In the Arena

A Memoir of Victory, Defeat and Renewal

By: Richard Nixon

Narrated by: Richard Nixon

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Former U.S. President Richard Nixon candidly reflects on his career and discusses such topics as the USSR., Mikhail Gorbachev, secrecy, Watergate, and more.

©1994 Richard Nixon (P)2008 Simon and Schuster

Nixon the man.

Too often, people assume to know celebrities and political figures based on the picture of them the media has presented you. We, being the busy folks we are, might benefit from taking the time to meet our leaders and learn who they are. Leaders are often condemned for making the decisions we insist they make. Hearing Richard M. Nixon tell his own story makes the experience akin to listening to your grandfather spin a yarn about the old days. His deep timbre and disciplined meter make for a peaceful and pleasing listen. If you've ever been curious about the real story of Nixon, for once, hear his side uninterrupted, undistorted, and unforgettable.

Great insight

What made the experience of listening to In the Arena the most enjoyable?

The fact that the audio book was narrated by Nixon himself made listening to this story much more intimate. It felt like he was personally telling me this story.

What other book might you compare In the Arena to and why?

I would recommend his first memoir. 'In the Arena' is the sequel to his first original memoir.

What does Richard Nixon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nixon brings to the story all the weight of his experiences via his voice. You can hear a man who is genuine in his sorrow for the mistakes he has made, but also proud of his accomplishments.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The parts of the book where he was saying that he was reluctant to get life-saving surgery after his resignation goes to show you that Nixon was truly sorry for what he did or didn't do regarding Watergate and the emotional trauma he suffered through the harassment by people and press after he resigned the presidency.

Any additional comments?

Richard Nixon is America's tragic hero. Easily the most misunderstood president in this nations history. It is unfortunate that people will only ever remember Nixon for Watergate and not the many other accomplishments he achieved in his political career.

Richard Nixon back again

Richard nixon is back again but this time from the grave. very informative even now

Very Interesting! Unique Experience!

This is an abridged, 3 hour long audiobook actually read by Richard Nixon. This is basically a summary of his book, "In The Arena", but this feels like hearing the President talk about aspects of his life in 3 hours, from Watergate, his early political career, to his post-political life. He was more candid about Watergate than I expected, which I appreciated. I recommend this audiobook, along with the full book. Nixon's memoirs from 1978 is a good companion piece to this as well (like a part 1).

An abridged look into RN

An intimate and abridged look into one of the United States' most controversial President at the time.

outstanding presidential memoir

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It tells the decision making strategies of one of America's most prolific presidents.

What other book might you compare In the Arena to and why?

Decision Points by George W. Bush; because they both deal with difficult decision under critical circumstances.

Which character – as performed by Richard Nixon – was your favorite?

Richard Nixon

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I wouldn't recommend it for Hollywood trivializing.

Any additional comments?

no

Loved everything about this

I have been reading quite a bit about Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon. I was so happy to find this! Nixon has a terrific reading voice. He narrates very well. It’s just wonderful to hear him read his own book! I will be listening to this many times. I wish he had narrated more of his books. :-)

Bro

That’s straight up nixon reading this shit can you believe this shit?? I swear man books is crazy

History with advice

The book is a smart analysis of his time in office. In addition, it includes advice that a non-politician can use. He says the best leaders are “pragmatic idealists“, and I think that describes himself. Anyone who has achieved what he achieved and suffered the Shakespearean tragedies
he did has a story worth hearing.

A classic whitewash!

Mr. Nixon is hoping we'll forget his many evils against individual Liberty, sound money, domestic tranquility, etc.

Mr. Nixon, who started the "War on People" AKA the "War on Drugs"?

Mr. Nixon, who abandoned the gold standard AKA sound money?

A true history will not forget nor forgive your many sins.

"All government, in its essence, is organized exploitation, and in virtually all of its existing forms it is the implacable enemy of every industrious and well-disposed man."
-- H. L. Mencken

"By far the most numerous and most flagrant violations of personal liberty and individual rights are performed by governments. The major crimes throughout history, the ones executed on the largest scale, have been committed not by individuals or bands of individuals but by governments, as a deliberate policy of those governments, that is, by the official representatives of governments, acting in their official capacity."
-- John Hospers

"The object of the state is always the same; to limit the individual, to tame him, to subordinate him, to subjugate him."
– Max Stirner