Looking Forward [antikvár]

Introduction fV • ( November 1988 and Beyond It was in January 1977 that I was first bitten by the bug that often bites people who pass the age of fifty: I wanted to tell my story, to relate my experience to others, after a decade that had taken me, my wife Barbara, and our family, from Houston, to Washington, to New York, to Beijing, then to Washington again. The timing couldn't have been better. In January 1967, I'd begun my public career as a congressman. In January 1977, I'd ended it—at least, put it on hold—after serving a year as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. All that was needed was a publisher to suggest, "Have you considered writing a book?" and I was on my way, taking notes and talking into my tape recorder. Then, as often occurs in the life of a book, a funny thing happened on the way to the printer. In July 1980, I became Ronald Reagan's running mate on the Republican national ticket. In January 1981, I was sworn in as Vice President. Still, I like to finish what I start, whether it's political or autobiographical. The idea of completing the book stayed with me. In fact, it expanded over the years to include not only 1967-77 but the years that had gone before—the early experiences that shaped my life, my values, and my philosophy. xi