New book tells story of Searching for Nixon and his secret visit to Prince Edward County

Administrator | Feb 25, 2025 | Comments 0

Thomas Harrison

Did Richard Nixon take a secret boat trip to Canada in 1957? Did he go drinking in a bar, without Secret Service protection, play golf and make friends with the longest serving mayor of Prince Edward County?

For fans of politics, history, travel and memoir, the newly-released book Searching for Richard Nixon: Finding Refuge and Making a Home in Prince Edward County investigates a largely forgotten and undocumented episode of American presidential, and Canadian history.

It sheds new light on Nixon’s background and legacy, linking the past with current events, including the state of modern politics and the election of Donald Trump. Nixon was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974.

Released by Connex Publishing, the book is written by Thomas Harrison, a teacher, farmer, lawyer, and artist who lives on his family horse farm in the County. The 290 pages thread Nixon’s connection with the County, personal stories about Harrison’s investigation, and highlights the County itself.

“Richard Nixon in Picton, Ontario? It seems impossible. Yet it’s true,” states author and journalist David Frum. “Thomas Harrison has unearthed a fascinating detail that intersects a charming rural Ontario town with the grandest events in world history.”

Revealing a treasure trove of anecdotes about the people and places of the Bay of Quinte, in the course of searching for evidence of Nixon’s trip, Harrison uses a compelling personal narrative to describe his journey, where he finds his place and makes a home in rural Prince Edward County.

“A book for those who love or hate history and politics…wildly accessible to both camps, incredibly stimulating and enlightening. History buffs will salivate over the details,” said Andrew Binks, also a County author. “The research is gob-smackingly impressive. The labour of love really shines through.”

Searching for Richard Nixon: Finding Refuge and Making a Home in Prince Edward County is to be officially launched Saturday, March 1 at 1:30 pm at the Macaulay Church in Picton. It is available on Amazon now, soon on Kindle, and shortly by ordering at IngramSparks. Ask for it at your local bookstore and libraries.