1999

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Nixon, who as U.S. president opened diplomatic relations with China, now recommends negotiations with the Soviet Union to forge commercial treaties and reduce the risk of accidental war. He strongly opposes the adoption of protectionist trade measures against Japan. These positions may surprise some readers, but on other issues his hard-line views are more predictable, if one scrutinizes the sweeping Cold War rhetoric carefully. On nuclear armaments, he endorses Reagan's plan for laser-based weapons in space (``Star Wars'') and urges ``no first-strike vulnerability.'' He advocates continued support of Nicaragua's contras, covert CIA actions overseas, build-up of nuclear power, more U.S. cruise missiles in Europe, the establishment of U.S. air bases in Saudi Arabia. He blames Africa's poverty on the terrible governments there. This hawkish blueprint of U.S. policy adds little of real substance to current debate. First serial to New York Times Magazine; paperback rights to Pocket Books. (April)

Library Journal

$19.95. int affairs Former President Nixon provides commentary and suggestions on an area of his great expertise, foreign policy. He begins by chronicling the legacy of the 20th century with its technological progress and wars and argues that the United States should continue to play a central international role. He contends that world peace is inseparable from world power and that real peace is not absence of conflict but living with unending conflictthe natural state of world affairs. He is skeptical of Gorbachev whom he sees as being good at images but as seeking change that will permit the Soviet Union to find hegemony. Still, he cogently argues for a realistic policy toward the Soviets, involving a mix of deterrence, competition, and negotiation. Chapters on the awakening giant (China), the reluctant giant (Japan), and the Third World are insightful. Nixon believes that our system is popular today, and that we should take advantage of it. Highly recommended. Frank Kessler, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph

From Barnes & Noble

Drawing on a lifetime of experience, the former president and elder statesman of foreign relations outlines the key international problems Western leaders must face as this century comes to a close, providing a blueprint for world peace.