About the book
When historian Alfred “Alf” Clayton is invited by an academic journal to record his impressions of the Gerald R. Ford Administration (1974–77), he recalls not the political events of the time but rather a turbulent period of his own sexual past. Alf’s highly idiosyncratic contribution to Retrospect consists not only of reams of unbuttoned personal history but also of pages from an unpublished project of the time, a chronicle of the presidency of James Buchanan (1857–61). The alternating texts mirror each other and tell a story in counterpoint, a frequently hilarious comedy of manners contrasting the erotic etiquette and social dictions of antebellum Washington with those of late-twentieth-century southern New Hampshire. Alf’s style is Nabokovian. His obsessions are vintage Updike.
Editions of Memories of the Ford Administration
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780517154922
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780679416814
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780449912119
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780449221884
- EBook
- ISBN 9780679645948
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9780736624817
Read an Excerpt
When historian Alfred “Alf” Clayton is invited by an academic journal to record his impressions of the Gerald R. Ford Administration (1974–77), he recalls not the political events of the time but rather a turbulent period of his own sexual past. Alf’s highly idiosyncratic contribution to Retrospect consists not only of reams of unbuttoned personal history but also of pages from an unpublished project of the time, a chronicle of the presidency of James Buchanan (1857–61). The alternating texts mirror each other and tell a story in counterpoint, a frequently hilarious comedy of manners contrasting the erotic etiquette and social dictions of antebellum Washington with those of late-twentieth-century southern New Hampshire. Alf’s style is Nabokovian. His obsessions are vintage Updike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Memories of the Ford Administration about?
When historian Alfred “Alf” Clayton is invited by an academic journal to record his impressions of the Gerald R. Ford Administration (1974–77), he recalls not the political events of the time but rather a turbulent period of his own sexual past. Alf’s highly idiosyncratic contribution to Retrospect consists not only of reams of unbuttoned personal history but also of pages from an unpublished project of the time, a chronicle of the presidency of James Buchanan (1857–61). The alternating texts mirror each other and tell a story in counterpoint, a frequently hilarious comedy of manners contrasting the erotic etiquette and social dictions of antebellum Washington with those of late-twentieth-century southern New Hampshire. Alf’s style is Nabokovian. His obsessions are vintage Updike.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Memories of the Ford Administration?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Memories of the Ford Administration?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780517154922
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Memories of the Ford Administration?
John Updike
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Memories of the Ford Administration is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780517154922) and hardcover(ISBN 9780679416814) and paperback(ISBN 9780449912119) and paperback(ISBN 9780449221884) and ebook(ISBN 9780679645948) and audiobook(ISBN 9780736624817)
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You can buy Memories of the Ford Administration from below
Where can I buy Memories of the Ford Administration?