Download Write It When I'm Gone Remarkable OfftheRecord Conversations with Gerald R Ford Thomas M DeFrank Books

Product details Hardcover Publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons; 2d edition (2007) Language German ASIN B002F6U3SQ

Write It When I'm Gone Remarkable OfftheRecord Conversations with Gerald R Ford Thomas M DeFrank Books Reviews

• This is not a memoir, historical record of a presidency, or a narrative of an era. Nor does it present itself as such. Had it done so, I would have given it three stars. What this book represents is a collection of viewpoints and insights over a range of topics provided by an ex-president to a friend. I am sure the author had some difficulty in organizing these thoughts, but he does so in a way that makes this an enjoyable and accessible read for anyone interested in President Ford. A very informative book that is useful for all students of the presidency.
• Introducing the decade of the 1970's - President Nixon resigned in disgrace and vice-president Gerald R. Ford served the rest of the term as president. He was not re-elected. He pardoned Nixon as one of his first acts as president. Most people remember him for that and not much else except maybe his debate with Jimmy Carter. Ford stated that Communism did not rule in Poland and eastern Europe - Carter won the election.
  
  This is a book of conversations with an interviewer spanning thirty-two years. Like Ford himself, the conversations are not really remarkable at all as the title of the book suggests. What is remarkable, in my opinion, is how wealthy Ford became after his half a term in office. Ford, the opportunist, made a huge fortune and lived like a king until his death in 2006, proving that modern presidents will never again have to live like the middle class. Harry Truman was not so lucky.
  
  Everyone can agree the Ford family are nice folks. The author enjoyed his close relationship with them and gives the reader a glimpse into the "real" Gerald R. Ford. Interesting.
• The premise of this book is that the author, a journalists, conducted a number of off-the-record interviews with Gerald Ford after he left the White House. The deal was that Ford would be extremely candid, but nothing could be published until after his death.
  
  I noticed some of the other reviewers were disappointed that there were no bombshell revelations. This is really an absurd expectation (if there were any, they would have been released in the news, right?) but it should not discourage you from buying this book.
  
  This is a fascinating glimpse into Ford's post-presidential life, his views on and relations with other presidents, and his death. For students of history and politics, many of Ford's revelations are really interesting. This book emphasizes just how genial and forgiving Ford was as a person he was a good man.
  
  The end of the book is a bit awkward, not really fitting with the rest of the book, but it is obviously an emotional account of his death by a journalist who came to be a true friend of Ford's. Overall, a quick, insightful read.
• We listened to this book on our drive over to Grand Rapids MI. We turned it into a "Jerry" immersion and it was very effective lead into our tour of the museum. Finished it off on the way back to Chicago. The writer manages to relect the personality of Gerald Ford. Mimi
• Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, however you might classify yourself, President Ford's got something to offer you. This book is way cool since the President knew his forthright talks with the author would not be published until he was gone. This is a good man, a shrewd political guy, and a President who restored faith after his predecessor blew it. These are remarkable conversations with a remarkable guy.
• I bought this book because I was interested in some informed perspective on these times in our history. The book certainly had that. It moved a little slow since it was really a series of anecdotes with really not story line. But still an interesting read.
• This book is a very insightful view of how Gerald Ford saved this nation during the greatest constitutional crisis since the American Civil War.
  As a retired political journalist and soon to be PhD historian, I highly recommend this book. It provides a very good profile who of a president who ultimately cared more about his country than his own political future.
• The book starts slow but gets interesting as you get a sense of the actual man - Gerald Ford. A very three dimensional picture is made and you feel like you actually know him. The last part of the book was overly wrought with a macabre "he's old and failing" theme. That part of the book can be skipped. It's a quick read. A good perspective of the Watergate scandal.