On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller

This is a colossus of a political biography--and not just because it weighs in at 721 pages of text and an additional 73 of effective notes. For folks under 50 or so, a fair question might be why invest the significant amount of time necessary to read this massive biography? One answer is that Rockefeller (1908-79) was really the last major "progressive" or liberal Republican figure to seek the presidency. His deconstruction at the 1964 GOP convention in San Francisco, which I well remember watching as it occurred, pretty much removed the moderate/progressive center of the party and drove the GOP rightward, where it remains to this day. A further reason to read the book is simply that Rocky was an unique figure, with a fascinating range of experiences (not just the political), whose personality, thanks to the author's 14 years of research and writing, unfolds as never before. A man of constant accomplishment and discipline, his many areas of endeavor suggest he might have become a great president; by seeing the challenges he faced, especially as Governor of New York, we better understand the obstacles we face today. Rocky simply said is the story of American politics in the 20th century.The author begins with a bang with a short prologue discussion of the 1964 GOP convention and Rocky's near riotous attempted address. This is the pattern throughout the book: sometimes interminable analysis of budgets and political strategy are interrupted by sparkling chapters that are so well done they grip the reader. Part I (1908-36) deals with the Rockefeller family and Nelson's personal history. Due to his extensive reliance upon interviews (his and others), the author throughout the book affords us an intimate perspective on the man and what made him tick--always a key objective in writing political biography.In Part II (1937-1955), the author moves into Rockefeller's pre-gubernatorial career. First Nelson develops skills in negotiation and business by working on the leasing of Rockefeller Center during the Depression; he also plays a major role in developing the Museum of Modern Art initiated by his mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. A whole book could be written on how this lifelong interest in art, bestowed by his mother, affected the man and shaped his attitudes. During World War II, Nelson begins to work with FDR, as Assistant Secretary for Latin American Affairs. This was predominantly a cultural and economic program to maintain Latin American loyalty during the war. By all accounts, Rockefeller did an outstanding job. He was less successful with Truman, although he plays a major role in landing New York City as the home for the UN. Eventually Rocky goes to work for Ike, running task forces (one of his great loves), but principally as Undersecretary at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (the forerunner to HHS). His work on Pentagon Reorganization laid the basis for the "missile gap" allegations used by JFK in the 1960 campaign.For me, the role core of the biography begins in Part III ( 1956-64), focusing on his initial two terms as Governor, after revealing himself as a masterful campaigner. The direct linkage between his challenges as Governor and today are stark. The issue of "revenue sharing" and adjusting the relationship between state and federal governments is raised. Can a "pay as you go" philosophy last long as demands for new services continue to grow? Intelligent land use planning issues also arise. Nelson's hyperactive legislative program is quite a change from more tranquil times under previous administrations. It is during this period that Nelson develops important skills in negotiating with legislators; managing the press; overseeing administration; and establishing priorities (such as he did with beefing up the SUNY system). Of course there is always time for national politics as the 1960 campaign unrolls and he begins his prolonged rivalry with Richard Nixon, which is one of the most interesting dimensions of the book Another of those electric chapters ("The Road to San Francisco) appears in this section.Part IV "The Limits of Power" (1965-71) covers his loss to Goldwater and the latter two terms as Governor. Among the topics covered are Nelson's feud with John Lindsay; the infamous New York garbage strike; another go around with Nixon in 1968; his creation of the Urban Development Corporation; the tightening budget noose as revenues shrink and debt grows; and his run against Arthur Goldberg in 1970. Another electric chapter appears on the Attica prison uprising, his role and decision to not visit the prison, and what effect it had upon his presidential aspirations.Part V "The Boss of New York" (1972-79) is interesting from several standpoints. The emotional toll of being Governor eventually causes Nelson to leave a year early. This is despite his mastery of television, an important new development in politics. This leads to a discussion of one of the most fascinating periods in the book, his service as VP for Gerald Ford where he encounters infighting of the most serious nature with Donald Rumsfeld, Ford's chief of staff. Ultimately, Nelson is maneuvered out of influence and is asked to withdraw from the ticket before the 1976 election. His final years are devoted to selling some of his properties, endeavoring to help oversee Saudi oil money investments, and running an art reproduction business. The final electric section of the book deals with the still unresolved mysteries surrounding his surprise death in 1979.This is the book not only for those interested in Rockefeller but anyone concerned with politics and the challenges of governing a large state in today's environment. The author's research is unmatched and his insights are many. It is a long haul, but it is all there someplace including intimate insights into the man. When you pick the book up it is intimidating; but not when you begin to read it and join Rockefeller in his extraordinary life.

Classical music..it puts you to sleep no? WOW! You know for someone who made the Pope wait while he looked at an art exhibit he has an astounding disrespect for classical music. You know at first I was like, no he isn't going to be another totally arrogant narcissist like Benjamin Franklin turned out to be. I took a charmed view of his cocky unapologetic attitude btu I think he goes too far. I appreciate a lot of the things he does and things he believes in and the author of this book is a PHENOMENAL writer but it left me ultimately thinking I like me a lot better than him and when I picked up the book I was looking for someone I might look up to. This book has stimulated me to think though and that is really the most important thing. You can even learn a lot and mold yourself into a thoughtful mature adult by reading the book of someone you detest ( I may have to go back and finish the Franklin autobiography) So I give it 4 stars that is one star removed by classical music. I'd rather listen to classical music than wait for Nelson Rockefeller to show up late

This is an exhaustive look at the political career of one of the 20th century's also rans. Nelson Rockefeller made three half hearted attempts at the presidency between 1960-1968 as he watched his party gradually give up its status as the party of Lincoln for the party of Strom Thurmond. Rockefeller managed to acquire a progressive legacy, while at the same time earning the ire of the members of his party who thought it to "better dead than red."America clearly was not ready for a president who bought Picassos and it may never be. Rockefeller grew up in a life as rarefied as any in America. His father gave a sense of public obligation and his mother an aesthetic curiosity that endured for the rest of his life. Rockefeller was involved in venture capitalism in Latin America, artistic controversies at Rockefeller Center, enacting "the Good Neighbor Policy" as a member of FDR's State Department, and public welfare under Eisenhower before serving as governor of New York and Republican Party power broker for four terms.Rockefeller's vision for the Republican Party, with its emphasis on civil rights was out of step with the direction of the party and while the author of this biography tends to place the blame on Rockefeller's divorce and remarriage (life events that did not harm the career of his rival for the presidency Ronald Reagan), one has to wonder just how valid this really was. It is one of the great unfortunate events of 20th century politics that members of the establishment, such as Rockefeller made only half-hearted efforts to halt Goldwater's nomination in 1964, and Nixon's in 1968. Both events in retrospect signaled the end of the Republican Party's respectability.Smith's narrative of Rockefeller's first three terms are devoted to revenue to pay for state programs and Rockefeller's attempts to remake the state with an emphasis on higher education, transpiration, public works, and ecology. For the most part, these efforts were largely successful. I think Smith might have devoted more effort to the removal of Robert Moses, who had been a force in state politics since the time of Governor Al Smith.Rockefeller's fourth term as governor was probably his worst period in public life, both in terms of legacy and actions. It was the time of the lengthy mandatory sentences for drugs (which to be fair were passed in the midst of frustrating rises in crime) and Attica.Rockefeller's two year tenure as Vice President was every bit as unpleasant as could be imagined with the extra added irritant of having to deal with Donald Rumsfield on a regular basis. Public service rarely has extracted greater penalties or costs.This is a highly detailed, dense, revealing and definitive book on Rockefeller and I think Richard Norton Smith does a fine job exploring his strengths and weaknesses.

Although Mr Smith has written a thorough and detailed account of the life of Nelson Rockefeller, it is mostly of his political life. For a non American, the rich account of his never ending run for governor of the state of New York is sometimes exhausting, and teetering on the boring. I simply get lost with the obscure infighting of the Republican party both on the local and national scale. However, the competition and dirty tricks during the Goldwater era reminds us very much of the present day implosion of the Republican party under Trump.That being said, Richard Smith has given us a brilliant biography of a complex man from a complex, wealthy, and powerful family. Above all, Nelson Rockefeller threw himself into his life, whatever he took on, from rebuilding the state capital of Albany, collecting art, creating Rockefeller Centre, creating charitable foundations, or connecting to Latin America. He seems to have died at an early age from simply wearing himself out in the vain attempt to become President of the United States while at the same time achieving so much as a governor. The consolation prize of serving as the unelected Gerald Ford's appointed Vice President for two years (following the Nixon resignation) made for a talent wasted and kicked to the sidelines.Most reviewers have given this book 5 stars, but I take one off because the best parts are the personal, (such as his marriages) yet much of the history of his famous family is barely touched upon. I wanted to learn more about the Brothers, what aspects of the family businesses they took on, and their relations to each other. Although the Rockefeller legacy has been diluted though philanthropy and the thinning out to the fourth generation (or the Cousins), the Rockefeller name is still the social gold standard of wealth and influence today.Some of the most interesting parts of On HIs Own Terms are the footnotes. Please read them all: here are the nuggets of gossip and humour and best quotes.

On my terms: "A Life of..." describes a definite life, doesn't it? Thus, shouldn't the indefinite article be replace with the definite one? Nevertheless, because the life of Nelson Rockefeller is a very interesting one, Mr. Smith must be congratulated on writing this monumental documentary. H.J. Persoon