Ten Minutes from Normal

Karen Hughes served as counselor to the president, was one of three people who ran his presidential campaign and worked as his communications director during his six years as governor of Texas. She is an elder and longtime Sunday-school teacher in the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hughes lives with her husband and son in Austin, Texas, where she continues to advise President Bush from her home.

Hughes describes the juggling she had to do in her demanding roles as counselor to President Bush, wife, mother, and active church member. A dynamo of energy, she has a natural ability to spin facts that made her invaluable to the Bush White House. Eventually, however, the call of family responsibilities resulted in her resignation and return to Texas with her husband and son. There she keeps in daily touch with the White House via a special telephone line and frequent visits to Washington. Her account of the horror of 9/11 is particularly effective, as are her conversations with women friends who face the same career/family conflicts she does. Production shortcomings include dialogue repetition, hurried chapter introductions, and bland theme music. L.C. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine