Richard Nixon: California's Native Son

by Paul Carter, Tricia Nixon Cox (Foreword)

Modern biographies of Richard Nixon have been consumed with Watergate. All have missed arguably the most important perspective on Nixon as California’s native son, the only U.S. president born and raised in California. In addition, Nixon was also a son, brother, friend, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. By shifting the focus from Watergate and Washington to Nixon’s deep, defining roots in California, Paul Carter boldly challenges common conceptions of the thirty-seventh president of the United States.

More biographies have been written on Nixon than any other U.S. politician. Yet the territory traversed by Carter is unexplored, revealing for the first time the people, places, and experiences that shaped Richard Nixon and the qualities that garnered him respect from those who knew him well.

Born in Yorba Linda and raised in Whittier, California, Nixon succeeded early in life, excelling in academics while enjoying athletics through high school. At Whittier College he graduated at the top of his class and was voted Best Man on Campus. During his career at Whittier’s oldest law firm, he was respected professionally and became a chief trial attorney. As a military man in the South Pacific during World War II, he was admired by his fellow servicemen. Returning to his Quaker roots after the war, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and the vice presidency, all within six short years. After losing to John Kennedy in the 1960 presidential campaign, Nixon returned to Southern California to practice law. After losing his gubernatorial race he reinvented he moved to New York and was elected president of the United States in 1968. He returned to Southern California after Watergate and his resignation to heal before once again taking a place on the world stage.

Richard California’s Native Son is the story of Nixon’s Southern California journey from his birth in Yorba Linda to his final resting place just a few yards from the home in which he was born.
 

Genres: Biography, Presidents

448 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Mark Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever one thinks about Richard Nixon, the sheer magnitude of his impact on the politics of the United States, and the world in general, can not be denied.

This book is a fascinating dive into Nixon’s roots, and his life-long relationships.

I found the book to be well written, and made for an easy read. Although my view of Nixon and his career will always be complicated, I can’t deny that I find myself wishing that I had met him. Reading this book could be the next best alternative to actually meeting Richard Nixon.

[Brandon Creel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who may remember the Nixon Library back many years ago, before it transitioned to federal control when it was run by the family, this is the story you got from the exhibits. The theme was that Nixon was misunderstood and generally had the best of intentions. Thankfully, the author doesn't spend too much time trying to mitigate some of the more infamous events; instead he tends to gloss over and skip quickly to the next subject. However, that is not the point of this book.

I actually highly recommend Carter's book, particularly if you are interested in getting to know Nixon outside of his politics. A lot is written here about his relationships with family, friends, and other notable figures, and it even dives quite a bit into his Christian faith. This book also is a really neat window into the history of Orange County, Whittier, and the San Gabriel Valley. Anyone with familiarity of this area will likely enjoy reading about all these familiar locations we know now, but in the context of when this area was mostly rural, before the endless sprawl.

Would I recommend this as a stand-alone comprehensive biography of Nixon? By no means. However, there are plenty of other fine books that have already been written about Watergate and other sordid details. What had been missing was a story focusing on more of the positive aspects of the life of a man many have come to associate only with scandal. To be sure, I am not a fan of many aspects of Nixon's presidency, but it is wrong to dismiss him with blanket condemnation. He was certainly a complicated man, but when read in conjunction with other biographies, this book helps reveal the many nuanced layers of his character.

[Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Classic biography folly thinking details of lunch menus and superficial nicety correspondence to friends warrants insight into a person’s being. Nixon is clearly a compartmentalized person who separated his egregious White House behavior from his hospitable private life to friends. The author argues that his reputation is unjustified because everybody he met liked him, and he was loyal to his friends for decades. Hardly compelling.

Some of the California stuff about his regular hotel stays and family general store was interesting but I think any premise that his relationship to California was special is mostly moot by his election loss for Governor and lack of interest in the position. Nixon was always focused on Foreign Policy, Environment, and National politics. This book didn’t make a compelling case that he’s a formative figure specifically in California history because his entire career was focused on national issues.

[Judge Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of President Nixon’s entire life and not just Watergate. As President Clinton said at his funeral, “ May the day of judging President Nixon on anything less than his entire life and career come to a close.”
And if one does judge him on the entirety they will learn of a man who lived the American dream and rose from truly humble beginnings to the highest job in the land, a patriot who served his country honorably in WE II, a man who loved his country and devoted his life to serving it, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, a man of keen intellect and an expert in foreign policy, and a man of deep faith.

[Shirt Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Nixon positive book. Less focused on his political decisions but rather his life choices. It also tackles the misconception that Nixon was dirt poor throughout his upbringing. When his family moved to Whittier, they resided in a nice home with a beautiful study that Nixon used for himself. In fact, you can even watch a tour of the same home on Paul Carter's Instagram and TikTok. He is very active on those platforms.
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Also, the last chapter made me sad. It reminded me of how my grandfather behaved after my grandmother's passing.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best book about Richard Nixon. Too much trivial information.