"[He] used me, but he used me well." --Richard Nixon, describing his professional relationship with Dwight Eisenhower

"Since he did not really trust people, people did not really trust him." --Bryce Harlow, who worked for Eisenhower and Nixon, describing Nixon

I bought this so I could learn more about Eisenhower, but this book is about 75% Dick (har har) and 25% Ike. I suppose it makes sense to spend more time on the rising star in the relationship.

I never thought a book would make me sympathize with Richard Nixon, but this one did. Ike really made him fend for himself when the fund scandal erupted. If something like that happened today, the party wouldn't even let the politician pick out his own clothes, never mind book his own airtime and draft his own speech.

It's interesting that Nixon complained so bitterly that Eisenhower acted coldly toward him and never let him do anything but boring tasks or "dirty work," and then Nixon picked a terrible vice-president and never gave him anything to do. (The only thing Spiro Agnew had going for him was that Strom Thurmond approved of him. Sheesh.)

The parts about race relations are particularly interesting. Eisenhower identified with white Southerners even though he was from Kansas. Nixon was cautious in showing support but realized that it would be foolish for the Republicans to split their party the way the Democrats had split theirs.

Also, the parts about space exploration are brief but fascinating. Eisenhower found the whole issue baffling. He didn't see the point of sending a rocket to the moon because as far as he knew we didn't have any enemies on the moon.

There's not much room to discuss Pat Nixon, but she comes off as a long-suffering, bitter woman.

Bringing to the Meetup on Tuesday the 22nd at 6:30. Hope to see you there.