[.ca] Watergate (ISBN 0684813238)

Where's Vietnam?:
It's unfortunate that most people don't remember what Watergate was but is even more unfortunate when historians forget what it was! First off, there is no evidence that the whitehouse approved the Watergate break-in! I have listened to over 500 hours of the tapes and not once does anyone approve the break-in. Again, it is a conclusion made by the author with no documentations (mainly because it does not exist.) That being said, the author also forgets to place Watergate into the proper perspective, meaning Vietnam. After Daniel Ellesberg stole classified government documents, the President created the Plumbers to help plug the leaks. This led to the Fielding break-in, which Nixon ordered for National Security because he believed that the documents put U.S. soldiers at risk, and a plan by Chuch Colson to retrieve stolen documents from the Brookings institution. Also, the public did not know that Nixon was secretly meeting with the Chinese, the Soviets, and Le Duc Tho. Mainly because the public debates, begun under LBJ, were unproductive and Nixon believed that leaks would discourage the Chinese, Soviets, and North Vietnamese from further negotiations. AS for Watergate, after the Plumbers were disbanded, many of them were rehired by the Committee to Re-elect the President or CRP. Note to author, the press renamed CRP CREEP...it was not called CREEP! From here, what happens is up to speculation but what is certain is that the CRP broke into Watergate and not the White House. Nixon, of course, began covering up at this point, claiming political containment, and approving hush money for the "burglars (they never stole anything)." Nixon admitted to his misjudgement and did the honorable thing and resigned. It is baffling that so many historical erros could be made because there is over 5,000 hours of tapes at the National Archives and they provide enough sources to produce a far bettter book. Also, he relies heavily on John Dean's Blind ambition which Dean recently admitted to not writing under oath. Also, Haldeman announced even before his book, Ends of Power, was published that it was sensationalized and entirely written by Joseph Diamona. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy! In my opinion, there has not been a well-researched and definitive work on Watergate. Most of them are simplistic, neglect the Vietnam War, and look at Watergate in mere political context. Emery's Watergate is one of those.

Money, Power and Corruption:
Those three traits seem to be the overriding factor in the downfall of our 37th president. The sheer size of corruption exhibited at THE highest level of our executive branch of government is striking and terrifying. At times, I had difficultly believing that so many intelligent people participated in what seems like endless felonies. This book is thoroughly researched, from Nixon's tapes to Halderman's diary, and is HIGHLY recommended by this very satisfied reader. Well worth the price!!

Good. Very, very good.:
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.

Clear, convincing, good:
THis books presents clear and convincing evidence about the Watergate break-in. The analysis is first-rate and the author does an excellent job of showing the whos and whys behind Watergate. Read this if you only read one book.

Amazing grasp of the complex...:
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.