Reviews (20)

In his own words
For anyone fascinated by the only president in history to resign from office, Richard Nixon in his own words provides the first-hand account of the reasons for the events that triggered a national civil and presidential history crisis. "I saw Watergate as politics pure and simple," Nixon writes, adding he'd "play it tough" because his "enemies" would. But Nixon's downfall is put a part of this extensively written memoir, focusing also on the ex-president's incredible achievements as a peacemaker and his rise to national recognition as a fervent anti-Communist and his about-face in reaching out to the world's two most powerful communist countries (China and the former Soviet Union) once in office. Much of Nixon's own memories have been written in other publications, but this one adds (to a very limited degree) some reasons for the abstracts that were Richard Nixon. He tells us the night of his first presidential race loss to John F. Kennedy was the longest of his life, hinting that the election embittered him the rest of his public life. Yet, 12 years later, in 1972, when he was overwhelmingly endorsed by the American public in one of history's most lopsided presidential races, Nixon admittedly was unable to savor the mandate of the nation's choice, instead caught in some inexplicable dark mood caused by, Nixon profers, the looming storm of Watergate, his party's failure to wrest the House and Senate from the Democrats, or whatever else was at the core of the very man himself. Nixon, in his own words, is a mandatory addition to any Nixon library, and its historical value is apparent even if the reader disagrees with the man's explanation for some of the petty characteristics that brought down what may well have been one of the most productive presidential administrations in history.

Definitely Worth Reading
Nixon's book is excellent reading and a must for all those who appreciate history. He's a good writer, and easy to pick up for the average reader. Scholars will also enjoy it. There's a good chunk of the American Century covered in this tome: he becomes a Congressman in the late 1940s, and you get to learn about HUAC and the Alger Hiss case which made him famous. Then he is quickly a Senator until he's tapped by Ike to be Vice-President. Next his failed presidential bid and governor bid of the '60s. Then the comeback that no one thought was possible. Nixon is really insightful in this book. He spends the most time on his presidency and it's really interesting. It ends after his presidency in the '70s, so you have over 25 years of political history plus his personal life before that. It's a very long book (1000+ pages) but well worth it.

Still impressed with the book
I first read this memoir 20 years ago. I was in my early twenties but even then it caught my interest and held it throughout the whole book. I have recently looked through it again. It's a lengthy tome, but well-written, with good characterization, and details that enlivens events for the reader. It was the first of its genre to turn me onto other presidential memoirs but none I read afterwards ever matched the depth of his.
The book not only describes his personal and family life but key players and world events at the time, a good study in political history now. There was plenty going on during his presidential years, a war abroad and civil unrest at home. He did not end the war as soon as he should have - the memoirs could not dodge this, as well they should not. That fact alone, and the loss of life entailed by it, mattered more to me than Watergate ever did.
But I liked and respected Nixon, even during the Watergate years. And in his memoirs, he was candid about his actions of those days and accepting of the consequences.
Whatever else history may say about him, Richard Nixon had been a major political figure for many years of his life, served his country and cared deeply about it.

Nixon's Take On History
My girlfriend asked me what the heck I was doing reading Nixon's memoirs. I said, "because it's always good to know what the bad guy's are up to." I'm certainly no Nixon fan. I wasn't before I read this book and I'm not now that I've read it. But, like any presidential memoir (LBJ's The Vantage Point is another example), they have to be read not as an impartial historical text but as a political document in which the ex-president attempts to establish his own legacy before his critics have the chance. Nixon's is no different. It's well-written, fairly candid, and, for anyone interested in the amazingly tumultuous times he lived in, very interesting to read his take on his life. Just always remember, though, that this is how HE wanted us to see his life.

Other than Nixon, no man knows his history...
Despite all the garbage that is proliferated about Nixon today, anyone who reads RN's work will see the true Richard Nixon. Although you may detest his politics, you will understand his perspective and why he was motivated to living in the "fishbowl," was an ardent anti-communist, why he bombed Cambodia, and why he disliked the media. Although the reader may disagree with RN, he or she will understand his idealist goals of ending and inaugurating a new era of peace. Unfortunately, watergate happened and the U.S. would not recover until the Reagan administration. A must read for any person interested in Nixon and the work is far more resourceful than any of RN's biographers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The most influencial book I have ever read
Any student of foreign policy simply must read this book. In fact, anyone with a remote interst in international affairs would benefit from its contents. Kissinger presents an honest and intimate assessment of world events from 1968 to early 1973. His comments on personal relationships and candid opinions of world leaders like De Gaul, Mao, Nixon, Brandt, Brezhnev, Gandhi (Indira), Rabin and others are insightful. Kissinger covers world event touching on Vietnam, India/Pakistan relations, Middle Eastern conflicts, Russian and Chinese relationships and domestic affairs among others. The reader is afforded touching personal insight into many events that shaped the cold war world and continue to impact foreign policy today. It is a privlege to read someone with so vast an intellect that is as critical of himself as he is of other policy makers. The book is as often serious as it is funny. Kissinger honestly portrays his personal point of view on all the issues facing him. It is not every day we get to read about the nuances of policy making with such honesty and clarity. Kissinger also provides behind the scene insight into the Nixon presidency and all its ravaging conflicts and triumphs. If world issues and politics interest you then this book will as well.

"The Longest Journey Begins With The First Step"
The title of this review stems from an ancient Chinese proverb. Henry A. Kissinger's book, White House Years is the first of a three-volume trilogy that covers his remarkable career. This initial book begins with his appointment as National Security Advisor to Richard M. Nixon January 1969, and ends with the initialing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. Kissinger lets the reader know early on, they were under no illusions their journey would be easy or joyous.

He paints a vivid picture of Lyndon Johnson at Nixon's inauguration. If a political heavyweight like L.B.J. could be humbled by (sic) "Veetnam" no one could expect an easy time. Nixon, who had made a career of exhorting political opponents to, "Get tough with the Communists," now had his turn. He would either succeed where his predecessors had failed, or share L.B.J.s fate.

A series of opportunities to "get tough" with the Communists soon followed. The Soviets continued to harass Berlin; the Strateg!ic Arms Limitation (SALT) Talks provided critics from the right and left; West German leader Willie Brandt's Ostpolitik threatened the cohesion of the Atlantic Alliance and the Soviets' establishment of a submarine base at Cienfuegos, Cuba created a situation reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, the election of Salvador Allende in Chile threatened to introduce a second, Communist state into the Western Hemisphere. Elsewhere, a crisis was brewing between India and Pakistan, and the powder keg in the Middle East threatened to explode at any time.

All these things occurred while the bulk of our military forces were mired in a seemingly endless stalemate in Vietnam that was tearing our nation apart and steadily draining both our coffers and our national resolve. Any of them had the potential to bring the two nuclear equipped superpowers into direct confrontation at any time. Kissinger calmly states: "Statesmen do not have the right to ask to serve only in simple t!imes." The early '70's were anything but, "simple times."

White House Years is a first-person account from a key player in each of these crises. Kissinger takes us step-for-step through the decision-making process they undertook before each action. These deliberations led to the most spectacular diplomatic initiative of our time: Nixon's historic trip to The Peoples Republic of China! The diplomatic opportunities made possible by this trip still shape our world today. Among other things it made Hanoi serious about negotiating an end to the War in Vietnam.

Dr. Kissinger narrates the maddening, secret negotiations with North Vietnam's Le Duc Tho in Paris. The differences between what the Communists were feeding the Western media and what they were saying behind closed doors makes the reader both loathe and admire them for their political skill. Their efforts finally led to the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. Kissinger sincerely believed South Vietnam would surv!ive. Unfortunately, he was wrong.

White House Years reads like a Greek tragedy. The reader gets excited and then remembers how it all ends. The very secretiveness that produced spectacular successes also sowed the seeds that would lead to Nixon's self-destruction.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the War in Vietnam and/or international relations. The conduct of international diplomacy today is still unquestionably influenced by the events narrated here. I am much better informed for having read it. You will be as well!

A Monumental Work
Dr. Kissinger's book is a must read for those wishing to gain insight into the politics of the diplomatic process. He takes great pains to be fair in his assessment of a number of personalities from President Nixon, to Indira Gandi. Self-observations are modest to the point of self-deprecation. The chapters in which he chronicles the Nixon Administration's involvement in the Vietnam War is worth the price of the book. Mr. Kissinger's observation of this tumultuous time in our history is candid, sometimes sad, but scholarly without being pedantic. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

An enormously entertaining compendium of witticisms, anecdotes, and trivia about Winston Churchill by a former White House speechwriter. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A Delightful Book About A Great Man........
Winston Churchill is one of the greatest men of our or any other time. His intelligence, wit, humor and clarity of thought is well captured in this great little book. It's broken down into several sections and it's a quick read. It's a book that I keep going back to!

Reader from Boston, MA
This book is an excellent compendium of the wit of Winston Churchill. Often acerbic, frequently self-deprecating, but always humorous and witty while exactly on point, Churchill's humor and wit collected in this book would be of great value even to professional comedy writers. The book also tells much about the man, Churchill, himself, and his inner strength, sense of proportion, his mastery of the English language and his uncanny ability to use the English language masterfully and to its maximum affect -- the qualities that made Churchill such an effective and potent world leader during the bleakest days of World War II.

Power of Words in the Majestic Battle of Ideas
In this book, James C. Humes gives his audience an excellent opportunity to conjure up a mental picture of Winston Churchill and his legacy. As a renaissance man, Churchill was more than a skilled politician and a gifted soldier. Perhaps more importantly, Churchill was a man of inspired words, whose work was ultimately crown by the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953. Churchill often was far from politically correct and did not hesitate to say, write and do what he thought was right. Churchill's bluntness did not make him dear to everybody.

Humes first brings to light many of the great thoughts of Churchill in "Observations and Opinions." Humes classifies key words alphabetically without giving context so that readers can easily find a quote of their liking about a specific subject. Some readers might get frustrated about it if they are not familiar with the key milestones in the life and career of Churchill. These readers can read books such as "Churchill a Life", "Churchill a Study in Greatness", "Clementine Churchill The Biography of a Marriage" or "Winston and Clementine The Personal Letters of the Churchills" to fill in the gaps in their knowledge of Churchill for that purpose.

Humes forges ahead in a similar way in "Orations and Perorations", "Coiners of Phrases", "Saints and Sinners" and "Escapades and Encounters." In these sections, Humes is usually very good at giving his audience the context so that readers better understand where Churchill was coming from. Hours of fun and laughter are virtually guaranteed, especially in "Escapades and Encounters."

Churchill's witticism, wisdom and oratory probably reached their climax in the faithful summer of 1940 when Britain stood alone against the Nazi monster. Churchill galvanized by his words and actions the civilized world to soldier on when the horizon seemed hopelessly bleak. As President Franklin Roosevelt said to his aide Harry Hopkins after listening to one of Churchill's radio broadcasts during that period: "As long as that old bastard is in charge, Britain will never surrender." The words of Churchill will continue to resonate for a long time in the heart and soul of humanity. Churchill's words will further shine like diamonds in the night when humanity loses hope from time to time.

Your finest hours will be spent reading this book!!!
Be forewarned. The words of Sir Winston Churchill are not for everyone. If you are too timid, sensitive, politically correct, Victorian in outlook, or do not drink, you are not the ideal audience for this book. However, if you love stirring speeches, great epigrams, and explosive wit, then Winston is your man. Divided into several sections, the first deals with epigrams concerning subjects in general, for example; History--"A nation that forgets its past has no future." The next section deals with excepts from his most famous speeches: Their Finest Hour, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, etc. Then, Coiner of Phrases, a section dealing with famous words or sayings first attributed to him, such as Destroyer, for "light search and destroy vessel." Next, Saints and Sinners, a section reserved for his opinions of the great (and nearly great) of the world; his opinion of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George: "He could talk a bird out of a tree." Finally, the last (and best) section, Escapades and Encounters (aka Winston's Wit). Yes, here we have the famous Lady Nancy Astor story (I won't spoil it for you here), another famous (and politically incorrect) encounter with Labourite Bessie Braddock, and the hilarous story The World Is Not My Oyster, in which the eighty-six year old Churchill blames his indisposition on the oysters served at the Savoy Grill, not the numerous glasses of wine he consumed there. So, grab a glass of your favorite port or sherry (or a snifter of brandy, if you must), sink into a comfortable chair with a favorite snack and this book, and INDULGE YOURSELF. Trust me, it will be one (or more) of your finest hours.

Words, wit, Winston, Wow !
I am a big fan of these types of collections, and have been distressed in recent years as series publishers have pumped them out. James C. Humes, however, avoids the path of ready material and produces a book of Churchilliana as comprehensive and broad as the man himself.

There are all the favorites here: the Lady Nancy Astor tea story, the acerbic prepositional rejoinder to the supercilious editing of an assistant, the choice between sherry and adultery, and so on. More importantly, one begins to acquire a notion of the extent to which Churchill, as Shakespeare before him did, has shapped our language, our thoughts, and our clichés: "trade no aid", Iron Curtain, and "blood, sweat, and tears."

Every page is a gem, and this is the perfect book for bed or bathroom, if you are a lover of words, wit, and Winston.

p.s. The very nice, concise introduction by Richard M. Nixon is a quirky little joy as well. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of my favorite elvis books
this book details the day of the meeting between elvis and nixon. It is detailed but an easy reader. It is anything except boring! In the back you will find a RARE 8 by 10 color photo of the two that is worth the price in gold.

All you conspiracy Nuts should get a dose of reality.....
I hadn't heard any of the wierd conspiracy theories until I had this book sitting on my desk and a co-worker offered up his bizzare "facts" about this meeting. I went ahead and read it anyway, to discover that I worked with a Kook. Aside from being very entertaining, the information was simply some good things to know about a couple of men that were great in their own careers. They each have been slammed on character issues, however the facts portrayed in this book illustrate that any ridicule of character is purely the bias of the News Media.

30 minutes reading this book is unforgettable!
Krough's amazing eyewitness account of the day Elvis met Nixon is well worth reading. This unlikely pair got together for the most unlikely reasons. Each was looking for something to gain. Each seemed satisfied with the result. The story adds to the well-deserved mystique of each of these unique characters. The book, while no literary masterpiece (and not pretending to be such), is a delightful 30-minute read that will leave you with a great story to tell at parties. I recommend it highly ... Read more

Book Description

Now in paperback: From jazz saxophonist to one of President Nixon's closest advisers-"I zipped through Crazy Rhythm in record time and enjoyed every last page."-Saul Bellow.

Leonard Garment was a successful Wall Street attorney when, in 1965, he found himself arguing a Supreme Court case alongside his new law partner -former Vice President Richard Nixon. It was the start of a friendship that lasted more than thirty years. In Crazy Rhythm, which the New York Times Book Review called "an eloquent memoir," Garment engagingly tells of his boyhood as the child of immigrants, and the beginning of a life-long love affair with jazz. After Brooklyn Law School, Garment went on to Wall Street, where encountering Nixon changed the course of his life. Crazy Rhythm allows us a rare, intimate look at Nixon's extraordinary tenure in the White House. More than that, the book tells stories from a life that has included close encounters with characters such as Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday, Henry Kissinger and Alan Greenspan, Golda Meir and Yasser Arafat, Giovanni Agnelli and Marc Rich, and moves like the best jazz, in a writer's voice that is truly one-of-a-kind. To quote former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, "A century from now, I cannot doubt Americans will still be reading Crazy Rhythm. This is a story of our time, written for the ages." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not Just Another Nixon Book...
I was enticed by this book from the moment I read about Garment's lively performance of "Tiptoe through the Tulips" at age 7 in his father's dress making factory. Having read several Watergate books, I felt that this one was different for one specific reason; Garment makes Nixon into a human being, and helps to bring Nixon's several positive qualities to life (such as his wonderful foreign policy) that many Watergate-related authors have falied to acknowledge. I especially loved the ending of the book at his daughter Annie's Bat-Mitzvah; it was a wonderful conclusion to to a nostalgic story. I am left with only one question...when will the movie be out?

Some of the questions are answered in a very human story.
Garment shines a little light on some of the more puzzling questions of the Nixon administration and on Iran/contra. He writes as he speaks, conversational and wandering. That's the book's salvation, however: finally here's the human side of some of the darker moments in Republican government. We see how the three branches, press and other groups play off each other to achieve their goals. Like any good serial author, he leaves us hungry for the next book, which will "tell all" about Watergate. I can't wait ... Read more

Book Description

In Sideshow, journalist Shawcross presents the first full-scale investigation of the secret and illegal war the United States fought with Cambodia from 1969 to 1973, paving the way for the Khmer Rouge massacres of the mid-70s. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Ghastly Misuse of Superpower
Reading this together with accounts of the Laotian conflict, one realizes that the Vietnam War was in many senses a misnomer: the battle between communist insurgencies and American-sponsored nationalist forces spanned the entirety of Indochina; the Cambodian civil war providing the last (and easily the most tragic) chapter. Unlike Laos and Vietnam, however, blame for which can be apportioned largely to Kennedy and Johnson respectively, the prosecution of American policy in Cambodia was almost solely the concern of Richard Nixon and his dark eminence, Henry Kissinger.

The story of Cambodia in the 1970s divides into two halves: In the space of several years the ineffectual pro-Western president, Lon Nol (having ousted the mercurial Prince Sianhouk) squandered millions of dollars of American military and economic aid, his regime caving in 1975 to the insurgent Khmer Rouge. Under Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge government proceeded (from 1975 to 1979) to institute a ghastly "cultural revolution" in which the cities were emptied, the middle classes liquidated in killing-fields concentration camps, the country thrown into famine and the entire society wound back to "Year Zero."

The other "half" to the story of Cambodia is the American side, namely the story of the illegal (and botched) invasion of 1970 and subsequent covert bombing operations across the entirety Cambodia. Shawcross argues cogently that it was precisely because of the devastating bombing, and utter destruction of the peasant economy, that Pol Pot was able to marshal a powerbase capable of overthrowing Lon Nol's government. From there he argues that Kissinger bears partial (if indirect) responsibility for the consequences of the Khmer Rouge takeover, including the killing fields. Whether one can go that far is an issue that will tax historians and moralists for generations, but there can be no question that: (1) the B-52 raids failed in their stated objective of supporting Lon Nol; and (2) Kissinger (and his adviser John Negroponte) were blithely indifferent to the human suffering that the bombing brought. With John Negroponte now assuming a critical role in the Iraq war, this book remains a compelling study of how not to use superpower.

Back to the future -- Rome, Cambodia, Iraq ...
While I've read this book many times over the years, my most recent reading struck me hard. The description of the May 8, 1970 meeting between Henry Kissinger and a number of his friends and personal advisors from Harvard did not seem especially interesting in past years, but jumped off the page this time around. Thomas Schelling told Kissinger that after the invasion of Cambodia the group no longer had faith in Henry or the Nixon administration's ability to conduct foreign policy, and would have nothing further to do with Kissinger. The group pointed out that the invasion could be "used by anyone else in the world as a precedent for invading another country, in order, for example, to clear out terrorists." Another section recounts Arthur Schlesinger Jr. quoting a historian's recollection of the Romans -- "There was no corner of the known world where some interest was not alleged to be in danger or under actual attack. If the interests were not Roman, they were of Rome's allies; and if Rome had no allies, the allies would be invented." Shawcross also notes that in 1964 the US condemned Britain for assaulting a Yemeni town used as a base by insurgenets attacking Aden. Another chilling touch is the mention of Lincoln's reaction when he was advised that the President could invade a neighbor if necessary to repel invasion -- Lincoln replied, "Study to see if you can fix any limit to his power in this respect, after you give him as much as you propose." Lincoln's famous speech given as a young man in the 1830s in which he remarked that all the armies of Europe could not forcibly take a drink of water from the Ohio River and therefore "... if this great nation is to ever die, it will be from suicide" rings more true than the words of today's politicians proclaiming the right to declare preemptive war.

An excellent summary of the events that overtook Cambodia, "Sideshow" has much more to offer to us today as we try to figure out how we reached this turning point in our history and recall how badly things can go wrong whenever we deviate from the principles upon which our nation was founded.

How the Americans destroyed Cambodia.
In my title sentence, I basically give a summary of Shawcross's contention that Cambodia was destroyed by the United States. I think Shawcross makes good points on why the United States must bear some responsibility in the destruction of this small country. What is lacking is an even review of all the characters in the history (Khymer Rouge, Viet Cong, NVA, ARVN,
and the Thais) of Cambodia. The Vietnamese Communists have as much a stake in why Cambodia turned out as it did. I think Shawcross purposely overlooks this and points the finger at what he percieves as the evil doers of American policy--Kissinger and Nixon.
I think Shawcross does a good job of relating how the USA tried to salvage the intervention in Vietnam at the cost of destroying a small country. I think he proves that point. I also enjoyed his portrayal of all the principal American and Cambodian players in this drama. As I said, a more critical look at the Vietnamese would give this book a more even outlook. After I read this book, I understoon why Presidential Administrations did not involve Kissinger in future policy. Henry comes off as arrogant in the least, evil at the most. For more information on what happened after this time in Cambodia, please read Brother Enemy.

A book that makes you think!
I have had a lot of trouble finding this book. It had been recommened by quite a few people to me, but I had a hard time finding it.

I found it in of all places, a outdoor market in the capital of Cambodia this summer. Cambodia is great for finding bootleg copies of any books on Cambodia.

Shawcross has written a well documented, researched, and written book on Cambodia's role in the Vietnam War. It was easy to read and it certainly made you think.

Unfortunately, I disagree with the tone of the book. And ultimately I disagree with the author's point of view. But anyone interested in the Vietnam War, Nixon, or what happened in Cambodia should read this book. I ultimately disagreed with the book, you may or may not, but regardless it is a book that is well written and will make you think.

Check this book out!

One of the books which destroyed Nixon
This is a book which describes the destruction of Cambodia. During the Vietnam war the Americans thought that a large portion of the supplies and infantry of the regular units of the North Vietnamese Army were moving into South Vietnam by the use of the Ho Chi Min trail. The trail was a series of roads which rang parallel to South Vietnam though neutral Laos and Cambodia. In reality it seemed that until the events of this book most supplies for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army were actually shipped by the Soviet Union through Cambodia.

Both Loas and Cambodia were neutral in the conflict and the United States faced a problem in getting them to stop the movement of troops and supplies through their territory.

The United States used the CIA to fund a private army in Laos to fight against the Pathet Lao the indigenous communist movement. In Cambodia a coup was organised to remove the government of Shinouk and to replace it with Lon Nol. Once that was done Lon Nol gave permission for the United States to bomb Cambodian territory and later for the South Vietnamese Army to mount armed raids into Cambodia.

The air raids were immensely heavy and dropped bomb loads which were similar to the entire tonnage of bombs dropped on Germany in the Second World War. The combination of the bombing and the coup led to the collapse of Cambodia's social fabric. Large numbers of peasants moved off the land to escape the bombing and swelled the capital. The American actions strengthened the hand of the local communists the Kyhmer Rouge and they started to win the civil war. This in turn led to more refugees. Towards the end the Lon Nol government was reduced to total dependence on imported food supplies flown in by the United States. I the end the Kyhmer Rouge were victorious and turned out to be one of the most murderous regimes of the century. (Some claim that on a per capita basis they were the most vicious in the 20th Century a good century for murderous regimes)

This book is an expose of what is a serious blot on the foreign policy record of the United States. It was a significant book at the time as a range of the actions carried out against Cambodia were illegal. However unlike some of the other tragedies of the last century the tragedy of Cambodia seems to be fading into the background. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anthony Summers is the past master of scandal, the man who brought you Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe and that unforgettable (alleged) eyewitness account of J. Edgar Hoover in a flouncy black dress. Greater experts than I must rule on Summers's exhaustively researched portrait of Richard Nixon, The Arrogance of Power, but it sure is one racy read. Summers depicts a Nixon stoned out of his mind on Seconal, single-malt Scotch, Dilantin, speed, and clinical paranoia, pummeling his wife, Pat (who was rumored to have once been rescued by the Secret Service from drunkenly drowning in a bathtub). Summers's Nixon apparently took Mickey Cohen Mob money to fund his anti-Semitic, salacious smear campaign against Helen Gahagan Douglas to get his Senate start; framed Alger Hiss with a fake typewriter; traded gold for POWs with Vietcong; and issued orders to bomb Damascus and Jordan and nuke Vietnam and Korea (orders that were ignored until Nixon sobered up in the morning). His favorite limo was the SS100X that JFK died in. Nixon's shrink reportedly also treated Rita Hayworth, spoke like Dr. Strangelove, and used "Pavlovian technique" to "brainwash Nixon into becoming a better person." No luck.

Summers's Nixon favored the Greek generals who tortured pro-democracy types, and took a bribe from Göring's pal Nicolae Malaxa, who, thanks to Nixon, traded his Romanian mansion (in which thousands of Jews were tortured and killed) for a posh Manhattan apartment. Summers's most fascinating stuff concerns the Howard Hughes/Castro/Watergate connection. Did Nixon order CIA/Mafia plots to kill Castro? Did Robert Maheu (said to have inspired Mission: Impossible) arrange "sex services" and "assassination planning" for the CIA, and spy on Jean Peters and Ava Gardner for Howard Hughes? Did Hughes give big money to Nixon under the guise of saving the fast-food "Nixonburger" franchise of Richard's brother Donald Nixon (whom Richard had the FBI spy on)? Did the Castro plot get JFK killed, as Haldeman suspected? Was the Watergate break-in (one of perhaps 100 Nixon break-ins) intended to seize information about Nixon's Hughes loans and Castro plots?

Summers tries to assess his massive data while he's presenting it, and he doesn't credit every wild tale equally. Still, without him, I would never have heard about Castro's alleged ex-girlfriend, "the Mata Hari of the Caribbean," hired by future Watergate burglars to re-seduce Castro and slip two poison pills in his coffee. But she hid the pills in her cold-cream jar, and when she took them out in their Havana Hilton bathroom, they'd melted. Besides, her close encounter with the leader left her "torn by feelings of love." The Arrogance of Power won't give you this feeling. --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Reviews (60)

An Obituary
Anthony Summers setting of his decision to spend five plus years working the details of the life of Nixon is important. Along with Norman Mailer, he was pissed off at the obits cranked out in 1994 on Nixon's death, Obits written in the spirit of the cover-up. Perhaps the best way to frame this book is an obit crafted by an enemy list wanna-be. As yet another citizen still distressed at being left off that famous list -- I think Summers got Richard M. Nixon right on.

"Arrogance" is a full biography crafted around a collection of psychological insights into the subject -- it is a tale of one soul's journey through 20th century American Politics -- a tale of predictable disasters. It is so much more than Watergate, though readers knowledgable of Watergate detail will find much here that is new, and demands integration into one's Watergate fact file. But since Nixon materials are scheduled to be opened by various archives well into the second quarter of the 21st century, we probably will need more Summers-like books, books that synthesize new materials either as additions or corrections into the detailed analysis of Nixon.

But in year 2000 Summers adds it up as follows: Nixon as a kid learned telling the truth frequently led to a whipping, telling lies avoided that possibility. He learned to stuff his emotions so deep, they never really matured. He came to doubt his parents evangelical Quaker piety -- but he never explored so as to replace it with a mature value and belief system. He was ripe to be caught by that place where the American Mafia and American Business intersect, and need presentable political actors. In 1946 they needed a vet, good education, someone with a velvet fist to bust the labor movement, someone who would serve interests so long as he was well paid, (under the table mind you). Nixon got and took the offer -- and Summers details the whole long list of transactions that salt Nixon's rise...all the way to the post resignation annual visits to his secret Swiss Bank Accounts.

Much has been made in the press of the possible physical abuse of Pat Nixon at her husband's hand -- the sources are interesting, but not convicting. Nonetheless, the narrative is filled with instances of psychological abuse, a profound story of attachment disorder. One wonders why no one speculated about this during the long Nixon public career?

Summers provides the basis for raising the question needing debate -- how was it that a political party selected this flawed person for leadership? Just reading through the sources one understands Nixon's intimates knew something of the truth -- but they nominated him twice for Vice President, and three times for President -- we need to comprehend why. His own psychologist seemed to know in 1951 that he could not handle stress, but professional ethics of course kept him from speaking out. His profound problems with truth and trust were apparent to his political allies -- but they turned away from the responsibility to act. Summers does not ask these questions, but readers ought to consider them.

Tricky Dick Was One Ambitious Crook
Summers is one superb writer who had weaved together Nixon's heretofore largely unknown background. Because his work was published 26 years after Nixon's fall from office, Summers had benefitted from newly declassified documents, newly released White House tapes and the latest published memoirs and articles of Nixon's players. Additionaly, he and his staff had interviewed 1000 people, including some in prison. The author is a diligent researcher who had corroborated his 5 year effort with 120 smaller print pages of source notes.
Irrespective of Nixon's political achievements, the unbiased reader will become convinced that Richard Nixon was one overly desperate man: One insecure politician obsessed with challengers; he had bluffed his way to power by fraud, trickery and cunning media showbiz.

Most citizens are aware only of the Daniel Ellsberg and Watergate break-ins, not of the 100 other smaller scale office and apartment break-ins of Nixon's adversaries.

Whether the reader wants to believe if Nixon was a crook or not: The bottom line is that Richard Nixon became the first president of the United States ever to resign from office in disgrace.

Propaganda--not history
"No President since Abraham Lincoln has recieved such negative press as Richard Nixon," was the comment of one writer. Without a doubt, while Lincoln was president in 1860, he was ridiculed by his own cabinet, called a tyrant, demonized in the press, dealt pragmatically with a divided nation, and was perhaps one of the most hated individuals in the United States.
Furthermore, he suffered from great depression, and according to some of his closest associates was even suicidal. It was not until nearly 50 years after his death that the nation and the world began to appreciate the sacrifes he made for the U.S. Likewise, like the hostile press towards Lincoln, Anthony Summers is comparable to a Southern fire-eater trying to destroy a courageous and competent President who was forced to make decisive decisions in the most turbulent decade since the Civil War.
To begin with, Summers methodology of research is very troubling. Rather than sift through primary sources and interpret history for himself and others, he has largely taken "claims" of secondary sources and sensationalized them. Furthermore, many of the individuals he interviewed, particularily those close to Nixon, claim that Summers was dishonest with them and that he distorted their answers. Many of Summers' claimed interviews were with people that are now dead. So, this forces one to ponder, based on Summers' dubious interviews that are documented, if he also fabricated the interviews of those who are now unable to speak.
As for the content, Summers really offers nothing new on Nixon. Summers basically takes claims by Nixon's opponents and acts as if its some new groundbreaking discovery. Take for instance Nixon beating his wife Pat black and blue. There is no substantial evidence to back this up. As for Nixon sabotaging LBJ's peace iniative, Dr. Robert Dallek had already explored the possibility of Nixon contacting Thieu in 1968. As Dallek, the definitive expert on LBJ has written, it is only a possibility with no evidence to back it up. It is not a "new revelation" as Summers claims.
Moreover, Summers fails to address that Dean Rusk admitted that LBJ and Humphreys and the North Vietnamese engineered the bombing halt so Nixon would not get elected. There was never a Johnson peace iniative, the North Vietnamese wanted Humphreys to get elected because they knew they could manipulate him as easily as they had Johnson. Furthermore, LBJ believed that Vietnam was a just cause and he supported Nixon's stand on Vietnam. Once again, Summers fails to provide the whole picture of the 1968 election.
In conclusion, it is evident that none of Summers claims are nothing but sensationalistic journalism being used by a babyboomer tabloid reporter who does not have an objective opinion of Mr. Nixon. The facts are this, Nixon was a dedicated father, a brilliant man, and a master of foreign policy.
In the end, history will record that Nixon was right about Vietnam all along. Ho Chi Minh was not an Agrarian Reformer and he did not have overwhelming support of the people. While the war-protesters were blowing up buildings, assasinating innocent americans, and rooting for 'Uncle Ho,' Nixon always proclaimed that if the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, the North would invade and massacre the South. After the Democratic Congress cut off all aid to South Vietnam, Nixon was forced to sign an imperfect agreement. And what happened was exactly what he predicted: the North Vietnamese invaded the South and slaughtered thousands and thousands more died trying to flee the oppression of the North. Thousands more were sent to re-education camps or executed. So much for the "national war of liberation" that the opponents of the war proclaimed.
It is obvious that Summers is a tabloid journalist and not a historian. Rather than write history he is trying to create it. There are no substance to any of his charges, his evidence is without basis, and his methods are dubious.

The Nixon Century
After reading Anthony Summers book and reading a number of the customer reviews, I would have to conclude that "The Arrogance of Power" was indeed propaganda rather than fact. I have read many books on Watergate and Nixon, and many of them were very unfair to Nixon, but Summers takes the cake. The book is based on mainly secondary sources and the opinions of others. Infact, on the very first page there is an inaccuracy: Summers states that John Ehrlichman knew Nixon better than most, but, if Summers had read Ehrlichman's book "Witness to Power", he would have known that Ehrlichman only had a professional relationship with Nixon that went as "sour as a relationship could." Even Ehrlichman admited he hardly knew Nixon, so why can't Summers discern the facts. Books like Summers are very frustrating because the purpose is not to seriously study a subject but to distort the truth. And, that is what Summers does, as you read the book and notice errors and the weak footnotes, you realize that the author's purpose is to decieve the reader. And, unfortunately, according to the number of positive reviews customers gave this book, Summers has decieved many.

Propaganda---Not History
"No President since Abraham Lincoln has recieved such negative press as Richard Nixon," was the comment of one writer. Without a doubt, while Lincoln was president in 1860, he was ridiculed by his own cabinet, called a tyrant, demonized in the press, dealt pragmatically with a divided nation, and was perhaps one of the most hated individuals in the United States.
Furthermore, he suffered from great depression, and according to some of his closest associates was even suicidal. It was not until nearly 50 years after his death that the nation and the world began to appreciate the sacrifes he made for the U.S. Likewise, like the hostile press towards Lincoln, Anthony Summers is comparable to a Southern fire-eater trying to destroy a courageous and competent President who was forced to make decisive decisions in the most turbulent decade since the Civil War.
To begin with, Summers methodology of research is very troubling. Rather than sift through primary sources and interpret history for himself and others, he has largely taken "claims" of secondary sources and sensationalized them. Furthermore, many of the individuals he interviewed, particularily those close to Nixon, claim that Summers was dishonest with them and that he distorted their answers. Many of Summers' claimed interviews were with people that are now dead. So, this forces one to ponder, based on Summers' dubious interviews that are documented, if he also fabricated the interviews of those who are now unable to speak.
As for the content, Summers really offers nothing new on Nixon. Summers basically takes claims by Nixon's opponents and acts as if its some new groundbreaking discovery. Take for instance Nixon beating his wife Pat black and blue. There is no substantial evidence to back this up. As for Nixon sabotaging LBJ's peace iniative, Dr. Robert Dallek had already explored the possibility of Nixon contacting Thieu in 1968. As Dallek, the definitive expert on LBJ has written, it is only a possibility with no evidence to back it up. It is not a "new revelation" as Summers claims.
Moreover, Summers fails to address that Dean Rusk admitted that LBJ and Humphreys and the North Vietnamese engineered the bombing halt so Nixon would not get elected. There was never a Johnson peace iniative, the North Vietnamese wanted Humphreys to get elected because they knew they could manipulate him as easily as they had Johnson. Furthermore, LBJ believed that Vietnam was a just cause and he supported Nixon's stand on Vietnam. Once again, Summers fails to provide the whole picture of the 1968 election.
In conclusion, it is evident that none of Summers claims are nothing but sensationalistic journalism being used by a babyboomer tabloid reporter who does not have an objective opinion of Mr. Nixon. The facts are this, Nixon was a dedicated father, a brilliant man, and a master of foreign policy.
In the end, history will record that Nixon was right about Vietnam all along. Ho Chi Minh was not an Agrarian Reformer and he did not have overwhelming support of the people. While the war-protesters were blowing up buildings, assasinating innocent americans, and rooting for 'Uncle Ho,' Nixon always proclaimed that if the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, the North would invade and massacre the South. After the Democratic Congress cut off all aid to South Vietnam, Nixon was forced to sign an imperfect agreement. And what happened was exactly what he predicted: the North Vietnamese invaded the South and slaughtered thousands and thousands more died trying to flee the oppression of the North. Thousands more were sent to re-education camps or executed. So much for the "national war of liberation" that the opponents of the war proclaimed.
It is obvious that Summers is a tabloid journalist and not a historian. Rather than write history he is trying to create it. There are no substance to any of his charges, his evidence is without basis, and his methods are dubious. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"iron and courage", and a lot of love
This is one of the most engrossing books I have ever read; fast paced, extremely moving in parts, painstakingly researched, and written in a solid, straightforward style .
Pat Nixon was born in 1912, and after her mother's death when Pat was 13, she had a hard existence that taught her the survival skills to work her way through her education during the Depression, the many political campaigns that sometimes ended in failure, and the stress and isolation of being First Lady during times of war, revolt, and impeachment.
It is also a love story; it was love at first sight for Richard, but it took many ardent, romantic letters and several years of wooing to win the heart of this strong and fiercely independent woman...for him, she was always "part of everything beautiful I see", and he never tired of telling her how proud he was of her.
There are excerpts from many letters, journal entries, and interviews with friends and family, as well as conversations between mother and daughter. Also fascinating are the glimpses into the lives of the powerful and famous, like J.Paul Getty, Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, Leonid Brezhnev, and many more.

The early chapters will be interesting for those who like me, live in Southern California, as a snapshot of what life was like in the first half of the 20th century; the descriptions show how much it has changed, and it is also significant to take note of the growth of our government since the days when Nixon was vice president in the 50's. The recounting of the violence and unrest of the 60's in the middle chapters vividly brings to life that troubled time, which we tend to gloss over and forget. There is much history in this book, that provides a good perspective to the world conditions of the present era.
Mrs. Eisenhower does not shy away from the downward spiral of the Watergate crisis, and is very blunt about how it affected her family; she truly does tell us "The Untold Story", and lays out many facts, succinctly and with candor. Written in 1986, it has many marvelous photographs, and clear, readable print. The editing is terrific; there are no dull passages, and no awkward phrases. I am in the habit of giving books away once read, but this is one I will keep.

Mrs. Nixon passed on the 22nd of June, 1993, exactly ten months before her husband. They both rest side by side, surrounded by aromatic roses, blue agapanthas, and the sound of birdsongs, in the garden of the extraordinary Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California. The peace and beauty of this memorial site is overwhelming, and so fitting for this courageous, loving woman. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

An Excellent Book
Tells the story of 6 crises which happened at a very unstable time. Worth reading, even if you don't like Nixon.

One of the best books ever written by a former President...
Published in 1962, "Six Crises" by Richard Nixon is easily one of the best-written and most interesting books done by a US President. This book was a bestseller and even today it is regarded as a worthwhile read, largely because of its' insights into Nixon's mind and character. Fittingly, the book isn't an autobiography or a political memoir; instead it focuses upon what Nixon considered to be the six greatest moments of his political career up to 1961. The first crisis is the infamous "Hiss Case" in 1948, which elevated Nixon - then an unknown junior Congressman - into national prominence for the first time. The case started when Whittaker Chambers, a former Communist-turned-AntiCommunist magazine editor, accused Alger Hiss, a high-ranking member of the State Department, of being a Communist spy for Russia. The case made national headlines, and Nixon - a member of a congressional committee investigating Communism in the US - used the case as a springboard to the US Senate. The second crisis occurred during Nixon's first Vice-Presidential campaign in 1952, when he was accused by the press of being a crook who took bribes. Eisenhower considered forcing Nixon to resign as his running mate, but Nixon saved his career with the famous "Checkers" speech on national television (Nixon prefers to call it the "Fund" speech). The third crisis happened in 1955 when President Eisenhower had a serious heart attack, and until he recovered Vice-President Nixon had to be the "acting President" for a few weeks - a delicate task, but one Nixon performed quite well. In 1958 Vice-President Nixon and his wife Pat made a "goodwill" tour to South America, but were attacked and nearly killed by pro-Communist mobs in Venezuela - thus the fourth crisis. The fifth crisis came a year later when Nixon went to Moscow, where he engaged in a famous debate with Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev in a mock American "kitchen" that had been set up to show Russians how the ordinary American family lived. Although the debate was heated, most observers felt that Nixon had gotten the better of Krushchev. The most interesting part of the book for me was the last crisis - the legendary 1960 presidential campaign between Vice-President Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy. Nixon offers a well-written account of his view of the campaign. What really makes this book fascinating is what it reveals about Nixon the man - his emphasis on handling "crises", his obsession with maintaining his self-control during these crises, and the way in which he seems to place "events" above people - when talking about the mobs who attacked his limousine in Venezuela, he barely mentions his wife, who was also in grave danger - instead he focuses upon his own reaction to the attack and analyzes his own reaction to the mobs. In this book Nixon tries to present himself as a calm, cool, and rational man who always makes the best decisions - yet as his Presidency (and especially Watergate) would show, the "real" Nixon was often very different from the unemotional and logical figure presented in this work. Even so, this book is still a worthwhile read - it is very well-written and it examines several of the greatest events of a major politician's career from his personal perspective. Recommended!

Its OK
Nixons only honest book. Much better than his post presidency books that are the same thing over and over again. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Will change how you think about world affairs.
Professor Thornton leads us through the labyrinth of foreign policy decision making during the Nixon Administration and the subsequent Kissinger "Shogunate." The reader must be prepared to think *strategically*, i.e. to consider apparently isolated events in a larger, global context. In other words, Thornton challenges us to think about world affairs just like the actual players did (and do).

Caveat: this is not a right-wing conspiracy-type book. It is a serious text on recent American and world history. People looking for a sensational ride through the subterranean passages of governmental power would probably be better off elsewhere.

Thornton does suggest explanatory models that are quasi-revolutionary, e.g. that Nixon's fall was the result of a commonplace political entrapment scheme by Kissinger, which led directly to (among other events) the fall of South Vietnam. Does that morsel sound tempting to you? The book is full of them. (I especially love Dr. Thornton's description of Watergate burglar G. Gordon Liddy - look up Liddy's name in the index to find the passage.)

Dr. Thornton is a Professor at George Washington University's School of International Affairs. He is an expert on China and its history (and he speaks several Chinese dialects). He is the "real McCoy" with a pedigree that includes a career in U.S. Air Force intelligence. ... Read more

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"One of the most revealing documents of the Reagan years." --The Wall Street Journal ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Funny, Informative and Insightful
Lyn Nofziger was part of Ronald Reagan's hard-core conservative inner-circle since before the time Reagan was governor of California. In this book, Nofziger provides historical insights that help us understand the Reagan we knew; as well as to reveal to us a side of Reagan we never knew. Nofziger writes about the good times as well as the bad and shows how the Reagan Team bonded and evolved over the years. It's a fascinating recollection from a man who not only was there, but who knew Reagan intimately. Nofziger's memoirs provide the reader with a greater insight and appreciation for the man we called The Gipper. The end of the book is somewhat disheartening as it reveals the demise of the inner-circle during Reagan's second term as President. As someone with a romantic view of the Reagan Era, it was eye-opening to discover how badly the Reagan Revolution was undermined from within. But, you have to be willing to accept the good with the bad. And this book will most definitely give you both. A must read for all Reagan fans. Oh, and Nofziger is as funny as hell.

Highly entertaining
Nofziger is not the hilarious donnybrook that Ed Rollins' book covering the same eras is, but it's more circumspect, more low-key, and less emotional. But it's emotional enough, and it's occasionally very funny too. Especially valuable is the inside information on Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 run. Like Rollins, Nofziger believes that Reagan's executive style of management (i.e. knowing his place) was a great strength, but his remoteness and inattention to detail also led to the appointment of the people (Baker in particular) who undermined his conservative philosophy and shunted his key advisers (e.g. Meese). This directly led to the ineffective second term and the Bush years. Thus the "revolution" was largely DOA. Nofziger is one of the good guys in politics. Honest and not self-aggrandizing. If only there were more of him in Washington. He maintains a site out at lynnofziger.com. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nixon
This book gave an excellent general view of Nixon's life. It was not a good source of information if you were doing a college biography, but it was good. ... Read more

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Reviews (4)

Great Book
Very well written. Great background of the key players involved in Watergate. Wished that it had discussed more about Ford's term as president and less about Nixon and the so called "coverup". It shows Ford as a very honest, hard working public servant.

An excellent biography that reads like a political thriller.
As a long time fan of Gerald Ford, I was pleased to read this excellent biography written by one who obviously also admires President Ford.Not only was it an interesting biography, but it was also a fascinatingpolitical thriller.Mr. Cannon pieced together a frightening,behind-the-scenes look of the Watergate break-in,the cover-up, theresignation of Spiro Agnew, and themachinations of Alexander Haig, duringwhich time certain people (including Agnew) feared for their lives.Hepaints a picture of a President Nixon that is sinister and borderlinementally ill--who repeatedly used his office to intimidate his enemies andstop the investigation into Watergate.As I was reading the book and itsdetails of Nixon's obstruciton of justice and illegal acts, the impeachmenttrial of Bill Clinton was ongoing.The issues surrounding the currentimpeachment appeared laughable in contrast to what I was reading of Nixon. Cannon supports Ford's claim that the pardon of Nixon was not the result ofa deal with Nixon, but was Ford's only alternative to get the countrymoving again, with minute-by-minute accounts of those involved.Cannonmakes the pardon seem as honorable as the man who gave it.

A pleasurable and informative book from an insider
I have always been a fan of Gerald Ford's and this book did not disappoint!Cannon, an insider from Rockefeller's tenure as Governor of New York, presents a balanced and objective insight into the historictransfer or power in 1974.Cannon does not hesitate to present Ford in aheroic role and I am refreshed to see such an appraisal.

Steve Schockow,Rochester, NY

Amazingly Fast and Interesting Reading!
Mr. Cannon wrote an excellent look into our most overlooked modern President.President Ford, never considered an "electric" leader, certainly deserves to have his story told.Being Watergate was the biggest Constitutional crises since the Civil War, we should know more about the one man who reassured the country that everything was o.k.Also, in retelling the Watergate story and Nixon's role in it, Mr. Cannon does so in a way that makes it easy to understand. ... Read more

Book Description

This Nixon portrait provides a comprehensive view of the Nixon presidency based on extensive oral histories with some twenty-two intimates of the former President. Co-published with the Miller Center of Public Affairs. ... Read more

Book Description

A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the president's childhood, his career, his family, and his term as President of the United States. Includes a time line and glossary. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An introduction to the important Presidency of Richard Nixon
When it comes down to who are the two most important American Presidents in the 20th century the only possible choices are Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. At first glance it would seem the choice for the top spot would obviously go to FDR. After all, he had to deal with both the Great Depression and World War II. But in terms of the events of my lifetime it is equally clear that Nixon had the greater impact, changing American politics because of the Watergate scandal and eventually redrawing the map of the world because of his foreign policy of detente. Young readers might not really appreciate the idea that "Only Nixon could go to China," but they will get a sense that despite the flaws in his character, Richard Nixon's presidency had a big impact on the country and world in which they live.

Ann Graham Gaines begins this juvenile biography of Nixon for the Our Presidents series with the fact that this was the first president of the United States to resign from office, but that he is remembered as an important leader. Nixon's life is divided into four chapters: (1) Young Nixon covers his childhood, education, marriage to Pat Ryan, and his military service in World War II; (2) Early Political Career traces his rise from Congressman to Senator to Vice-President for Dwight Eisenhower; (3) President Nixon begins with his lose to John F. Kennedy in the 1960 election and ends with him being reelected to a second term in 1972; and (4) Nixon Resigns tells why all of his accomplishments were washed away by a political scandal. It is not surprising; therefore, that Gaines spends more time explaining Watergate and how the cover-up rather than the burglary that eventually forced the President to resign. Given what young readers may now about the Clinton impeachment, they will certainly find this an interesting story to read about.

Given my own thoughts about Nixon this book certainly conforms to my expectations. Although it touches on the Vietnam War, the two things young readers will get from this volume is that Nixon established relations between the United States and both China and the Soviet Union, and that Watergate ended his presidency. The result is a competent introduction to Nixon's life, which is really too full to be handled in a volume this small, but Gaines hammers home the basics. The book also contains detailed sidebars on Pat Nixon, The Office of Vice President, and Nixon in China, while the margins are filled with Interesting Facts (e.g., Nixon visited every continent except Antarctica as Vice-President). Illustrations consist of both color and black & white photographs detailing Nixon's personal and political life. Final Note: The policy in these books is to refer to the subject by their first name, which I understand, but it sure is strange to see Nixon referred to as "Richard" the entire book, and anybody in school during his years in the White House will understand exactly why that is the case. ... Read more

Book Description

To his conservative supporters in the 1940s, he was a populist everyman. To intellectuals of the 1950s, he was Tricky Dick. To 1960s radicals, a shadowy conspirator. To Washington reporters, a clever spin doctor. To Middle Americans, a scapegoat. To psychologists, a paranoiac. To foreign policy hands, a statesman. To recent historians, an unlikely liberal. Drawing on new archival research as well as novels, movies, cartoons, and songs, Nixon’s Shadow rediscovers these competing views of our most controversial president and shows how each took hold in the American imagination.

Uniquely image-conscious among postwar politicians, Richard Nixon pioneered new methods of shaping his public persona. But often his ploys backfired, revealing only how much politicians rely on the manipulation of their images. After Nixon’s half-century on the national stage – and after the colorful parade of "New Nixons" so brilliantly described here – it has become impossible to discuss politics without asking the questions he brought to the fore: What is the politician’s "real" character? What image is he trying to project?

This fascinating book reveals not just what Nixon did but, more importantly, what he meant. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Must-Read
David Greenberg is the Picasso of historians. He has the rare and precious ability to examine a historical figure from every possible angle and present them simultaneously to the viewer so that they make a colorful, complex, highly original, yet recognizable portrait. The unique value of Nixon's Shadow lies in its capacity to serve as a basis for and guide to self-reflection. If one tends toward introspection, one can read the book and imagine all the facets of one's character being submitted to such an analysis, thereby gaining respect and compassion for oneself and all of humanity as rich, worthy, and utterly fascinating beings. I am Nixon, we are all Nixon--which, contrary to popular opinion, is a good thing. Thank you, Mr. Greenberg!

Ambitious And Spectacular
Fans of Greenberg's Slate columns know he has a gift for making history relevant and fun. In Nixon's Shadow, he focuses those gifts on one of 20th Century America's most compelling figures, Richard Nixon. The premise is ambitious: each chapter takes a different image of Nixon as a viewpoint into a different period of his life. In lesser hands, this approach could have produced a dry or pedantic effort. Instead, Nixon's Shadow crackles with life, and is that rarest of things: a work of scholarly non-fiction that is truly a page turner.

Nixon's Shadow can be enjoyed on so many levels. It is not a true biography of Nixon, but fans of biographies will find plenty to like here. In essence, it is a dozen biographies -- or, even better, the best parts of a dozen biographies. But it is also a history of a tumultuous period of American life; a handbook on the political tools that still are still used to shape our democracy; an analysis of the intellectual trends in modern historical scholarship; and ultimately a tribute to the power of images to shape reality.

Greenberg has an eye for the telling detail, and a prose style that is lively, witty but unobtrusive. His story-telling advances but never interferes with the story. In Nixon's Shadow, those gifts are brought to bear on one of the 20th Century's most interesting figures and the result is simply spectacular.