Watergate

This is a great book that became the basis for the Discovery Channel's 5-part documentary on Watergate. It is an extensive examination of the entire Watergate episode based on interviews with the relevant participants (excluding Nixon and Mitchell). In fact, Emery was one of the last people to interview Bob Haldeman before he died in 1993. If you don't believe what Emery writes or what Nixon's men said, I'd suggest viewing the Discovery Channel's documentary and you can see Haldeman, Erlichman, Colson, Magruder, LaRue, Dean, Liddy, etc... admit to what was going on in and around the White House. If you're looking for a very readable and historically accurate account of Watergate, this is an excellent choice. No preposterous theories are advanced here, such as those in presented in Silent Coup. Instead, this book is based on interviews with the participants, the actual Watergate tapes, and tedious documentation of White House memos from the Nixon years. Emery also points out and attempts to resolve the many contradictions that exist among the published accounts of many of the Watergate players. While those that know all the secrets of Watergate are becoming fewer and fewer each year, this account is fairly difficult to dispute. Finally, ignore the review written by True_Blue. Every one of his/her points are addressed in the first 100 pages of Emery's book. Based on the criticisms in that review, it is obvious that he/she never read this book.

After reading Emery's book, I must say he has an amazing grasp of the complex. It is rare that one author can provide such a gripping account of an event that is itself full of contradictory accounts. As the participants run for cover and attempt to discount each others testimony, Emery maintains one voice and keeps the reader on track. This should be read by anyone who's knowledge of Watergate is limited to a viewing of "All the President's Men". Emery has done us a great service by producing such a readable account of THE American scandal.

I lived Watergate. I was a teen in McLean, Virginia when Nixon resigned. One of my classmates was a son of Robert Bork. Yet, after many years, I had to admit I didn't know much of what the fuss was about. This fine, objective book changed all that. Emery has consolidated the facts, identified the sources, and presented the alternate views that, within his sense of reason, deserve consideration. This is journalism as it should always be and, sadly, was not in the early '70s.As you choose books about Watergate, consider this: When I started to read this one, in the Fall of 2000, I got only a few pages into it when I realized I was doing something important. I got out of my chair, locked my study door, turned off the phone, and sat back down to read. Only Shirer's book about the Third Reich has also induced such a feeling of moment.

This is a great book. It covers all aspects of Watergate from beginning to end. If you want to know how Watergate happened and who all of the players are, this is the book. The author also explained quite well all of the contradictory statements by those involved. An excellent definative account.

A gripping and informative book. Whatever your views on Nixon and Watergate, this should enhance your understanding of events. Emery is extremely balanced and fair. His ability to take complex events and make them readable is nothing short of outstanding.