But as you get further into Swift's account of the Nixons' marriage and their journey though American politics, you start to wonder whether Pat Nixon was really suited to be a political wife, or if her chronic inability to let go of a grudge exacerbated her husband's worst instincts. It is hard to read about Pat Nixon's difficult if not traumatic childhood and not deeply admire the strength and determination that allowed her to overcome obstacles that would have crushed a lesser person. It was the first victory that made all his future victories possible. Nixon overcame her initial indifference, wore down her resistance, and eventually made her his wife. Nowadays we would consider Nixon's behavior during their courtship grounds for a restraining order (Pat later told a biographer that she thought her suitor was "nuts or something"), but it worked. When Richard Nixon (referred to by the author as "Dick") first met Pat Ryan, he was immediately smitten, and with his customary dogged determination was prepared to undergo any humiliation at her hands to win her.
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