Description: During his rise to national prominence, Richard Nixon was forced to confront the political ambitions of fellow Californians Earl Warren, William Knowland and Goodwin Knight, all of whom shared in his dream of becoming president. The simultaneous growth of these four Republican politicians--dubbed the "four giants" by the regional and national media--led to intense personal rivalries which would affect presidential politics for more than a decade. This book traces Nixon's relationships with each man from 1946, when he was the least well-known of the four, until 1958, when the experienced vice president facilitated the self-destruction of his two most dangerous rivals. It is the story of a bitter competition moderated by common identity and shared party loyalty, focusing on the personal qualities which made each of these politicians so formidable--and so flawed.
Brief description: James Worthen writes about the impact of personality on political behavior. A former program manager at the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, he lives in Pismo Beach, California.
Review Quotes: "recommended"--Choice; "excellent history...a fascinating account...well worth the read"--Southern California Quarterly; "a fascinating tale of pettiness, jealousy and arrogance in which Nixon emerges at the finale as the strongest and smartest of his potential adversaries."--Irwin Gellman, author of The Contender: Richard Nixon--The Congress Years, 1946-1952