Write It When I'm Gone

The New York Times bestseller?and the candid voice of an American president

In 1974, Newsweek correspondent Thomas M. DeFrank was interviewing Gerald Ford when the Vice President blurted out something astonishingly indiscreet. He then extracted a promise not to publish it. ?Write it when I?m dead,? Ford said? and thus began a thirty-two-year relationship.

During the last fifteen years of their conversations, Ford opened up to DeFrank, speaking in a way few presidents ever have. Here the award-winning journalist reveals these private talks, as Ford discusses his experiences with his fellow presidents, the Warren Commission, and his exchanges with Bill Clinton during the latter?s impeachment process. In addition, he shares his thoughts about both Bush administrations, the Iraq war, his beloved wife Betty, and the frustrations of aging. Write It When I?m Gone is not only a historical document but an unprecedented portrait of a president.Write It When I'm GonePrologue

One. April 1974
Two. Air Force Two
Three. White House Years
Four. New Life/Jerry Ford Inc.
Five. 1991—The First Interview/Nixon
Six. The Reagans
Seven. The Clintons
Eight. Carter, 41, and 43
Nine. Staying in the Game
Ten. Personalities
Eleven. Lifestyles
Twelve. March 2004
Thirteen. Growing Old
Fourteen. Lunch with a Legend—May 11, 2006
Fifteen. November 2006

Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Index

Thomas M. DeFrank is an award-winning journalist and the bestselling author of Write It When I’m Gone: Remarkable Off-the-Record Conversations with Gerald R. Ford. He is a contributing editor for the National Journal. He lives in Washington, DC.