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Richard M. Nixon: A Life in Full
by
Conrad Black
From the late 1940s to the mid-1970s, Richard Nixon was a polarizing figure in American politics, admired for his intelligence, savvy, and strategic skill, and reviled for his shady manner and cutthroat tactics. Conrad Black, whose epic biography of FDR was widely acclaimed as a masterpiece, now separates the good in Nixon—his foreign initiatives, some of his domestic poli...more
Hardcover, 1184 pages
Published
October 23rd 2007
by PublicAffairs
(first published May 22nd 2007)
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Written during his own legal battle, Conrad Black's examination of the life of Nixon is enlightening and fair.
Now that we as a society have moved far enough away from Watergate, it seems as if a new era of Nixon scholarship is on the horizon. I think the time has come for a more objective and honest look at a man who was quite possibly one of the most underrated politicians of the last century, and who ended the war in Vietnam, opened trade relations with China, got SALT I with the Soviet Union...more
Now that we as a society have moved far enough away from Watergate, it seems as if a new era of Nixon scholarship is on the horizon. I think the time has come for a more objective and honest look at a man who was quite possibly one of the most underrated politicians of the last century, and who ended the war in Vietnam, opened trade relations with China, got SALT I with the Soviet Union...more
A compelling biography of Richard Nixon. Conrad Black’s overall thesis or summation is that Nixon paid too high a price for the Watergate fiasco and should be remembered as a President with many accomplishments. To some extent history is starting to mend the Presidency of Nixon. I also feel that Nixon was a scapegoat for Vietnam and the turmoil of the 1960’s. Watergate may have been more of an attack on the “Presidency” than just on Nixon himself. Also Conrad Black has pointed out (probably corr...more
Conrad Black's biography of President Richard Nixon is an incredible book. We tend to look at people, things, and events retroactively basing the past on the affairs and knowledge of the present. This is especially true with President Richard Nixon, the only president in U.S. History to have resigned his office and leave in absolute disgrace. Even presidents who are overwhelmingly voted out of office do not leave so tainted. Yet, Nixon was not incompetent; in fact, he was extremely intelligent a...more
Black's biography is a thorough, well-researched, and extremely well-written biography of Nixon. Black paints an informative and comprehensive look at Nixon's life and career, and provides interesting explanations for what exactly made Nixon tick. In particular, Black focuses heavily on Nixon's expertise and capability as a politician, his great ability in foreign policy, and the complicated relationships he had with Eisenhower and Kissinger in particular. Black also provides an explanation of t...more
Conrad Black
There was plenty of trepidation about reading a Nixon biography by Conrad Black; they both have an awful lot of baggage and the book is over 1,000 pages long. I'm glad that I hurdled my prejudice, however, and undertook one of the most enjoyable reads of the year. If presidential politics isn't of interest to you then this may be a struggle, but if you want an well written, clear and facinating understanding of an amazing man and a dramatic period of history then this is thoroughly r...more
There was plenty of trepidation about reading a Nixon biography by Conrad Black; they both have an awful lot of baggage and the book is over 1,000 pages long. I'm glad that I hurdled my prejudice, however, and undertook one of the most enjoyable reads of the year. If presidential politics isn't of interest to you then this may be a struggle, but if you want an well written, clear and facinating understanding of an amazing man and a dramatic period of history then this is thoroughly r...more
An interesting take on one of the almost-great Presidents of the United States. Black's biography is generally supportive and does a pretty good job of illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of one of the most awkward and insecure men ever to be POTUS. Black is partisan, but usually obviously so, giving the reader the chance to make allowances.
Generally it reads well, useful in a 1,000 page volume, but the pace slows in the run up to Watergate and the second term. Those are sections that are...more
Generally it reads well, useful in a 1,000 page volume, but the pace slows in the run up to Watergate and the second term. Those are sections that are...more
This weighty biography by Lord Black suffers from Black's fondness for his subject. The reader often has to pause to consider the implications of what Black is telling. For example, in the book Nixon tells H.R. Haldeman that he wants to know to whom Nelson Rockefeller is talking and what they are talking about. He sends Haldeman out and the reader has to figure out that the only way that commission could be accomplished is if Haldeman bugged Rockefeller. This biography glosses over some of Nixon...more
A highly readable, extremely well-researched account of the persona and career of one of the most controversial figures to appear on the world stage in the past half-century. Black provides a non-judgmental examination of events while pulling no punches. Surely Nixon's story is one of the great tragedies of modern times: a man of tremendous talent who overcame adversity to accomplish great things but in the end was destroyed by his own inner demons that drove him to desperate and disastrous acts...more
I wanted to like it more than I did. It's exhaustedly researched and detail oriented in may a way that adds to the allure of Nixon. The contrast of a fallen man, Conrad Black, writing a redemptive biopic of another fallen man on a grander scale, Nixon, makes for an interesting dichotomy. The book is so bloody long at times, and the flow of getting to the finish hit several walls, making it a true reading marathon.
A well written and fair portrayal of our 37th President. Black is definitely a Nixon proponent, but gives fair criticism of Nixon's hesitancy to take aggressive measures in Vietnam in the initial year of his presidency. Watergate is also appropriately described as a mole hill that becomes the proverbial mountain as a result over zealous journalists and a bitter Democratic wing of Congress. Black appropriately charges Nixon with poor management of an inexperienced staff of Washington outsiders ,...more
Probably the most sober, complete and fair look at Nixon I've seen. He's not a cartoon character, nor is he some put-upon saint. He's a complex man, full of contradictions. But we forget through all the cartoonish nonsense written about Nixon, he was a man, and a giant in American life for over a quarter of a century, and that's just his time in office and seeking office.
Hey, did you know that Conrad Black has also written a biography of FDR? He has--and he'll drop a fact or comparison to Roosevelt on just about every other page of this massive (1,059 pages--not counting notes/bibliography) book.
That aside, this biography did what I hoped it would do--complicate my understanding of Nixon. Black avoids a full-on psychological profile of #37, but digs into the insecurity and paranoia of the man, explaining how what was an asset when Nixon was younger turned into t...more
That aside, this biography did what I hoped it would do--complicate my understanding of Nixon. Black avoids a full-on psychological profile of #37, but digs into the insecurity and paranoia of the man, explaining how what was an asset when Nixon was younger turned into t...more
Very well researched book - could have spent more time on foreign policy rather than just internal struggles. Rise to power, especially in the 1946-52 period documented really well. Initially it looked like a pro-Nixon biography, but then turned to be quite balanced and neutral.
Most enjoyable biography I've ever read. An extraordinary life of achievement and controversy, well recounted (though I wish I'd drawn a chart to keep track of the various Watergate players), with countless laugh out loud anecdotes and acerbic asides from both Nixon and the author.
I know that Mr. Black is out of favour...although I wonder whether the the shareholders that ousted him aare happy with their company's performance after he was ousted...BUT no one can debate his writing and language skills.
This is a well researched, very interesting Biography from a writer that new Nixon.
This is a well researched, very interesting Biography from a writer that new Nixon.
This book really dragged on, so much so that I refused to finish it. I believe the author used large words just to use them.
I thought this was a really good book - it was certainly fair to Nixon, not just vilifying him for what he did wrong but recognizing and applauding all that he did right. It took me weeks but I finished it, and I recommend it.
Black is a bit of a Nixon apologist, but he delves much more deeply into the policy issues of the Nixon era than the many Watergate-obsessed authors that are out there. Relations with China and the Vietnam war both receive very substantive treatment.
Really interesting. Gives you a fuller profile of the man. The author likes to try to impress with big SAT words which is annoying, but overall I recommend it.
Like all Nixon books, very informative
Another look at Nixon.
May 20, 2013
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The History Book ...: * #37 (US) RICHARD MILHOUS NIXON (PRESIDENT) 1969 - 1974 | 94 | 167 | May 21, 2013 03:43pm |
