Nixon Reconsidered by Joan Hoff. Term Paper

She writes, "The tendency among modern leaders to ignore constitutional or legislative restrictions when it suits their personal convictions on particular issues and to take secret actions, especially on foreign policy matters, is a serious problem for all mature Western democratic nations" (Hoff 13). Perhaps she is more intuitive than first expected. Her comments seem extremely relevant during a time when foreign countries are ignoring sanctions on nuclear weapons and genocide, and the U.S. is in turmoil over the war in Iraq and other human rights issues. Hoff seems to understand the nature of the modern president in great detail, and it would be interesting to read more of her work and opinions on current and recent presidents like Clinton, Reagan, and G.W. Bush.

In conclusion, author Joan Hoff offers an intimate and fascinating look inside the life and thoughts of former President Nixon. Nixon was one of the most notable and disliked American presidents, but this book shows many of his accomplishments and successes. She quotes another historian, "If we have peace over the next fifty years, I think Nixon will go down in the history books as one of our truly great Presidents. The Watergate episode will then receive a mere footnote in the history books. -- Arthur Burns, remarks at a public forum, October 29, 1985" (Hoff 329). This may not be the conclusion of many other historians, but Hoff uses her research to present and prove her thesis, backs it up with examples, and even though she may have some bias on the issues, she does not allow them to cloud her conclusions entirely. There may be a more balanced view of Nixon and his presidency, but Hoff's research outweighs her bias and indicates that perhaps Richard Nixon is one of the most misunderstood presidents of the modern era. His accomplishments just may outweigh the Watergate affair, but unfortunately, that is what most people remember about Richard M. Nixon. Perhaps if they read this book, they would have…