Richard Nixon
The Life
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Richard Nixon
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Dan Woren
-
By:
-
John A. Farrell
About this listen
Brilliantly researched, authoritatively crafted by a prize-winning biographer, this is the Nixon we've been waiting for.
Richard Nixon opens with young navy lieutenant "Nick" Nixon returning from the Pacific and setting his cap at Congress, an idealistic dreamer seeking to build a better world. Yet amid the turns of that now legendary 1946 campaign, Nixon's finer attributes quickly gave way to unapologetic ruthlessness. It is a stunning overture to John A. Farrell's magisterial portrait of a man who embodied postwar American cynicism.
Within four years of that first win, Nixon would be a US senator, in six the vice president of the United States of America. "Few came so far, so fast, and so alone," Farrell writes. Finally president, Nixon's staff was full of bright young men who devised forward-thinking reforms addressing health care, poverty, civil rights, and protection of the environment. It was a fine legacy, but Nixon cared little for it. He aspired to make his mark on the world stage instead, and his 1972 opening to China was the first great crack in the Cold War.
Nixon had another legacy, too: an America divided and polarized. It was Nixon who launched the McCarthy era, who set South against North, and who spurred the silent majority to despise and distrust the country's elites. He persuaded Americans to gnaw, as he did, on grievances - and to look at one another as enemies. Finally, in August 1974, after two years of the mesmerizing intrigue and scandal known as Watergate, Nixon became the only president to resign in disgrace.
Richard Nixon is an enthralling tour de force biography of our darkest president, one that reviewers will hail as a defining portrait, and the full life of Nixon listeners have awaited.
©2017 John A. Farrell (P)2017 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Richard Nixon
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- francis osborn
- 28-05-24
Outstanding history in my lifetime
Getting answers to long outstanding questions about Watergate. Did Nixon really beat his wife?
I feel that I understand Nixon better now.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 10-08-19
Pretty Good
Good biography. Lots of focus on the less well-known aspects of Nixon's life (his childhood, stint in the war, early congressional career and Vice Presidency) but still an interesting enough focus on the more well-known aspects (Watergate). It doesn't hide from the ugly aspects of Nixon, but every now and then it does a good job of humanising him - there are lots of little commentaries on his psychology, his insecurities and his being 'Frank's son'. Narrators voice was soothing without being monotonous. It's not as academic as the other biographies or history books, but that's why its more entertaining and a good read. I would really recommend it to someone who is interested in Nixon and wants a solid, comprehensive overview of his life, his character and his driving forces.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR M G FITZPATRICK
- 28-04-21
Great book about a great President
The ultimate outsider, the thinking man’s Trump. If only he had had confidence in his abilities and been less hyper sensitive to criticism from those he claimed to despise. A marvelous book read beautifully which brings us into the world of America’s most troubled leader.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Florin
- 02-12-22
Great listen
Interesting story. Nixon grew up poor and had many things working against him. A little less paranoia and he wouldn't have paved the way to Watergate, ending his presidency like that.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-06-23
Excellent 👍
Very detailed account of the life of one of America's most interesting political figures from the 20th century.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr
- 11-05-17
Outstanding biography of the man
Too many biographies of men of consequence turn into histories of those events and times , not here. This is a portrait of the man from humble beginnings to the end.
I have listened to about 15 books on the Nixon presidency and it was fresh to me to hear about the early days, first campaigns etc. We are treated to an exciting narrative of the Hiss scandal.
This book was balanced and fair so unfortunately lacking in the justifiable hate for the man. Many people looking to satisfy a prejudice against him or for him will find plenty of material here to satisfy a preexisting bias but actually this is fine professional history. I noticed gaps such as Nixon's junkets in the wilderness years, his dark dealings with foreign powers especially Iran (see Oil Kings by Cooper on Audible) and the midnight prayer with Kissinger (see Nixon and Kissinger by Dalek on Audible). And was sad when we skip quickly through the Yom Kippur war. I wanted to see that but if it was that detailed it would be 100 hours long.
Overall.. 5/5 for enjoyable sweep over a complex man. This is better for not being a history of the Nixon years, it is good to see it sticking to the man not the times.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paul M.
- 12-07-19
Outstanding
This is a brilliant audiobook. It is comprehensive, balanced and engaging. I fully recommend it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hayley McCoy
- 20-01-19
good listen, great overview
it's a bit weird in the beginning it seems to get straight into mid life nixon and then they go back to his origins around chapter 3. but aside from this it follows Nixon all through the stages of his life and is a great overview. I was left feeling sorry for him and overwhelmed at his self righteousness. I would reccomend this book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- James Middleton
- 08-03-23
Fascinating story of a fascinating man
Henry Kissinger notes that his old boss, Richard Nixon, was a figure out of a Greek tragedy. Truer words are seldom spoken. This is a great biography of a great, but critically flawed, man and one whose consequential legacy is too often overlooked.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 28-09-21
Really interesting profile
Really interesting to learn about 'Mr Evil' and understand his motivations and accomplishments. I really recommend this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!