The Secret Diary of Arthur Burns, 1969-1974
2010
Memoir
by
Robert H. Ferrell
The private diary of Arthur F. Burns—Nixon’s top economic adviser in 1969 and Federal Reserve Chairman from 1970 to 1978—offers an unfiltered view of the Nixon administration and the political pressures that shaped its economic policies, which led to double-digit inflation in that era. Though Burns died in 1987, his diary remained sealed until 2008. Across entries from 1969 to 1974, he recorded his shifting impressions of Nixon and his inner circle, including candid commentary on Paul Volcker, Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, and John Connally. The diary reveals how Nixon’s personality and reelection priorities influenced monetary decisions and provides a rare, behind-the-scenes account of the Watergate scandal and what the tapes ultimately revealed about Nixon’s leadership.
July 2025
Fascinating look at how the Nixon White House really worked and who Nixon actually was. It reads like a raw diary, not a polished narrative. Burns’ unfiltered thoughts are invaluable—never meant to be shared, so there’s no spin. Full of sharp insights. Helped me understand how inflation and interest rates spiked from 1968 to 1982. Nixon prioritized employment to win reelection, even though he knew it was driving inflation. Candid evaluation of character and motivations of Paul Volcker, Henry Kissinger, and others. Great source of insight on this period.