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1999: Victory Without War
“Nixon raises all the timely questions about the present state of the world, and then answers them both systematically and thoroughly.” —The New York Times
In this acclaimed national bestseller, Richard Nixon offers a comprehensive strategy for the West—a vital plan of action that will help ensure peace, prosperity, and freedom in the next century. From glasnost and summitry to arms control and “Star Wars,” from Nicaragua and China to Europe and Japan, he gives seasoned, no-nonsense advice on all tough foreign policy issues.
The former President draws on a lifetime of experience in international affairs to examine the crucial challenges facing the United States and the West and how best to go forward in the 21st century.
In this acclaimed national bestseller, Richard Nixon offers a comprehensive strategy for the West—a vital plan of action that will help ensure peace, prosperity, and freedom in the next century. From glasnost and summitry to arms control and “Star Wars,” from Nicaragua and China to Europe and Japan, he gives seasoned, no-nonsense advice on all tough foreign policy issues.
The former President draws on a lifetime of experience in international affairs to examine the crucial challenges facing the United States and the West and how best to go forward in the 21st century.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1988
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301 people want to read
About the author
Richard M. Nixon
99 books101 followersRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. During the Second World War, he served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific, before being elected to the Congress, and then serving as the 36th Vice President of the United States in the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961. After an unsuccessful presidential run in 1960, Nixon was elected in 1968, and re-elected to a second term in 1972. Under President Nixon, the United States followed a foreign policy marked by détente with the Soviet Union and by the opening of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Nixon successfully negotiated a ceasefire with North Vietnam, effectively ending the longest war in American history. Domestically, his administration faced resistance to the Vietnam War. In the face of likely impeachment by the United States House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate for the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned. His successor, Gerald Ford, issued a controversial pardon for any federal crimes Nixon may have committed while in office. Nixon is the only person to be elected twice to the office of the presidency and the vice presidency, and is the only president to have resigned the office.
Nixon suffered a stroke on April 18, 1994 and died four days later at the age of 81. ' to 'Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. During the Second World War, he served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific, before being elected to the Congress, and then serving as the 36th Vice President of the United States in the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961.
After an unsuccessful presidential run in 1960, Nixon was elected in 1968, and re-elected to a second term in 1972. Under President Nixon, the United States followed a foreign policy marked by détente with the Soviet Union and by the opening of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Nixon successfully negotiated a ceasefire with North Vietnam, effectively ending the longest war in American history.
Domestically, his administration faced resistance to the Vietnam War. In the face of likely impeachment by the United States House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate for the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned. His successor, Gerald Ford, issued a controversial pardon for any federal crimes Nixon may have committed while in office. Nixon is the only person to be elected twice to the office of the presidency and the vice presidency, and is the only president to have resigned the office. Nixon suffered a stroke on April 18, 1994 and died four days later at the age of 81.
Nixon suffered a stroke on April 18, 1994 and died four days later at the age of 81. ' to 'Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. During the Second World War, he served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific, before being elected to the Congress, and then serving as the 36th Vice President of the United States in the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961.
After an unsuccessful presidential run in 1960, Nixon was elected in 1968, and re-elected to a second term in 1972. Under President Nixon, the United States followed a foreign policy marked by détente with the Soviet Union and by the opening of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Nixon successfully negotiated a ceasefire with North Vietnam, effectively ending the longest war in American history.
Domestically, his administration faced resistance to the Vietnam War. In the face of likely impeachment by the United States House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate for the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned. His successor, Gerald Ford, issued a controversial pardon for any federal crimes Nixon may have committed while in office. Nixon is the only person to be elected twice to the office of the presidency and the vice presidency, and is the only president to have resigned the office. Nixon suffered a stroke on April 18, 1994 and died four days later at the age of 81.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 28, 2017
Written in early 1988, this is remarkably prescient in predicting some of the things that have come to pass in the world since then. Nixon once again burnishes his foreign policy expertise by delving into U.S.-Soviet (this was only a few years before the collapse of the Soviet Union) relations. Nixon writes at length about Mikhail Gorbachev and how he was not as benign and friendly as many in the U.S. thought he was. He describes Gorbachev as a solid-core communist who has no desire to back down to American democracy.
He accurately predicts that the Soviet Union could collapse economically - something that we all know did indeed occur. But he also writes that, even if this collapse were to happen, America should not let its guard down and think that a weakened Russia will remain in that state for long. Nixon predicted that, within fifteen years, Russia would be ascendant again militarily and eager to expand its sphere of influence and communist domination over other countries near it. It is as if he had a photo of Vladimir Putin sitting on his desk as he was writing this. Nixon brought four decades of foreign policy studies and experience to this book, and it shows in penetrating analysis such as this.
He also writes about NATO and how it could easily become obsolete and irrelevant unless it continues to change along with the world. Considering all of the talk going on about NATO presently, and whether or not the U.S. will continue to support it and be a member, this is another example of Nixon accurately gauging the future of European relations and also how the U.S. fits into that picture. One gets the sense that Nixon, were he alive today, would not be at all surprised with the world situation - although he undoubtedly would be disappointed with Russia's machinations in the Crimea and Ukraine.
Unfortunately, pulling out these nuggets involves being subjected to page after page of Nixon droning on about nuclear arms control and the SALT treaties. It probably didn't help that I just finished Henry Kissinger's memoirs and had more than my fill of the inner workings of those deliberations. But, unless you are really into studying nuclear weapons, it is difficult to stay focused when Nixon starts writing at length about throw weight and all of the various types and amounts of nuclear weapons.
The last third of the book deals with the rest of the world. As always, his observations about China are interesting, and he writes that the U.S. had better recognize that China will soon be an economic powerhouse. He admits that his Latin American policy while he was in office was inadequate, as has been the policy of many other presidents, and that the U.S. needs to pay more attention to that part of the world, including Mexico. One drawback here is that Nixon tends to view the entire world through the lens of U.S.-Russian relations, and assumes that any country not aligned with U.S. interests is either being supported or subverted by Russia, or is open to being supported by them. I think this over-estimates the reach of Russia. There can be ,and are, local, ethnic conflicts between countries or within countries that have little or nothing to do with Russia or communism. An example is the Greek-Turkish issue over Cyprus. But nonetheless, Nixon is on the money with most of his observations, sometimes almost eerily so.
He accurately predicts that the Soviet Union could collapse economically - something that we all know did indeed occur. But he also writes that, even if this collapse were to happen, America should not let its guard down and think that a weakened Russia will remain in that state for long. Nixon predicted that, within fifteen years, Russia would be ascendant again militarily and eager to expand its sphere of influence and communist domination over other countries near it. It is as if he had a photo of Vladimir Putin sitting on his desk as he was writing this. Nixon brought four decades of foreign policy studies and experience to this book, and it shows in penetrating analysis such as this.
He also writes about NATO and how it could easily become obsolete and irrelevant unless it continues to change along with the world. Considering all of the talk going on about NATO presently, and whether or not the U.S. will continue to support it and be a member, this is another example of Nixon accurately gauging the future of European relations and also how the U.S. fits into that picture. One gets the sense that Nixon, were he alive today, would not be at all surprised with the world situation - although he undoubtedly would be disappointed with Russia's machinations in the Crimea and Ukraine.
Unfortunately, pulling out these nuggets involves being subjected to page after page of Nixon droning on about nuclear arms control and the SALT treaties. It probably didn't help that I just finished Henry Kissinger's memoirs and had more than my fill of the inner workings of those deliberations. But, unless you are really into studying nuclear weapons, it is difficult to stay focused when Nixon starts writing at length about throw weight and all of the various types and amounts of nuclear weapons.
The last third of the book deals with the rest of the world. As always, his observations about China are interesting, and he writes that the U.S. had better recognize that China will soon be an economic powerhouse. He admits that his Latin American policy while he was in office was inadequate, as has been the policy of many other presidents, and that the U.S. needs to pay more attention to that part of the world, including Mexico. One drawback here is that Nixon tends to view the entire world through the lens of U.S.-Russian relations, and assumes that any country not aligned with U.S. interests is either being supported or subverted by Russia, or is open to being supported by them. I think this over-estimates the reach of Russia. There can be ,and are, local, ethnic conflicts between countries or within countries that have little or nothing to do with Russia or communism. An example is the Greek-Turkish issue over Cyprus. But nonetheless, Nixon is on the money with most of his observations, sometimes almost eerily so.
February 18, 2017
While some may dismiss Richard Nixon as a disgraced former President they ignore his insight, intelligence and prescience. This book was published in 1988. Much of what he described and predicted came to fruition. Those in positions of political office and leadership would be well advised to read this book even today.
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March 2, 2010information about how Pakistan became an atomic power
October 26, 2025
“1999: Victory Without War” is a well-written treatise showing Richard Nixon’s deep knowledge of foreign policy and statecraft, blending pragmatic advice with historical context from his years of experience. Nixon’s writing is clear and methodical, though the book can be dense on technical arms control discussions.
He displays remarkable foresight, anticipating the rise of China as an economic powerhouse and highlighting how technological innovation especially advances like artificial intelligence would shape future global competition. Nixon’s predictions on Russia’s resurgence and NATO’s need to adapt also underscore his prescient vision.
Overall, the book is both authoritative and surprisingly accurate about world trends beyond the Cold War, making it essential reading for those interested in strategy and international affairs.
He displays remarkable foresight, anticipating the rise of China as an economic powerhouse and highlighting how technological innovation especially advances like artificial intelligence would shape future global competition. Nixon’s predictions on Russia’s resurgence and NATO’s need to adapt also underscore his prescient vision.
Overall, the book is both authoritative and surprisingly accurate about world trends beyond the Cold War, making it essential reading for those interested in strategy and international affairs.
November 19, 2023
An alright book. While I don't agree with some of Nixon's points I agreed with quite a few of them (for example, that one should actually have a plan to fix major problems instead of just throwing money at them). The main flaw with this book is Nixon's belief that the major conflict of the 21st century would be one of political viewpoints - communism v.s. capitalism. At least up to the first twenty or so years of the 21st century, this hasn't been the main conflict. I suppose we still have a good 80 years left, though.
March 31, 2020
A must read book, His vision for third millennium is helpful yet. He criticized left and right Isolationists very correctly. But, his point of view for China Reformists didn't go right. But This Book highlights the importance of Investment in technology, Defending the value of liberty,free trades and at last but not list the American leadership for The world.
January 23, 2024
Worth reading when published in 1988 but his predictions all proved wrong and the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. He was right about Soviet leaders and the expansionism in 1950s-1970s but most of the content can be glossed over as bad predictions of the future.
July 19, 2023
A bad book written by an even worse person.
How Richard Nixon had the temerity to write political commentary post-Watergate is beyond me.
How Richard Nixon had the temerity to write political commentary post-Watergate is beyond me.
March 4, 2011
The two most difficult choices Richard Nixon ever made were 1) not challenging Jack Kennedy's purported theft of the 1960 presidential election, and 2) not challenging Prince's obvious theft of his book title for a pop song.
June 19, 2014
الكتاب يعطي انبطباع عن الكيفية التي يعمل بها عقل السياسي الامريكي كذلك بيعطي بعض التفسيرات وبعض السرد لما حدث في القرن الماضي
الواقعية السياسية والحسابات الاستراتيجية كيف تُجري؟
كيف ينظر الغرب للعالم الثالث، وكيف ينظر لنفسه ولطبيعة الصراعات.
الواقعية السياسية والحسابات الاستراتيجية كيف تُجري؟
كيف ينظر الغرب للعالم الثالث، وكيف ينظر لنفسه ولطبيعة الصراعات.
May 18, 2013
أن تقرأ كتاباً نُشر فى عام 1988 يتناول سيناريوهات ما قد يحدث عام 1999 وأنت فى عام 2011 (: ريتشارد نيكسون مخطط بارع بكل تأكيد
July 12, 2014
I liked him better as an author than as a president. He has a very good world view and I think a lot of good caveats on world affairs and the military. I was impressed.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews