George W. Bush in The Family, by Kitty Kelley

On Drugs: Never denied using illegal drugs, just "hard drugs"

George's sister-in-law alleged that W. had snorted cocaine with one of his brothers at Camp David during the time their father was President. "Not once," she said, "but many times."

George never denied using illegal drugs. In 1999 he swore to key political supporters that he had never used "hard drugs," by which he meant that he had never shot up heroin. He admitted to "youthful mistakes." Running for national office, he carefully crafted his response to fall within the federal guidelines for public officials. "As I understand it," he said in 1999, "the current FBI form asks the question, 'Did somebody use drugs within the last 7 years?' and I will be glad to answer that question: 'No.'" He refused to answer any more questions.

On Government Reform: 2001: Blocked release of father's presidential documents

Until then, the National Archives had controlled the fate of White House documents, which automatically became public after 12 years. Under Bush's new rules, presidents now have the right to prevent the public from ever viewing their papers, even after they have died. Unless there is a successful court challenge to Bush's executive order, he will be able to bury the secrets of his father's direct involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal as well as his own complicity in waging war on Iraq.

In the past, the Bush family has managed to protect itself by providing limited access to a select few journalists. Now that the risks of exposure are far greater, and the former President is more vigilant than ever.

On Principles & Values: Mother related to 14th president Franklin Pierce

Their so-called social class, based on nothing more than private schools and country clubs, did give them a common meeting ground, but the bonding sprang more from their own emotional needs.

Both George and Barbara were accustomed to corporal punishment. George from his father's leather strap and Barbara from her mother's wooden coat hanger. Both had been exposed to the ravages of alcoholism; in an eerie coincidence, each had an alcoholic uncle named Jim.

Even Barbara's most illustrious relative, her 4th cousin four times removed, Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the US (1853-57), was an alcoholic. The insidious disease with its genetic predispositions had already wrapped its tentacles around the roots of both family trees.

On War & Peace: Enlisted in Texas Air National Guard in 1968

Of course, young George was not the only son saved from Vietnam by his powerful father. Of the 234 sons of senators & congressmen who came of age during the war, only 28 went to Vietnam, and only 19 saw combat--a stark testament to rank and privilege.