"​The Last Republicans​" provides an intimate look at President George H.W. Bush (#41) and his son, George W. Bush (#43). This is not an expose` in any way, and many of the more controversial events and actions of the Bush Presidents are glossed over.

Many people think of the senior Bush as growing up with a silver spoon in his mouth, privileged and pampered, and of the junior Bush as bumbling businessman who would have never succeeded without the family connections and influence. That may not be too far fetched, but Mark Updegrove gives a fuller description of their backgrounds and upbringing, and gives the reader a different and more favorable perspective.

Updegrove did an especially good job of changing the widely-held perspective of the younger Bush President. Few Presidents, perhaps other than Richard Nixon who resigned in disgrace, left office with a lower approval rating than Bush #43. Despite the low approval rating at the end of his Presidency, Updegrove presents "W" as a sincere and likeable man, more nuanced and brighter than how he was perceived in December, 2008.

​Less surprisingly, George H. W.​ B​ush is shown to truly be a man of principle, dedicated to serving his Nation, and a strong family leader. ​The book highlights the closeness of the extended Bush family, and shows how supportive the family has always been.

​Left unsaid, but implied in the book's title, is that these men may be the last of their kind. Many now feel that the current direction of the Republican Party has tilted from the Bush principled conservatism and the family lifelong desire to serve their Nation for the good of all, toward a less inclusive, more divisive path, with the faces of the Party now represented by leaders such as Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, ​Roy Moore, ​Ted Cruz​, etc. Those who prefer the G.O.P. of the past few decades should enjoy this ​generous and positive ​look back at the Bush family. ( )