Customer Reviews

Nixon Reconsidered

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I've recently become a bit of a Nixon buff, reading a dozen biographies of the man, all of which portray him in very different ways, from a paranoid, racist sociopath to a misunderstood visionary. I honestly don't know where I'd place Ms. Hoff's portrayal of Nixon within those two extremes. Her book makes some excellent points, particularly in citing the frequently ignored strides that Nixon took in domestic policy. Overall, however, her odd writing style and seeming preoccupation with revisionism make the flow of the book pretty choppy, as well as all out boring in places...

In my opinion, any book on Nixon is worth it if you are trying to figure out what he was all about. The fact is the guy was so complex, introverted, and troubled that all of them will be right and wrong at the same time...

Professor Hoff, late of Indiana University, tries to rise above the Watergate mania that tends to totally overshadow all the other accomplishments that occurred during the Nixon administration. Let there be no doubt that Nixon was NOT a doctrinaire conservative, if he was even one to begin with. Nixon's early cabinet and advisers included some liberal minds. It is now known that many economic policies that were implemented during this time were very injurious to the US economy (wage and price controls come to mind) and contributed to the awful economic times of the late 70's and early 80's.
Nevertheless, this book is a good start if you want to learn a little bit about what went on besides Vietnam and Watergate.

Decent book, very informative. Even goes behind the scenes a little bit. Very thorough if you are looking for more information on domestic policies. Talks more about the good points instead of the infamous ones. Definitely good for Nixon sympathizers =)

Hoff tempers her examination of Nixon with balanced criticism and muted praise in places but remains quite impartial overall. Naturally, a reader may find anything he seeks in an interpretation of the words of the author yet there is no obvious bias or partisanship on the part of Joan Hoff in this work. The amount of revisionism, however, is quite substantial. Hoff seems to have as her purpose for writing this a decided motivation to revise the history of Nixon from the accounts given by fellows ranging from Ambrose to Wills. Granted, her work is more informed and well rounded compared to Ambrose and less agonizing than Wills' Nixon Agonistes yet there seem to be a lack of entirely new information, which would make this work a better choice for the average reader looking for an unbiased, middle of the road examination of Nixon.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, we had a president, America could actually believe in. This book shows the reader why. President Nixon is known for ending the war in Vietnam and his foreign policy achievements, which were impressive. However, when our British friends cashed in their American gold certificates, there was a really danger of a run on our gold reserves at Fort Knox. America did not have enough gold in reserve to cover all of the outstanding gold certificates. On 15 August 1971, President Nixon in a bold move, took us off the gold standard, imposed a wage freeze and price controls, cut foreign aid by ten percent and imposed a ten percent tariff. This is only one of his many domestic accomplishments. Nixon, without a doubt, was our greatest Republican president and this book proves it.

Joan Hoff's "Nixon Reconsidered" is a facinating look at one of the most exciting politacal gurus of our time. I have read several books about and by Nixon (such as Six Crisis, The Rise of an American Politician, Beyond Peace, etc.) but this book is a detailed original of the authors own personal feelings and knowledge of Nixon and the trials and tribulations that followed him to his grave. Its got something for every reader

This book would probably be a very interesting account if it wasn't bogged down with so many minute details that take away from the overall argument. Ms. Hoff has some great ideas but the book could realistically have been much more concise.

This is a complete whitewashing of Richard Nixon's political career written by an obviously pro-Nixon source. There is no attempt from the author to distance herself from Nixon or create an illusion of impartiality. Hoff is in Nixon's corner all the way and makes some incredible interpretive analyses. For example, Nixon's domestic agenda was actually "extremely liberal." Hoff makes this claim based upon Nixon's environmental agenda, but ignores his viscerally right-wing Supreme Court appointments and his Neanderthal approach to civil rights. Doesn't sound too "liberal" to me.

Hoff also makes a series of implausible and ultimately ludicrous excuses for Nixon's involvement in Watergate. Predictably, she absolves the President from much involvement and any guilt. She points the finger of guilt at a dizzying array of Nixon suborindates (all of whom went to prison). Nixon is the epitome of grace, honesty and courage in Huff's eyes, a view which will delight those who revere the 37th President. But for those who have a less charitable view of him, this will be regarded as hagiography at its apex.