Ordinary Man, An: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford

I am reading the book now and thoroughly enjoy it. Great insights into the life of President Ford. He was one of a kind and someone like him is sorely needed to lead this country.

Well researched and written, this book captures Gerald Ford and his times. Quite interesting and insightful. Highly recommended reading. Gerald Ford was a Republican deserving of respect.

I’m about 250 pages into “An Ordinary Man” and am finding it both enjoyable and instructive. It’s as much a history of the times and events President Ford lived through (1913-2006) as it is a biography of him.Author Richard Norton Smith seems eminently qualified to write this book. Aside from authoring several political biographies, he has served as the director for the libraries/museums of five Republican presidents, Lincoln’s and Ford’s included. He clearly holds President Ford in high regard. Nevertheless, he writes with an even hand, recognizing Ford’s weaknesses as well as his strengths. His prose is a pleasure to read. And his command of historical detail—his ability to give readers chapter and verse on a host of people, events, and issues relevant to President Ford’s life—is truly impressive.Smith addresses Ford’s life in a mostly chronological manner, detailing his unsettled early childhood, accomplishments as an athlete and Eagle Scout, college and law school education, WWII service aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific (receiving 9 battle stars), election to Congress, marriage to Mrs. Ford, congressional career and ascent to party leadership, elevation to vice president and then president, and his post-presidency and retirement. Along the way, we’re introduced to many of the people who impacted Ford’s life, some famous (like all the Presidents from Truman through Bush, both in office and out, and other well-known Washington politicians such as Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Bob Dole, and Nelson Rockefeller) and others not so famous (e.g., his birth-father, stepfather, law partner, the “political boss” of Grand Rapids, MI, and even Wendel Wilkie).What emerges is the picture of a man from America’s heartland—a very talented, sincere, warm, kind, and self-effacing man who goes into politics because he wants to be of service—because he wants to help others—and because he’s ambitious. Forsaking a potentially lucrative law practice, he works hard to get elected to Congress and once there, works even harder, providing top-notch constituent services (once driving an injured constituent from DC back to Michigan because she had no other way to get home) and earning the trust of many of his fellow representatives on both sides of the aisle. A fiscal conservative but socially liberal, over time, he advances to various committee and leadership positions, including, ultimately, Republican Minority Leader. Loving work in the House of Representatives, he hopes one day to become its Speaker. Instead, fate and politics place him in the Vice Presidency and then the White House, where, despite knowing it will probably cost him his chance to be elected President in his own right, he pardons Richard Nixon for the good of the nation.It’s a fascinating, even inspiring story. My only reservation so far is Mr. Smith’s treatment of Congressman Ford’s service on the Warren Commission, which treatment seemed to get lost in detail and lacked a “big picture” context. I still don’t have much of a sense of what Ford really thought about the assassination or of his participation in the commission’s investigation.Then again, some of the details that Mr. Smith includes about other matters are surprising and illuminative. For example, I never knew President Ford spent time as a forest ranger at Yellowstone, or that he suffered from a trick knee (earned playing football) that contributed to several of the falls he famously suffered, or that he spent time wooing a young lady in Manhattan as a Yale law student, or that Mrs. Ford studied dance with legendary instructor and choreographer, Martha Graham. Nor did I know how competent, hard-working, and knowledgeable he was as a legislator. In other words, through Mr. Smith’s work, I believe I’m getting a better sense of who President Ford was.All in all, “An Ordinary Man” is an impressive work well-suited for those interested in President Ford, Congress, the Presidency, and/or 20th Century American history.P.S. Some readers may appreciate the following caution: This book is 830 pages long (but only 710 pages if you don't count the bibliography, index, acknowledgments, etc.). It weighs approximately three pounds. (Thank goodness for my Kindle!)

I am thankful to the author for writing the definitive book on President Ford. His timing is perfect, and I greatly appreciate the time, dedication, endless hours of effort and his extraordinary talent it took to bring it to life. He has contributed to an important piece of history and brought significance to a mostly forgotten and overlooked man and contributed a story that is well deserved to be told. His effort was well spent and adds a magnificent jewel to the crown of American history! I loved his other books but am most appreciative of this last masterpiece of work he produced!

Some say Ford is an expert legislator, like Biden and LBJ.After reading this book, read Douglass’s book, JFK and the Unspeakable. In it you will realize how absurdly totally that the Warren Commission, of which Ford was part, was a group of men who were total stooges / patsies for LBJ.JFK was the victim of a FBI-CIA coup d’etat presided over by then Vice President Lyndon Johnson. Think what you like of JFK: Did JFK deserve to be blown to pieces?I say no. So I have some problems with Ford. But I still like Ford more than I dislike Ford. His wife is an ace American, in her own right.Still, any topic Richard Norton Smith thinks through and writes on, is worth reading. I always greatly enjoy his hard thinking, his ideas, his writing.