The Secret Man

Author and veteran reporter Bob Woodward ends this book by saying, "There never is a final draft of history." Perhaps, but his book turns the page on an era and on Deep Throat - the code name for FBI official W. Mark Felt - the pivotal secret source for the Watergate stories that helped bring down Richard Nixon’s presidency. Remarkably, Woodward and his Washington Post colleagues protected their source’s identity for more than 30 years. Woodward paints a compelling portrait of his almost tortured relationship with Felt, a father figure and mentor. Several times Felt came a hair’s breadth from being exposed. Pained, Woodward admits that he missed his chance to uncover Felt’s motivations for abetting the Post’s investigative crusade. By the time Woodward tried to reconcile their troubled relationship, Felt was 87 and dementia had twisted his memory. Yet, Felt triumphed in his historic clash with Nixon. Woodward concludes, "By surviving and enduring his hidden life...in his own way, W. Mark Felt won." Carl Bernstein’s epilogue, "A Reporter’s Assessment," is an equally fascinating contribution. getAbstract most highly recommends this book, especially for those seeking a better understanding of the Watergate participants, whose actions will continue to ripple the waters of American politics for many years to come.