Six Crises

by Richard M. Nixon

The former president recounts six events that shaped his early political career, including the Hiss Case, the Checkers speech, the kitchen debate with Khrushchev, and the 1960 presidential campaign

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Presidents, Memoir, Us Presidents

456 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1981

About the author

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. ' 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.

Reviews

[Isidore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nixon's 1962 book about the six big crises he had had to face in his political career up to that point is surprisingly introspective, for someone widely alleged to have been incapable of introspection. He closely analyzes his changing reactions in the course of each of these crises in an almost quasi-scientific way, and draws some interesting general principles, such as that when a crisis draws to a close there is a risk of depression and one's judgement is at its worst—and so it is wise not to make any major decisions until one has had time to recover.

As narrative history the book is convincing and intelligent, if sober and almost humourless, and is used by historians to this day. The most exciting "crises", I thought, were the Hiss case with its Perry Mason-ish combination of detection and judicial thrust-and-parry, and the 1958 Caracas incident in which Nixon and his companions were nearly murdered by rioters. The weakest is his long description of his unsuccessful presidential campaign of 1960: a tediously thorough account that appears to have missed few stops on his itinerary. Also, modern historians are more forthright about JFK's dirty tricks and other matters that were not publishable in 1962. Even so, Nixon hints at touchy material, such as probable election fraud in Chicago and Texas, and his disappointment with Eisenhower's refusal to campaign until it was too late to make a difference.

Critics of Nixon's books complain of his whining and self-pity. As he tells his story, it's hard not to empathize with him as he relates in obviously painful detail the blatantly partisan hostility of the press that dogged him for most of his career. And since, for once, we are not reading about these events from a Democratic perspective, there are some surprising sidelights, such as that Adlai Stevenson, campaigning for JFK, pronounced Nixon unfit for office because he was a Quaker, and hence theoretically a pacifist. I've often read about the religious prejudice JFK had to face, but this is the first time I heard it cut both ways.

One comes away with a good idea of what the man was like. Whether or not he knew he was doing so, he conveys his doggedness and rigidity, his almost borderline highs and lows, his workaholicism and inability to relax, his obliviousness to others, and his profound resentment toward those he saw as class enemies or personal adversaries. As always, one is left with an impression of immense talent and very human flaws that, with hindsight, seemingly point at eventual political catastrophe. But what if a relatively unembittered and less paranoid Nixon had won in 1960, as he very nearly did? No Watergate, but also no détente? A longer, harsher Cold War? What would have happened in Vietnam? No Presidents Ford & Carter, and perhaps no Reagan? It's at least as thought-provoking as speculating about JFK's uncompleted term(s).

[Aaron Million · Rating 3 out of 5]

History according to Richard Nixon. This was Nixon's first book, written in 1961 after his eight year tenure as Vice President had come to an end. Nixon talks about the six major crises that he had experienced in his political life up to that time:
1) The Alger Hiss perjury case
2) The Checkers Speech/1952 campaign
3) Eisenhower's heart attack in 1955
4) 1958 Latin American trip
5) 1959 meeting/confrontation with Khrushchev
6) 1960 campaign/defeat at the hands of Kennedy

A common theme that runs throughout the book is Nixon's obsession with press coverage. He is paranoid about the press at all times - what the press is saying on TV and radio, what it is writing in the newspapers and magazines, and how it influences what the electorate thinks of him. It is somewhat ironic to read this book, written as it was long before Watergate came about, and not help but think how much further Nixon's obsession with "enemies" and the press became once he got into the White House.

Nixon is very sensitive about justifying most of the decisions that he makes in the book. Quite often his reasons are valid, and in many cases he handles situations with remarkable poise - such as when his car was attacked by a mob in Caracas, Venezuela; and when Nikita Khrushchev tried repeatedly to goad him into a verbal sparring match in Moscow. But other times he seems to come off as bitter about being second-guessed by the media, voters, or other important political figures.

Two things of note here if you read between the lines: 1) his cool, distant relationship with Eisenhower. He does not delve too deeply into their relationship, and devotes only a few paragraphs to Ike's seeming reticence to campaign for him in 1960; and 2) how much politics dominated and was at the center of his life, pushing his family to the background. He seems to mention his wife Pat almost out of obligation. In his section on the 1960 campaign, she isn't even mentioned until about 80 pages into the chapter. And, tellingly, he writes of the day in 1952 that he was nominated as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate as being the most exciting day of his life. One would think that the day he got married, or perhaps the births of his daughters, would be more seminal personal moments for him rather than a political accomplishment, no matter how grand it is.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1961 long before Watergate, this is an earnest, analytical, and fascinating account of Nixon's early political life by the man himself. I am not a political history buff and wasn't even alive during the events discussed in this book, but I found every paragraph intriguing and interesting. Yes the Cold War has become irrelevant in our era, but one can easily be transported back to that time and learn a tremendous amount about a very complex, and despite his later faults, passionate and devoted public servant.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a revelation. My knowledge of Nixon is entirely based upon his presidency and the Watergate scandal. That and "Frost/Nixon." If I knew none of what came next when reading this book I would have a very different picture of the man. While obviously a narcissist (what politician is not?) he also comes across as rational, decent, and concerned for the welfare of middle-class Americans. I probably would still have voted for Kennedy, but reading the account of the 1960 campaign made me understand how close a race it was in a way I hadn't fully grasped before. Nixon's account of his trip to Moscow in July 1959 is compelling. He got Khrushchev in a way many did not. The bluster was intended to distract you from the fact that this was a very smart, very rational, and ruthless leader. While history has demonstrated that Communism was not the threat we thought it was, I understood a little more about the fear my parents and grandparents (and, let's be honest me as a 6-year old) had.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The controversial, brilliant Richard Nixon's first book. And the only one written while he still had political ambitions, written after his Vice Presidency but before his loss for California Governor and before his Presidency. It's nonetheless one of his best books, probably second only to "Leaders" in terms of how interesting it is.

While Nixon obviously is a politician to some degree, the relative candor in which he discusses many of the events in his life, the Hiss case, his nomination as VP in both '52 and '56, the "Kitchen Table" debate, and the like, is pretty remarkable. I'm not saying he was objective, I'm saying he was honest and self-critical while still seeing what he did in a largely positive light.

Anyhow, this ads a lot to the historical record for sure, and also quite simply is just an enjoyable book if you appreciate Nixon's style (I always have). A must for political/history junkies, and worthwhile for anybody who is interested in politics and history.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved reading about Nixon -- see The Public Burning -- and this book is my favorite from among the Nixon oeuvre, with Nixon Agonistes hot on its tail. Bill Clinton may have made a lot of news, but he pales compared to Nixon as a character, who was just flat-out fascinating.

[mega them · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a self-centered, dishonest creep.

[Andrew Barbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If all you know of Nixon is Watergate, you know next to nothing.

Most people today do not know anything of Nixon before he was president. Six Crises is Nixon's first book. It is first and foremost a first person account of pinch points in history from one of the most influential players in that history.

Before he entered the world stage, Nixon was a varsity letterman in Football and, near and dear to my heart, he was also a champion debater. His debate skill carried him on through his legal and pollical careers.

When war came, Nixon first served as an attorney for the Office of Emergency Management in Washington, D.C., He worked there until he secured an appointment as Lieutenant junior grade in the United States Naval Reserve on 15 June 1942. Looking for more excitement, Nixon volunteered for sea duty and reported to Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet where he was assigned as Officer in Charge of the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command at Guadalcanal in the Solomons, and later at Green Island. He received commendations for the efficiency of the units under his command, and mustered out as a commander in the Naval reserves.

Nixon was "In the Arena" and a World Leader before he was President. Nixon first went to Congress where he was an eloquent and effective Cold War Warrior. While Senator McCarthy sought headlines and Hollywood scalps, Nixon sought evidence and actual government spies. While Nixon's telling of the Alger hiss story here is compelling, the full breadth of that story was told by his key witness Whitaker Chambers in his classic, Witness. The fact that the key evidence was secured from a hollowed-out-pumpkin in a Maryland pumpkin patch, lent an air of intrigue to the affair which Hollywood could not improve upon.

This is were the battle between Nixon and the liberal press began. Nixon outlived most of his most vitriolic antagonists and staged an unprecedented comeback after Watergate and died as an honored statesman respected by republicans and democrat leaders alike for his sage advise regarding world crises up until the time of his death. History proved Nixon right when documents released after the fall of the Soviet Union proved, not only that Hiss was in fact a spy, but that some of his most vociferous supporters in the media were also fellow travelers and/or spies in contact with the Soviet Union.

The Fund Crisis and the Checkers speech are windows into the evolution of money politics, and a text book for crisis management. Nixon's defense was a detailed factual one. It was the debater's version of marching through the accusations like Sherman marching through Georgia. And no, Nixon was not going to give back the family dog Checkers, even if it cost him the VP nomination. Nixon proved one good speech could save a political career. His 1969 Inaugural Address is comparable in quality and effect to Churchill's Finest Hour and Never Surrender speeches.

Nixon was IKE's VP after crushing the Checker's Speech and then crushing it on the campaign trail for IKE. In his first four years in office as VP, Nixon made world tours including allies and adversaries. He knew the best way to manage a crisis is to prevent one, and that misunderstanding and miscalculation of either an adversary or an ally could prove fatal not just for a political career but for the world. Nixon later wrote a book, Leaders, which provides a first person assessment of some of the other World Leaders during his time on the World State, some of who you may not even be aware of, given the parochial attention of American journalism.

When IKE had a heart attack, Nixon served as de facto President during his recovery. It is hard to appreciate with the passage of time, how critical this service was. The World was on the precipice of Nuclear War. An error in being to belligerent or too weak could have triggered a cataclysm. Unlike Al Haig's infamous "reassurance" that he was "in charge" after Reagan was shot, Nixon systematically reassured allies and cautioned adversaries, which was made exponentially easier because Nixon had worked with each of them as IKE's roving ambassador in the years before the crisis. This event proved the importance of both relationships and preparation.

His experience came with considerable risk to his person. In January 1958, there was a revolution in Venezuela in which the communist party was a driving force. In May, Ike sent Nixon on a "Good Will" (read crisis management) tour of Central and South America. The Soviets and their client state Cuba, were working hard to turn desire for democracy into a desire for communism. It was generally acknowledged that it was easier to replace a tyrant with communism than democracy, because the tyrant had crippled the building blocks of democracy. In practice there is little difference between a communist thugocracy and a fascist dictatorship.

In another first person account by Press Attaché Robert Amerson, he remembered the day:

"Who can forget the sight of those crowds that had been bused down by the professional agitators and organizers, the banners that had been printed up for it, their stationing themselves in the balcony above where the Nixons and the official party had to pass."

"This arrangement allowed the demonstrators to throw things down, shout epithets and even spit on the visiting Vice President and his wife. This agitation escalated into a major security problem by the time the motorcade reached the city and could have cost lives — including those in the Nixon party."

"Venez nixonstoned31Fortunately, in that mob scene, the cars did not turn over. They were badly beaten upon and dented, windows smashed, spittle all over them. They were a sight to behold! (I was just looking at a Life Magazine of that time a couple of days ago and it brings back the realities.) The official Nixon party finally took refuge in the American Ambassador’s residence."
[Nixon cancelled a potentially volatile wreath laying at the tomb of Simon Bolivar, who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire].

"There was a question as to whether the VP should give a press conference; this he did, and he conducted himself with great dignity. He’s never been higher in my esteem than he was at that moment, speaking with such reserve and calm about it not being easy to see one’s wife being spit upon, and that kind of thing, but still statesmanlike in his reaction although he was obviously seething beneath it all."

Nixon stood in the South American breach, assailed but undaunted. The domino did not fall.

Next Nixon presents the Kitchen Debate, one of the most riveting moments of the Cold War, when Richard Nixon at a Trade Fair in the Soviet Union, engaged Nikita Khrushchev in an impromptu Lincoln-Douglas style debate, in which Nixon highlighted the freedom and variety of choices in the American Way of Life and the prosperity for average citizens (returning veterans and steel workers), in contrast to the one size fits all top down structure of Soviet. life. Nixon was a leading Cold War warrior who understood that this war was as much about hearts and minds as it was about soldiers and weapons.

The final crisis was his close loss to JFK in 1960. This election brought forth the televised debate. Views favored JFK listeners Nixon. Among other things, JFK was more lighting sand make up savvy. TV changed politics and Nixon changed with it. As a side note: Nixon was a friend of JFK who had sent Nixon an autographed copy of his Profiles in Courage (displayed at the Nixon library). Nixon could have contested the election and particularly the chicanery of Hughey long in Louisiana and Richard Dailey in Illinois. Unlike Gore or Trump, Nixon new the risks of a contested election on the eve of the Missile Crisis, and conceded the highly contestable election.

It is also a tale of rise, fall, and renewal.

Many great leaders spent "Time in the Wilderness" when all seemed lost, a tide missed and a future lost. Nixon and Churchill proved the exceptions to the rule. Both returned from the Wilderness to eclipse prior accomplishments.

Many of us, have gone from peaks to valleys in our lives as well. For Nixon, dedication to something bigger than himself was always the path back from defeat. If you are in a Valley, I highly recommend this as a template for renewal.

January 9, was Richard Milhouse Nixon's birthday. This review is dedicated to his memory.

[John Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six Crises was seleted as part of my Presidental writings project reading something from each President. I started with Obama and am working my way backwards (I will have to pick up Trump and Biden when I am done). I specifically chose this book of Nixon's because I wanted something before he was President...before Watergate.

In Six Crises, Nixon tells the story of six different challaneges he faced from his time in public office up to and including the 1960 Presidental election. It was well organizaned and very well written with Nixon being a great story teller. I was mostly captivated by each of the crises he faced.

I embarked on this project, to try to get a sense of each person...what did he believe...what were his philosophies. In lieu of Watergate, I was also interested If I would read "singals" of what was to come later. I came away with a few impressions of Nixon after reading Six Crises: 1. Nixon was a completely political being. Everything he did and said was done for politcal reasons. 2. Enemies were everywhere...the Communist, the press, the Democrats...fellow Republicans. Only 1 time did I feel he showed vulnerability or caring or compassion and that was when we shared a few conversations he had with his daughters. 3. Other than the Caracas incident I would characterize his "crises" as "champaign problems" not really that consequential when compared to other public officals have faced (like an insurection of the the Capital). Granted as a Representation, Senator or VP maybe he wasn't presented with more exitential problems. Ulitmately I really didn't get a sense of what he thought or felt other then he liked winning and disliked Communists.

[Zhi Yan Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical, well explained, personal take on the 6 major crises culminating in his 1960 loss. This paints a starkly different picture than what the conventional view simply dictates. Yet a reader must be cognisant that precisely because it is so personal, he or she looks through the unique eyes of Nixon and what is portrayed may not be objective or the wider view, such as from Eisenhower's or the 34th Cabinet's.

Regardless, there is a lot to imbibe here. Taking of losses, making decisions and portrayals in the toughest of times, a steeliness, substance and image, and unquestionable logic and responsibility.

Too often, because the colourful individuals have so many pages in their lives, we mark them by only a select few highs or lows. Nixon's re-appraisal is overdue.

[Jamie Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating book but don't recommend trying to read the whole thing unless you happen to have politics that agree with Nixon and so won't mind him going on about how clever he is. I think Nixon really cared about the country and really believed that the best thing for it was for Nixon to have as much unchecked power as possible. But, that doesn't make him right and that doesn't make this book easy to stomach.

[Andrew Langford]

one time when i was like 12 i was at my grandparents' house for a week and i didn't have anything to read and for some reason i picked this off the shelf and read it because we share a birthday and i remember he wrote quote a bit about his experience of being spit on so cant wait for his next book

[Dennis Mersereau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nixon portrays himself in the best possible light, of course, but it's remarkably introspective for such a paranoid crook. What a weird little guy he was.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone interested in 20th century political science/history even if you don't have a favorable view of the controversial Richard Nixon.
First published in 1962, Nixon recounts six main events in his life that he uses to explain what it means to not just survive a crisis but how to improve one's self in the process.
I found the chapter about former Soviet premier Khrushchev to be the most enlightening and a great foreshadowing of later events of the 20th century (mainly, the Vietnam War and the opening of Red China).
Nixon's intelligence comes across thoroughly in his writings and it's hard to believe that the Nixon who wrote this book is the same one who later became involved in the lunacy of the Watergate scandal.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not necessarily reliable but highly readable as a narrative and a catalogue of poorly concealed grievances. It's interesting to note how often Nixon bashes political opponents (and colleagues) by proxy, putting the harshest criticism in the words of others ("Obviously I don't agree, but here's what so-and-so said...") Similarly praise of Nixon by others is carefully recorded, as are all perceived unfair advantages held by Nixon's opponents. It's pretty revealing.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it in my Republican days and am not likely to read it again, though I do think that Nixon was one of the nation's more intelligent leaders. Despite his flaws, he had some redeeming qualities.

[Katlyn Josway-jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very clear look at the early failures of this president. While definitely biased I found it to be such a great insight to the personality of Nixon and I love to compare it to speeches made around the time of Watergate. You see a lot of that fire and fight that made him an indomitable opponent

[Jon Stefenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. I'm sure its biased. However, an interesting perspective and an interesting time. The communist threat - from Alger Hiss to Kruschev.
The trip to South America was an intense couple of confrontations.

[Sheik · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the first edition nixxon says that he , "Knew algier hiss was a communist because he had spots on his tie".

later editions removed this very revealing look inside that dimented mind.

[Lee Savino · Rating 1 out of 5]

just not a political junkie

[Andrew O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent intermingling of political doctrine and stories of leadership growth; crises steadily get more compelling and relevant

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primary history source. I certainly learned a new respect for Nixon.