No Such Thing as a Bad Day: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Hamilton Jordan (Author), Jimmy Carter (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2001

Part memoir, part cancer survival story, this New York Times bestseller recounts the political adventures and personal struggles of former White House Chief-of-Staff Hamilton Jordan.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Political reflections mingle with cancer war stories in this memoir by former presidential aide Jordan. In the last two decades of the 20th century, after serving as Jimmy Carter's chief of staff, Jordan (who caused a scandal in the Carter White House when it was reported that he'd used cocaine and insulted the wife of the Egyptian ambassador at a state dinner--charges he unequivocally denies) was diagnosed with cancer--three times. A strong advocate for aggressive treatments--he chose chemotherapy for his lymphoma and surgical removal of his prostate for his prostate cancer (his third bout of cancer involved a skin lesion, which was removed)--Jordan reflects on the lessons he's learned while surviving cancer. He gives his "ten top tips for cancer patients"; advises others to research their prognosis and treatment and to find experienced physicians; and advocates investigating the mind/body connection (studies have shown, he notes, that patients with strong relationships and a positive attitude survive longer). Along the way, he emphasizes his belief that his treatments were successful because he took responsibility for his medical care. But he also reflects on his life more generally: convinced that his cancers were caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, Jordan takes some time to discuss the war as well as his southern Georgia childhood and his political career. He thoughtfully contrasts his beloved, but racist, father with a cousin who was a civil rights activist, and he also settles some old scores in a somewhat mean-spirited fashion--including one with President Clinton, whom he clearly dislikes. Although artlessly written and at times randomly assembled, this book is a quirky, feisty addition to the growing stack of memoirs by late-20th-century presidential aides. 100,000 first printing; 6-city author tour. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Although Jordan, who served as President Carter's chief-of-staff, dislikes having his old boss described as our most effective ex-president, Jordan's most important accomplishments have also occurred after his Washington years. Jordan endured three attacks of cancer by the time he was 50--a near-fatal lymphoma as well as prostate and skin cancer--and has beaten them all. He offers cancer sufferers and their families ways to combat the disease by, in part, being positive and proactive. Cancer's shadow hung over Jordan long before he was first diagnosed in 1985. His father died from prostate cancer and his mother from lung cancer, while the President he served lost his three siblings to pancreatic cancer. Here, Jordan offers descriptions of his three bouts with cancer, interspersed with anecdotes about his life, including his tour as a civilian volunteer in Vietnam (where his exposure to Agent Orange may have caused his cancers) and the story of Camp Sunshine, the camp for cancer-stricken children he founded with his wife, a pediatric oncology nurse, three years before his first attack. Jordan's sound, upbeat advice makes this a good choice for public libraries.
-Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Longstreet Press; 1 edition (September 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156352578X
• ISBN-13: 978-1563525780
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book--a story of courage and hope, April 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: No Such Thing as a Bad Day: A Memoir (Hardcover)

My son-in-law gave me a copy of this book and I could not put it down. Mr Jordon's message is one that we could all use and learn from. What a journey this man has had--from a brush with the civil rights movement as a child, service in Vietnam, White House chief-of staff, and later, three battles with cancer.

I wish I could convey how much this book touched me. I would highly encourage anyone who is looking for an inspirational voice to read this book. It will make you laugh, cry, and teach you something about our country. Ulimately, it will give lessons about life and how precious it is.

Thank you, Mr. Jordan.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pleasantly suprised!, April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: No Such Thing as a Bad Day: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I am not a very big book person, although I still like to look in to books my friends recommend to me...however, I usually never find them that interesting. After several of my friends had all passed around one advance copy of this book and loved it, they insisted that I start it. Not only was it the first book I have completed in three years (the last was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), but it only took me 2 days (a record for me). What further AMAZES me is that myself or no one I know has had cancer problems before, and I previously knew nothing of Jordan's political history, but the book was still engrossing. The author has the ability to write with a simplicity that appeals to ALL readers, no matter what their interests are. PLEASE, GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK! I am absolutely SURE you will love it. Thanks!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Won't Be Able to Put This Book Down, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: No Such Thing as a Bad Day: A Memoir (Hardcover)

Being a southerner myself, and also having almost every single male member of my family die of cancer, this book really hit home for me. It is inspirational and full of hope. I think Mr. Jordan's legacy will not be his time in politics, but more importantly it will be his own life story and the war he and his family have waged against cancer. The book is uplifting and entertaining. The political history itself makes the book a fascinating read, but the real story is Mr. Jordan's successful battles with cancer. I am so glad that I had an opportunity to read this book, and I truly believe that it will inspire anyone who picks it up. I guarantee you won't be able to put it down- I couldn't!