Cover Image: After Watergate

After Watergate

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Member Reviews

I liked this book and it is written by an agent that was with and around him after he left office. I know not everyone is going to like this book just because it is Nixon but he really was not as bad as any other politician, he just did not throw his people under the bus. I liked this book but it will not be for everyone like I said.

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I didn't sign up for a sycophantic paean to Nixon. I suppose it's good that the author literally idolized Nixon, since protecting the man was his job, but I can't stomach the fawning.

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After Watergate is a book that describes the later life of Nixon, as told by one of his closest secret service members. An interesting read for any historical biography fanatic.

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Mr. Endicott was Richard Nixon's lead secret service agent a few year after Mr. Nixon resigned the presidency until he gave up secret service protection (I had no idea you could do that) and even worked privately for Mr. Nixon for several years after. This book is about the private Nixon that he got to know in the course of his duties.

I found this book interesting, and it had a lot of great stories. I learned a great deal that I didn't know before including how active Noxpn stayed in foreign affairs once he made his comeback after Watergate. It seems he was always jetting off somewere; Russia, China, so many places. I enjoyed hearing the lesser known stories such as the fact that Mr. Nixon was staying at the hotel near the Iranian embassy when it was taken over.

I felt bad for Mrs. Nixon because Mr. Endicott seemed to portray that she didn't like to get out much due to the scrutiny she may have received.

I think the book lacked organization as the stories tend to jump all over the place. That was a bit distracting for me. I also found Mr. Endicott's claim that he knew Nixon better than almost anyone very doubtful, His view of Nixon is definitely a lot rosier than most biographies, and he is entitled to that opinion. I tend to think no one is all good, we all have warts, so a balanced take is more my style.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have chosen to review it.

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This biography was well researched and contained a lot of information that I hadn’t previously read in other books. The author’s attention to detail is evident in the writing. Highly recommend!

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After Watergate is a memoir of Richard Milhous Nixon written by Michael A. Endicott, we need to understand both men to appreciate why this memoir is significant.

After resigning from office because of the Watergate scandal and after some years in the wilderness for reflection, President Nixon chose to reinvent himself. He decided he still had value as an influential figure in history. With the confidential agreement of President Reagan, President Nixon worked with Henry Kissinger to open communications with China, and Russia and develop trade and technology. Nixon and Kissinger worked collaboratively, as Nixon laid the groundwork with foreign leaders, and Kissinger closed the negotiations.

Michael A. Endicott became a member of the Secret Service in 1965; his first assignment was to the detail of the Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew for the 1968 presidential election. After that, he worked for Vice President Mondale, President Reagan, and President Nixon. Michael focuses on Nixon’s life after he resigned from office. During this time, Michael came to work as a general factotum for Nixon. (One could almost think of Michael as an old-fashioned butler.) Moreover, Nixon considered him a friend.

The partnership between President Nixon and Michael Endicott was complex. President Nixon trusted Michael to keep him out of the dangers that threaten high-ranking politicians, but he also depended on him to know when the two of them were safe swimming in dangerous sea waters. Rather than go out to eat, the Nixons preferred Michael to cook for them for special occasions. The time would be more relaxed and fun especially when it was a family affair. Michael appreciated how much Nixon wanted to do normal things, like watch a baseball game from the stands. He made normal things happen for Nixon.

I enjoyed After Watergate very much because it is replete with detailed information of what Nixon considered a normal life. The ability to walk near the sea-shore, to swim in the ocean, to have family parties, to attend baseball games, and to meet the players and their families. To talk to the man in the street, especially in foreign countries like Russia. To vacation with friends and eat at McDonald's.

I feel like pointing out parts of the memoirs of interest to people who like political and historical novels. They will find the book full of information about foreign countries, and the ongoing political intrigue needed to maintain relationships. People who read spy novels will undoubtedly enjoy the precise details on operations and logistics, from the secret service point of view. Sports fans and particularly baseball fans will be fascinated by the amount of detail involving baseball games and baseball players and their families. Nixon possessed an eidetic memory (photographic) and could remember statistics about players, and people he had met politically years earlier. His immense joy and relaxation seemed to come from being able to sit in the stands with the families of the players at New York Mets games at Shea Stadium.

It might be considered a downside that the chapters are written non-sequentially and bounce about between 1965 and 1991. Also, when I read a biography or memoir, there is habitually a point where I think I am missing the protagonist’s first-person point of view. However, these considerations did not take away from the enormous pleasure I felt in reading this book.

I rate the memoir 5 out of 5 stars because it is abundant with fascinating, unique, insights into politics at all levels. The writing is vigorous, confident and detailed. I do not rate it 4 out of 5 stars because it is illuminating and written from a unique perspective. I recommend it to a diverse audience especially people who like politics, history, sports, biographies, and psychology. I would not recommend to people who enjoy romances.

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After Watergate by Michael A. Endicott is quite interesting. He portrays President Nixon in the little known years after he left the White House. There was so little press coverage of him at that time. He obviously continued to work in service of his country. I found it very interesting reading and recommend this book to anyone interested in American politics.However, I felt the author presented himself in a self aggrandizing manner that detracted somewhat from the book.Thanks to Net Galley and Concierge Marketing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This is an amazing book that I spent nearly an entire night reading. It's a deeply personal book written about a fascinating man that is grossly misunderstood by many. Fortunately, I can't think of anyone who would be better qualified to write such a book than someone like Endicott who has spent so much time with him. This is great read that everyone should avail themselves of.

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