Pat Nixon

Throughout her years as First Lady, Pat (born Thelma Ryan) Nixon was something of an enigma. Many viewed her as cold and impersonal, smiling passively at her husband's side, "Plastic Pat." Others saw the perfect American housewife and mother. Brennan (history, Texas State Univ., San Marcos; Turning Right in the Sixties: The Conservative Capture of the GOP) attempts to expose the complicated woman within, examining how Thelma Ryan's upbringing by an immigrant mother and hardworking, entrepreneurial father shaped her work ethic and values. The author goes on to highlight Pat's contributions to her husband's political career and the personal sacrifices she made to support him. Brennan's efforts to reveal Pat's true nature are only partly successful, however. Her subject was an intensely private woman, leaving Brennan to rely heavily on Julie Nixon Eisenhower's affectionate biography of her mother as well as Pat's lifelong correspondence with a close friend. Brennan had to speculate and make educated guesses about Pat's thoughts, feelings, and opinions.