Description
Showcasing more than 65 high-resolution, mostly never-before-published, official White House photographs and documents, Bill Brockett’s memoir, “Follow The Yellow Line: A soldier’s journey from the Selective Service Induction Center to the White House Oval Office”, tells a most unique story of a Vietnam-era Army draftee who became a trusted confidante of the President of the United States.
Assigned to the White House Communications Agency one month before President Richard Nixon’s resignation, Bill is believed to be the only person, living or dead, to have physically attended all four major events at the White House on August 8–9, 1974…Mr. Nixon’s resignation speech, his farewell address to the White House Staff the following morning, the Nixon’s final South Lawn helicopter departure, and the swearing in of the new president, Gerald Ford.
By November of 1974, Bill had taken on the additional duty of training the president’s new 8-month-old puppy, a Golden Retriever named “Liberty.” In early 1975, the president called Bill at home, very excited about breeding Liberty and raising a litter of puppies in the White House. Although just a sergeant in the Army at the time, Bill emphatically told the president “No” when asked if he would help, explaining that liberty was far too young to be bred. Three days later, after a very brief meeting with Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld, Bill met privately with Mr. Ford and was offered a third job, that of unofficial personal advisor to the president.
Six months later, Bill accompanied Liberty to Oregon, where she was bred to a stud dog of Bill’s choosing. On September 1, at the Ford’s request, Bill and his wife moved into the White House to assist with the birth and raising of Liberty’s nine puppies. During the time that Bill lived with the Fords, two assassination attempts were made on the president. Bill discusses these with facts that have never been pieced together or published before, showing just how close the first attempt actually was to being successful.
Bill remained friends with the Fords after the White House, attending both of their memorial services in Palm Desert, California, the First Day of Issue ceremony for the Ford stamp, and the christening of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford.
The experiences Bill had, and the easy-to-read, often conversational way he shares them, make for a compelling read for anyone interested in the White House, the “unseen” presidency, and a great man’s love story with his dog.
bbrockett –
“Bill… From what you and I talked about during your [oral history] interview so long ago, I believe you have the makings of a very interesting book.”
— Ken Hafeli, Former Chief Audiovisual Archivist, Ford Presidential Library
bbrockett –
“Wow! Simply wow! You know I read an awful lot, and your draft stands up in quality and content to the best of what I have read—ever. I felt your journey and the thread of personal drive that made it happen. You should be PROUD! I sure am proud to say “My friend wrote that,” and even more proud to say “My friend lived that.”
— John Gove, Sun Valley, Idaho
bbrockett –
“This book is an immersive, eyewitness account of executive power transition during one of our nation’s most turbulent times, and the man who ascended to lead America with grace and humility.
Discover an insider’s story of Gerald Ford’s presidency, including his enduring love of man’s best friend, his Golden Retriever named Liberty.
Author Bill Brockett saw it all and shares it in this marvelous book, bringing to life the fullness of a wonderful president.”
—Steven Maggi, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and podcaster
bbrockett –
“During most of the Ford administration, Bill Brockett was an integral member of the White House staff. His position was very unique indeed. He was as close as anyone to a very special member of the Ford family—the President’s dog, Liberty.
Because of the care and extensive training provided by Bill, Liberty adjusted very well to life at the White House and visitors to the Oval Office. Thanks to Bill’s work with her, Liberty spent a lot of time with the President and certainly provided him the type of companionship only a beloved dog can. I know the Ford family deeply appreciated that and all of Bill‘s efforts.”
— Nancy Chirdon Forster, Personal Secretary to First Lady Betty Ford
bbrockett –
“It took a lot of research for you to write this—all the documents and fact-checking. I believe it had to be written because you were the only person who saw what you did. It is a very good read and I commend you for it. You did an excellent job telling your story!”
—Gary Knipling, DVM, Veterinarian to Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan