Richard Nixon (Pivotal Presidents: Profiles in Leadership)

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. This volume recounts Richard Nixon's time in the White House. After eight years as vice president and a close loss in the 1960 election, he won 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 those achievements, his presidency was undone by his role in covering up the Watergate scandal. Facing impeachment, he resigned the presidency Chronicles the life of the thirty-seventh U.S. president, covering his early life and career, entry into politics, foreign and domestic policies as commander-in-chief, and the scandal that ended his presidency