Curtis Sittenfeld on American Wife: ‘I thought Democrats wouldn’t read it because it was about a Republican’
The US author on writing a fictionalised version of the former first lady Laura Bush’s life – and why she expected so few people to read it
November 2020
Hadley Freeman's Weekend column
More than a second gentleman: why Doug Emhoff is Kamala Harris’ secret weapon
Hadley Freeman
I’m not obsessed with Doug, but he could probably be my pub quiz subject
April 2017
Notebook
It’ll take more than a few wacky stories about the Bushes to whitewash Dubya
Peter Bradshaw
Shortcuts
Melania Trump framed – a history of first lady portraits
August 2015
Jenna Bush Hager, George W Bush's daughter, gives birth to second child
Former US president’s granddaughter Poppy Louise Hager named after ‘very emotional’ George HW Bush’s childhood pet name
January 2015
Everyone calm down: Michelle Obama's Saudi outfit was plenty respectful
The first lady’s decision to forgo a headscarf makes her neither the first nor the last visiting female official to do so in Saudi Arabia – and does not flout protocol
November 2014
US money blog
Obama foots the bill for White House Thanksgiving
Obama pays for everything from toothpaste to dry cleaning
November 2013
George Bush on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - video
George W Bush makes a rare public appearance on Tuesday on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The first ladies club: Obama and Bush share stage in Africa
Michelle Obama and her predecessor Laura Bush joke about media scrutiny at summit of presidential wives in Tanzania
Michelle Obama and Laura Bush open African First Ladies' Summit - video
First lady of the United States Michelle Obama and her predecessor Laura Bush speak at the opening of the African First Ladies' Summit
Barack Obama ends Africa tour with wreath-laying alongside George W Bush
US president and his predecessor honour victims of the 1998 US embassy bombings, while their wives encourage African first ladies to spark change
June 2013
Curtis Sittenfeld: 'I know my characters are unlikable sometimes'
Whether first ladies or sisters with a spooky secret, Curtis Sittenfeld's characters are strikingly realistic. Just don't assume they're all biographical, she tells Elizabeth Day
October 2012
US news blog
Ann Romney co-hosts Good Morning America
Would-be Republican first lady stands in for Robin Roberts, making her second appearance in the ABC breakfast slot
November 2010
Extract: American wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
Curtis Sittenfeld: 'American Wife is the opposite of satire'
August 2010
Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush
Melissa Benn tips her stetson to the shy teacher who became first lady
June 2010
Richard Adams's blog
A Bush vote for healthcare reform
Richard Adams: Barbara Bush Junior – the daughter and granddaughter of Republican presidents – is "glad" healthcare reform passed
May 2010
Laura Bush autobiography finds favour with American public
Former first lady shifts almost 150,000 copies of her memoir in a week, taking No 2 spot in American book charts
Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush
George Bush's first lady reveals herself to be surprisingly complex, says Carole Cadwalladr
Richard Adams's blog
Laura Bush: pro abortion and gay marriage
Richard Adams: Only several years after it might have made any difference, Laura Bush publicly supports gay marriage and abortion
