The Peacemaker: Nixon: The Man, President, and My Friend

by Ben Stein

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”  – Matthew 5:9

“I don’t think any president has been more wrongly persecuted than Nixon, ever. I just think he was a saint.” – Ben Stein

From Ben Stein, New York Times bestselling author, humorist and former speech writer for both Nixon and Ford administrations – a powerful (and humorous) thinker on economics, politics, education and history and motivation – a personal memoir of his friend Richard The man, patriot, president, peacemaker and visionary. 

The Richard Nixon Stein remembers and lovingly describes has almost nothing to do with the Richard Nixon as portrayed in most media. In Stein’s view, Richard Nixon was a born peacemaker, a saint. Stein believes Nixon was tortured, abused, beat up by the Beautiful People, but through it all, above all, he was a peacemaker, a trait he inherited from his Quaker mother. 

Nixon’s goal, as he often explained to Stein and others on his staff, was to create “a generation of peace.” And Stein argues he did it; Nixon gave the United States the longest sustained period of peace since World War II. In Stein’s view, if we no longer have to fear Russian ICBMs screaming out of hell to start nuclear war, we can thank the shade of Richard Nixon.

Why did the media hate him so much? Stein argues it was because Nixon was vulnerable and showed it when attacked. He did not have the tough hide of a Reagan or an Obama. Like the schoolyard bullies they are, the media went after Nixon for his vulnerability.

An insider’s account of Nixon the man, president and peacemaker, The The Man, President and My Friend will make you reconsider the life and legacy of 37th President of the United States.

Genres: Presidents

Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

Benjamin Stein is a multifaceted American figure known for his work as a writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on politics and economics. He began his public life as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, later gaining widespread recognition in the entertainment world for his deadpan comedic style. Stein became a pop culture icon through his role as the monotone economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and as the host of Win Ben Stein’s Money, a game show that earned multiple Emmy Awards. He also played Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and its sequel. A Yale Law School valedictorian, Stein worked as a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission and taught law and economics at Pepperdine University.
A prolific columnist, Stein has contributed to The American Spectator, Newsmax, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His books, often co-authored with Phil DeMuth, address financial planning and economic commentary. In 2008, he wrote and starred in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a controversial documentary criticized for promoting intelligent design.
Politically conservative, Stein has defended Nixon's legacy, expressed strong views on U.S. foreign policy, and advocated higher taxes on the wealthy to support military initiatives and reduce national debt. During the 2008 financial crisis, he came under scrutiny for downplaying early warning signs and misjudging the scale of the economic collapse.
Stein has also had an extensive voice acting and television career, appearing in series such as The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, and Family Guy, and voicing characters in The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Animaniacs. His personal life includes a long-standing marriage to entertainment lawyer Alexandra Denman and homes in California, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. Though often polarizing in his opinions, Stein remains a recognizable figure across political, academic, and entertainment domains.

Reviews

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Stein, in my mind, has written the definitive book on Richard Nixon. Always a controversial figure, Nixon never shied away from controversy; and it was because of this controversy, his enemies sought and succeeded in destroying his presidency. Richard Nixon, early in his political career, successfully exposed the numerous Communists within the Left Wing. It was that exposure that the Left, from then on, targeted Nixon, and forever labeled him "Tricky Dick."

It is also true, however, that Nixon was his own worst enemy. President Nixon allowed the Watergate Scandal to fester and metastasize. In the end Nixon's tormentors won.

Ben Stein openly admits his fierce loyalty to Richard Nixon in life and in death.

[Annie Oortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to “categorize” Ben Stein’s “The Peacemaker.” It’s not really a Nixon biography, nor an inclusive Ben Stein memoir. Neither is the tome a powerful social commentary on one of our most disliked presidents. At best, it’s an historical love letter from a blindly devoted insider (Stein) to a former boss & close family friend (Nixon). The writing is enjoyable, & the narrative engaging, but Stein’s piety grew tedious after 228 pages.

[Gregory G Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Important Read!

I was 18 in 1975 and had received my draft notice. A young 3rd cousin had been killed running to a beach as a Marine in Vietnam. I would have served, but was scared I’d not survive. President Nixon, the Peacemaker, called off the draft. Ben Stein, a very brilliant man, did an amazing service to the true legacy of Richard Nixon. This book is insightful and, for me, emotional as I had lived through those times. Great read!

[Kenneth Aspan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal account of Ben's relations with Nixon

I liked the way that Ben described his relationship with Nixon. I did feel that the book was more of an autobiography, than a real history of Nixon.
In retrospect I was reminded of Nixon's many accomplishments regarding world peace.

[Evelyn Bunteman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Being raised as a blue loving Liberal by my two parents, I figured that “The Peacemaker” would not be my cup of tea. I already disdained Richard Nixon for Watergate. However, as a student of History, I cannot believe that Stein’s book is acclaimed.
The way in which he speaks of Nixon as being “The greatest peacemaker the Oval Office had ever seen,” is wildly disingenuous and outright untrue. Especially with the ‘Chennault affair’ having been public knowledge at the time of publishing, it feels less like Stein is appealing to a Richard Nixon that only existed behind closed doors and more like we are being outright gaslit about how the Nixon Administration handled their time in Vietnam.
For those unfamiliar, the Chennault affair was where Anna Chennault told the South Vietnamese Ambassador “Hold on, we are going to win…Please tell your boss to hold on” during the 1968 election on behalf of Richard Nixon. By January 2017, John A. Farrell found the proof that Nixon had authorized these conversations.
Delaying the peace talks ultimately cost more lives, and his Paris Peace Agreement that had been reached in 1973 would end up leaving the South vulnerable, and S.V would end up falling in 1975.
Despite this, Stein sticks to the title of “the greatest peacemaker” throughout the book. He claims that because Nixon was the one behind the peace deal that it was his achievement as a president. He claims that it was purely congressional backlash that prevented Nixon from creating a proper peace deal. Yet I fear that a deeper look into the peace deal proves that it was not congress that ruined a proper peace; Nixon and Kissinger allowed North Vietnamese troops in the south, setting up a disaster in the making. And that does not even touch on Laos and Cambodia, though unfortunately I lack deeper knowledge on the subject.
“The peacemaker” also refutes that Nixon was antisemitic due to the latter’s support of Israel, though when you look at Nixon’s quotes on Jewish people, it’s hard to not call him an antisemite. Ultimately reading this book led me to other inaccuracies on subjects like the Black Panthers, who Stein claims were “largely a criminal enterprise dealing drugs and death.”
Stein should stick to acting and being a comedian. At least then the laughs he’ll get will be because he wants them, and not because anyone who’s got free time and Google can factcheck him and laugh at his lack of facts. I’m not surprised in some regards given that the man is a former speechwriter for both Nixon and Ford, though I would at least hope for a book that used actual evidence to back up his claims.
Quite funny for a man who’s political party often runs off the “facts don’t care about your feelings” slogan.
1 star because at least you can be entertained by how many times Stein tries to make you like Nixon. Good lord.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, thing, I've been a huge fan of Richard Nixon as I became aware of his existence as a child.

Ben Stein has included a large amount of gems of Richard Nixon and his vast accomplishments. Unfortunately, Stein has taken these gems and dumped them in a narrative that is primarily about Stein. Better book title: Ben Stein and the Peacemaker. Include photo of Stein and Nixon on cover.

The autobiography element is also poorly drawn together. Instead of being linear and connecting Nixon encounters, the book does a bunch of back and forth in time. Along the way leaving out all sorts of time periods and events in Stein's life that is then referred to as if the reader knows what he is writing about. I left the book very confused of his marital situation he brings up throughout the book.

What I extremely disliked with the an over abundance of enthusiastic, explosive, wonderful cheer of upsetedness....is Ben Steins excessive use of superlatives. That's just poor writing. I got the first time Stein would have married Nixon with all the love he has for him. Repetition of such expressed love of Richard and Julie is irritating and a distraction to the point Stein claims to want to make.

Stein has very important positions Nixon stood for noted.
Something else I found disturbing was the multitude of pages of supposed dialogue between Nixon and Stein. At a couple spots, Stein claims not to remember this or that. Yet, he recalls extensive dialogue of Nixon and himself and others. I don't believe it.

Here's what I believe woulda been a better book:
A fictional/nonfictional book of Stein and Nixon in a room discussing Nixon's career.
All could have been covered. Even Nixon's dogs.

Still this book reminds me of much lost in my memory of so many world changing actions Nixon was part of or supported.
Still...

Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
This book made available by NetGalley.com

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Peacemaker by Ben Stein is a warm, personal tribute to Richard Nixon that paints a very different picture from the one I grew up hearing. Instead of focusing on scandal and impeachment, Stein presents Nixon as a thoughtful, peace-driven leader who, in his view, was unfairly vilified by the media and political opponents. As someone born after Nixon’s time in office, I’ve mostly heard the bad, so it was refreshing to read a more sympathetic, human portrayal from someone who knew him well. If you're open to seeing a different side of Nixon, I recommend giving this memoir a try.

A special thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Peacemaker: Nixon: The Man, President, and My Friend by Ben Stein is a fascinating memoir. This book is an intimate look at the Nixons and their contemporaries, as seen my a colleague. It was incredibly eye opening in so many ways. This is not a comprehensive look at Nixon nor is it a biography. However, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a fresh look at that time in American history. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Voracious Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The personal side of Nixon

Great stories revealing a personal side of Nixon never shown by the media during his political career. This book would have been a five star had it had proper editing. Many phrases and references to events are repeated incessantly and unfortunately takes away from an overall compelling book.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very personal and adoring biography of Richard Nixon. It does have a bit of a tendency to hyperboles but it can be forgiven as the author clearly, and with justification, admires Mr. Nixon greatly. As someone who was following higher education during the Nixon years, and who was somewhat of a news junkie (and later became a journalist), it became clear that so much of my perception was based on a very biased viewpoint. I always thought that I was not swayed by outside forces but I see now that I missed some of the very positive things that Nixon accomplished.

Today the so called news organizations are so rigidly in one camp or another, journalistic integrity is a thing of the past. But I now see that even when we thought we were being open minded, we were not. I certainly hope that at this point in my life I can see both sides and decide for myself. And this book goes a long way to re-jigging my perceptions of the man. It opened my eyes to a number of things and while I do not think he was the misjudged innocent that Mr. Stein believes he was, I do think he was mocked and ridiculed unfairly.

History, I suspect, will be far kinder to Nixon than to many Presidents. There are things that only he could have and did do. He deserves a fairer assessment and this book goes a long way to providing it. My only concern, as I received a copy to read and review, is that it might have benefited from tougher editing. But I still give it four purrs and two paws up.

[Kenny Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very humanizing book on Richard Nixon (a rare take a rarer still from someone affiliated with Hollywood). In this book Stein shows us both the brilliance of Nixon, remarkable memory for details about people (something my own parents can attest to) and mastery of international policy to include details that are oft-overlooked by historians and Nixon haters. While Stein’s rose colored look at Watergate strains sone credulity and the text is occasionally meandering, but overall it’s a valuable and enjoyable perspective on Nixon the man as well as the president.