The Nixons: A Family Portrait
About The Nixons: A Family Portrait
How often are we allowed an unvarnished view into the real life of an American icon? The Nixons: A Family Portrait, written by Edward Nixon and Karen Olson, gives us a rare opportunity to know the personal side one of the most influential figures of the 20th century: President Richard Nixon.
In The Nixons, the authors succeed in painting a rich and complete picture of not only the man, but of the family that helped shape him as a person. The book traces the intriguing origins of both the Nixon and Milhous clans and the challenges each family faced after immigrating to the New World. But the heart of this narrative lies in more recent history, when the reader meets Frank and Hannah Nixon and their five sons and follows Richard as he ascends to the highest office in the country.
Through vibrant writing and thorough research, Nixon and Olson reveal the many influences that made Richard Nixon the intelligent, thoughtful, complex person he was: the irrepressible father balanced by a mother of quiet strength; the Quaker religion with its tenets of equality and nonviolence; the family belief in personal discipline, compassion, and hard work; the tragedy of losing two brothers in childhood; the enduring desire to serve one’s country.
The Nixons will thrill anyone who finds the marriage of history and politics compelling. As President, Richard Nixon made decisions that profoundly improved the American way of life and enhanced this country’s image abroad, such as ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam, working on ground-breaking civil rights and environmental legislation, and reopening China to the United States. The authors provide the all-important context and unique insight into these and other momentous events as only those close to the President can.
For a fascinating—and factual—look at the life and times of one of this country’s most memorable leaders, pick up a copy of The Nixons: A Family Portrait.
