Events at the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, 2018
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National Security in Threatening Times
ANN ARBOR--JJ Green gave a thought-provoking talk on “National Security in Threatening Times,” discussing the most pivotal national security issues in our country’s history and today. Green is the winner of the 2017 Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense, and a correspondent at WTOP radio, specializing in global security matters.
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Inside Camp David: The Private World of the Presidential Retreat
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Nixon’s Back Channel to Moscow
ANN ARBOR--Richard A. Moss, an Associate Professor at the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the US Naval War College and author of Nixon's Back Channel to Moscow: Confidential Diplomacy and Détente, explored the creation and evolution of President Nixon's diplomatic back channel with the Soviet Union. |
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Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
ANN ARBOR--Tom Tudor presented a moving and informative narrative on one of our nation’s most hallowed ground, and shared his personal connection with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as he recalled his time as a sentinel and relief commander standing watch over the historic site. |
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Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer
GRAND RAPIDS AND ANN ARBOR--Lisa McCubbin spoke about her newly-released, first full-length biography of Betty Ford, Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer. Lisa shared her insights into a woman whose life she researched for over two years, drawing on materials and staff expertise at both the Ford Library and the Museum, and augmenting that with observations and insights from more than 75 interviews with people who knew her at various stages of her life. |
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Ambition, Pragmatism and Party
GRAND RAPIDS AND ANN ARBOR-- Dr. Scott Kaufman, chair of the Department of History at Francis Marion University, spoke at both the Museum and the Library about his newest book, Ambition, Pragmatism, and Party: A Political Biography of Gerald R. Ford. Kaufman described Ford as a product of his pragmatic Midwestern roots, a man ambitious to succeed in politics, and “loyal to his party but not a political ideologue.” Kaufman is the author of numerous books on diplomatic, presidential, and military history. |
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First Ladies and American Women
ANN ARBOR-- Dr. Jill Hummer, Associate Professor of political science at Wilson College, explored how the roles of First Ladies were affected by backgrounds, personalities, ambitions, and relationships with their spouses, which in turn shaped their impact on society and the broader political context of their times. |
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Economics and the Presidency
ANN ARBOR-- Economist and Ford Foundation Trustee, Brian Becker, presented a well-attended talk on presidents and the key economic issues that defined their times and often impacted their success. |
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Raven Rock GRAND RAPIDS AND ANN ARBOR-- Speaking about his book, Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself--While the Rest of Us Die, Garrett Graff described an eye-opening true story of the government’s secret plans to survive and rebuild after a catastrophic attack on U.S. soil -- a narrative that spans from the dawn of the nuclear age to today. |
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Obama: The Call of History
ANN ARBOR-- The Library presented a talk by New York Times Chief White House Correspondent Peter Baker on his new book, Obama: The Call of History, a vivid and in-depth illustrated account of Barack Obama's eight years in office. In his talk, Baker provided an insightful overview of Barack Obama's accomplishments and disappointments during his presidency and how his legacy has begun to evolve since leaving office. In addition, Baker highlighted many photographs from his book during his presentation, which truly brought his story to life. |
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Ringed By Fire: The Siege of Khe Sahn
GRAND RAPIDS AND ANN ARBOR-- Colonel (ret.) Richard Camp brought the realities of the Vietnam War to the lecture halls at both the Museum and the Library. In 1968, Company Commander Dick Camp helped hold the line in one of the Marine Corp's seminal battles at The Siege of Khe Sahn. This event was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the 1968 Tet Offensive, one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. |
Rock Radio, Power and Politics
GRAND RAPIDS -- Tony Gates, Steve Aldrich, and Ed Buchanan took the stage with moderator Dr. Edwin Martini (Associate Dean WMU) to dive into each panelists stories about how being a DJ during the 1970s influenced the political sphere in Grand Rapids, Michigan. |