On His Own Terms

In "On His Own Terms," acclaimed historian Richard Norton Smith delivers a comprehensive biography of Nelson Rockefeller, a multifaceted American icon whose ambitions and contributions shaped the twentieth century. Drawing from extensive new documents and over two hundred interviews, Smith traces Rockefeller's journey from his childhood aspirations of the White House to his influential role as New York's governor and his tumultuous attempts to secure the presidency. The narrative explores Rockefeller's complex relationships with key political figures, his advocacy for civil rights, and his legacy marked by significant policies and personal challenges, painting a vivid portrait of a figure whose life was as dynamic as the era he inhabited.