The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, announced today that it will publish a new book by George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States. Titled PORTRAITS OF COURAGE: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, the book features 66 full-color portraits and a four-panel mural personally painted by President Bush of service members and veterans who have served our nation with honor, and whom the President has come to know personally since leaving office.
“Over the past several months, I’ve painted the portraits of 98 wounded warriors I’ve gotten to know – remarkable men and women who were injured carrying out my orders,” the former President said.
The book will be released by Crown in print and digital formats in the United States and Canada on February 28, 2017. The book will be simultaneously issued in unabridged audio formats by Penguin Random House Audio, with the text of the stories read by President Bush. President Bush was represented in negotiations by Robert Barnett of Williams & Connolly, with Crown acquiring world, electronic, and serial rights to the work.
Since leaving Washington, President Bush has made it a priority to support and honor America’s veterans as they re-enter civilian life, and PORTRAITS OF COURAGE is an integral part of that mission. It is President Bush’s hope that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our transitioning veterans and empower them to succeed.
President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from the book to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war.