Review: All The President's Men

Full title: All The President's Men
Authors: Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 349

The names Nixon, Watergate, Woodward, and Bernstein are, to many, forever linked in one of the greatest political scandals in American History. This book helps explain how that association came to be.

As two young reporters for The Washington Post, Bernstein and Woodward became involved in covering a break-in at the campaign headquarters of the Democratic Party. Spurred by a casual remark from one of the accused burglars that he previously worked for the CIA, Woodward and Bernstein begin researching these men in an investigation that will lead them across the county. This work of chronicles their investigative journalism, providing readers with a first-hand account of how these two men connected the dots between the break-in and the White House. Full of intrigue, drama, and mystery, this book is still a page turner.

In addition to being an exciting account of the beginning of the fall of the Nixon Administration, this book is also an interesting period piece. It serves as a great reminder that today's 24-hour-a-day news cycle did not exist, and hearkens back to a simpler era, when stories were researched and told using pay phones and typewriters. There are several photographs of many of the individuals involved and includes a "Cast of Characters", which became helpful in keeping track of an ever-increasing number of people, from White House Staff to journalists to attorneys. Despite its age, the book is an easy read and is well-written. Unfortunately, the original book ends before a final resolution was actually reached, which does, to me, leave a feeling of unfinished business (possibly because I do know what the final outcome was). However, it should be noted that a 20th anniversary edition has subsequently been released - this may well enhance the reading experience and may include additional information not originally known when this book went to press.

Whether you are old enough to remember the actual events surrounding Watergate or not, this book offers intriguing insights into both journalism and politics. Don't just watch the movie of the same name, try the book, as well.

Bottom line:

Would I read it again? Yes
Would I recommend this book to someone else? Yes