Richard Nixon

After eight years as vice president and a close loss in the election of 1960, Richard Nixon’s political career seemed to be over. He rebounded to win two terms as president, during which he arranged talks to end the Vietnam War, reestablished diplomatic relations with China, reformed welfare, and established the EPA. Despite his policy achievements, his presidency was undone by his role in covering up the Watergate scandal. Facing almost certain impeachment, Nixon resigned the presidency, tarnishing his legacy. Readers will encounter something other than a caricature here—a Richard Nixon of great complexity, a leader whose substantial political achievements were undone by deeply human weaknesses and failures of judgment.