Gerald R. Ford (The American Presidents Series: The 38th President, 1974-1977)
by Douglas Brinkley
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Book Summary Information
Author: Douglas BrinkleyEditor: Arthur M. Schlesinger
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-02-06
ISBN: 0805069097
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Times Books
Book Reviews of Gerald R. Ford (The American Presidents Series: The 38th President, 1974-1977)
Book Review: A Ford, not a Lincoln
Summary: 4 Stars
When he was sworn in as vice president on December 6, 1973, Gerald Ford said in his acceptance speech to the nation: "I am a Ford, not a Lincoln. But I am definitely not a Model T." This homespun, self-effacing comment became the hallmark of Ford's presidency. Eight months after becoming vice president, on August 9. 1974, Ford became the 38th president of the United States when Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace as a result of Watergate. Ford became to first and the only person to serve as vice president and as president without being elected in his own right.
One month after becoming president, on September 8, 1974, Ford pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed as president. The pardon provoked an outcry at the time, and many believed that a form of "corrupt bargain" had been involved. The pardon probably cost Ford the election in 1976. Many years after the fact, a consensus developed that by putting Watergate and its corruption behind the nation at a critical moment, Ford had acted correctly and courageously and done the United States a service. For example, in 2001, Ford received the Profile in Courage award from the John F, Kennedy Foundation. Senator Ted Kennedy, who presented Ford the award, had been one of the most vociferous of the critics of the pardon.
Historian David Brinkley tells the story of Ford in his 2007 short biography which is part of the American Presidents series edited by Arthur Schliesinger Jr. and Sean Wilentz. I find these little books give an invaluable overview of our presidents and of American history and encourage reflection upon the nature of leadership. I tend to favor the histories of the earlier presidents because a sense of distance helps maintain objectivity. But I was moved deeply by Brinkley's account of Ford for many reasons, not the least of which was that I lived through his presidency as a grown adult in Washington, D.C.
When the then-new vice president described himself as "a Ford", there was a hidden irony as Gerald Ford (1913 -- 2006) was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. and became known as Gerald Ford in 1917 following his mother's divorce and subsequent marriage to a man of that name. Ford's family struggled during the Depression. Ford played football at the University of Michigan, graduated from Yale Law School and was first elected to the House of Representatives from Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1948. He rose in the ranks through his hard work, ideological moderation, spirit of camaraderie, and ambition. Ford yearned to become the Speaker of the House, a goal that eluded him.
When Spiro Agnew resigned the vice presidency in disgrace, Nixon selected the well-respected Ford to replace him, and Congress quickly confirmed the choice. As Brinkley's book shows, Nixon and Ford had been great friends since 1949. Ford assumed the presidency over a nation in near disarray with Watergate, double-digit inflation and Vietnam. It was a dauntingly difficult situation, probably matched only by the presidencies of Washington, Lincoln, and F.D.R. At first, the pardon of Nixon did not appear to help matters.
Brinkley's history emphasizes Ford's integrity, common sense, unassuming character, and generally good judgment. He defends the wisdom of Ford's decision to pardon Nixon, a view which has found widespread agreement. He also points to Ford's accomplishments in ending the Vietnam War at last, reducing inflation, and negotiating the Helsinki Accords in 1975 which would eventually be important in the fall of communism. Ford named John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court. He survived two assassination attempts. Ford was an ideological moderate who steered a course between the far right of his own party and the liberal left wing of the Democratic party that, together with Watergate, had threatened to polarize the nation. Most importantly, in his unpretentious way, Ford restored the faith of many Americans in their government and institutions and in the basics of American democracy. During his long life as elder statesman following his presidency, Ford received substantial if belated credit for his accomplishments.
Lacking in charisma, Gerald Ford was an unlikely leader for a perilous time. He acquitted himself and served the country well. Brinkley's book is an outstanding addition to the American president's series and a fine short study of our 38th president.
Robin Friedman
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