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Howard Willens
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The Library presented its first public program of the fall season, featuring Howard Willens, former Warren Commission staff member and author of History Will Prove Us Right: Inside the Warren Commission Report on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy,published in 2013. Then-Congressman Gerald Ford was one of the seven members of the Commission, appointed by President Lyndon Johnson. Of the many books written about the Kennedy assassination, Willens' book is the only one written about the Commission by someone who was part of the three-person management team that supervised the largest criminal investigation ever conducted in the United States. His book is based on extensive personal journal entries made during the course of their investigation, and provides a unique perspective that illustrates the Commission's processes and deliberations. The program, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the Warren Commission Report on September 25, 1964, held a full house audience in rapt attention as Mr. Willens detailed the thoroughness of the Commission's work.
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Howard Willens
View on YouTube
The Library presented its first public program of the fall season, featuring Howard Willens, former Warren Commission staff member and author of History Will Prove Us Right: Inside the Warren Commission Report on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy,published in 2013. Then-Congressman Gerald Ford was one of the seven members of the Commission, appointed by President Lyndon Johnson. Of the many books written about the Kennedy assassination, Willens' book is the only one written about the Commission by someone who was part of the three-person management team that supervised the largest criminal investigation ever conducted in the United States. His book is based on extensive personal journal entries made during the course of their investigation, and provides a unique perspective that illustrates the Commission's processes and deliberations. The program, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the Warren Commission Report on September 25, 1964, held a full house audience in rapt attention as Mr. Willens detailed the thoroughness of the Commission's work.
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President Ford’s Pardon of Richard M. Nixon: a 40-Year Retrospective
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Ken Gormley, Dean of Law at Duquesne University recounted the gripping story of President Fords unexpected pardon of Richard Nixon, revealing facts that are largely unknown to history. Sharing these facts, Gormley adds that, indeed, those who questioned President Fords decision may reevaluate that assessment. The program included clips of Benton Becker, who served as Special Counsel to President Ford and was personally sent by Ford to California to negotiate the terms of the Pardon with Richard Nixon. The evening also featured a special Tom Brokaw recollection piece about this dramatic moment in American history, and Gormleys own filmed interview with President Ford. This interview, occurring several years before Fords death, included the former president discussing his reasons for pardoning Nixon, knowing that it might cause him to lose the presidency in 1976. These dramatic events formed the subject of an informative and fascinating discussion.
Find an Event
President Ford’s Pardon of Richard M. Nixon: a 40-Year Retrospective
View on YouTube
Ken Gormley, Dean of Law at Duquesne University recounted the gripping story of President Fords unexpected pardon of Richard Nixon, revealing facts that are largely unknown to history. Sharing these facts, Gormley adds that, indeed, those who questioned President Fords decision may reevaluate that assessment. The program included clips of Benton Becker, who served as Special Counsel to President Ford and was personally sent by Ford to California to negotiate the terms of the Pardon with Richard Nixon. The evening also featured a special Tom Brokaw recollection piece about this dramatic moment in American history, and Gormleys own filmed interview with President Ford. This interview, occurring several years before Fords death, included the former president discussing his reasons for pardoning Nixon, knowing that it might cause him to lose the presidency in 1976. These dramatic events formed the subject of an informative and fascinating discussion.
Find an Event
President Ford’s Pardon of Richard M. Nixon: a 40-Year Retrospective
View on YouTube
Ken Gormley, Dean of Law at Duquesne University recounted the gripping story of President Fords unexpected pardon of Richard Nixon, revealing facts that are largely unknown to history. Sharing these facts, Gormley adds that, indeed, those who questioned President Fords decision may reevaluate that assessment. The program included clips of Benton Becker, who served as Special Counsel to President Ford and was personally sent by Ford to California to negotiate the terms of the Pardon with Richard Nixon. The evening also featured a special Tom Brokaw recollection piece about this dramatic moment in American history, and Gormleys own filmed interview with President Ford. This interview, occurring several years before Fords death, included the former president discussing his reasons for pardoning Nixon, knowing that it might cause him to lose the presidency in 1976. These dramatic events formed the subject of an informative and fascinating discussion.
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Richard Norton Smith – On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor
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Acclaimed historian, Richard Norton Smith, thrilled full houses as he shared story after story about Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the famous Rockefeller fortune, flamboyant governor of New York, and ultimately President Gerald Fords Vice President. Talking about his spellbinding book: On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller, Smith vividly captured the soaring optimism, polarizing politics and inner turmoil of one of the twentieth centurys most significant politicians, businessmen, and philanthropists. Richard Norton Smith is the former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Smith was a eulogist at funeral services of Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. He also served as a White House intern during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.
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Richard Norton Smith – On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor
View on YouTube
Acclaimed historian, Richard Norton Smith, thrilled full houses as he shared story after story about Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the famous Rockefeller fortune, flamboyant governor of New York, and ultimately President Gerald Fords Vice President. Talking about his spellbinding book: On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller, Smith vividly captured the soaring optimism, polarizing politics and inner turmoil of one of the twentieth centurys most significant politicians, businessmen, and philanthropists. Richard Norton Smith is the former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Smith was a eulogist at funeral services of Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. He also served as a White House intern during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.
Find an Event
Richard Norton Smith – On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor
View on YouTube
Acclaimed historian, Richard Norton Smith, thrilled full houses as he shared story after story about Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the famous Rockefeller fortune, flamboyant governor of New York, and ultimately President Gerald Fords Vice President. Talking about his spellbinding book: On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller, Smith vividly captured the soaring optimism, polarizing politics and inner turmoil of one of the twentieth centurys most significant politicians, businessmen, and philanthropists. Richard Norton Smith is the former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Smith was a eulogist at funeral services of Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. He also served as a White House intern during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.
Find an Event
Richard Norton Smith – On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor
View on YouTube
Acclaimed historian, Richard Norton Smith, thrilled full houses as he shared story after story about Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the famous Rockefeller fortune, flamboyant governor of New York, and ultimately President Gerald Fords Vice President. Talking about his spellbinding book: On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller, Smith vividly captured the soaring optimism, polarizing politics and inner turmoil of one of the twentieth centurys most significant politicians, businessmen, and philanthropists. Richard Norton Smith is the former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Smith was a eulogist at funeral services of Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. He also served as a White House intern during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.
Find an Event
Richard Norton Smith – On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor
View on YouTube
Acclaimed historian, Richard Norton Smith, thrilled full houses as he shared story after story about Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the famous Rockefeller fortune, flamboyant governor of New York, and ultimately President Gerald Fords Vice President. Talking about his spellbinding book: On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller, Smith vividly captured the soaring optimism, polarizing politics and inner turmoil of one of the twentieth centurys most significant politicians, businessmen, and philanthropists. Richard Norton Smith is the former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Smith was a eulogist at funeral services of Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. He also served as a White House intern during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.