"All the President's Men" is a fascinating look at how investigative journalism once was. Instead of printing first and asking questions later, Woodward and Bernstein, along with their editors, took painstaking efforts at checking and double checking their sources and information prior to printing. It seems a sharp contrast to journalism today that appears to be publish now, ask questions later, and file a retraction in small print even later. This book also is a story of two very opposite reporters and how they pulled together to expose this ultimate arrogance of power and the damage it did to the American democratic process.
"All The President's Men" tells the story of the investigation into the break-in at the Watergate Hotel/office complex which ultimately led to the only resignation of a U.S. president. Written by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward and made into a motion picture (starring Dustin Hoffman & Robert Redford), it chronicles their investigations for the Washington Post tracing the links from the break-in of the Democratic National Headquarters through "dirty tricks", "plumbers" and illegal slush funds from the "burglars" on up to the Oval Office. A must read especially when viewed in the historical context of Iran-Contra and other government cover ups.
This book is the best book about journalism available in print. It is ALL about what goes on behind the scenes that most people don't even realize just to get a story out. The best part about it all is it's true.
This book is a MUST READ for those interested in journalism.
This is a direct quote from an Amazon review:
"With the recent revelation that second-in-command FBI agent Mark Felt was indeed, as often conjectured, "Deep Throat," Woodward and Bernstein's "All the President's Men" is sure to experience a revival of interest. And why not? It is riveting writing with the cloak-and-danger stuff that would make Ian Fleming jealous.
The opening words of the opening chapter lure in readers. "June 17, 1972. Nine o'clock Saturday morning. Early for the telephone. Woodward fumbled for the receiver and snapped awake. The city editor of the Washington Post was on the line. Five men had been arrested earlier that morning in a burglary at Democratic headquarters, carrying photographic equipment and electronic gear. Could he come in?"
The break-neck pace never stops. Page after page-turning-page, Woodward and Bernstein offer the political detective story of the century with their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation that smashed the Watergate scandal wide open. In the process, they expose the inner workings of the Washington power elite and the inner workings of a paranoid President who approves a bungling burglary to seal an election that was never in doubt in the first place.
Buy it today. Or, dust off your old copy. This is water-cooler talk and you don't want to be left out.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Martin Luther: Pastoral Care in Historical Perspective," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." "
This book is a MUST READ for those interested in journalism.
This is a direct quote from an Amazon review:
"With the recent revelation that second-in-command FBI agent Mark Felt was indeed, as often conjectured, "Deep Throat," Woodward and Bernstein's "All the President's Men" is sure to experience a revival of interest. And why not? It is riveting writing with the cloak-and-danger stuff that would make Ian Fleming jealous.
The opening words of the opening chapter lure in readers. "June 17, 1972. Nine o'clock Saturday morning. Early for the telephone. Woodward fumbled for the receiver and snapped awake. The city editor of the Washington Post was on the line. Five men had been arrested earlier that morning in a burglary at Democratic headquarters, carrying photographic equipment and electronic gear. Could he come in?"
The break-neck pace never stops. Page after page-turning-page, Woodward and Bernstein offer the political detective story of the century with their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation that smashed the Watergate scandal wide open. In the process, they expose the inner workings of the Washington power elite and the inner workings of a paranoid President who approves a bungling burglary to seal an election that was never in doubt in the first place.
Buy it today. Or, dust off your old copy. This is water-cooler talk and you don't want to be left out.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Martin Luther: Pastoral Care in Historical Perspective," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." "
Good read!
We all know the story - it was interesting to recently re-read it.
