Former US president George W Bush is to join his old friend Tony Blair as one of Random House's authors, with his memoir Decision Points acquired for a release in the UK this November.
Dubbed a "groundbreaking new brand of memoir" by the publisher, the book will explore Bush's 14 "most critical and historic decisions", including the war in Iraq and his response to hurricane Katrina, and will be published simultaneously in the US, UK and Canada in hardback, ebook and audio formats on 9 November.
Random House imprint Virgin Books bought UK and Commonwealth rights in the book from Crown in the US. Virgin promised that Decision Points would be a "strikingly personal and candid account" from Bush, offering "intimate, unprecedented details about his decision to quit drinking, his discovery of faith, and his relationships with his family".
"He writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his historic achievements in reforming education, providing life-saving treatments for HIV/Aids and malaria for millions of people in Africa, safeguarding the United States from another terrorist attack, and other areas," said the publisher.
Blair will pip Bush to the post, releasing his own memoir, A Journey, on 1 September via Hutchinson, another Random House imprint. Both books will be published as £25 hardbacks, but Blair's offering will also include a £150, signed special edition in a cloth slip case.
The cover of Bush's memoir shows the 43rd president – who has, according to the publisher, spent almost every day writing the book since leaving the Oval Office – in motion, hand in pocket, gazing thoughtfully into the middle distance – possibly as he makes one of those 14 all-important decisions. Blair's jacket takes a close-up approach, with the relaxed air of the former prime minister's open-necked shirt at odds with his fixed almost-grin.
Yesterday it was announced that Blair would take part in a book signing at Waterstone's on 8 September. Security measures will be strict: The Bookseller reported that "customers cannot be photographed with Blair, there will be no personal dedications and all bags, backpacks and briefcases must be checked in, along with cameras and mobile phones, before meeting the former Labour leader". It has yet to be revealed how strict precautions will be for Bush's signings.
