Best Biographies of Nixon (2026): 5 Compared
Five biographies of Nixon compared by depth, perspective, scope and authority, with a detailed 736-page top pick.
At a glance
Top picks
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Richard Nixon remains one of America’s most complex presidents. The best biographies of nixon separate the foreign policy achievements from the Watergate scandal. We compared five by biographical depth, contents, value, authority and scope, using only what each listing publishes.
ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Quick picks
Top Pick Nixon Vol. 2: 736 pages, 1962-1972, detailed Check price on Amazon
Dual Pick Nixon and Kissinger: Nixon and Kissinger, archives Check price on Amazon
Full Pick Richard M. Nixon: full life, contrarian view Check price on Amazon
Divided Pick Being Nixon: Evan Thomas, biography Check price on Amazon
Memoir Pick Memoirs: Nixon’s own account Check price on Amazon
The picks
| # | Product | Shelf Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nixon Vol. 2 | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | Nixon and Kissinger | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Being Nixon by Thomas | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | The Memoirs of Richard Nixon by Nixon | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | Richard M. Nixon | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Pros
- 736 pages, detailed
- Covers comeback to Watergate
- Book 2 of 3 series
Cons
- Vol. 2 only, not full life
- 1990 publication
- 736 pages, lengthy
Pros
- Dual biography
- Declassified archives
- Covers Vietnam to Watergate
Cons
- Dual focus, not Nixon alone
- 2009 publication
- No page count stated
Being Nixon by Thomas
A full-life portrait of Nixon's contradictions, for the reader who wants one comprehensive biography.
Pros
- 641 pages cover Nixon's whole life, from the navy years through the post-presidency
- The description presents a balanced view of his achievements and his flaws
- 2016 reprint edition from Random House Publishing Group
Cons
- At 641 pages it is a long commitment for a first Nixon biography
- The description discusses Watergate-era wrongdoing, so preview for younger readers
- No reading age or grade level is stated
The Memoirs of Richard Nixon by Nixon
Nixon's own 1,120-page account, for the reader who wants the story in his own words.
Pros
- 1,120 pages written by Nixon himself, the only first-hand account here
- First edition from Grosset and Dunlap, published January 1, 1978
- Covers his full career in his own telling
Cons
- The listing is a 1978 first-edition seller copy, so check the condition notes before ordering
- A memoir argues its author's case; pair it with an independent biography
- No reading age or grade level is stated
Pros
- Full life coverage
- Foreign policy analysis
- Controversial perspective
Cons
- Contrarian perspective
- 2008 publication
- No page count stated
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
More picks to compare
Nixon Agonistesclassic analysis by Garry Wills, 640 pagesCheck on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Book | Shelf Score | Pages | Author | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nixon Vol. 2 | 9.7/10 | 736 | Stephen E. Ambrose | View on Amazon |
| Nixon and Kissinger | 9.7/10 | Not stated | Robert Dallek | View on Amazon |
| Richard M. Nixon | 9.5/10 | Not stated | Conrad Black | View on Amazon |
| Being Nixon | 9.7/10 | Not stated | Evan Thomas | |
| Memoirs | 9.7/10 | Not stated | Richard Nixon |
Page counts and editions are as listed, collected 19 October 2026.
How we scored them
The Shelf Score weighs biographical depth, contents, value, authority and scope.
| Book | Shelf Score | Fit /35 | Contents /25 | Value /25 | Age/level /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nixon Vol. 2 | 9.7 | 33 | 22 | 21 | 5 |
| Nixon and Kissinger | 9.7 | 32 | 21 | 21 | 5 |
| Richard M. Nixon | 9.5 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.
How to choose the best biographies of nixon
Scope and focus
Ambrose’s Nixon Vol. 2 covers 1962-1972 in 736 pages, the comeback and presidency. Dallek’s Nixon and Kissinger is a dual biography of the president and secretary of state. Black’s Richard M. Nixon is a full-life account. Choose based on whether you want the presidency years or the complete life.
Perspective
Ambrose provides detailed narrative history. Dallek uses declassified archives for the Nixon-Kissinger relationship. Black offers a contrarian view, arguing the hounding was partly political retribution. Different perspectives suit different readers.
Primary vs. secondary
The Memoirs of Richard Nixon is the primary source, in Nixon’s own words. The others are scholarly biographies. For research, pair the memoirs with a critical biography.
Setup Notes
- 736 pages (Ambrose) is the longest here.
- 1990 to 2009 publication dates.
- Book 2 of 3 (Ambrose) for series readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nixon biography is most detailed?
Ambrose’s Nixon Vol. 2 at 736 pages covering 1962-1972.
Which covers Kissinger too?
Dallek’s Nixon and Kissinger, a dual biography.
Which is Nixon’s own account?
The Memoirs of Richard Nixon, the primary source.
Related lists
See every history biography list.
More lists: presidential biographies.