Nixonland

I found Rick Perlstein’s meticulously researched, exhaustive biography of Richard Nixon, Nixonland: The Rise Of A President And The Fracturing Of America, absolutely fascinating. It basically spans from his first campaign in 1966 and ends after his last campaign in 1972. The book is about how the politics of the 60s created the culture wars between left and right that still thrive in today’s politics. Perlstein is amazing in how he weaves in the stories of political players who later come into prominence-people like Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, john Kerry, etc. it is fascinating how Nixon cultivates the silent majority and feeds on their fears promising law and order. The fear stemming from the inner city riots that began with Watts in 1964, the Vietnam war and the fight against it at home, school busing and sexual education, civil rights, radicals bombing buildings, vigilante shooting and beating radicals, assignations, and the drugs are just some of the issues frightening Americans in those times. Nixon capitalized on these fears and was elected twice. I also like how Perlstein commented on how certain films had a cultural effect on society; movies like Bonnie and Clyde and its display of violence as well as Nixon’s favorite the jingoistic Patton. Perlstein also comes up with an effect metaphor of the social divide from Nixon’s college days that helps explain Nixon’s behavior and motivations: the battle between “The Orthogonians” and “The Franklins.” In Nixon’s college days there was a club of the well bred wealthy, good looking types for whom everything came easy called “The Franklins.” Nixon resented them and formed his own club of the strivers who had to double their effort to succeed: “The Orthogonians.” Kennedy-a textbook Franklin. This massive text (a hefty 748 pages not including the end notes and bibliography) was a page turner nonetheless. I was slowed down by its weight and left it at home on many occasions to lighten my load. I think it is essential reading for anyone interested in the 60s or American politics.