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A review by citizen_noir
Richard Nixon: The Life by John A. Farrell
5.0
For most of my life, Richard Nixon has been a silly caricature. Tricky Dick, of "I am not a crook," McCarthyism, "my little dog Checkers," Watergate, and double V is Victory farewell salute fame. These "memories" were pieced together not through actual experience but by gathering snippets of images from history books, newspaper articles, documentaries and other forms of media.
About ten years ago, I came across an old news report by Tom Brokaw on the day Nixon left the White House and was astounded to hear parts of Nixon's farewell to his staff. It is an incredible speech, and I highly recommend looking it up on YouTube to hear the entire thing. Suddenly Nixon became a three-dimensional person, not just a grievously flawed man, but also a deeply talented and emotional human being.
John Farrell's biography of Nixon helps further this three-dimensional quest for the real Richard Nixon. It is a wonderful read - the structure of the book, starting at the end of WWII - makes it exciting to follow. In addition, the book delves into many of the early experiences of Nixon that shaped him, such as the deaths of his two brothers, his humble grocer upbringing, and the never-ending suspicion and hatred of wealthy, well educated political rivals.
Nixon is certainly a deeply flawed person, but his story has to be one of the most amazing ones in all of world history: to rise to the highest seat of power in the land on sheer grit, hard work, and an unapologetic approach to bare knuckle politics; only to fall into utter disgrace and exile. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the best and worst aspects of politics.
About ten years ago, I came across an old news report by Tom Brokaw on the day Nixon left the White House and was astounded to hear parts of Nixon's farewell to his staff. It is an incredible speech, and I highly recommend looking it up on YouTube to hear the entire thing. Suddenly Nixon became a three-dimensional person, not just a grievously flawed man, but also a deeply talented and emotional human being.
John Farrell's biography of Nixon helps further this three-dimensional quest for the real Richard Nixon. It is a wonderful read - the structure of the book, starting at the end of WWII - makes it exciting to follow. In addition, the book delves into many of the early experiences of Nixon that shaped him, such as the deaths of his two brothers, his humble grocer upbringing, and the never-ending suspicion and hatred of wealthy, well educated political rivals.
Nixon is certainly a deeply flawed person, but his story has to be one of the most amazing ones in all of world history: to rise to the highest seat of power in the land on sheer grit, hard work, and an unapologetic approach to bare knuckle politics; only to fall into utter disgrace and exile. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the best and worst aspects of politics.