Presidential Politics

George W. Bush's secret new book project is a very personal affair

Although his paintings made international headlines earlier this year, former president George W. Bush has been secretly working on another project: a highly personal biography of his father, George H.W. Bush. Only Bush's close friends and family — including his 90-year-old father, of course — knew about the hush-hush book project, according to Politico.

Crown Publishing — which published Bush's best-selling memoir, Decision Points, in 2010— has revealed that the currently untitled new book will be released November 11. According to Crown's:

The book covers the entire scope of the elder President Bush's life and career, including his service in the Pacific during World War II; his pioneering work in the Texas oil business; and his political rise as a congressman, U.S. representative to China and the United Nations, CIA director, vice president, and president.

Although countless biographies have been written about U.S. presidents, this is the first time a president has told the story of his father — another president — in his own words.

"In this heartfelt, intimate and illuminating portrait of his father, George W. Bush brings to vivid life his unique perspective of the personal qualities and principles that have animated George H. W. Bush's extraordinary life of service to country and family," Maya Mavjee, president of Crown Publishing Group, said in a statement.

The book marks an important step for the younger Bush. After returning to Texas in 2009, the 43rd president of the United States has kept a relatively low profile (when he's not surprising Derek Jeter at a Rangers game), choosing to focus on his presidential library, his paintings and local philanthropic endeavors.

Insiders say one of the primary motivations for writing the book is to illustrate that the 68-year-old former president deeply loves and admires his father in spite of prior reports of a contentious relationship, says Politico.

"George H.W. Bush is a great servant, statesman and father," George W. Bush said in a statement. "I loved writing the story of his life, and I hope others enjoy reading it."

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Dallas narrows down field for new city manager to 4 candidates

Photo by R K on Unsplash

This is an Dallasite's sign to launch that small business they've been dreaming of.

After six months without a city manager, the city of Dallas has narrowed down the field of replacements to four semifinalists including one serving as current interim city manager, plus candidates from Fort Worth, Michigan, and Georgia.

Dallas has been without a city manager since May, when previous city manager T.C. Broadnax left to take a job with the city of Austin. Since that time, Broadnax's former chief of staff Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has served as interim city manager.

The city retained Baker Tilly, a consulting firm, to recruit and compile candidates. (Baker Tilly famously erred in the brochure it created for the position by featuring a photo of the Houston skyline instead of Dallas; they've since replaced it with Dallas.)

A spokesperson for Baker Tilly did not respond to inquiries but according to D Magazine, an email listing the candidates has been sent to the Dallas City Council.

The semifinalists include:

Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Dallas’ current interim city manager
William Johnson, an assistant city manager in Fort Worth
Mark Washington, the city manager of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Zachary Williams, a county chief operating officer in Georgia

All have more than 25 years' of public administration experience and have worked in similar capacities in their respective cities.

Before working in Fort Worth, Johnson was Baltimore’s transportation director and Atlanta’s deputy chief operating officer and public works commissioner.

Washington worked in Fort Worth and Austin before becoming Grand Rapids’ city manager.

Williams has mostly worked in Georgia at the county level, including serving as county manager in Fulton County and chief operating officer in DeKalb County.

Tolbert began working for the city in 1998, first as the city manager’s assistant and later in the aviation department. Broadnax hired her as his chief of staff in 2017.

Unlike the Mayor and the Dallas City Council, the city manager position in Dallas is not elected but is instead appointed by the city council, and is tasked with executing policies, overseeing the annual budget, and managing staff at city hall.

The council’s Ad Hoc Committee will choose finalists, introduce them to the public, and make an offer in early 2025.

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