Description
A first edition of George Bush: A Biography by Nicholas King, inscribed by Vice President Bush to presidential speechwriter and columnist William Safire.
Octavo, xii, 146pp. Gray hardcover, title in silver on black cloth spine. First edition with full number line on copyright page. In publisher’s dust jacket, $7.95 on front flap, fine condition with bright colors and vivid portrait on back cover.
Inscribed on the front end paper: “To Bill Safire – With professional respect – With personal admiration and friendship. George Bush. Feb. 1981.” Additional handwritten note on vice presidential stationery: “Dear Bill – I’m flattered! Here it is – Listen, the world is wrong about V.P.’s work. This is a good job – and I like working for / with our new President. Best, George.”
Bill Safire had a complicated history with the Bush Family. At the time of this book (1981), Vice President Bush enjoyed a close and cordial relationship with The New York Times columnist. Safire was complementary of Bush in the aftermath of the assassination attempt upon President Ronald Reagan’s life. By 1992, Safire openly supported Bill Clinton for president. In 2003, he was critical of George W. Bush for the treatment of prisoners of war but was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
