Description
Book SynopsisThis multigenerational memoir sketches the lives of three generations of the author's family that were involved with some of the most profound issues of the twentieth century. Smith's paternal grandfather was present at the creation of General Motors Corporation and served as its Vice President and General Counsel. His maternal grandfather, William G. Maguire, was an entrepreneur and natural gas pipeline pioneer with a visionary grasp of natural gas's significance in the twentieth century American economy. Smith's father served as a senior diplomat under five presidents, working to constrain the nuclear arms race between the United States and Russia and to curtail proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Trade ReviewA thoughtful, often poignant reflection on the lives of three generations of J.T. Smith II’s family, whose careers in the energy sector, the automobile industry, superpower diplomacy, government service, and the law have contributed to the security of the nation and the world. -- Strobe Talbott, president, The Brookings Institution
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1: William George Maguire Chapter 2: John Thomas Smith Chapter 3: More about J.T. Chapter 4: My Father, Gerard C. Smith Chapter 5: Life in Washington in the Early 50s Reflection–Religion and “Last Things” Chapter 6: State Department—Round One Chapter 7: The 60s Chapter 8: J.T.S. II, Yale Years Chapter 9: Romance, Marriage, and Military Service Reflection—A Digression on “Sex” Chapter 10: G.C.S. and Strategic Arms Limitations Chapter 11: J.T.S. II, Initial Public Service Reflection—A Digression by a Member of the First Nuclear Weapons Generation Chapter 12: J.T.S. II, Six Months of Justice Reflection—A Digression on Drinking Chapter 13: G.C.S. in the 1970s Chapter 14: J.T.S. II 1973–1978 Reflection—A Digression on Family and Friends Chapter 15: The 1980s—A Fraught Decade Reflection—A Digression on My Mother Chapter 16: Two Divorces and Three Weddings Reflection—A Digression on Divorce Chapter 17: My Father’s Final Years Reflection—A Digression on Reading Chapter 18: Private Practice Chapter 19: Final Days and Reflections Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index
