Nixon′s Shadow – The History of an Image

To his conservative supporters in 1940s southern California Richard Nixon was a populist everyman; to liberal intellectuals of the 1950s he was Tricky Dick a devious manipulator; to 1960s radicals a shadowy conspirator; to the Washington press corps a pioneering spin doctor; to his loyal Middle Americans a victim of liberal hatred; to recent historians an unlikely liberal. Nixons Shadow rediscovers these competing images of the protean Nixon showing how each was created and disseminated in American culture and how Nixons tinkering with his own image often backfired. During Nixons long tenure on the national stage—and through the succession of new Nixons so brilliantly described here—Americans came to realize how thoroughly politics relies on manipulation. Since Nixon it has become impossible to discuss politics without asking: What is the politicians real character? How authentic or inauthentic is he? What image is he trying to project? More than what Nixon did this fascinating book reveals what Nixon meant.