A new book by the University of Texas Press, “Front Row Seat: A Photographic Portrait of the Presidency of George W. Bush,” presents an extraordinary collection of images, many never before published, by former Chief White House Photographer Eric Draper. Part of the Focus on American History Series with The University of Texas at Austin’s Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, “Front Row Seat” offers a compelling, behind-the-scenes view of the entire presidency of George W. Bush, from dramatic events to relaxed, intimate moments within the Bush family.
The book’s publication this spring coincides with the opening of the new George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, on May 1.
America’s 43rd president George W. Bush presided over eight of the most dramatic years in recent history, from the 9/11 attacks early in his administration to the worldwide economic crisis of 2008. By his side, recording every event, was his personal White House photographer, Eric Draper. From a collection of nearly 1 million photographs, Draper has selected more than 100 images of Bush that portray both the public figure and the private man.
Through Draper’s lens, we follow the president through moments of crisis that called for strong leadership, such as 9/11; emotional meetings with troops in war zones, wounded soldiers at home and Katrina survivors; and happy, relaxed times with
his wife Laura, daughters Barbara and Jenna, and parents George and Barbara Bush. We also see Bush at work within his inner circle of trusted advisers, including Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Capturing moments that reveal the essence of the man, “Front Row Seat” is an irreplaceable portrait of George W. Bush.
The longest-serving chief White House photographer and the first to document two full terms, Draper covered George W. Bush for the entire eight years of his presidency. He was also named Special Assistant to the President. During his tenure, Draper directed the photographic and archival conversion of the White House Photo Office from film to digital. Prior to joining the White House, he was West Regional Enterprise Photographer for The Associated Press and had also worked as a staff photographer for The Seattle Times, Pasadena Star-News, and The Albuquerque Tribune.
The University of Texas Press, founded in 1950, is a scholarly press that is part of The University of Texas at Austin.
For more information on the book, please visit the UT Press website.
Release Date | April
12 x 11 inches, 240 pages, 150 color photos
ISBN 978-0-292-74547-6 | $50 hardcover
