Includes bibliographical references (pages 391-400) and index.

Six brutal months -- "The fighting Pierces" -- The football star and the campus beauty -- Stuck in the middle -- Love and war -- "The street cop" -- How hard could it be? -- Darkness -- "What are we going to do about Bar?" -- The frost that never thawed -- Triumph -- First at last -- Grandma's house -- The reckoning -- Détente -- The reluctant campaign -- Evicted -- First son -- A second first lady named Bush -- Dynasty -- "We've had enough Bushes" -- "Hit in the solarplex" -- Indispensable.

Former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush was one of the country's most popular and powerful figures. Here Page tells the riveting tale of a woman who helped define two American presidencies-- and an entire political era. As first the wife and then the mother of American presidents, Barbara Bush became an astute and trusted political campaign strategist, invested herself deeply in expanding literacy programs in America, played a critical role in the end of the Cold War, and led the way in demonstrating love and compassion to those with HIV/AIDS. Pages offers Barbara Bush's last words for history-- on the evolution of her party, on the role of women, on Donald Trump, and on her family's legacy. -- condensed from jacket