All the President's Men, Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster, 1974, 336 pp
You might ask why I read this book now. After I finished it I asked myself why everyone isn't reading it these days. I had watched the movie, Mark Felt (about the FBI special agent who was known by Bob Woodward only as Deep Throat during the Watergate investigation.) That led me to watch the movie by the same title made from the book All the President's Men. The movie was good but I felt there might be more to know, so I read the book.
In 1970 I had my first son followed by another in 1973. We were hippies and we hated Nixon because of our protest against the Vietnam War and because of the Kent State shootings. For some reason, I paid no attention to the Watergate scandal. I blame that on being sleep deprived and living in what my sisters and I call "the baby zone." In fact until I saw Mark Felt I was still hazy on what Watergate was all about.
Both movies made me aware that we are in a similar situation now, in my opinion, with an unstable President who attacks the press and is under investigation for illegal activities regarding his election to the office.
Though both movies were excellent, the book is indeed better and more informative. It gives the entire blow-by-blow account of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward's and Carl Bernstein's investigative reporting on Watergate and how that contributed to Nixon's resignation. It is a thrilling though terrible account of criminal behavior and cover ups instigated by President of the United States Richard Nixon and carried out by the men closest to him. It was the #2 non fiction bestseller in 1974.
Though Watergate seems almost tame in comparison to today, the story shows the importance of a free press when the American public needs to push back against branches of our federal government, the FBI, and the federal justice system.
Exciting, sobering and so timely. I am so glad I read it. It gave me hope and restored the shaky state of my confidence in our democracy.
(All the President's Men is available in the 40th anniversary paperback edition by order from Once Upon A Time Bookstore.)
Watergate was B.C. (before children) for me and so I did have time and energy to pay attention. In fact, like many at the time, I was consumed with the scandal and with the work of Woodward and Bernstein. I did later read their book and saw the movie. Both were good, but anticlimactic for me after actually living through the period and hanging on the words of the nightly newscast coverage of it every day.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly are parallels to our situation today, but there are at least a couple of differences: (1.) Back then, there were Republicans of conscience who patriotically put the welfare of the country above their party loyalties. I don't see that happening today. (2.) Bad as Nixon was (and he was not a nice person), there was never any doubt of his loyalty to the country, and, in spite of all of his bad policies, he did do some good things. Most of the environmental protection laws that have helped many species come back from the brink of extinction came from that era. I would be hard pressed to come up with one good thing that has been done by this current administration.
One other difference: Journalism in the 1970s was a lot stronger and investigative journalism in particular played a leading role in educating the public. While there are some very good investigative journalists working today, it seems that they don't have the same following. Their words are drowned out by angry and ignorant tweets from those who do not have our best interests at heart.
Wow, that must have been something following those developments in real time! I agree on your stated differences and they are as alarming as anything could be. I still feel we have a fighting chance as long as the Mueller investigation keeps going and the press remains free. Two very big as-long-as conditions in very big danger.
DeleteI imagine that the events described, "blow-by-blow", as you say, make for riveting reading. One day I'll read it. For now I'm content with having watched both movies you mention.
ReplyDeleteDid you like Mark Felt? What did you think in comparison to the movie All the President's Men? I suggest you watch, if you haven't done so, the movie All The King's Men. It is about a populist, utterly corrupt, Southern politician; it is in the same vein than the others but it is a novel adaptation. Let me know if you like it if you decide to watch it.
Yes, I liked both movies very much and felt they complimented each other as Mark Felt was from Deep Throat's viewpoint and the other from Woodward and Bernstein's. I have watched All the King's Men which won an Oscar for best picture in 1950. I have also read the book and here is my review: https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2006/08/books-read-from-1947-part-five.html. I felt the book was better than the movie, but I almost always feel that way-:)
DeleteThere is a newer version. I haven't watched the one from 1950, but one from 2005 or 2006, starring Anthony Hopkins, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Sean Penn, is very good. I recommend it.
DeleteI just watched the trailer for the newer one. It looks worth watching. Thanks.
DeleteI have no doubt that the book version of ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN is so much better than the movie. I do remember watching the movie version decades ago and enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN is very relevant today.
It sure is!
DeleteWonderful Judy! Love when you mix your personal story in with the reviews. I worked with Woodward a bit back when Mrs. Graham died and he wrote an Op-ed when I was in the Editorial section there. I say Hear, Hear that we need a Free Press and we live in Dangerous Times with an authoritative and very unstable President. Personally I think he should be impeached but I will wait for all the evidence. I disagree a bit with Dorothy that Journalism was a lot stronger in the 70s. The Wash Post & NYT has some of the smartest & most productive journalists I've ever met, but I agree that newspapers aren't the focal point that they once were. The news industry is diluted and people get news from various sources not all of which is reputable. It's an important book & movie!
ReplyDeleteGood! I like your personal story too including your WAPO days and your bookstore times. How was it to work with Woodward? Personally I think Trump should be gone whatever it takes but impeachment has certain requirements, especially evidence. I learned a lot about the impeachment process in The Man by Irving Wallace. It does not happen overnight and there are pitfalls. That is why I was so impressed by All the President's Men and the synergy between the press and the justice guys. I agree with you on our current journalists and I think newspapers are running as fast as they can to keep up with technology and the changes in how people get their news. Of course, there have always been people, all my life, who only knew the news they saw on nightly TV. Even the best journalists and news outlets can't make people smart:-(
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