Ghost of a Chance:: A Memoir

Pianist, conductor and composer Duchin's mother died in 1937 when he was only a few days old and he never saw much of his father, famed bandleader Eddie Duchin. In spite of this, he had a privileged childhood, and, as he recalls it here, his life has never been less than charmed. Brought up by Averell Harriman, the former governor of New York, and his wife, Marie, on their estate, he studied music at Hotchkiss and Yale but didn't think seriously of a career until after a carefree year in France and an easy stint in the army. Once he decided to follow in his father's footsteps, however, name and connections made everything easy. Before long, his band was providing music for presidential inauguration balls, state dinners and society events around the world. In this lightweight autobiography written with freelancer Michener, Duchin tells of his life with the Harrimans, his year of bohemian living in Paris, his two marriages and his lifelong association with the rich and famous. The only bitter note is his account of the machinations of Averell Harriman's second wife, Pamela, currently the U.S. ambassador to France, who he claims destroyed his close relationship with his ""second father."" Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (June)