NIXON, Richard.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Leaders. First edition, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the 37th President on the half-title, "To Charlton Heston - from one of his fans - Richard Nixon, 1982".This is a fine association copy - aside from Heston's role as perhaps the greatest American actor of the early post-war decades, whom Nixon clearly admired, Heston was a prominent supporter of Nixon's presidential bid in 1972. In the 1950s Heston had endorsed liberal Democratic candidates, in the 1960s more centrist Democrats, and finally in the 1970s switched to the Republicans. In the 1972 election, he starred in a lengthy campaign video explaining how Nixon had secured his political switch. During Nixon's presidency Heston served on the National Council on the Arts, and as a cultural diplomat for the State Department. Into the 1980s, Heston was a leading conservative figure, active in the National Rifle Association (famously challenging gun control advocates to take his rifle "from my cold, dead hands"), and campaigning against affirmative action and other culture war issues.Leaders offers a detailed examination of the relationship between Nixon and various foreign leaders whom he met throughout his lifetime. The book met with critical praise, aiding the rehabilitation of his political image following his resignation of the presidency in 1974.

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