This is a fascinating read on Betty Ford. This book really honors this amazing woman. You can tell it was really well researched. This story told her story and explained how she was so much more than just a First Lady.

Betty Ford would be proud of this wonderful book. It is insightful and tastefully done in a beautiful reminder of our former First Lady. I found out new information about First Lady Ford that I didn't know and also got to understand this wonderful woman a bit better.

Filled with great facts and thoroughly researched this book weaves together the facts to turn an interesting tale of a wonderful topic into a must read.

This was such as fascinating read. Betty Ford was a strong woman and an inspiration to those living with struggles. This book was a compassionate look into her life.

I really appreciated the insight this book provided into Ford's life. While I found the pacing a little hard to follow, I still learned a lot and will be asking my students to engage with this text.

This is a biography of Betty Ford - dancer, wife, mother, advocate, addict and survivor. It briefly outlines her childhood and then details her romance with Gerald Ford. Together, the two moved to D.C., where Ford served first in Congress and later in the White House. It tells how Betty began taking pills under doctor's guidance while drinking a cocktail or two at night. It also details the family's intervention and Betty's struggle with sobriety.

What a character! I knew nothing about Betty Ford before picking up this book. I was inspired by her unflinching honesty and willingness to put first her cancer scare and then her addition on center stage. The book was will written and well paced. I found myself reading late into the night. 5 out of 5 stars.

“Betty Ford: First Lady, Women's Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer” by Lisa McCubbin provides an intimate look at one of America’s most beloved First Ladies. Complex and independent, Betty was a dancer before marriage, divorcee, a woman when asked about sex with her husband, the President, said she enjoyed it as often as possible. A vocal ERA supporter even when her husband was not. A breast cancer survivor and advocate. An alcoholic/prescription drug addict who entered recovery reluctantly but ultimately made admitting one’s addiction publicly acceptable, and founded the Betty Ford Clinic that helped thousands achieve sobriety. I highly recommend this compelling bio that captures Betty Ford’s great spirit and heart. 5/5

Pub Date 11 Sep 2018

Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinins are fully mine.

#BettyFord #NetGalley

I don’t read biographies all that often but for some reason this one jumped out at me when I was browsing NetGalley. I’m glad I got the opportunity to read this one and learn more about Betty Ford. She was First Lady for only a short time, not even a full presidential term, but in that time she made a significant impact.

She was both traditional and progressive - two things that you wouldn’t think could be reconciled yet she managed to pull it off quite well. Betty Ford gave up her lifelong dream of her own career in dancing to get married and have children – which was the expectation at that time. She was a mother and housewife who supported and followed her husband’s career. Yet, she supported the ERA and Roe v. Wade and even spoke out in support of premarital sex (a big deal in the 70’s). She lifted the stigma from breast cancer, alcoholism and drug addiction by sharing her own personal struggles. She saved countless lives by opening up about her own experiences, as well as, opening The Betty Ford Center. I could go on and on.

There were some parts of the book that were a little slow and a little too saccharine but overall I really enjoyed this biography. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While this book just skims the surface, it's a wonderful read about the first lady, Betty Ford. I was too young to really remember living when the Fords were in office, and I had no clue about all of the accomplishments that Betty herself did for our country. I love how she stood on her own morals and ground, even if it didn't always fit with the Republican party. While reading this I realized just how polarized we are as a nation. Back then the parties were still divided but they also worked together for the greater good of the people. Underneath this personal story of being a first lady, mother, activist, recovering alcoholic, etc is also a great love story. Betty and Gerald had a great love and respect for each other, their family, and for all of the citizens of the United States. This rings true throughout the entire book.

Betty Ford was so much more than a First Lady, as she was actively involved in women's rights, substance abuse, and breast cancer work. The famous Betty Ford clinics were co-founded by Betty Ford after she bravely came forward with her own substance abuse issues. The author spoke to all of Betty's children when writing this well researched biography.

Lisa McCubbin wrote a beautifully touching book about one of the most modern and influential First Ladies that this nation has ever had. Growing up in the early 80's, I did not know Beatty Ford and this book brilliantly educated me on why she was so beloved and important to our nation... and especially to us women. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for writing a review.

I love reading about first ladies, and I remember Betty Ford's tenure when I was in elementary school. While I was somewhat familiar with her accomplishments, this biography goes into detail. She was an amazing woman. I had forgotten she started out as a dancer! McCubbin shares Ford's trailblazing work on women's rights, breast cancer and substance abuse. What's so admirable about Ford is that she met her personal pain and struggles head on and used those experiences to help others. No matter your politics, you come away from this book with deep admiration for the former first lady.

This is a nice biography of Betty Ford, however it lacks depth. The author skims across the surface, just like a stone skipping across water, not adding any depth to the subject. Ford wrote two autobiographies so there was a plethora of material to mine. This biography appears to be more along the lines of a campaign piece: meet the candiidate's wife, but keep it light. I do admire Ford's temerity and outspokenness at a time when that wasn't condoned. I had no idea the woman had been a walking pharmacy for years.

This was an amazing look at Betty Ford. I think I have a new understanding of her. You have to admire her for her struggles. I think I have a slightly different view of the Fords now. Really nice book. Sometimes you read a book about someone famous and it feels like the author is dwelling on the negative parts of that persons life. This book didn’t feel like that at all

Even though Betty Ford was First Lady during my lifetime, I did not remember much about her. Reading about her life was inspiring. I loved her honesty and courage to show up as just "Betty." She opened important doors for women and for all who suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol. I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched important story!

People who are interested in Biographies / Autobiographies and Memoirs will want to read this book! This book was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I give this book 5 stars. Provided to me through NetGalley. Thank You!

What a great read. Loved reading about Betty Ford and her background. Touching and super interesting. Made me love and respect the Fords. Nice book.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.