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Informationen zum Autor Megan Stine; Illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez Klappentext Learn more about Richard Nixon--one of America's most unpopular presidents and the only one to resign from the position . On August 8, 1974, millions sat stunned as they watched Richard Nixon on TV when he announced he was stepping down as the President of the United States. He'd participated in a scandal that included secret tape recordings, a burglary, and a cover-up, and now his secrets and lies were catching up to him. How could Nixon, a man who had been reelected in a landslide victory just two years earlier, now be leaving office in disgrace? Author Megan Stine takes readers through President Nixon's life--from his childhood and military experiences during World War II--to his long political career and the Watergate scandal that tarnished his legacy and deepened American's mistrust of the government. Who Was Richard Nixon? Washington, DC On August 8, 1974, the most powerful man in the world was crying. President Richard Nixon was about to go on TV. At nine o’clock that night, he was going to announce to the nation that he would resign from the presidency. He had been caught in a terrible scandal. Congress was talking about putting him on trial. There was even a chance he could go to prison. Nixon had spent his whole life trying to be strong, bold, and brave. He said he never cried—not in public or in private. He never even let his wife or children see his emotions. But now he was crying so much, the makeup person could hardly get him ready for television. Just two years earlier, Richard Nixon had been reelected as president in a landslide victory. He won in every single state except Massachusetts. What had happened since then to make a president leave the White House in disgrace? The answer is the story of Watergate—a scandal that rocked the nation. It is a story of spying and wiretapping—and then covering it all up with money and lies. It is a story about men who committed serious crimes in order to win an election. But most of all, it is the tragic story of one man—Richard Nixon—who wanted to be good and wanted to achieve great things for America but somehow lost his way. Chapter 1 : Small Boy, Big Ideas Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9, 1913, on a small farm in Yorba Linda, California. His mother, Hannah, was very strict. She didn’t think it was right to drink alcohol, dance, or swear. All his life, Richard would call his mother a saint. But she was a quiet, cold woman who never showed her children much affection. Richard’s father, Frank, was the opposite. Frank Nixon had never gone to high school. He was a loud man who bullied his sons. But he loved to discuss politics with young Richard. Richard had four brothers. Two of them died young from illnesses. Richard, the second oldest, was extremely smart. His teachers skipped him ahead from first grade to third. He also loved music from an early age. He took piano and violin lessons, and he later learned to play the clarinet, saxophone, and accordion. When the family farm failed, the Nixons moved to Whittier, California. Richard was nine at the time. His father opened a gas station and grocery store in town. Every day before school, Richard had to get up at four to buy vegetables for the store. In high school, Richard got excellent grades. He tried hard to fit in. But he was shy, clumsy, and not very popular. The one thing Richard excelled at was public speaking. He was a star of the debate team. In a debate two people take opposing sides in discussing an important issue. He also had a part in the school play. After high school, Richard was accepted at one of the best colleges in the country—Harvard University. But his family couldn’t afford i...
