The Peacemaker
The Peacemaker — Nixon: The Man, President, and My Friend by Ben Stein
Here is a book that I didn’t know existed, but am so glad I found it.
Ben Stein, as well as his parents, worked in the Nixon Whitehouse. He is the most qualified individual to write this memoir.
I was living and working in Washington, D.C., while he was writing speeches for Richard Nixon, so all of the references to happenings during this administration were local news to me. Of course, there was no cable news or internet to keep us informed of all the rumors behind the news. We could only rely on our local newscasters or the newspapers.
Richard Nixon was not only a brilliant man but was, until the time of Donald Trump, the most mistreated and misunderstood President ever. Congress forced him out because he desired to resign rather than risk the integrity of the office of the presidency.
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He did nothing wrong.
All he did was bring peace and prosperity to our nation. He got out of Vietnam (admittedly a botched withdrawal) when all the pundits said he should not have — except for the negative pundits who decided he could do no right.
But so few have shown the personal side of him. The side that showed his friendliness and ability to ingratiate himself, not only with world leaders, but with the help at the White House and with us little guys (yes, I was one of them!).
But now we find another President who is guilty first, then a trial. There is a reason that impeachment was so rare throughout our nation’s history. Our lawmakers realized (until Nixon came along) that their primary purpose was to make law, speak for their constituents, and look forward to the next Presidential cycle to convince the masses that their point of view was better.
But Nixon was being hounded so severely that he decided to take the high road and, for the sake of the country, which he dearly loved, left a very popular and sober man in the presidency when he stepped down.
You must read this book if you want a personal yet unbiased view of a fine man and a strong leader.
