW Bush's life so far. It does document where Bush's money comes from - mainly Friends of Dad. It also details his rather dismal business performance and exposes his less than glowing record as Governor of Texas. What amazes me, with all the hype about this book, is how even-handed it is. Bush is portrayed as not unlikeable, kind of lazy, rich boy who can't help it if he's "lucky." The cocaine bit is not all that well documented and the author barely delves into other areas in GW's background that are murky - not serving his full time in Texas ANG, insider knowledge of Gulf War, etc. All in all it is the portrait of a man with natural political instincts and wealthy backers. So, what else is new? It is no more critical of Bush than David Maranass' First in His Class is about Clinton. ...
Rating:
Summary: Good book, well written and credible...
Review: This book is much more than an expose' of GW's cocaine use and bust. In fact, the part of the book dealing with drugs and alcohol only spans a few pages. This book seems to be an objective view of the life and times of GW until his recent election. There is not too much new here, but it is put together in a good linear fashion. Amazing when you consider that this book was yanked off the shelves and recalled by the publisher during the election. Good thing for GW, too - since this book mould probably have changed a few minds. However, it's scary to think that "book burning" is still common in this country.
Rating: 
Summary: Honest attempt to uncover a Fortunate Son
Review: I read this book some months ago and thought it was an honest portrayal of how George W Bush has floated through his life. Clearly he would not be where he is without the enormous power and influence of his family. When I first heard about the book I thought it was going to be some demented hatchett job by an extreme Partisan, so completely had the Bush machine discredited the author. Now it seems clear that James Hatfield was a troubled but talented man who was not particularly liberal. He was also a good investigative journalist dispite his checkered past. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to have their eyes open about exactly what kind of man is ocupying the White House.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking Revelation About George W's Past
Review: Contrary to some of the reviews, I found this book to be very well documented, sourced and researched. The information provided easily supports the author's major premis that "if it were not for George W's family connections, he would be just another failed Texas oilman operating a shrimp boat in the Gulf".
Rating:
Summary: Not what you think
Review: Since practically all the media coverage about "Fortunate Son" focused on Bush's alleged arrest for cocaine in 1972, I was surprised to find that the book was not mean-spirited or a witch hunt, as I was expecting. It was in fact an even-handed portrait that brought out the human aspects of its subjects. Reading this book was the first time in my life I felt sympathetic feelings toward the Bush family, whom I find to be arrogant, dishonest and power-hungry. Hatfield managed to inspire sympathy in me for the Bush family when he described the death of George W.'s sister when he was young. I was impressed that the kids he worked with when he did his community service loved him. His famous "personality" had never appealed to me, but I was impressed that the inner city kids had taken to him. I was also impressed by his skill as a politician, beginning when he was working for his father. Hatfield gives credit where credit is due, but unlike most of the PR biographies, he doesn't pull punches when he talks about the shadier aspects of the family's history. The drug bust scandal that made all the news was only added to "Fortunate Son" as an afterword at the insistence of St. Martin's, who wanted to make the most of the story that had already been broken by Salon. Hatfield was not a character assassin, but only wanted to write a good biography. The book was discredited because of Hatfield's criminal past, which I certainly cannot defend, but that does not in itself disqualify the book. Bush's claims that he had not used illegal drugs for 25 years (see New York Times Oct. 21, 1999) indicate that he does not deny that he used illegal drugs, only that he got caught for it. In terms of questions of presidential character, it's a small difference. In any case, the subject was only an afterthought in this book. There is much more of interest within it. FS was also criticized because the biography was done quickly, which it had to be to get it out while it was still relevant to the election of the man who is now president. It was criticized for using secondary sources, which I find to be no criticism at all. Hatfield was practically the only one compiling the information who was not too intimidated by the power of the subjects to call a spade a spade. Now that Hatfield is dead, it should be clear that what is relevant is the information about the history and character of the man who holds the most powerful office in the world. Hatfield served his prison term and is now gone. But he did shed some light on the history and character of the man who is now president of the United States. This book should be preparatory material for understanding where the world is headed today.
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment value only
Review: As biographies go, FORTUNATE SON was a pretty entertaining read. Mr. Hatfield, whatever his foibles - real, imagined,externally initiated - did a commendable job of documentation, verification and annotation. In those instances where a source could not be revealed, the information seemed nonetheless credible based on included corroboratives. My cynicism however, led me to ambivalence, not about Dubya but rather about the book's value. I anticipated incriminating evidence of incompetency, collusive business dealings, and unprecedented nepotism. The 'fortunate son' is not radically different than other 'fortunate sons' of similar background or pedigree. The issues surrounding George the younger should have been his predicted and announced agenda not whether he could be expected to rely on the same cabinet, authentic and 'kitchen', as his father. FORTUNATE SON susbstantiates the eidetic but it is not the smoking gun the media would have one believe.
Rating:
Summary: I dislike Bush less now actually
Review: I was very anti-Bush in the Y2K election, because I thought he was a moron. I picked up this book to feed that and give me more ammo to discuss why I didn't like him. What has actually happened is I gained some amount of respect for him as a politician. He may look like a smiling monkey, but he does know politics, and he does know how to get things done; granted, that may be via the good ole boy (or should I say grand ole party) network. Yes, Daddy's money and name have bailed him out more than once, but did you know that he was a mastermind behind Bush's '88 run for office? He may be hypocritical in his policies, but he's ruthless in getting them done, man!
Rating:
Summary: Not big enough for the job.
Review: Are you surprised by the actions that Pres. George W. has taken in his first hundred days? You shouldn't be. Read this telling biography and you too will see what great trouble the country is going to be in for the next four years. An accurate, well-researched account of his experiences in Texas, this book makes it clear that our new president's only strength is his political astuteness. Well, that got him the job, but now he is up to his old tricks, relying on his daddy's friends and their advice and money, and then making decisions based on what will be good for their bottom lines. As for "compassionate conservatism", you've got to be kidding! There is nothing compassionate about this man. I hope everyone who voted for him for President will read this book and then ask themselves if they voted correctly.
| 
