Description
Signed copy of A Thousand Springs by Anna Chennault, inscribed to New York Times columnist William Safire.
Octavo, xiv, 318pp. White marbled hardcover, orange cloth spine, title printed on spine. Stated “Eighth Printing, November, 1970” on copyright page. In publisher’s dust jacket, retail price on front flap, spine lightly faded, chipping to top edge of spine, otherwise a nice example. Includes a letter signed by Anna Chennault to Bill Safire, thanking him for lunch and setting up a time to interview with the New York Times. The book is inscribed by Chennault to Safire on the front free endpaper: “To Mr. & Mrs. William Safire, With best wishes. Anna Chennault. Aug. 6, 1975. Wash. D.C.”
Known as “The Dragon Lady” among members of the Nixon Administration, Anna Chennault was the secret emissary between the Vietnamese and Richard Nixon campaign. The high level diplomatic talks were not sanctioned by the Johnson Administration and some believe their purpose was to extend the war and secure Nixon the election in 1968. It became known as “The Chennault Affair” after the secret communications became public. William Safire was a Pulitzer Prize winning conservative columnist for the New York Times. He was a frequent guest on Meet The Press, describing himself as the voice of “libertarian conservatives.” Before joining the New York Times, Safire served as a presidential speechwriter for President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew.
