Character Matters: and Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush

Former Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush and New York Times bestselling author Jean Becker joins the CPH to speak on her new book Character Matters: and Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush. This account of the character and leadership of America’s 41st President includes stories of learning from the man by his colleagues, friends, and family all revealing how he led by example throughout his life.

Her book includes accounts by politicians, journalists, celebrities, authors, and others who spent significant time with him alongside stories from his grandchildren. Some of these colleagues and friends include former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and James A. Baker, comedian Dana Carvey, musician and actress Reba McEntire, journalist Maureen Dowd, novelist Brad Meltzer, biographer Jon Meacham, former British Prime Minister John Major, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and author Christopher Buckley.

Jean Becker worked as George H.W. Bush’s chief of staff from 1994 until his death in 2018, overseeing his operations in both Houston, Texas and Kennebunkport, Maine. Before this she worked as deputy press secretary to First Lady Barbara Bush and as a newspaper reporter. She is also the editor of Barbara Bush’s Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way) and the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H.W. Bush’s Post-Presidency.