A Time To Heal.

FORD, Gerald R.

Item Number: 119577

New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1979.

First edition of the 38th president of the United States’ autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Gerald Ford on the half-title page in the year of publication to Master Sergeant Babb, “To MSG. Bradley W. Babb, with appreciation and best wishes. Gerald R. Ford. 9/19/79.” Additionally signed again on the next page by Gerald Ford. Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Lawrence Ratzkin.

This memoir was the most extensive commentary Gerald Ford ever provided regarding American politics. He granted several interviews over the years, but they were usually short and not very introspective. Ford was perfectly willing to retire from the public eye and concentrate on serving on the boards of directors of various businesses. Unlike most ex-presidents who work hard to achieve elder statesman status to either rehabilitate or firm up their place in history, Ford was satisfied with what he'd done in his years of public service. While he was never called an "amiable dunce" as Clark Clifford once called Ronald Reagan, Ford never developed a reputation as a brilliant strategist nor was he gifted with a knack for policy development. However, in reading his memoirs, one finds a man very comfortable with himself and his decisions.