Pat and Dick: The Nixons, An Intimate Portrait of a Marriage

by Will Swift

Shortlisted for the 2015 Plutarch Award for Best Biography, “the most humanizing portrait of the Nixons we’re likely to have” (Douglas Brinkley) is a sweeping depiction of the turbulent fifty-three-year marriage of Richard and Pat Nixon.

When Americans remember the controversial Nixons, they usually focus on the political triumphs, the turbulent White House years, and the humiliating public downfall. But a very different image of the polarizing president emerges in this fascinating portrait of the relationship between Richard and Pat Nixon. Now, the couple’s recently released love letters and other private documents reveal that as surely as unremitting adversity can fray the fabric of a marriage, devotion can propel it to surmount disgrace and defeat.

In Pat and Dick, biographer Will Swift brings his years of experience as a historian and marital therapist to this unique examination of a long-misunderstood marriage. Nixon the man was enormously complicated: brilliant, insecure, sometimes coldly calculating, and capable of surprising affection with his wife. Much less is known about Pat. With the help of personal writings and interviews with family and friends, Swift unveils a woman who was warm and vivacious, yet much shrewder and more accomplished than she has been given credit for. From Dick’s unrelenting crusade to marry the glamorous teacher through the myriad crises of his political career, the Nixons’ story is filled with hopes and disappointments, both intimate and global.

Written by a leading presidential biographer who “narrates with grace and style” (Kirkus Reviews), this remarkable biography shows us a couple who, despite their trials, managed to find the strength, courage, and resilience to sustain a true connection for more than half a century.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Presidents, History

497 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2014

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on President and Mrs. Nixon - while I have always admired Mrs. Nixon and felt she never got the credit she deserved for all she did in multiple arena's, I was never a fan of the President. However, after reading Dr. Swift's book, I have a clear understanding of both the President and the First Lady.

Dr. Swift drastically changed my perception of President Nixon for the better and greatly added my appreciation for his remarkable wife.

I hope this book will help change the many misconceptions of this remarkable couple.

David

[John Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amazing story of two hard-luck kids who fell in love, set out to change the world, climbed the highest peak and lost it all.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a therapist and biographer, Will Swift is uniquely qualified to delve into the fascinating story of Richard and Pat Nixon’s 50-year marriage. Swift does a superb job, detailing the couple’s unexpectedly romantic courtship, times of darkness and distance between them, and a touching period of late-life reconnection.

I’m fascinated by the unique challenges faced by presidential couples. Whether it’s the Washingtons, Trumans, or Obamas, the intense scrutiny and house-of-mirrors nature of the office makes it hard to gain any real insight into first couples. Swift manages to peel away the layers of public perception. You get to see the surprisingly vulnerable man behind Nixon’s often sinister political image. You get to see the surprisingly warm but also driven person behind the “Plastic Pat” image. Politically, I’ll never agree with the Nixons. But from a historical perspective, it’s important to understand them better. This humanizing portrait is very welcome.

[Kate Buford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was brought up as a Diaper Nixon Hater. My grandfather rang doorbells for Helen Gahagan Douglas, who ran against Nixon for the U.S. Senate in 1950 in California in the famous "pink sheet" campaign. Then came Watergate. However, while not trying to rehabilitate Nixon (impossible, in my opinion), Swift here finds the humanity in the man through looking at his marriage to Pat. Who knew?

Full disclosure: Swift and I are members of the same biographers group in NYC and I read this book in manuscript form. That didn't stop me from approaching it with deep skepticism and from ending it almost in tears. There is a kind of reconciliation in coming to a deeper understanding of a person who did much good and so much damage to our country and culture.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just loved this. I grew up during Nixon's presidency years and he was always one of my favorite presidents, despite Watergate. The Nixons were a deeply private couple, and many in the press misinterpreted that as emotional distance. Pat was treated shamefully by Kandy Stroud of Women's Wear Daily, who coined the phrase "Plastic Pat." Author Will Smith reveals how off base that was -- Pat had tremendous poise and strength of character, having been orphaned at 18, and worked many jobs to put herself through college to become a teacher. At one point she used a modest family inheritance to pay for much needed campaign pamphlets that ended up being stolen by the competition. Through the many ups and downs of his political career, they remained devoted to each other. He's still one of my favorite presidents, despite his failures and missteps -- he ended American fighting in Vietnam, improved foreign relations with China and Russia, founded the EPA, and oversaw the desegregation of schools. And Pat is now one of my favorite first ladies.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many other books about and by Richard Nixon, but in my mind one of the things that really made him interesting (and successful, for that matter) was his stalwart, supportive, intelligent, and charming wife. This book shows a side of Dick that most people never saw, one that is quite likable. I was surprised by Dick's reliance on Pat. From the very beginning, she helped him to keep going in the face of strong opposition and to confront the many demons in his life. Pat was often the victim of bad press, which painted her as wooden and passive. Her drive for perfection may have made her appear a bit robotic, but she was anything but passive. The Presidency years were very stressful for the Nixons' marriage, and sometimes Dick really was really hard on Pat (along with everyone else), but in the end they weathered the storm. My view of Richard Nixon was shifted and my admiration for Pat was reinforced and greatly expanded by this book.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done portrait of the Nixon marriage, from its rocky courtship to its ups and downs during the couple's public career to its warm, closer final nearly 20 years. Fairly written, not like the many biographies of the 37th president that are penned beginning with a particular political slant. Don't read this expecting a political biography; it covers their lives but from the point of their relationship.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book--I found it compelling reading. I learned a lot about a tumultuous period and found it fascinating to view the Nixons through the prism of their relationship. Pat emerges as a more sympathetic figure than I could ever have imagined. A wonderfully interesting work of biography and American history.

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight into a misunderstood yet ultimately happy marriage during the years leading up to one of the US"s most dramatic and turbulent political crises and beyond.

[Katherine Basto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got hooked into learning about the Nixons because I watched the CNN special on Richard Nixon. The documentary led me to want to learn more about this complex man and his wife. This book did not disappoint. At times, it read like a novel. What I enjoyed was how much I learned about the historical context of what was happening during the 50s and 60s, how Nixon got his real start by going after Alger Hiss, the Commies and stood up to the Russian Krushev.
The Nixons, a real product of the 50s, never seemed to make the transition into the 70s. Both came from a hardscrabble life, his family owned a general store and Pat, an orphan early in her life, worked several jobs including that of a teacher. It's ironic the Nixons both met in a drama try-out. Both of them loved drama, and it's clear they developed personas based on the ability to conceal their true emotions and present a steel facade to the world. They both knew how to act!
Nixon, always the statesman, suffered losses after his two term stint as Eisenhower's VP. Although many times his family dissuaded him from running again for office, his ambition would not be thwarted. Regardless of his decisions, Pat supported him every step of the way...as most women did at this time. Yet unlike other Presidents, he never really conferred with her about political decisions;rather, he surrounded himself with men like Haldeman and Erlichmann who controlled most of his moves. Pat did not approve of the men around the President, but there was nothing she could do.
Early on, Richard Nixon promised his wife, "a life of adventure." Truly, he lived up to this promise, as they traveled the world, were attacked and pelted at in Venezuela, and met world dignitaries time and again. She was the perfect "helpmate" for her husband, keeping the smile plastered on her face and staying right by his side, regardless of his dismissive treatment of her.
Written by a psychologist, "Pat and Dick" brings the story of this famous couple to life, culminating with the devastating effects Watergate had on Pat. She would never admit any wrongdoing regarding her husband, it was always someone else's fault. How could she when it would mean their house of cards and their solid relationship could crumble? On the surface, Pat was the classic "stand by your man" woman of the 50s. Yet she was so much more. Intelligent, protective, aggressive, funny, she could hold a grudge and let it out when it suited her.
"Pat and Dick" is well written, informative and left me wanting to learn more about this complicated marriage that lasted well over 50 years. Pat, at first didn't want to marry Nixon, longing for a life of freedom, privacy and adventure. Once, however, she made the commitment to the marriage, her blinders stayed on and she was right by his side through the roller coaster of their life together. Highly recommended!

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I loved about this book is that he doesn't attempt to wrestle a definitive answer from the murky questions that arise. People who knew the Nixons well sometimes had conflicting views on the relationship. Swift presents the differing viewpoints -- without trying to resolve them. That leaves their relationship as it probably actually was: murky and differing and complex. Both of them emerge in this story as smart, determined people with many strengths, who also had defects and struggled to find happiness. Compelling, often fascinating, often heart-breaking. Adds a lot of complexity to a story. It's hard to fathom dismissing either of them with simplistic notion after reading this.

[Mark Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid biographical account that begins with the courtship of the central figures; and culminates in their years after public life. This book sheds light upon many facets of the Nixon family life; and life in the White House. From humble middle class beginnings, to the pinnacle of success, disappointment and shame, redemption and admiration, this is a great read for anyone who is a history buff.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. Pat Nixon was a driving force behind her husband’s presidency. Interesting read.

[Scott Whitlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex look at the complex marriage of Richard and Pat Nixon. Pat's role and importance to him has gone underreported for many years.

[Emily Dai · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little too sympathetic to the nixons and doesn’t go into enough detail about substantive politics for my taste

[James Hickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary pundits and commentators called Pat and Richard Nixon's marriage "loveless," and referred to her as "Plastic Pat." This book proves what most of us already know: Pundits and commentators are idiots.

Whatever opinion you may have of Richard Nixon, I think everyone can agree that he was a tightly controlled person who seldom revealed his emotions during most of his public life. So one of the most dramatic moments in Nixon's highly dramatic life was during Pat's 1993 funeral, where he sobbed uncontrollably and was so distraught that he had to be guided from one place to another by his family. He died less than a year after she did.

This book explains why.

Pat was a pretty, sociable young woman who initially had no interest in the intense young Richard. But he relentlessly pursued her until she finally fell in love with him. They worked together to ensure his success. If anything, she hated their political opponents more than he did -- although by all accounts she knew nothing of Watergate until it broke, and when she found out about it thought her husband's actions were dumb. But overall, they were a team, from the beginning of their careers through their retirement. As a President and politician, Nixon's results were mixed. As an example of a great marriage, you could do worse than examining the lives of Pat and Dick.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the fascinating love story of Richard and Pat Nixon and how their relationship survived the tumultuous world of politics. Without the emotional support, guidance and love of Pat, Nixon would never have become President. She was the force that kept him pushing him. When people tried to force him to resign as the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate in 1952, Pat was the one who kept him going. She said:

"You can't thing of resigning. If you do, Eisenhower will lose. You will carry the scar for the rest of your life. If you do not fight back but simply crawl away, you will destroy yourself."

Whenever Nixon was depressed and wanting to quit because of the pressure of the outside world, Pat was always there supporting him.

Winning Pat's heart was not easy. She initially had little interest in Richard but he persisted and eventually won her heart.

I highly recommend this book because it tells the love story and the heartbreak of an American Presidential couple.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like Dick and Pat Nixon, so I was looking forward to reading this book. They were a fascinating and interesting pair that loved each other deeply. Throughout most of their marriage they were very close - except during Watergate. I think Pat wore blinders during that time and for awhile after he resigned. I don't think she ever thought her husband had done anything *that* wrong.

Their marriage is dissected through each major happening in their lives. The author is pro-Nixons, but not to the point of ignoring the obvious. He researched his subjects quite thoroughly I thought. I kinda feel like I don't have to read anything else on Nixon now. I will, but this was a very good read.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides insights into the 53 year marriage of a very controversial and complex couple. The author does an excellent job humanizing both Richard and Pat Nixon. I came away with an understanding of their public and private relationship.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't feel like this book gives you a better understanding of Nixon; if anything, I feel more conflicted than when I began reading. He clearly loved his wife, but he was also clearly an asshole.

Either way, it's an interesting look at Nixon and his wife.

[Dianne Cmich · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Jeana Fors · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to understand the time when Nixon was our president. I was a small child but remember him on the news. This allowed me some insight without all the political garbage.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for those of us who lived thru those years...others might not find the sgory as interesting. Personal lives and political lives retold.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read probably 25 books about Richard Nixon. This one was a little different being about the Nixon marriage. It was a good read.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful look into the personal relationship of Richard and Pat Nixon.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good biographical information on The First Lady Pat Nixon.