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When the Center Held: Gerald Ford and the Rescue of the American Presidency
“A personal look behind the scenes” (Publishers Weekly) of the presidency of Gerald Ford as seen through the eyes of Donald Rumsfeld—New York Times bestselling author and Ford’s former Secretary of Defense, Chief of Staff, and longtime personal confidant.
In the wake of Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal, it seemed the United States was coming apart. America had experienced a decade of horrifying assassinations; the unprecedented resignation of first a vice president and then a president of the United States; intense cultural and social change; and a new mood of cynicism sweeping the country—a mood that, in some ways, lingers today.
Into that divided atmosphere stepped an unexpected, unelected, and largely unknown American—Gerald R. Ford. In contrast to every other individual who had ever occupied the Oval Office, he had never appeared on any ballot either for the presidency or the vice presidency. Ford simply and humbly performed his duty to the best of his considerable ability. By the end of his 895 days as president, he would in fact have restored balance to our country, steadied the ship of state, and led his fellow Americans out of the national trauma of Watergate. And yet, Gerald Ford remains one of the least studied and least understood individuals to have held the office of the President of the United States. In turn, his legacy also remains severely underappreciated.
In When the Center Held, Ford’s Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld candidly shares his personal observations of the man himself, providing a sweeping examination of his crucial years in office. It is a rare and fascinating look behind the closed doors of the Oval Office, including never-before-seen photos, memos, and anecdotes, from a unique insider’s perspective—“engrossing and informative” (Kirkus Reviews) reading for any fan of presidential history.
In the wake of Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal, it seemed the United States was coming apart. America had experienced a decade of horrifying assassinations; the unprecedented resignation of first a vice president and then a president of the United States; intense cultural and social change; and a new mood of cynicism sweeping the country—a mood that, in some ways, lingers today.
Into that divided atmosphere stepped an unexpected, unelected, and largely unknown American—Gerald R. Ford. In contrast to every other individual who had ever occupied the Oval Office, he had never appeared on any ballot either for the presidency or the vice presidency. Ford simply and humbly performed his duty to the best of his considerable ability. By the end of his 895 days as president, he would in fact have restored balance to our country, steadied the ship of state, and led his fellow Americans out of the national trauma of Watergate. And yet, Gerald Ford remains one of the least studied and least understood individuals to have held the office of the President of the United States. In turn, his legacy also remains severely underappreciated.
In When the Center Held, Ford’s Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld candidly shares his personal observations of the man himself, providing a sweeping examination of his crucial years in office. It is a rare and fascinating look behind the closed doors of the Oval Office, including never-before-seen photos, memos, and anecdotes, from a unique insider’s perspective—“engrossing and informative” (Kirkus Reviews) reading for any fan of presidential history.
352 pages, Audiobook
Published May 15, 2018
57 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Donald Rumsfeld
14 books51 followersDonald Henry Rumsfeld is a United States businessman, retired Navy Fighter Pilot, diplomat, and politician who served as the 13th Secretary of Defense under President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977 and as the 21st Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006. He is both the youngest (43 years old) and the oldest (74 years old) person to have served as Secretary of Defense as well as the only person to have served in the position for two non-consecutive terms. Overall, he was the second longest serving defense secretary behind Robert McNamara. Rumsfeld was White House Chief of Staff during part of the Ford Administration and also served in various positions in the Nixon Administration. He served four terms in the United States House of Representatives, and served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO. He was an aviator in the United States Navy between 1954 and 1957 before transferring to the Naval Reserve. In public life, he has served as an official in numerous federal commissions and councils.
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August 5, 2024
Gerald Ford was a fundamentally kind and decent man. That is what Donald Rumsfeld, Ford's Chief of Staff and later Secretary of Defense, wants you to know about the man who remains the only unelected individual to inhabit the office of President. Rumsfeld, who today is much more known for his time as George W. Bush's controversial Secretary of Defense, thought that Ford was often underestimated and overlooked, both during his time as President and since then. And Rumsfeld is not wrong to think that, as Ford is rarely mentioned these days, and is generally considered a non-entity if his name is brought up.
This book is not a biography of Ford, nor a straight-up memoir of Rumsfeld's time in the Ford White House, although there are elements of the latter. Only the most basic facts are given about Ford's life prior to his suddenly becoming President upon Richard Nixon's resignation. The early parts are dominated by what was the most pressing issue facing Ford (aside from trying to heal the country in general following Watergate): whether or not to pardon Nixon. Rumsfeld, who had not yet taken over as Chief of Staff, was not involved in the decision to pardon Nixon but seems to think that Ford made a mistake, as the pardon issue would never go away and very possibly (and probably) cost him election in his own right. However, Rumsfeld reviews Ford's reasoning and decision-making process on it, and has no doubt that Ford made a courageous decision at great political cost to himself.
The rest of Ford's truncated administration is covered somewhat topically, but with a chronological bent. Ford's unsuccessful WIN (Whip Inflation Now) campaign, his concern about energy, and his decision to largely continue the Nixon/Henry Kissinger foreign policy of détente are all covered. But Rumsfeld does not really go into too great of detail on any of these issues. He spends more time talking about the growing challenge from Ronald Reagan on Ford's right flank, and how difficult Rumsfeld found Vice President Nelson Rockefeller to be.
That brings me to one of the issues that I had with the book: Rumsfeld made little attempt to hide his feelings about certain members of the administration. It is quite clear that he disliked Rockefeller and did not want him around. In fact, he even proposed to Ford that Ford make Rockefeller a Cabinet secretary while also serving as Vice President! What Rumsfeld does not make any mention of is his effort to persuade Ford to remove Rockefeller from consideration as a running mate on the 1976 ticket. In an opposite vein, Rumsfeld clearly admires Secretary of State Kissinger. The controversial aspects of Kissinger (which there are many) are not discussed, nor any mention made about Kissinger being angry and threatening to resign when Ford removed him from his dual role as both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.
Reagan's challenge to Ford for the Republican nomination is covered fairly well, with Rumsfeld detailing his personal meetings with Reagan, even offering him a Cabinet spot as Secretary of Commerce in an effort to keep Reagan in check and remove him as a competitor to Ford. Apparently, Rumsfeld liked offering Cabinet posts to people. Rumsfeld devotes more time to that aspect of the election season than he does to Ford's run against Jimmy Carter.
Rumsfeld does provide a nice epilogue, where he reiterates his admiration and respect for Ford. I appreciated this, and thought it was the right touch for him to end on. The book is a quick read, and one of the reasons for this is that Rumsfeld does not get too detailed. Depending on your point of view, that can be good or bad. I would have preferred a much more in-depth and holistic treatment like Stuart Eizenstat did for Carter, as well as a bit more objectivity. Then again, given the lack of books about Ford, I am glad that Rumsfeld decided to share his experiences of his time with Ford.
Grade: C-
This book is not a biography of Ford, nor a straight-up memoir of Rumsfeld's time in the Ford White House, although there are elements of the latter. Only the most basic facts are given about Ford's life prior to his suddenly becoming President upon Richard Nixon's resignation. The early parts are dominated by what was the most pressing issue facing Ford (aside from trying to heal the country in general following Watergate): whether or not to pardon Nixon. Rumsfeld, who had not yet taken over as Chief of Staff, was not involved in the decision to pardon Nixon but seems to think that Ford made a mistake, as the pardon issue would never go away and very possibly (and probably) cost him election in his own right. However, Rumsfeld reviews Ford's reasoning and decision-making process on it, and has no doubt that Ford made a courageous decision at great political cost to himself.
The rest of Ford's truncated administration is covered somewhat topically, but with a chronological bent. Ford's unsuccessful WIN (Whip Inflation Now) campaign, his concern about energy, and his decision to largely continue the Nixon/Henry Kissinger foreign policy of détente are all covered. But Rumsfeld does not really go into too great of detail on any of these issues. He spends more time talking about the growing challenge from Ronald Reagan on Ford's right flank, and how difficult Rumsfeld found Vice President Nelson Rockefeller to be.
That brings me to one of the issues that I had with the book: Rumsfeld made little attempt to hide his feelings about certain members of the administration. It is quite clear that he disliked Rockefeller and did not want him around. In fact, he even proposed to Ford that Ford make Rockefeller a Cabinet secretary while also serving as Vice President! What Rumsfeld does not make any mention of is his effort to persuade Ford to remove Rockefeller from consideration as a running mate on the 1976 ticket. In an opposite vein, Rumsfeld clearly admires Secretary of State Kissinger. The controversial aspects of Kissinger (which there are many) are not discussed, nor any mention made about Kissinger being angry and threatening to resign when Ford removed him from his dual role as both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.
Reagan's challenge to Ford for the Republican nomination is covered fairly well, with Rumsfeld detailing his personal meetings with Reagan, even offering him a Cabinet spot as Secretary of Commerce in an effort to keep Reagan in check and remove him as a competitor to Ford. Apparently, Rumsfeld liked offering Cabinet posts to people. Rumsfeld devotes more time to that aspect of the election season than he does to Ford's run against Jimmy Carter.
Rumsfeld does provide a nice epilogue, where he reiterates his admiration and respect for Ford. I appreciated this, and thought it was the right touch for him to end on. The book is a quick read, and one of the reasons for this is that Rumsfeld does not get too detailed. Depending on your point of view, that can be good or bad. I would have preferred a much more in-depth and holistic treatment like Stuart Eizenstat did for Carter, as well as a bit more objectivity. Then again, given the lack of books about Ford, I am glad that Rumsfeld decided to share his experiences of his time with Ford.
Grade: C-
August 28, 2018
I am not sure how to classify this book. Is it a biography of Gerald Ford or a memoir of Donald Rumsfeld’s time as Ford’s Chief of Staff? I think it is more of a memoir of Rumsfeld. The book is definitely biased as Rumsfeld’s admiration of Ford come through loud and clear. Ford came to the presidency when the country was in crisis and chaos after the resignation of Richard Nixon. The economy was in trouble as inflation was at a fifty-year high. Ford’s strong response to the Khmer Rouge’s seizure of the merchant ship U.S. Mayaguez in international waters told the world that there was a president in control of the country. Ford signed the Helsinki Accords on Human Rights. Ford brought stability back to the country.
The book is well written and documented. Rumsfeld provided an insider view of Ford’s presidency. Rumsfeld kept a daily diary which he used in writing the book. Rumsfeld reveals the chaos in the country and how with a steady hand Ford brought the country back to normalcy. Even though I lived through this period, the book was a great reminder of the times and provided insider information. I highly recommend this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over ten hours. Danny Campbell does a great job narrating the book. Campbell is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. Campbell has won multiple Earphone Awards. I have enjoyed listening to Campbell many times over the years reading a variety of different audiobooks.
The book is well written and documented. Rumsfeld provided an insider view of Ford’s presidency. Rumsfeld kept a daily diary which he used in writing the book. Rumsfeld reveals the chaos in the country and how with a steady hand Ford brought the country back to normalcy. Even though I lived through this period, the book was a great reminder of the times and provided insider information. I highly recommend this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over ten hours. Danny Campbell does a great job narrating the book. Campbell is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. Campbell has won multiple Earphone Awards. I have enjoyed listening to Campbell many times over the years reading a variety of different audiobooks.
June 4, 2018
Surprisingly gripping and oddly inspiring, Rumsfeld's memoir of the Ford Presidency memorably chronicles an acutely dysfunctional moment in American history that produced an unlikely and underrated hero in the form of Gerald Rudolph Ford. Rumsfeld describes in fascinating, fast-moving detail how a nation battered by scandal, stagflation, and battlefield humiliation was held together during a tortured decade by a president as thoroughly decent as the times (and his predecessor) were deranged. This is a highly entertaining and instructive read that, like the Ford Presidency, ends all too soon, but which you'll appreciate for a long time afterwards.
February 13, 2021
When I found this book I thought it was an examination of Centrist policies in a time of upheaval, it was actually a football metaphor that Donald Rumsfeld used affectionately in regards to Ford (though one could still describe Gerald Ford as a political centrist).
I never thought I would read a book by Donald Rumsfeld, (I was definitely opposed to his decisions leading up to and during the Iraq War) but he does spin quite a memorable yarn about his friend for whom he seems to have a great deal of admiration.
Rumsfeld centers his memoir on Gerald Ford’s decency and humanity rather than this political prowess and credits Ford with providing the country with a steady hand in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Rumsfeld is clear to catalogue which political struggles with Ford he won and lost while serving as his Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense, but also notes whether Ford’s decisions were ultimately right.
While I would not consider this the definitive memoir of the Ford administration, the book gives an excellent window the into the controversial decisions of Ford’s presidency.
I never thought I would read a book by Donald Rumsfeld, (I was definitely opposed to his decisions leading up to and during the Iraq War) but he does spin quite a memorable yarn about his friend for whom he seems to have a great deal of admiration.
Rumsfeld centers his memoir on Gerald Ford’s decency and humanity rather than this political prowess and credits Ford with providing the country with a steady hand in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Rumsfeld is clear to catalogue which political struggles with Ford he won and lost while serving as his Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense, but also notes whether Ford’s decisions were ultimately right.
While I would not consider this the definitive memoir of the Ford administration, the book gives an excellent window the into the controversial decisions of Ford’s presidency.
June 3, 2018
Terrific read. Rumsfeld had access to many of the early discussions and his notes do not disappoint.
June 30, 2018
The Ford Administration is often overlooked, sandwiched as it was between the Nixon and Reagan years. Rumsfeld has set out to write a book that discusses the major decisions of that administration, decisions that attempted to return the country to normalcy and trust after the Watergate debacle. Rumsfeld was Ford's chief of staff before transitioning to become the youngest ever secretary of defense (he happens to have been the oldest ever, too).
Some things he does not try to defend, only explain, such as the choice of liberal Republican Nelson Rockefeller as VP or the decision to keep Kissinger on as secretary of state and national security advisor (Rumsfeld doesn't have anything negative to say about this latter choice, actually, even if I think it was a mistake). He provides a good overview of Ford's efforts to maintain supremacy vis a vis the Soviet Union (a strategy unfairly maligned by Ronald Reagan, among others). He also makes good sense of Ford's famous "gaffe" of claiming that there is "no Soviet domination in eastern Europe." What the president meant was, despite the USSR's current hegemony, it wouldn't last forever; liberty would win out. He has proven to be far more right than wrong on that account.
Rumsfeld goes through the 1976 campaign pretty quickly. He and his main aide as chief of staff, Dick Cheney, are sometimes maligned as far-right idiots, but they were on the side of Ford in his primary fight with the more conservative Reagan. Should Reagan have challenged the sitting president of his own party? Hard to say. By the time Ford defeated him, he was 30 points down in the polls to his successor. But election day he was 1 up in the last Gallup poll, but still lost a close race. That may have been a blessing in disguise; who knew what would have occurred in 1980 if Ford had won. Presumably his VP nominee, Bob Dole, would have run, probably again being primaried by Reagan. But we don't have to worry about that, because it didn't happen.
Ford was a decent, hard-working, honest man. He made no enemies while in the White House. He sought to project a wise, even-headed demeanor, and mostly succeeded. He may not have been as conservative as some would have liked, but he demanded respect from everyone, and even, I hope, admiration.
Some things he does not try to defend, only explain, such as the choice of liberal Republican Nelson Rockefeller as VP or the decision to keep Kissinger on as secretary of state and national security advisor (Rumsfeld doesn't have anything negative to say about this latter choice, actually, even if I think it was a mistake). He provides a good overview of Ford's efforts to maintain supremacy vis a vis the Soviet Union (a strategy unfairly maligned by Ronald Reagan, among others). He also makes good sense of Ford's famous "gaffe" of claiming that there is "no Soviet domination in eastern Europe." What the president meant was, despite the USSR's current hegemony, it wouldn't last forever; liberty would win out. He has proven to be far more right than wrong on that account.
Rumsfeld goes through the 1976 campaign pretty quickly. He and his main aide as chief of staff, Dick Cheney, are sometimes maligned as far-right idiots, but they were on the side of Ford in his primary fight with the more conservative Reagan. Should Reagan have challenged the sitting president of his own party? Hard to say. By the time Ford defeated him, he was 30 points down in the polls to his successor. But election day he was 1 up in the last Gallup poll, but still lost a close race. That may have been a blessing in disguise; who knew what would have occurred in 1980 if Ford had won. Presumably his VP nominee, Bob Dole, would have run, probably again being primaried by Reagan. But we don't have to worry about that, because it didn't happen.
Ford was a decent, hard-working, honest man. He made no enemies while in the White House. He sought to project a wise, even-headed demeanor, and mostly succeeded. He may not have been as conservative as some would have liked, but he demanded respect from everyone, and even, I hope, admiration.
July 17, 2021
This is neither a biography nor an unbiased, outside account of the Gerald Ford White House. It is written by a friend and colleague of the President who was there when Ford became the first unelected President. Donald Rumsfeld had been in congress with Ford and was serving overseas as ambassador to NATO when Nixon resigned as President thus making his unelected Vice President and former Congressman from Grand Rapids Michigan the 37th President and Commander and Chief. Ford persuaded Rumsfeld to return to Washington and become the Chief of Staff. Thus the author is not a dispassionate observer but one who served in the cabinet. In this book he hopes to show why he admired Ford and had come to see his Presidency as vital to American stability. Even for those of us who lived through it as children, the events of Watergate and its aftermath are hard to believe.
What comes comes through in Rumsfeld's book is Ford's fundamental decency, his clear-headed common sense, his love for country and willingness to serve. He consistently put the need of the country and in particular the need for healing above his own political interests. For that we should all be grateful.
What comes comes through in Rumsfeld's book is Ford's fundamental decency, his clear-headed common sense, his love for country and willingness to serve. He consistently put the need of the country and in particular the need for healing above his own political interests. For that we should all be grateful.
June 28, 2018
While there are some interesting tidbits in this memoir of Rumsfeld's time in the Ford Administration, there's not much new here. What strikes me as odd is Donald Rumsfeld writing a book in praise of the political center -- given that the George W. Bush Administration, in which he served more recently, was anything but. Even more bizarre is Rumsfeld's veneration of discredited "economist" Arthur Laffer and his disastrous theory of supply side economics. That Jerry Ford would in any way want his name to be associated with the economic doctrine which eradicated the American middle class, wrecked our manufacturing sector, and aided in the creation of an oligarchy beggars the imagination. There are certainly better books out there on Ford and his presidency. Give this one a miss.
July 23, 2018
Loved this book about one of my all time favorite POTUS, Gerald Ford! Grateful Secretary Rumsfeld wrote this book of his love and respect of President Ford before Rumsfeld passes. Wonderful read. Just wish Ford had won in 1976. Ford was a great president and was exactly what the USA needed.
March 6, 2022
I've been on a trip down memory lane with this book. A lot of things I had forgotten, others were fun to remember, and names and people in the political world were in the forefront with this book. What a hoot, yet one I appreciate and President Ford was a lot stronger of a politician than I remembered.
The presidency of Gerald R. Ford seems like it was an eon ago. In the contribution to history, Donald Rumsfeld, who served President Ford as his White House chief of Staff and as secretary of Defense, gives a new generation an important reflection on Ford and what the 38th president meant.
The author has done a tremendous public service writing this book. It filled in the gaps of knowledge that I had regarding this heroic man who was our 38th President. Mr. Ford came to office on the heels of a tragic and toxic political environment of which he was not responsible in the least. He assumed the presidency, squared his shoulders, and entered into the fray. The author writes in an easy-to-read manner, deftly describing the events at hand. Know more about Gerald Ford and this era in our history.
"Ford is one of the most underrated presidents, but he was able to steady the nation after Nixon and Watergate and made peace in Vietnam. Donald Rumsfeld captures the essence of Ford and brings it home. "When the Center Held" is a quite a magnificent book that should be read by every American." quoted by Jean Edward Smith.
Rumsfeld was the thirteenth and twenty-first United States Secretary of Defenses. He currently chairs the Rumsfeld Foundation, which supports leadership and public service at home and the growth of free political and free economic systems abroad. He and his wife Joyce have three children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Highly Recommend.
The presidency of Gerald R. Ford seems like it was an eon ago. In the contribution to history, Donald Rumsfeld, who served President Ford as his White House chief of Staff and as secretary of Defense, gives a new generation an important reflection on Ford and what the 38th president meant.
The author has done a tremendous public service writing this book. It filled in the gaps of knowledge that I had regarding this heroic man who was our 38th President. Mr. Ford came to office on the heels of a tragic and toxic political environment of which he was not responsible in the least. He assumed the presidency, squared his shoulders, and entered into the fray. The author writes in an easy-to-read manner, deftly describing the events at hand. Know more about Gerald Ford and this era in our history.
"Ford is one of the most underrated presidents, but he was able to steady the nation after Nixon and Watergate and made peace in Vietnam. Donald Rumsfeld captures the essence of Ford and brings it home. "When the Center Held" is a quite a magnificent book that should be read by every American." quoted by Jean Edward Smith.
Rumsfeld was the thirteenth and twenty-first United States Secretary of Defenses. He currently chairs the Rumsfeld Foundation, which supports leadership and public service at home and the growth of free political and free economic systems abroad. He and his wife Joyce have three children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Highly Recommend.
August 30, 2018
This was pretty interesting. I admit that I didn't know much about Ford before reading this book. I'm certain that Rumsfeld's views are colored by his friendship with and respect for Ford as well as his own political views. But I still felt that Rumsfeld portrayed Ford as a person with both strengths and weaknesses...a president who stepped up and filled a role that he never sought to the best of his ability at a time when the country was reeling. There were a lot of things that I found really interesting and several things that I found quite noteworthy...such as Ford's real efforts to be open with and build a positive rapport with the media. That didn't always work in his favor, but I appreciate that he recognized the importance of the media.
Ford appears to have been a humble man. I loved several tributes paid to him in the afterword. His son summed up his philosophy of life and politics in this way: If you can't lose as graciously as you had planned to win, then you shouldn't be in the thing in the first palce.
Rumsfeld writes, "Every one who was Jerry Ford's friend when he entered the White House remained a friend when he left it; an achievement that is all too rare in Washington D.C."
Years later, one person said, "He was the President we always wanted that we never knew we had." He was honest, hardworking, humble and genuinely did his best to hold the country together during a very difficult time. A friend said, "He was one of us." He held the highest office in the country yet never became proud or aloof.
Ford appears to have been a humble man. I loved several tributes paid to him in the afterword. His son summed up his philosophy of life and politics in this way: If you can't lose as graciously as you had planned to win, then you shouldn't be in the thing in the first palce.
Rumsfeld writes, "Every one who was Jerry Ford's friend when he entered the White House remained a friend when he left it; an achievement that is all too rare in Washington D.C."
Years later, one person said, "He was the President we always wanted that we never knew we had." He was honest, hardworking, humble and genuinely did his best to hold the country together during a very difficult time. A friend said, "He was one of us." He held the highest office in the country yet never became proud or aloof.
October 30, 2018
If the reader can ignore the acts of the author and his frequently-mentioned compatriot Dick Cheney beyond their tenure in the Ford Administration, the reader (me) finds a captivating account of a statesman unlike any other we've seen since. My father was lamenting the apparent disappearance of staunchly centrist Republicans (or, to invoke the title of Michigan Governor William Milliken's biography, "passionate moderates") from the national stage. This book should fuel that nostalgia, despite the messenger. When compared with the excellent recent biography of Betty Ford, I must agree with my colleagues who observed that they always found her the more captivating Ford. Nevertheless, this is an engaging first-hand account of a brief tenure in the White House.
July 8, 2018
I picked up this book because I was going to the Ford Museum (Grand Rapids) and needed a refresher on Ford’s presidency before I did the library. Rumsfeld did a decent job of giving the background leading up to the presidency and also did a good job in talking about Ford’s presidential campaign. In my opinion he fell down in talking about the president’s term. I suspect this is because for a good part of it he was Chief of Staff and then Secretary of Defense so much of that section of the book contains what Rumsfeld said/did in relation to the President.
July 29, 2018
Fascinating book about an underrated president. A good and decent man who took the battered rudder of the ship of state and righted it. Thank you President Ford and thank you Secretary Rumsfeld for this terrific insiders' look.
May 4, 2019
Just not that interesting. There are interesting moments, but then plenty of dry patches, as the reader is told basic stuff about the Seventies. A disappointment.
June 30, 2021
Donald Rumsfeld paints an intimate picture of life inside the Ford administration. A book that comes to you with the guise of picking up the pieces of the presidency after the Watergate scandal- which it certainly does cover- the reader is treated to more. Giving justice to the particularly tough political and economic landscape that Ford was thrust into the presidency during, When the Center Held is a tale of the hope, responsibility, and civility of Gerald Ford at a time when the nation needed it most.
June 8, 2023
Boring in a soothing kind of way, rather like Ford himself (apparently). While I appreciated this as primary history since Rumsfeld was there for these historical events, he is a shit writer and his modifiers are more than misplaced ("importantly" is not a word to be inserted willy-nilly into a sentence).
December 27, 2024
Loved the balance of personal and critical.
July 22, 2020
I can't believe how good this book was! Gerald Ford is always looked over as a president, but what an interesting guy. I will definitely be checking out with autobiography soon.
April 2, 2023
Another fine book on a under appreciated President Ford. When politicians thought of what was best for the country and not themselves or political parties. When both sides could disagree and still be civil with each other.
How I long for better times.
How I long for better times.
February 22, 2021
“He was the president we always wanted that we didn’t know we had.”
With the Super Bowl this weekend, the football metaphor only seems appropriate. On the field, the center is the position the holds things together. It’s under-appreciated by fans and its importance cannot be overstated. The center paves the way for glory of the quarterback and running back.
Gerald Ford was indeed a center in college when he played football at Michigan; but then later while he was president (the only POTUS never elected to be President or Vice President) he played the same position for the politics of the nation.
Donald Rumsfeld, Ford’s Chief of Staff and then Secretary of Defense, decided to capture the vital role Gerry Ford played in the history of the presidency with this book that is technically a memoir, but feels more like narrative history.
Though Ford is often forgotten in our collective national memory, he served an important 2.5 years at the helm. He was quick to forgive Nixon, which was widely criticized, and possibly cost him the ‘76 election, but also did indeed serve to restore some unity and dignity to the office of the president. Ford was also responsible for getting the last American soldiers out of Vietnam—we’ve seen today how tough it is to get out of a warzone.
Frankly, I was surprised by how good this book was. I don’t expect much from political memoirs, but there just isn’t much out there about Ford, so I went with it. Though Rumsfeld is obviously biased in his warmth towards our 38th president, he also readily outlines where he disagreed with Ford’s decisions and policies.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. It was remarkably easy-reading (in a good way) and I don’t hesitate recommending it to anyone with even just a casual enjoyment of history and American politics.
With the Super Bowl this weekend, the football metaphor only seems appropriate. On the field, the center is the position the holds things together. It’s under-appreciated by fans and its importance cannot be overstated. The center paves the way for glory of the quarterback and running back.
Gerald Ford was indeed a center in college when he played football at Michigan; but then later while he was president (the only POTUS never elected to be President or Vice President) he played the same position for the politics of the nation.
Donald Rumsfeld, Ford’s Chief of Staff and then Secretary of Defense, decided to capture the vital role Gerry Ford played in the history of the presidency with this book that is technically a memoir, but feels more like narrative history.
Though Ford is often forgotten in our collective national memory, he served an important 2.5 years at the helm. He was quick to forgive Nixon, which was widely criticized, and possibly cost him the ‘76 election, but also did indeed serve to restore some unity and dignity to the office of the president. Ford was also responsible for getting the last American soldiers out of Vietnam—we’ve seen today how tough it is to get out of a warzone.
Frankly, I was surprised by how good this book was. I don’t expect much from political memoirs, but there just isn’t much out there about Ford, so I went with it. Though Rumsfeld is obviously biased in his warmth towards our 38th president, he also readily outlines where he disagreed with Ford’s decisions and policies.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. It was remarkably easy-reading (in a good way) and I don’t hesitate recommending it to anyone with even just a casual enjoyment of history and American politics.
August 3, 2018
Not a comprehensive detailed history of the Ford Presidency, but in some ways, better. It's the reminiscences of former congressional colleague, aide to a number of presidents, and friend, Donald Rumsfeld. A valuable overview of an understudied President and his key decisions during an extremely turbulent time for America's political culture. While history did not grant Jerry Ford his own term in office, one gets the sense that he was the right person in the Presidency at the right time. A man of integrity and courage is what this country needed. Rumsfeld's chapter on the pardon of Nixon reveals that Ford's decision, whether one agreed with it or not at the time (and most disagreed with it) was likely the most non-political decision a modern President has ever made. He did what he thought was right, without any political calculation. People today would hail a non-self-serving decision as one of integrity. A very interesting read about a very volatile period, politically.
September 22, 2018
It was really nice to get the perspective of an inside voice in the Ford administration. While this is by no means in depth, and Rumsfeld firmly advocates centrist ideology, it is a book that really tries to examine everything that Gerald Ford was thinking, wrestling with, and going through during his unelected term in office.
June 25, 2018
Very enlightening and informative. A must read for history buffs.
August 29, 2020
As I continue my journey through biographies of American Presidents, I struggled to find a good one about Gerald Ford. I had to reach out to my friend Patrick Butler, who early in his career was a speechwriter in the Ford Administration. I am grateful that he pointed me to "When the Center Held: Gerald Ford and the Rescue of the American Presidency" by Donald Rumsfeld.
The book does what you would expect of a Ford biography, sharing details about his surprising elevation to the executive office upon the resignation of Richard Nixon, to the pardon, his legislative agenda, the assassination attempts, and the loss to Jimmy Carter. But what makes this a most enjoyable read is that it is written by the man who served as Ford's Chief of Staff. One of the elements of the book that I enjoyed the most were the snippets of summaries that Rumsfeld wrote as memos to himself and others to make sure that the President's statements and wishes were memorialized. They add fascinating texture to the stories that Rumsfeld tells.
Rumsfeld writes, "Ford's kindness, midwestern politeness, and willingness to put other people's interests ahead of his own were so distinctive." He praises the President's "honesty, integrity, and basic human decency."
Among the most interesting stories of the book detail the fall of Vietnam and Ford's push against opposition to make sure that refugees from South Vietnam could find a home in the United States.
While it is clear that Rumsfeld has great admiration for Ford, the stories he tells are candid and share the strengths and weaknesses of the Administration.
Comparing politics and the Ford years in the White House to what we are experiencing now, seems like a different country and centuries apart. While I used to think of this Administration as a placeholder, I now have far more respect for the Ford presidency, having read this book.
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
"With all the challenges he was facing as one who had never run for the office, President Ford was too preoccupied with the problems of the present to set forth "a long view." in other words, one of the most significant disadvantages of his instant presidency was that he was never afforded an opportunity to map out his own distinct vision for America's role.
But even in his short tenure, Ford made a series of decisions that arguably helped set the stage for America's Cold War victory. For the better part of his first year in office, President Ford achieved an admirable record on human rights, a record that, to his credit, he built of his own volition and even more to his credit because more often than not it was forged against the admonitions of some in the State Department.
Everyone who was Jerry Ford's friend when he entered the White House remained a friend when he left it - an achievement that is all too rare in Washington DC. In time, of course, the American people would come to value Ford's admirable qualities and appreciate his long service. He was, as one observer put it, the President we always wanted that we didn't know we had.
The book does what you would expect of a Ford biography, sharing details about his surprising elevation to the executive office upon the resignation of Richard Nixon, to the pardon, his legislative agenda, the assassination attempts, and the loss to Jimmy Carter. But what makes this a most enjoyable read is that it is written by the man who served as Ford's Chief of Staff. One of the elements of the book that I enjoyed the most were the snippets of summaries that Rumsfeld wrote as memos to himself and others to make sure that the President's statements and wishes were memorialized. They add fascinating texture to the stories that Rumsfeld tells.
Rumsfeld writes, "Ford's kindness, midwestern politeness, and willingness to put other people's interests ahead of his own were so distinctive." He praises the President's "honesty, integrity, and basic human decency."
Among the most interesting stories of the book detail the fall of Vietnam and Ford's push against opposition to make sure that refugees from South Vietnam could find a home in the United States.
While it is clear that Rumsfeld has great admiration for Ford, the stories he tells are candid and share the strengths and weaknesses of the Administration.
Comparing politics and the Ford years in the White House to what we are experiencing now, seems like a different country and centuries apart. While I used to think of this Administration as a placeholder, I now have far more respect for the Ford presidency, having read this book.
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
"With all the challenges he was facing as one who had never run for the office, President Ford was too preoccupied with the problems of the present to set forth "a long view." in other words, one of the most significant disadvantages of his instant presidency was that he was never afforded an opportunity to map out his own distinct vision for America's role.
But even in his short tenure, Ford made a series of decisions that arguably helped set the stage for America's Cold War victory. For the better part of his first year in office, President Ford achieved an admirable record on human rights, a record that, to his credit, he built of his own volition and even more to his credit because more often than not it was forged against the admonitions of some in the State Department.
Everyone who was Jerry Ford's friend when he entered the White House remained a friend when he left it - an achievement that is all too rare in Washington DC. In time, of course, the American people would come to value Ford's admirable qualities and appreciate his long service. He was, as one observer put it, the President we always wanted that we didn't know we had.
July 26, 2019
Donald Rumsfeld was a friend of Gerald Ford, having met him in 1962, when both served in Congress. Ford called on 'Rummy' to be his Chief of Staff shortly after Nixon resigned and Ford took the oath of office. Rumsfeld later became Ford's Secretary of Defense and remained a good friend until Ford died.
This book completes a tribute that Rumsfeld owed his former boss and long-time friend. It is based mostly on thousands of memos written while serving in Ford's administration. Through it, you get a good feeling for the issues of the time and how the 'accidental president' made them.
Through much of the book, Rumsfeld focuses on policy and gives little sense of the man. And, Rumsfeld being Rumsfeld, the word 'I' is never far from his pen. But in the Epilogue and the Acknowledgements, his affection for Gerald Ford becomes clear.
Nonetheless, the modesty of the man comes through clearly. Few men who have held the office have been as humble or as considerate of others. His reaction to the loss of the 1976 election stands in stark contrast to what the current occupant of the White House has offerred: "The President was not bitter. There were no recriminations. He cast no blame on others."
Ford became president when this country needed healing and to be brought back together. When the Center Held shows that we were fortunate to find Ford. He was the right man in the right office at the right time. Can we find such a leader again?
This book completes a tribute that Rumsfeld owed his former boss and long-time friend. It is based mostly on thousands of memos written while serving in Ford's administration. Through it, you get a good feeling for the issues of the time and how the 'accidental president' made them.
Through much of the book, Rumsfeld focuses on policy and gives little sense of the man. And, Rumsfeld being Rumsfeld, the word 'I' is never far from his pen. But in the Epilogue and the Acknowledgements, his affection for Gerald Ford becomes clear.
Nonetheless, the modesty of the man comes through clearly. Few men who have held the office have been as humble or as considerate of others. His reaction to the loss of the 1976 election stands in stark contrast to what the current occupant of the White House has offerred: "The President was not bitter. There were no recriminations. He cast no blame on others."
Ford became president when this country needed healing and to be brought back together. When the Center Held shows that we were fortunate to find Ford. He was the right man in the right office at the right time. Can we find such a leader again?
November 26, 2018
Rumsfeld worked as Ford’s Chief and Staff and then Secretary of Defense, so this book reads as part-memoir, part-presidential history. One of the more unique aspects of the book is Rumsfeld’s use of his personal memos he wrote while working for Ford. These provide rich insight into how the Ford presidency functioned. The book is a sympathetic account of the trying days of the Ford White House: his ascendency to office in the turmoil of Watergate, dealing with a troublesome economy, and navigating foreign policy. It also put a human side to all of the complicated political relationships during the period, especially Ford and his VP Nelson Rockefeller as well as his primary challenger, Governor Ronald Reagan. Presidential history nerds like myself will appreciate the intimate details and personal flourish of Rumsfeld, but it is not a scholarly account—nor does it try to be. It was a quick, enjoyable read and I learned so much more about Ford and some of the most critical days in American history.
November 5, 2018
This was a surprisingly good book. I was skeptical because I didn't like the title because I thought "Center" was a reference to politics, when in fact it was a reference to his position on the Michigan football team. I enjoyed the book and learning more about Ford, but he remains one of the least favorite presidents of my lifetime. I viewed him as a weak president then, and still do. Then again, maybe a weak president is what we needed under the circumstances. Having said that, I voted for Carter and have always regretted it since he is one I liked less than Ford. Perhaps winning the Presidency in 1976 would have given Ford an opportunity to show greater strength in the office. We'll never know
November 15, 2020
Book by the former two-time Defense secretary surprised me. I was expecting a dry, weedy biography of the 38th president and the intricacies of every decision he made, but the author did not try to do too much. Instead, he concentrated on Ford’s 900-plus day presidential term, and he turned out a very readable, not overly lengthy, warm remembrance of a man he considered good and decent and right for the volatile time following Richard Nixon’s resignation. Here and there, he is critical, which keeps him from being sappy, and he seems to pat himself on the back for advice he gave Ford. But overall this is a very good addition to the record on a probably unappreciated president.
February 28, 2021
Very much enjoyed this book, largely because it filled in a period of history I have always been unfamiliar with (as I was just entering elementary school at the time of his presidency), and because of the character of Gerald Ford himself. In its pages I learned first to appreciate, then to admire, the man who through a remarkable series of events became the unelected Vice President, then President of the United States. Gerald Ford is remembered for his humility, self-deprecating sense of humor, easygoing nature, kindness, and loyalty to his friends on either side of the aisle. So many lessons for politicians (and citizens) to learn in our day. Highly recommended.
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