Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment With History

Book Description

Gerald Ford came to the presidency at the time of one of our nation's greatest constitutional crises, the downfall of President Richard M. Nixon in the aftermath of the Watergate affair. His service as president concluded a distinguished career in the House of Representatives during which he served as leader of the Republican Party in the House. With unrestricted access to Gerald Ford's papers, James M. Cannon tells the story of Ford's rise and Nixon's ruin, providing new insights into this troubling period of our history and Ford's role in guiding the nation through it. Cannon tells the story of Ford's difficult early life and the beginnings of his career in politics in the period immediately after World War II. He tells the story of Ford's rise to prominence in the House of Representatives during the 1950s and 1960s, giving us a fascinating picture of the Congress. In addition, in telling us about the personal life of Gerald Ford, he gives us a sense of the price Ford paid for his success.

"James Cannon, formerly national affairs editor at Newsweek and Ford's domestic policy advisor, has written a superbly provocative and arresting biography that traces Ford's life from his July 4, 1913, birth in Omaha, Nebraska, to his September 8,1974, decision to pardon Nixon of the Watergate conspiracy." --Washington Post Book World

James M. Cannon is a journalist and was Domestic Policy Adviser to President Ford and Chief of Staff to Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.

Customer Reviews:

Restoring Honesty.......2007-03-09

I consider this book a very well written because in simple words the author goes straight to the point:giving the audience a deep sense of what honesty and integrity are for this great man who did not want to be Vice President, much less President of the United States of America. I do not know much about politics, but since I read this book I have more respect for most of the elected officials. But, for late President Gerald
Ford this book has given me a great respect and admiration. We should have many more elected officials like him.

Focus on Ford's appointment with history.......2006-10-21

Cannon provides a fascinating account of how Gerald Ford went from planning in 1972 to retire from politics at the end of Nixon's term to becoming president of the United States. He covers Ford's childhood and life in the Navy and as a US representative in about 100 pages and spends most of the rest of the book discussing in amazing detail how he became vice-president and then president. The final chapter is a brief summary of Ford's presidential administration but nothing of life after politics.

The book is well-written and well-researched and remarkably free of bias, given that Cannon was a senior advisor in the Ford administration. Ford's decent and humble character is one of the themes of the book, as well as the idea that these traits are what led him to become president. His naivete is also evident.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the glaring weakness of the book is its brief coverage of Ford's administration, except for the issue of pardoning Nixon, which is covered in great detail.

I recommend the book as a tool for understanding Ford the man, for its careful analyis of the Watergate mess, and for describing how such a decent man could prosper in the cutthroat world of American politics. However, if you want to understand the policies of the Ford administration, you should look elsewhere.

One Of The Greatest Presidents We Ever Had..........2006-01-24

We as a country were extremely lucky and benefited greatly from the presidency of Gerald Ford. When he took over the presidency, this country was torn apart. Rather than appealing to the worst in American politics by pitting Americans against each other,(as has been done recently)he methodically and expertly began to bring us together.

The Republican Party that I belonged to during those times and under President Ford's leadership was largely free of radical fundamentalism and extreme right-wing positions. There were no Rush Limbaughs or Michael Savages. There were no nationally known ministers claiming natural disasters were the wrath of God visited on an apostate nation. The Ford presidency and the Republican Party of that time actually had concern for social issues and was quite progressive.

President Ford led by steady, common sense and a humble heart. I remember being so saddened by his loss to Jimmy Carter, knowing that we, as a nation, would lose such an able leader. After Carter's election, the Republican party decided to appeal to the fears, rather than the hopes and aspirations of America. Since that time there has never been an election where the American people were not thoroughly divided. Our political dialogue is absurdly partisan, and 'attack and spin' meisters are the order of the day on any news station. More than anything, I fondly wish we could return to civility and decency both in religion and politics.

Get this book and read about a very able, and thoroughly decent man who was there to serve his country when he was most needed. The details are fascinating.

A masterful retelling of 2/3 of the story.......2005-11-28

Over the last several years, I've read more than 35 presidential biographies. I've used Amazon reviewers as very reliable guides to help me pick the best available biography. Time and Chance is highly recommended with one gigantic reservation. Reeves' book is tightly written in an almost breezy style. More than half of the book is a retelling of Watergate, and it is the most balanced and readable version of Watergate I've read.

Ford's difficult early childhood is covered as is his development into the all-American boy. His romance with a top model and his marriage to Betty are sympathetically explained. His service in World War II is well told, and we are given almost enough information about his years in the House of Representatives; however, I would have preferred more about Ford's responses to the many social issues that dominated the sixties.

Ford comes off as the ultimate straight-arrow, average kind of guy. Completely decent, unimaginative, pretty boring, and not altogether courageous in terms of dealing with people.

OK the failing. Except for Ford's decision to pardon Nixon which is described thoroughly, the rest of his presidency is given something like 25 pages. This is simply not enough. While Watergate and Ford's role in Nixon's resignation will be more remembered than Ford's actual presidency, I would have liked at least a more detailed synopsis of his challenges while he was president (in this respect Nagel`s excellent biography of John Quincy Adams has precisely the same problem). Up until now I've avoided the presidential books that only covered the presidential years, but for Gerald Ford probably a combination of Time and Chance and an overview of his presidency would be the best way to go.

Great Book.......2004-01-18

Very well written. Great background of the key players involved in Watergate. Wished that it had discussed more about Ford's term as president and less about Nixon and the so called "coverup". It shows Ford as a very honest, hard working public servant.

Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment With History

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Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment With History
James M. Cannon
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA5Y34

Book Description

Designed for all levels, from consummate skiers and snowshoers to beginners and families, Winter Trails(tm) will lead you to the best places to snowshoe or cross-country ski in New York. Be it a day trip or a two-hour jaunt, you can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the great outdoors in winter with these 45 carefully researched trails.

Book Description

Finally there is a guide to the snowshoe trails of California's ultimate winter playground, Tahoe. This book describes 43 of Tahoe's best snowshoe trips, all chosen for their great scenery and easy accessibility.

With custom-made topographic maps and precise directions to the trailheads, this book shows you exactly where to go and describes each trip in detail so you can choose precisely the kind of outing you want. Select from short, easy jaunts to day-long tours. Listed for each trip are a difficulty rating, starting elevation, and mileage. Also includes information on trailhead parking, travel, and lodging. For each trip there is also a recommended "warm-up" spot where you can relax after your trip.

This book covers: * North Tahoe - Alpine Meadows, Donner Pass, Tahoe Meadows, Mt. Rose * East Tahoe - Snow Valley Peak, Horse Meadows, Freel Peak * South Tahoe - Carson Pass, Scotts Lake, Emigrant Lake, Round Lake, Echo Lakes. Fallen Leaf Lake West Tahoe - Meeks Creek, Ludlow Hut, Buck Lake

Customer Reviews:

Great Information for Snowshoers!!!.......2000-10-15

Great snowshoe hikes in the Tahoe area-some hikes are even good for other seasons when the snow is gone. Good directions and got us out more in the winter months-

Winter Tales and Trails: Skiing, Snowshoeing and Snowboarding in Idaho, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park

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Factual, funny, informative and engrossing - a must !!

Winter Tales and Trails: Skiing, Snowshoeing and Snowboarding in Idaho, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park
Ron Watters
Manufacturer: Great Rift Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1877625051

Book Description

Two books in one! This 355-page book is the bible of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and backcountry skiing in Idaho, the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks. It includes descriptions of hundreds of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Backcountry aficionados will also find it invaluable with beautifully done aerial illustrations detailing snowboard and backcountry ski routes in some best terrain in the west. And the book is filled with stories, honoring and retracing the rich traditions of western winter travel. To top it off, it has been carefully and lovingly designed which is obvious by its pleasing graphics, easy-to-use maps, enticing photography, and overall visual appeal. All in all, this is truly a model guidebook.

Customer Reviews:

Factual, funny, informative and engrossing - a must !!.......1998-01-13

I found this book to be highly informative with exactly the type of information I needed for planning skiing and snowshoeing forays into Idaho's snow country - but more than that, it is highly readable with outstanding anecdotes and historical facts liberally spread throughout. A must-have for anyone interested in winter outdoors

Snowshoes and Spotted Dick: Letters from a Wilderness Dweller

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Snowshoes and Spotted Dick: Letters from a Wilderness Dweller
Chris Czajkowski
Manufacturer: Harbour Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Diary of a Wilderness Dweller

ASIN: 1550172794

Book Description

Chris Czajkowski chose to build her life and small ecotourism business on the shore of a high-altitude lake near the southern tip of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. It is a formidable landscape of lake-dotted alpine plateaus abutting the glacier-swathed backbone of the central Coast Range.

Snowshoes and Spotted Dick describes Czajkowski's experiences as she builds her fourth cabin in the wilderness with hand tools, two chainsaws, an Alaskan Mill and some helpful friends. One of her helpers is Nick Berwain, a quiet but literary young German who corresponds with Czajkowski long after his return home.

In these fascinating letters to Berwain, Czajkowski details her often solitary life: how she breaks trails by snowshoe with her two pack dogs, encounters grizzly bears, builds a custom stone oven and learns how to use it to bake bread -and spotted dick, a traditional English steamed pudding. The letters also chronicle Czajkowski's challenges and triumphs as she tries to finish her cabin. Food and building supplies must be flown in and Czajkowski must hike more than 30 kilometres to the nearest road to lead guiding trips and to attend craft fairs and book promotions to supplement her income.

Lyrically written, Snowshoes and Spotted Dick provides a close look at a simpler way of life that most of us only dream about, one that cleaves to nature with beauty, resilience and independence.

Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution: Achieve a Lifetime of Health, Weight-Loss and Vitality By Discovering the Activity You Love

Average customer rating:

Fabulous!

Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution: Achieve a Lifetime of Health, Weight-Loss and Vitality By Discovering the Activity You Love
Elena Rover
Manufacturer: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1579125891

Book Description

Go beyond the gym with this all-new way to look at health and fitness. This sports-based plan is so enjoyable you may not realize you’re exercising, and it’s so effective you’ll be hooked forever.

The word “exercise” makes many of us think of the treadmill or pumping iron. But, according to The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution, there’s a more enjoyable and successful way to achieve a lifetime of fitness. Getting it can be as simple as finding an activity you love and doing it with passion and consistency.

The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution begins with a specially formulated quiz that determines your “fitness personality.” Next, choose a sport or activity that suits you from more than 25 options. Detailed chapters walk you through an overview of the sport; how to get started; what gear you will need; and where to find instruction. Also included are inspiring testimonials from ordinary people who’ve taken up the sport, information on nutrition, and advice on progressing with your sport.

The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution is a can’t-fail, lifetime fitness program that will have you looking good and feeling great.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous!.......2007-01-24

I moved to Manhattan two years ago to begin my first post-collegiate job. I ran competitively in college and thought that running would be the easiest, not to mention most convenient, way to stay in shape once I had entered the working world. However, I ran into one problem...well, maybe two, or three, or four. It's dark before work and it's dark after work. It's too cold, too hot, and/or too cozy under my covers. Without my college teammates expecting me at practice, the motivation to get out and run was less than lacking. Walking past the Barnes and Noble in Lincoln square, I noticed a copy of The Chelsea Piers Fitness Solution in the window. I had heard of Chelsea Piers, but never really took the time to explore its offerings. So, I went into Barnes and Noble and browsed through the book. Needless to say, I bought a copy. I've also done some research on the Chelsea Piers website to find classes for the sports that seem to best match my personality and found out that the Field House at Chelsea Piers offers evening adult gymnastics and rock-climbing classes for all levels. So, it turns out you don't have to be a kid to enjoy exercise and make physical fitness fun! I definitely recommend this book for anyone who's sick of the treadmill and is ready for a change to make this year's New Year's resolution stick.

Ski and Snowshoe Trails in the Adirondacks

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Ski and Snowshoe Trails in the Adirondacks
Tony Goodwin
Manufacturer: Adirondack Mountain Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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50 Hikes in the Adirondacks: Short Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks Throughout the Park, Fourth Edition

ASIN: 1931951020

Book Description

Ski and Snowshoe Trails in the Adirondacks

Book Description

Designed for everyone, from consummate skiers and snowshoers to beginners and families, Winter Trails will lead you to the best places to snowshoe or cross-country ski in Vermont and New Hampshire. Be it a day trip or a two-hour jaunt, you can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of winter with these forty-six carefully researched trails. Each outing includes information about the natural landscape, distance in miles, trail difficulty and surface quality. You'll also find a rundown of proper equipment and clothing suggestions and tips on safety, navigation, and trail etiquette. Use this guide to explore the best trails that Vermont and New Hampshire have to offer. (6 x 9, 192 pages, b&w photos, maps, icons)

Customer Reviews:

A niche book for the winter outdoor enthusiast........2007-04-21

A very well written book with lots of detail on how to get to a trail, description/map of the trail, whether it is suitable for snowshoeing or X-country skiing or both, as well as a few bits of trivia and suggestions for a good place to eat after a days outing to replenish. I only wish the book were 5 times bigger to cover more trails.

Northeast Outdoor Enthusiasts Rejoice!.......2000-12-26

Yes! This book is very unique in that is written for a few, specific winter activities (x-country skiing or snowshoeing) in a few very specific locations (New Hampshire and Vermont). If you are in the market for such a book, you don't have many choices to begin with. You'll be happy to know that this book does its subject justice.

People in the Northeast will truly enjoy this book as it covers the best winter activity locations primarily in both the Green and White mountains but also in a few other various locations in each state (including Southern New Hampshire and Vermont). The guide includes point-to-point trail directions, specific maps, driving directions, facility information, and the usual historical fun facts that always fill hiking books.

Northeast Outdoor Enthusiasts Rejoice!.......2000-12-26

Book Description

This guide leads readers to 48 of the best snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails in Colorado--from Rocky Mountain National Park to Telluride.

Customer Reviews:

Trail recommendations for Colorado X-C skiers and snowshoers.......1999-07-22

Clear and attractive book, but scary, because some of the advice is not suitable for inexperienced or beginner snwshoers. Skiers can consider tackling 10 to 20 mile trails in winter and at high altitudes, but that's too much for anyone new to winter in the high country--especially misleading because the author rates some of these as novice to intermediate.

Average customer rating:

Canoe Country and Snowshoe Country
Florence Page Jaques
Manufacturer: University of Minnesota Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0816634890

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