THE SECRET MAN
“An insider’s glimpse into a slice of history that’s still sending echoes into the political universe.”
George Meyer
In Washington, D.C., where little stays secret for long, the identity of Deep Throat — the mysterious source who helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein break open the Watergate scandal in 1972 — remained hidden for 33 years.
Now, Woodward tells the story of his long, complex relationship with W. Mark Felt, the enigmatic former No. 2 man in the Federal Bureau of Investigation who helped end the presidency of Richard Nixon.
The Secret Man chronicles the story in intimate detail, from Woodward’s first, chance encounter with Felt in the Nixon White House, to their covert, middle-of-the-night meetings in an underground parking garage, to the aftermath of Watergate and decades beyond, until Felt finally stepped forward at age 91 to unmask himself as Deep Throat.
Reviews:
“The Secret Man is one of the best [of the Watergate books] at illuminating the backstage battle to bring President Nixon’s team to account…Eye-opening.”
The Boston Globe
“The best short discussion of the distinction—between reporter as private eye and the reporter as stenographer—that has ever been published. The chapter on the protection of sources is a passage one hopes will be taught in schools.”
The New York Times Book Review
“Long live the use of confidential news sources...An inside look at the give-and-take involved in the often-dicey relationships between journalists and their sources.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“A filling-in of many of the final blanks left in the most explosive political/journalism story ever.”
Lincoln Journal Star
“A provocative, even stirring contribution.”
Baltimore Sun
“The Secret Man is especially poignant and revealing when read in tandem with All the President’s Men …A remarkable saga…A worthwhile coda.”
Steve Weinberg, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A stirring, sometimes even moving book...A ringing defense of the importance of confidential sources.”
Mark Harris, Entertainment Weekly
“A riveting story of corrupted power and excellent investigative journalism...A fascinating glimpse into a troubled time in our nation’s past.”
Julia Gambill Ledyard, The Tennessean
