I think everyone has been looking back on the Bush presidency more favorable now, he can thank our Cheetoh in Chief for that one, but I’ve been a fan of Jenna Bush Hager since she joined The Today Show in 2009. She mentions that she was always really irritated by the press attention she received as First Daughter but, in an ironic turn, one of her best friends now is Today Anchor Savannah Guthrie. She has a gregarious personality and, as I constantly tell my husband, we could probably be friends in real life. She is very open about her courtship with now husband Henry Hager, including the challenges that comes with dating in the White House.
As Henry was escorted into the White House, the officer told him that my parents had landed at Andrew’s Air Force Base and would be arriving soon on Marine One, the presidential helicopter. Henry had parked his car almost exactly where Marine One would land.
In Henry’s mind, not only would the helicopter land on his car, or his car would be towed beforehand, but he would also have to meet my dad.
I was most interested to read about her fraternal twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, because she is notoriously more private and I came away having learned a lot more about her than her sister. Her recounting of her high school boyfriend’s suicide was heartbreaking. I think the most interesting chapter was about 9/11. I’ve read a lot of memoirs that include chapters involving the terrorist attacks but this is one of the most unique perspectives I’ve seen.
Sisters First is Jenna and Barbara’s ode to their incredibly close relationship with each other as well as their immediate family. I didn’t know W was such a voracious reader. According to his daughter, he could give a lot of Cannonballers a run for the money! Sister’s First is equal parts heartwarming and humorous with essays from each sister giving alternating points of view. The twins also don’t shy away from their past mistakes; their legal troubles at the beginning of their father’s presidency gets several pages.
Overall this is best if you’re a fan of presidential history, especially personal stories, or a fan of the Bushes.