The first chapter of this brief biography may have been the most important. It tells of his mother leaving his biological father when Ford was very young as a result of abuse at a time when family abuse was accepted more than divorce and how Ford was raised by her and his adoptive father who exemplified hard work ethic, modest means, and commitment to family while his biological father became wealthy but whose only contact with Ford was a detour from a business trip when Ford was in high school.

Regardless of whether you agree with all of Ford's politics, his integrity and good nature were never in question and the story of his political life and Presidency fit into that context. Especially telling was his contrast to Ronald Reagan who of course violated his own 11th commandment of not criticizing fellow Republicans when he ran against Ford in 1976 while Ford was President and then refused to campaign for Ford in the general election, possibly costing Ford the election. Yet 4 years later, Ford dutifully campaigned for Reagan.

I also enjoyed the chapter of Ford's post Presidential retirement including his going against the grain of increased partisanship and support of his wife Betty as she dealt with her struggles with alcoholism. All in all, a very worthwhile read