A Time to Heal; The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford

ix, [1], 454 pages. Illustrations. Index. 'What are the results of twenty-one months of Jerry Ford as President of the United States?" I asked the depot crowd at Durand, then proceed to tell them: "We have restored trust in the White House. We have been open. We have been candid. We have been forthright. We have talked straight to the American people. I think that deserves your support." (p 386). Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913 - December 26, 2006) was an American politician who served as the 38th president of the United States from August 1974 to January 1977. Before his accession to the presidency, Ford served as the 40th vice president of the United States from December 1973 to August 1974. Ford is the only person to have served as both vice president and president without being elected to either office by the United States Electoral College. David Hume Kennerly (born March 9, 1947) is an American photographer. He won the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for his portfolio of photographs of the Vietnam War, Cambodia, East Pakistani refugees near Calcutta, and the Ali-Frazier fight in Madison Square Garden. During his early career he photographed some major personalities, including Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The encounter with Senator Kennedy gave him the determination to become a national political photographer. He has photographed every American president since Lyndon B Johnson. He is the first presidential scholar at the University of Arizona. Derived from a Kirkus review: A pleasant self-portrait. "I have to confess that my televised talk failed to emphasize adequately that I wanted to give my full attention to grave economic and foreign policy matters," Ford explains. But the story from Ford's perspective is not without drama. On August 1, 1974, he learns from Alexander Haig about the incriminating tapes, and as the news spreads, we see the Presidency shifting to him even before Nixon's resignation. The transition team is working; Ford is briefed on domestic and foreign issues; Senators discuss how to deal with Nixon ("We can't support him any longer," says Goldwater); and at a meditation with House colleagues, Ford notes that everyone else's prayers "were all in my behalf as the potential President." After a brief summary of his youth, Ford chronicles his Presidency, jumping from the Middle East to crime, the economy, the Mayaguez. He blames Nixon's "pride and personal contempt for weakness" for destroying his ability to tell right from wrong; regrets not speaking against Joe McCarthy; might choose Anne Armstrong as a running-mate, given another chance; and names John Connally as Nixon's choice of successor. Brash White House photographer David Kennerly is quoted often, seemingly to lighten things up. A conscientious account. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated].…