History according to Richard Nixon. This was Nixon's first book, written in 1961 after his eight year tenure as Vice President had come to an end. Nixon talks about the six major crises that he had experienced in his political life up to that time:1) The Alger Hiss perjury case2) The Checkers Speech/1952 campaign3) Eisenhower's heart attack in 19554) 1958 Latin American trip 5) 1959 meeting/confrontation with Khrushchev6) 1960 campaign/defeat at the hands of KennedyA common theme that runs throughout the book is Nixon's obsession with press coverage. He is paranoid about the press at all times - what the press is saying on TV and radio, what it is writing in the newspapers and magazines, and how it influences what the electorate thinks of him. It is somewhat ironic to read this book, written as it was long before Watergate came about, and not help but think how much further Nixon's obsession with "enemies" and the press became once he got into the White House. Nixon is very sensitive about justifying most of the decisions that he makes in the book. Quite often his reasons are valid, and in many cases he handles situations with remarkable poise - such as when his car was attacked by a mob in Caracas, Venezuela; and when Nikita Khrushchev tried repeatedly to goad him into a verbal sparring match in Moscow. But other times he seems to come off as bitter about being second-guessed by the media, voters, or other important political figures.Two things of note here if you read between the lines: 1) his cool, distant relationship with Eisenhower. He does not delve too deeply into their relationship, and devotes only a few paragraphs to Ike's seeming reticence to campaign for him in 1960; and 2) how much politics dominated and was at the center of his life, pushing his family to the background. He seems to mention his wife Pat almost out of obligation. In his section on the 1960 campaign, she isn't even mentioned until about 80 pages into the chapter. And, tellingly, he writes of the day in 1952 that he was nominated as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate as being the most exciting day of his life. One would think that the day he got married, or perhaps the births of his daughters, would be more seminal personal moments for him rather than a political accomplishment, no matter how grand it is.
The controversial, brilliant Richard Nixon's first book. And the only one written while he still had political ambitions, written after his Vice Presidency but before his loss for California Governor and before his Presidency. It's nonetheless one of his best books, probably second only to "Leaders" in terms of how interesting it is. While Nixon obviously is a politician to some degree, the relative candor in which he discusses many of the events in his life, the Hiss case, his nomination as VP in both '52 and '56, the "Kitchen Table" debate, and the like, is pretty remarkable. I'm not saying he was objective, I'm saying he was honest and self-critical while still seeing what he did in a largely positive light. Anyhow, this ads a lot to the historical record for sure, and also quite simply is just an enjoyable book if you appreciate Nixon's style (I always have). A must for political/history junkies, and worthwhile for anybody who is interested in politics and history.
What do You think about Six Crises (Richard Nixon Library Editions) (1990)?
This book was a revelation. My knowledge of Nixon is entirely based upon his presidency and the Watergate scandal. That and "Frost/Nixon." If I knew none of what came next when reading this book I would have a very different picture of the man. While obviously a narcissist (what politician is not?) he also comes across as rational, decent, and concerned for the welfare of middle-class Americans. I probably would still have voted for Kennedy, but reading the account of the 1960 campaign made me understand how close a race it was in a way I hadn't fully grasped before. Nixon's account of his trip to Moscow in July 1959 is compelling. He got Khrushchev in a way many did not. The bluster was intended to distract you from the fact that this was a very smart, very rational, and ruthless leader. While history has demonstrated that Communism was not the threat we thought it was, I understood a little more about the fear my parents and grandparents (and, let's be honest me as a 6-year old) had.
—Jennifer
