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The Final Days
The Final Days is the classic, behind-the-scenes account of Richard Nixon's dramatic last months as president. Moment by moment, Bernstein and Woodward portray the taut, post-Watergate White House as Nixon, his family, his staff, and many members of Congress strained desperately to prevent his inevitable resignation. This brilliant book reveals the ordeal of Nixon's fall from office -- one of the gravest crises in presidential history.
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First published January 1, 1976
About the author
Bob Woodward
70 books2,599 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Robert "Bob" Upshur Woodward is an assistant managing editor of The Washington Post. While an investigative reporter for that newspaper, Woodward, working with fellow reporter Carl Bernstein, helped uncover the Watergate scandal that led to U.S. President Richard Nixon's resignation. Woodward has written 12 best-selling non-fiction books and has twice contributed reporting to efforts that collectively earned the Post and its National Reporting staff a Pulitzer Prize.
Robert "Bob" Upshur Woodward is an assistant managing editor of The Washington Post. While an investigative reporter for that newspaper, Woodward, working with fellow reporter Carl Bernstein, helped uncover the Watergate scandal that led to U.S. President Richard Nixon's resignation. Woodward has written 12 best-selling non-fiction books and has twice contributed reporting to efforts that collectively earned the Post and its National Reporting staff a Pulitzer Prize.
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June 9, 2017
We watched this slightly fuzzy film and some parts were just so similar to today. Give it a go.
Full film
Description: The Final Days is the classic, behind-the-scenes account of Richard Nixon's dramatic last months as president. Moment by moment, Bernstein and Woodward portray the taut, post-Watergate White House as Nixon, his family, his staff, and many members of Congress strained desperately to prevent his inevitable resignation. This brilliant book reveals the ordeal of Nixon's fall from office -- one of the gravest crises in presidential history.
Opening: This was an extraodinary mission. No presidential aides had ever done what they were about to do. J Fred Buzhardt and Leonard Garment settled into their first-class seats on Eastern flight 177 from Wahington DC to Miami. They had reached an inescapable conclusion, and had reviewed the reasons over and over. Garment had a list on a yellow legal pad - now twenty-two or twenty-three items. It was a bleak and very unpleasant business.
Parallel Lines:
•Nixon Library trolls Trump: Disgraced president's museum takes issue with comparisons after Comey's firing
•I love the fact that, in full Bernstein and Woodward style, The Washington Post is at the forefront of 37v.2 investigation: Rachel Maddow: Comey sacking
Will the Mayflower be the equivalent of the Watergate in being a major part of bringing down a president?
Andrew McCabe
Full film
Description: The Final Days is the classic, behind-the-scenes account of Richard Nixon's dramatic last months as president. Moment by moment, Bernstein and Woodward portray the taut, post-Watergate White House as Nixon, his family, his staff, and many members of Congress strained desperately to prevent his inevitable resignation. This brilliant book reveals the ordeal of Nixon's fall from office -- one of the gravest crises in presidential history.
Opening: This was an extraodinary mission. No presidential aides had ever done what they were about to do. J Fred Buzhardt and Leonard Garment settled into their first-class seats on Eastern flight 177 from Wahington DC to Miami. They had reached an inescapable conclusion, and had reviewed the reasons over and over. Garment had a list on a yellow legal pad - now twenty-two or twenty-three items. It was a bleak and very unpleasant business.
Parallel Lines:•Nixon Library trolls Trump: Disgraced president's museum takes issue with comparisons after Comey's firing
•I love the fact that, in full Bernstein and Woodward style, The Washington Post is at the forefront of 37v.2 investigation: Rachel Maddow: Comey sacking
Will the Mayflower be the equivalent of the Watergate in being a major part of bringing down a president?
Andrew McCabe
March 23, 2012
Good evening.
This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this Nation. And each time I have done so to discuss with you some matter that I believe affected the national interest I now understand I made some of you feel slightly on edge. I understand now that I have a problem with eye contact and passive aggression. For that I am sorry.
In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the parts of the Nation which I happen to like. Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me. To cling on by my fingertips, as you might say.
In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort. Great boots have been stamping down on my clutching fingertips. The whole thing has become nauseating. As long as there was able to be clinging without stamping, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilizing precedent for the future.
But with the stamping, I now believe that the constitutional purpose has been served, and there is no longer a need for the process to be prolonged. I have damaged hands and will probably not be able to fondle my various pets which were gifts and not bribes in the future as I have in the past, in spite of what my political enemies will have you understand.
My family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interests of the Nation must always come before any personal considerations.
From the discussions I have had with Congressional and other leaders, I have concluded that because of the slight Watergate matter which I had not been fully informed about until ten or twelve minutes ago I might not have the full support of Congress.
I have never been a quitter. I have been a clinger and a receiver of pet gifts and a serial underminer of the nation’s morale but never a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. I am racked with horror, the very bile rises in my throat as I contemplate leaving the White House whilst the Democratic Party is still intact. But as President, I must put the interest of America first. America needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad.
To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication and the vindication of my little dogs, my horses and other political affiliations and to prove how third rate the burglary was which began this whole sorry story would almost totally absorb the time and attention of both the President and the Congress in a period when our entire focus should be on the great issues of peace abroad and prosperity without inflation at home.
Therefore, I shall re – I shall therefore re - I shall – I shall –
Gggg
Snnnggg
And Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President from noon tomorrow . As I understand the matter, his first act will be to pardon me for any high crimes and misdemeanors committed by other people.
As I recall the high hopes for America with which we began this second term, I feel a great sadness that I will not be here in this office working on your behalf to achieve those hopes in the next 2 1/2 years. But in turning over direction of the Government to Vice President Ford, I know, as I told the Nation when I nominated him for that office 10 months ago, to replace Spiro T Agnew who had just been jailed for high crimes and misdemeanours, as you will recall, that the leadership of America will be in hands which can be counted on not to drop too many important things..
By taking this action, I hope that I will have hastened the start of that process of escaping which is so desperately needed by the President right now.
I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were wrong because really they were right, and I say that in the spirit of humility and of taking a firm stand against everything which isn’t in the best interests of this great nation of ours.
To those who have stood with me during these past difficult months, to my family, my friends, to many others who joined in supporting my cause because they believed it was right, I will be eternally grateful for your support and will be visiting you in your various correctional facilities, of that you may be assured.
And to those who have not felt able to give me your support, let me say I leave with no bitterness toward those who have opposed me, because all of us, in the final analysis, are wrong, even though some of us are right.
I shall leave this office with bitterness and deep regret at and yet I believe that future historians will recognise Watergate and all it represents as one of my greatest achievements.
Sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes I have failed, but always I have succeeded. I pledge to you tonight that as long as I have a breath of life in my body, I shall continue to live.
God bless America.
Goodnight
This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this Nation. And each time I have done so to discuss with you some matter that I believe affected the national interest I now understand I made some of you feel slightly on edge. I understand now that I have a problem with eye contact and passive aggression. For that I am sorry.
In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the parts of the Nation which I happen to like. Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me. To cling on by my fingertips, as you might say.
In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort. Great boots have been stamping down on my clutching fingertips. The whole thing has become nauseating. As long as there was able to be clinging without stamping, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilizing precedent for the future.
But with the stamping, I now believe that the constitutional purpose has been served, and there is no longer a need for the process to be prolonged. I have damaged hands and will probably not be able to fondle my various pets which were gifts and not bribes in the future as I have in the past, in spite of what my political enemies will have you understand.
My family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interests of the Nation must always come before any personal considerations.
From the discussions I have had with Congressional and other leaders, I have concluded that because of the slight Watergate matter which I had not been fully informed about until ten or twelve minutes ago I might not have the full support of Congress.
I have never been a quitter. I have been a clinger and a receiver of pet gifts and a serial underminer of the nation’s morale but never a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. I am racked with horror, the very bile rises in my throat as I contemplate leaving the White House whilst the Democratic Party is still intact. But as President, I must put the interest of America first. America needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad.
To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication and the vindication of my little dogs, my horses and other political affiliations and to prove how third rate the burglary was which began this whole sorry story would almost totally absorb the time and attention of both the President and the Congress in a period when our entire focus should be on the great issues of peace abroad and prosperity without inflation at home.
Therefore, I shall re – I shall therefore re - I shall – I shall –
Gggg
Snnnggg
And Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President from noon tomorrow . As I understand the matter, his first act will be to pardon me for any high crimes and misdemeanors committed by other people.
As I recall the high hopes for America with which we began this second term, I feel a great sadness that I will not be here in this office working on your behalf to achieve those hopes in the next 2 1/2 years. But in turning over direction of the Government to Vice President Ford, I know, as I told the Nation when I nominated him for that office 10 months ago, to replace Spiro T Agnew who had just been jailed for high crimes and misdemeanours, as you will recall, that the leadership of America will be in hands which can be counted on not to drop too many important things..
By taking this action, I hope that I will have hastened the start of that process of escaping which is so desperately needed by the President right now.
I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were wrong because really they were right, and I say that in the spirit of humility and of taking a firm stand against everything which isn’t in the best interests of this great nation of ours.
To those who have stood with me during these past difficult months, to my family, my friends, to many others who joined in supporting my cause because they believed it was right, I will be eternally grateful for your support and will be visiting you in your various correctional facilities, of that you may be assured.
And to those who have not felt able to give me your support, let me say I leave with no bitterness toward those who have opposed me, because all of us, in the final analysis, are wrong, even though some of us are right.
I shall leave this office with bitterness and deep regret at and yet I believe that future historians will recognise Watergate and all it represents as one of my greatest achievements.
Sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes I have failed, but always I have succeeded. I pledge to you tonight that as long as I have a breath of life in my body, I shall continue to live.
God bless America.
Goodnight
February 10, 2018
In some ways, Final Days is a sequel to Woodward and Bernstein's All The President's Men. But in this book, the focus is on the unraveling and deterioration of the Nixon administration. Writing in a vivid, engaging style, the authors focus on the last year of the Nixon White House, concentrating especially on the last few weeks – with Nixon desperately trying to cling to power when it became crystal clear to almost everyone that his only real choice was between resignation and impeachment. But unlike the previous book, the authors do not chronicle their own saga and adventures as they try to uncover the Watergate scandal. Instead, this book is based on the first-hand recollections of many people who had daily contact at high levels of the administration.
Much of the time is spent focusing on Nixon's legal defense team and his Chief of Staff, General Alexander Haig. Haig comes across as an opportunist, someone who makes an attempt to be loyal to his superior, but really only so it can ultimately serve his own purposes. In much the same spirit as his predecessor, H.R. Haldeman, Haig tries to restrict access to Nixon. This actually speaks more about Nixon and his reclusiveness than it does about Haig, yet Haig seemed incapable of leveling with Nixon on the reality of his situation. I find this characterization interesting in that this book was written well before Haig's infamous flame-out as Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan.
Henry Kissinger also comes across in a less than stellar way, being portrayed as having a paranoia about equal to that of Nixon's, and trying to cover up his own foul deeds concerning illegal wire-tapping. This should not surprise anyone who has a general knowledge of who Kissinger was and how he operated. Woodward and Bernstein do not really say anything about him that you can't find written in many other places. They do acknowledge that Kissinger basically kept U.S. foreign policy from being dragged under by Watergate, and that is not an insignificant feat, especially given the tensions inherent in the Middle East at the time, and also with the U.S. still smarting over Vietnam.
Woodward and Bernstein, at the beginning of the book, write about their standards for putting things into the book, since almost everything in here is based on first-hand observations and thoughts by the participants involved. They said that they left out anything that they could not confirm. Taking them at their word, that makes the events of this book all the more incredible: the delusional thinking of Nixon's daughter Julie and some of the staff members such as Ken Clawson – people who refused to accept that Nixon had done anything wrong; the professional rivalry and disdain between Nixon's lawyers Fred Buzhardt and James St. Clair; the machinations of Haig; and most of all, the tortured behavior of Nixon himself. Nixon vacillated constantly between deciding to fight through a certainly unwinnable impeachment trial in the Senate and deciding to resign.
Of all the interesting revelations in this book, what most struck me was when Buzhardt told Haig about Nixon providing some Dictabelt recordings that he (Nixon) had made on many random subjects. These were Nixon's innermost personal thoughts about people, places, and events. It strikes me as inordinately sad that Nixon did not have anyone who he truly felt comfortable with as far as being able to share his feelings. I am neither a Nixon hater nor an apologist. I find many things that he did repulsive, and on the whole, I consider him to have caused serious harm to the country, mainly due to his treasonous actions in railroading Lyndon Johnson's 1968 peace initiative to try to end the Vietnam War, and for the intense distrust between the media and the elected leaders of this country that his actions in both Vietnam and Watergate have perpetuated. By no means is he is completely responsible for the latter, nor did it begin with him. But he sure gave it a good boost, and I still think Watergate warps our sense of the Presidency today. Also, as the tapes clearly showed, he was racist and bent on destroying his “enemies” whenever possible. Yet at the same time, he seemed capable of extreme kindness to people, and I do think that he really wanted to make the United States a better country when he left it than when he found it. At times, I feel bad when I think about what happened to him. But more often, I am appalled at his atrocious behavior and actions.
Grade: A-
Much of the time is spent focusing on Nixon's legal defense team and his Chief of Staff, General Alexander Haig. Haig comes across as an opportunist, someone who makes an attempt to be loyal to his superior, but really only so it can ultimately serve his own purposes. In much the same spirit as his predecessor, H.R. Haldeman, Haig tries to restrict access to Nixon. This actually speaks more about Nixon and his reclusiveness than it does about Haig, yet Haig seemed incapable of leveling with Nixon on the reality of his situation. I find this characterization interesting in that this book was written well before Haig's infamous flame-out as Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan.
Henry Kissinger also comes across in a less than stellar way, being portrayed as having a paranoia about equal to that of Nixon's, and trying to cover up his own foul deeds concerning illegal wire-tapping. This should not surprise anyone who has a general knowledge of who Kissinger was and how he operated. Woodward and Bernstein do not really say anything about him that you can't find written in many other places. They do acknowledge that Kissinger basically kept U.S. foreign policy from being dragged under by Watergate, and that is not an insignificant feat, especially given the tensions inherent in the Middle East at the time, and also with the U.S. still smarting over Vietnam.
Woodward and Bernstein, at the beginning of the book, write about their standards for putting things into the book, since almost everything in here is based on first-hand observations and thoughts by the participants involved. They said that they left out anything that they could not confirm. Taking them at their word, that makes the events of this book all the more incredible: the delusional thinking of Nixon's daughter Julie and some of the staff members such as Ken Clawson – people who refused to accept that Nixon had done anything wrong; the professional rivalry and disdain between Nixon's lawyers Fred Buzhardt and James St. Clair; the machinations of Haig; and most of all, the tortured behavior of Nixon himself. Nixon vacillated constantly between deciding to fight through a certainly unwinnable impeachment trial in the Senate and deciding to resign.
Of all the interesting revelations in this book, what most struck me was when Buzhardt told Haig about Nixon providing some Dictabelt recordings that he (Nixon) had made on many random subjects. These were Nixon's innermost personal thoughts about people, places, and events. It strikes me as inordinately sad that Nixon did not have anyone who he truly felt comfortable with as far as being able to share his feelings. I am neither a Nixon hater nor an apologist. I find many things that he did repulsive, and on the whole, I consider him to have caused serious harm to the country, mainly due to his treasonous actions in railroading Lyndon Johnson's 1968 peace initiative to try to end the Vietnam War, and for the intense distrust between the media and the elected leaders of this country that his actions in both Vietnam and Watergate have perpetuated. By no means is he is completely responsible for the latter, nor did it begin with him. But he sure gave it a good boost, and I still think Watergate warps our sense of the Presidency today. Also, as the tapes clearly showed, he was racist and bent on destroying his “enemies” whenever possible. Yet at the same time, he seemed capable of extreme kindness to people, and I do think that he really wanted to make the United States a better country when he left it than when he found it. At times, I feel bad when I think about what happened to him. But more often, I am appalled at his atrocious behavior and actions.
Grade: A-
January 14, 2021
Woodward and Bernstein's quasi-sequel to All the President's Men, The Final Days, chronicles the last year of Nixon's presidency from the April 1973 departures of Bob Haldeman and John Ehrlichman through his own resignation. The authors interview dozens of participants, providing a fast-paced insider account of Nixon's advisers first trying to contain the damage, slowly and reluctantly realizing that they've been dupe, and their belated, frantic efforts pushing their boss to accept the inevitable. Unfortunately, this fascinating insider's take comes drenched in spurious gossip: Nixon's drinking and suicidal ramblings, Pat's frigidity, Kissinger's backstabbing, Ford's dithering, cabinet insubordination, Congressional bitchery - and the whole time, America is safely managed by a benevolent Alexander Haig. How much is true, and how much is merely score settling by proxy, is an exercise for the reader, though its tabloid readability is undeniable.
May 5, 2013
This is at times a very detailed account of the trial and downfall of President Richard Nixon. Who would have thought that a President needed so many lawyers on his staff?
At the beginning the number of individuals involved is enormous. Nevertheless the tale becomes more compelling and tragic as we reach the inevitable culmination of Nixon’s downfall.
In the biography I read of Nixon by Conrad Black he observes that Nixon was isolated and did not have enough contacts outside of the White House. By contrast, Roosevelt, who was unable to walk, always had an extraordinary array of people visiting throughout his many years as president. Nixon’s sequestration is supported in the pages of this book by Woodward and Bernstein.
In many ways it was Nixon who paid the price for the lies of the Vietnam War. The Kennedy and Johnson administration did far worse in terms of lies and deceit than Nixon. Kennedy and Johnson both lied and mislead the American people about U.S. military build-up in Vietnam. Robert Kennedy allowed the bugging (and persecution) of Martin Luther King. Nixon’s crimes were less by contrast. But, he did constantly lie and obfuscate – initially refusing to release the tapes, then releasing edited transcripts. And he lied on network television.
Also Nixon was not media savvy – Reagan was one of the best at this in the modern era. Even the younger George Bush was better then Nixon with the press.
There are times when the authors are obviously on a Nixon vendetta. There was no need to speak of Nixon’s eating habits or refusing bottles of wine. That put pettiness into the story.
I did find Nixon’s support from his family – his wife, his two daughters and their husbands admirable. Possibly within their hearts they knew of his duplicity to the country – yet they continued to love him as husband and father. He had committed no crime to them. As we reach the end of the book I came to respect, in some measure, Nixon as a human being. With all the insurmountable pressure he never unravelled as a human being. The only thing he had left after resigning was his immediate family.
With the distance of almost forty years now this story has all the makings of a Shakespearean tragedy.
At the beginning the number of individuals involved is enormous. Nevertheless the tale becomes more compelling and tragic as we reach the inevitable culmination of Nixon’s downfall.
In the biography I read of Nixon by Conrad Black he observes that Nixon was isolated and did not have enough contacts outside of the White House. By contrast, Roosevelt, who was unable to walk, always had an extraordinary array of people visiting throughout his many years as president. Nixon’s sequestration is supported in the pages of this book by Woodward and Bernstein.
In many ways it was Nixon who paid the price for the lies of the Vietnam War. The Kennedy and Johnson administration did far worse in terms of lies and deceit than Nixon. Kennedy and Johnson both lied and mislead the American people about U.S. military build-up in Vietnam. Robert Kennedy allowed the bugging (and persecution) of Martin Luther King. Nixon’s crimes were less by contrast. But, he did constantly lie and obfuscate – initially refusing to release the tapes, then releasing edited transcripts. And he lied on network television.
Also Nixon was not media savvy – Reagan was one of the best at this in the modern era. Even the younger George Bush was better then Nixon with the press.
There are times when the authors are obviously on a Nixon vendetta. There was no need to speak of Nixon’s eating habits or refusing bottles of wine. That put pettiness into the story.
I did find Nixon’s support from his family – his wife, his two daughters and their husbands admirable. Possibly within their hearts they knew of his duplicity to the country – yet they continued to love him as husband and father. He had committed no crime to them. As we reach the end of the book I came to respect, in some measure, Nixon as a human being. With all the insurmountable pressure he never unravelled as a human being. The only thing he had left after resigning was his immediate family.
With the distance of almost forty years now this story has all the makings of a Shakespearean tragedy.
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September 15, 2019
An absolutely astounding tour de force.
It's part historical fiction, part biography, part impeccable journalism. No other account of the Watergate Scandal comes close.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
It's part historical fiction, part biography, part impeccable journalism. No other account of the Watergate Scandal comes close.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
November 22, 2020
Although I lived through Watergate I didn't keep up with all the details at the time, but just what I heard on radio news broadcasts. And given our current political situation it felt like history is being echoed this fall. It's an excellent recapitulation of the final days of the Nixon administration and a recounting of the cast of characters involved in the investigation as it wound down to Nixon's resignation in August 2014.
It's worth a read just as a reminder of how politics used to work before partisanship was so severe that it prevents politicians from being loyal to the Constitution rather than a member of their own party. I miss that.
It's worth a read just as a reminder of how politics used to work before partisanship was so severe that it prevents politicians from being loyal to the Constitution rather than a member of their own party. I miss that.
July 29, 2015
Wow that was a slog. Obviously since it took me over a year to finish it. Not nearly as involving as All the President's Men. So much minutiae to wade through. Picked up in the last third when everything is falling apart for Nixon and the deathwatch for his administration had begun. However it's still a major historical account of a very messy time in the history of the United States. A wrap-up for the previous twelve years which saw the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall going up, JFK's assassination, MLK's assassination, Charles Manson, Vietnam, "Mister Ed", "My Mother the Car", and the Hippies.
Just don't expect to be able to breeze through it over a long weekend. Well at least I sure couldn't.
Just don't expect to be able to breeze through it over a long weekend. Well at least I sure couldn't.
May 4, 2017
I've got a few thoughts on Woodward and Bernstein's The Final Days, which is both more and less timely than it might seem at first.
This isn't really a book about Nixon, though he's a major character and you learn important things about him (see below). Rather, this is a book about the staff, lawyers, and loyalists who (as late 1973 and the summer of 1974) were still credulous enough to believe him that he neither knew about the various crimes related to Watergate nor made any effort to use the power of his office to cover them up. An early scene where Nixon instructs a couple of his lawyers to draft a national security explanation for several of his lies to definitively absolve him (while also withstanding future revelations) without his offering any exculpatory narrative or detail to help them is emblematic of the situation. Most of the book's drama comes from these staffers and associates realizing that the president they've invested their own time and careers in is indeed a criminal who has been lying to them.
The book implies that, too, that aside from the political and cultural consequences he was facing, Nixon was dug in on defending himself from impeachment to avoid having to acknowledge that he'd been lying to his family as well as the country. His daughters, especially, defended him loyally, even at what seems like at least a short-term cost to their marriages. Nixon's sons-in-law, like certain members of his staff, are convinced of the hopelessness of his defense relatively early in the book.
It's also worth mentioning that Nixon, according to the sources who spoke to Woodward and Bernstein, was often drunk during this time.
Its tempting to draw parallels between Nixon and other, current American presidents. One thing the book makes clear, though, is that things have to get a lot worse than they are now before a president is forced from office. At the same time, the book shows that a president can only convince the rest of the country to ignore evidence of their true character for so long.
This isn't really a book about Nixon, though he's a major character and you learn important things about him (see below). Rather, this is a book about the staff, lawyers, and loyalists who (as late 1973 and the summer of 1974) were still credulous enough to believe him that he neither knew about the various crimes related to Watergate nor made any effort to use the power of his office to cover them up. An early scene where Nixon instructs a couple of his lawyers to draft a national security explanation for several of his lies to definitively absolve him (while also withstanding future revelations) without his offering any exculpatory narrative or detail to help them is emblematic of the situation. Most of the book's drama comes from these staffers and associates realizing that the president they've invested their own time and careers in is indeed a criminal who has been lying to them.
The book implies that, too, that aside from the political and cultural consequences he was facing, Nixon was dug in on defending himself from impeachment to avoid having to acknowledge that he'd been lying to his family as well as the country. His daughters, especially, defended him loyally, even at what seems like at least a short-term cost to their marriages. Nixon's sons-in-law, like certain members of his staff, are convinced of the hopelessness of his defense relatively early in the book.
It's also worth mentioning that Nixon, according to the sources who spoke to Woodward and Bernstein, was often drunk during this time.
Its tempting to draw parallels between Nixon and other, current American presidents. One thing the book makes clear, though, is that things have to get a lot worse than they are now before a president is forced from office. At the same time, the book shows that a president can only convince the rest of the country to ignore evidence of their true character for so long.
July 25, 2022
Do sane people seek the Presidency? The ancient Greeks could choose a leader and then demand he serve. In modern America we usually get a giant ego with ambition far beyond the norm that never gives up. Nixon's victory in '72 after defeat in '60 demonstrates the drive.
Richard Nixon was sane, but he had serious psychological problems. No lover of humanity, no glad-hander, this man of dark thoughts who you would think to be the last to succeed in politics, improbably made it to the highest office in the land. His character defects were enabled to flower by the power of office. Suddenly he could freely indulge in one of his pleasures: going after and punishing his enemies. His fragile ego could never tolerate a slight, no insult was ever forgotten and insults were perceived even when those accused had no idea their actions had that result.
This obsession with getting even was topped off with a sense of martyrdom. Even before Watergate exploded in his face, Richard Nixon was convinced he was fighting the good fight largely alone and unsupported, a righteous man doing battle against hopeless odds but prevailing. Pathetically, when he had been stripped of any rational reason to remain in office, or to maintain that he was innocent, he fell back on not being a quitter.
The oddest thing of all to those of us looking from the outside, was the taping system he put in place to assure his legacy. That would not be so strange except that the man proceeded to put his own deviousness on audio record, knowing full well he was doing so! This astounded the nation.
Nixon has not been the only President to engage in very questionable behavior, though he did reach a low in that it was criminal. What caused him trouble was the tapes. If not for those, he would have sailed right through office like any other President, made possible by the general awe of the office plus the power over his staff who, almost without exception, would fall on their swords rather than not be a loyal member of the team. With this immense psychological hold on so many people, obedience to the law or telling the truth seem like minor things. Nixon only was ousted because he literally convicted himself with his own voice.
Woodward and Bernstein bring all the intricacy of the operation of the White House to light. Right and wrong have no meaning in an addiction to the support of power. The President loses his head, unable to distinguish the office from the self. Though the founding fathers put the separation of powers into place, there is no way to protect a man from being beguiled by himself.
Many many pages are consumed with people showing how loyal they can be, fearing to call the man a criminal, dismissing illegality as inconsequential in comparison with all the great feats of statesmanship. It is only when people read the transcript of the tape where Nixon is heard admitting the cover-up and urging it on, that the man loses support.
Nixon was in a contest with fate, which, as the Greeks knew many centuries ago, cannot be bested. His downfall was the result of who he was. The President of the United States is reduced to seeking the approval of his barber, alone with the man for a final haircut on his last day in office. It was the one point in the book where my emotions were touched.
I have no doubt that for each of us, if we live long enough, will discover who we truly are and why we do what we do. With luck, self-knowledge comes before tragedy, but the more one is surrounded by courtiers, the less likely a positive outcome.
This is a terrific book, highly rated and deserving of it. It recounts the fall of a man, but a glorious high point in the history of the nation, when the promise of the law being applicable to all came closest to being a fact.
Richard Nixon was sane, but he had serious psychological problems. No lover of humanity, no glad-hander, this man of dark thoughts who you would think to be the last to succeed in politics, improbably made it to the highest office in the land. His character defects were enabled to flower by the power of office. Suddenly he could freely indulge in one of his pleasures: going after and punishing his enemies. His fragile ego could never tolerate a slight, no insult was ever forgotten and insults were perceived even when those accused had no idea their actions had that result.
This obsession with getting even was topped off with a sense of martyrdom. Even before Watergate exploded in his face, Richard Nixon was convinced he was fighting the good fight largely alone and unsupported, a righteous man doing battle against hopeless odds but prevailing. Pathetically, when he had been stripped of any rational reason to remain in office, or to maintain that he was innocent, he fell back on not being a quitter.
The oddest thing of all to those of us looking from the outside, was the taping system he put in place to assure his legacy. That would not be so strange except that the man proceeded to put his own deviousness on audio record, knowing full well he was doing so! This astounded the nation.
Nixon has not been the only President to engage in very questionable behavior, though he did reach a low in that it was criminal. What caused him trouble was the tapes. If not for those, he would have sailed right through office like any other President, made possible by the general awe of the office plus the power over his staff who, almost without exception, would fall on their swords rather than not be a loyal member of the team. With this immense psychological hold on so many people, obedience to the law or telling the truth seem like minor things. Nixon only was ousted because he literally convicted himself with his own voice.
Woodward and Bernstein bring all the intricacy of the operation of the White House to light. Right and wrong have no meaning in an addiction to the support of power. The President loses his head, unable to distinguish the office from the self. Though the founding fathers put the separation of powers into place, there is no way to protect a man from being beguiled by himself.
Many many pages are consumed with people showing how loyal they can be, fearing to call the man a criminal, dismissing illegality as inconsequential in comparison with all the great feats of statesmanship. It is only when people read the transcript of the tape where Nixon is heard admitting the cover-up and urging it on, that the man loses support.
Nixon was in a contest with fate, which, as the Greeks knew many centuries ago, cannot be bested. His downfall was the result of who he was. The President of the United States is reduced to seeking the approval of his barber, alone with the man for a final haircut on his last day in office. It was the one point in the book where my emotions were touched.
I have no doubt that for each of us, if we live long enough, will discover who we truly are and why we do what we do. With luck, self-knowledge comes before tragedy, but the more one is surrounded by courtiers, the less likely a positive outcome.
This is a terrific book, highly rated and deserving of it. It recounts the fall of a man, but a glorious high point in the history of the nation, when the promise of the law being applicable to all came closest to being a fact.
March 7, 2024
Kindle edition. 5 well-deserved stars.
This was written by highly respected Washington Post
investigative reporters, Woodward and Bernstein and
covered the last 6 mos. of Richard Nixon's Presidency.
They classified their interviews as "deep cover." They
followed the Watergate break-in which lead the
reporters to Nixon's abuse of power, obstruction of
justice, money laundering of $ donated to Nixon's re-
election & so on.
Nixon had a strained Presidency to start, between he
& Kissinger, Kissinger and Haig & Ziegler and nearly
everyone. Kissinger served as Secretary of State &
National Security Advisor, General Haig as Chief of
Staff (last 15 mos. only) & Ziegler as taciturn Press
Secretary. Diane Sawyer, future ABC-TV journalist,
served under Ziegler. Kissinger expressed to a select
few his being unimpressed with Nixon's intellectual
rigor.
House Judiciary Committee (HJC) & the Senate Select
Committee each independently investigated the events
of Watergate (the 6/17/72 break-in of Democratic
Party HQ). They learned Nixon had an automatic tape
recording system of his Oval Office convos. The Secret
Service had authorization to remove these tapes from
the safe. Nixon refused to release the tapes or trans-
scripts of same to Judge Sirica, using the smoke-screen
of "national security." The 'smoking gun' tape dated
6/23/72, proved that Nixon lead a cover-up of crimes
related to Watergate. He told the CIA to obstruct or
slow down the FBI's Watergate investigation!
Special Prosecutor Jaworski took the case to the Supreme
Court (by-passing the lower court) & the SCOTUS forced
Nixon by a vote of 8-0 (with 1 Justice abstaining) to hand
over the subpoenaed tapes.
During this aforementioned 6 month time period, staff,
members of Congress, son-in-laws and friends described
Nixon in whole or in part as "a liar," "a madman," "nutty,"
"unstable," "unraveled." and in a "dream world." Also
staff, legislators, family reported Nixon drank more heavily
from June 1972 to the date of his resignation.
THE HJC handed down 3 articles of impeachment against
Nixon, then if the House as a whole had a majority vote
against Nixon, the Senate would possibly have a hearing
to convict and remove Nixon from office. If it landed in
the Senate (the upper House), 34 of 100 Senators voting
on Nixon's side would prevent Nixon's conviction/ removal.
The Democrats held a majority in the House + Senate.
The authors did a good job of probing Nixon's state of
mind. Nixon claimed being innocent of the charges &
persecuted (his words). Nixon vascilated back and forth
between fighting for his job or resigning. Nixon resigned
8/9/74, in favor of new President Gerald Ford (Nixon's
Vice President.)
Richard & Pat Nixon had their 34th wedding anniversary
in 1974. We learned Pat threatened to divorce him in
1962 because she felt unprepared to live in the spotlight.
Reportedly from 1962 onward, these 2 led separate lives.
Trained attorney Nixon knew better than to obstruct justice.
He had 3 attorneys who worked on the Watergate case on his
behalf, and by design, he kept them in the dark. He lied to
his attorneys, Cabinet members, supporters on 'both sides
of the aisle.' Also to friends and family.
What a riveting book for history buffs and policy wonks! So
much detail, I took some notes.
Edited: to add.
This was written by highly respected Washington Post
investigative reporters, Woodward and Bernstein and
covered the last 6 mos. of Richard Nixon's Presidency.
They classified their interviews as "deep cover." They
followed the Watergate break-in which lead the
reporters to Nixon's abuse of power, obstruction of
justice, money laundering of $ donated to Nixon's re-
election & so on.
Nixon had a strained Presidency to start, between he
& Kissinger, Kissinger and Haig & Ziegler and nearly
everyone. Kissinger served as Secretary of State &
National Security Advisor, General Haig as Chief of
Staff (last 15 mos. only) & Ziegler as taciturn Press
Secretary. Diane Sawyer, future ABC-TV journalist,
served under Ziegler. Kissinger expressed to a select
few his being unimpressed with Nixon's intellectual
rigor.
House Judiciary Committee (HJC) & the Senate Select
Committee each independently investigated the events
of Watergate (the 6/17/72 break-in of Democratic
Party HQ). They learned Nixon had an automatic tape
recording system of his Oval Office convos. The Secret
Service had authorization to remove these tapes from
the safe. Nixon refused to release the tapes or trans-
scripts of same to Judge Sirica, using the smoke-screen
of "national security." The 'smoking gun' tape dated
6/23/72, proved that Nixon lead a cover-up of crimes
related to Watergate. He told the CIA to obstruct or
slow down the FBI's Watergate investigation!
Special Prosecutor Jaworski took the case to the Supreme
Court (by-passing the lower court) & the SCOTUS forced
Nixon by a vote of 8-0 (with 1 Justice abstaining) to hand
over the subpoenaed tapes.
During this aforementioned 6 month time period, staff,
members of Congress, son-in-laws and friends described
Nixon in whole or in part as "a liar," "a madman," "nutty,"
"unstable," "unraveled." and in a "dream world." Also
staff, legislators, family reported Nixon drank more heavily
from June 1972 to the date of his resignation.
THE HJC handed down 3 articles of impeachment against
Nixon, then if the House as a whole had a majority vote
against Nixon, the Senate would possibly have a hearing
to convict and remove Nixon from office. If it landed in
the Senate (the upper House), 34 of 100 Senators voting
on Nixon's side would prevent Nixon's conviction/ removal.
The Democrats held a majority in the House + Senate.
The authors did a good job of probing Nixon's state of
mind. Nixon claimed being innocent of the charges &
persecuted (his words). Nixon vascilated back and forth
between fighting for his job or resigning. Nixon resigned
8/9/74, in favor of new President Gerald Ford (Nixon's
Vice President.)
Richard & Pat Nixon had their 34th wedding anniversary
in 1974. We learned Pat threatened to divorce him in
1962 because she felt unprepared to live in the spotlight.
Reportedly from 1962 onward, these 2 led separate lives.
Trained attorney Nixon knew better than to obstruct justice.
He had 3 attorneys who worked on the Watergate case on his
behalf, and by design, he kept them in the dark. He lied to
his attorneys, Cabinet members, supporters on 'both sides
of the aisle.' Also to friends and family.
What a riveting book for history buffs and policy wonks! So
much detail, I took some notes.
Edited: to add.
September 22, 2018
A lengthy, highly intelligent and nuanced account (overly long, perhaps) of the legal and personal issues surrounding the final collapse and resignation of the Nixon Presidency. Marvelous portraits of the people involved, especially Kissinger, Haig, Buzhardt, St. Clair, Julie and David Eisenhower, and of Nixon himself. Cold-eyed and analytical, but also surprisingly sympathetic in part. Far better than the later Woodward books.
April 11, 2019
I need to begin by pointing out I was totally engrossed in every aspect of Watergate - I watched every minute of the Hearings and read every newspaper article as it all infolded. I also read a number of books in the late 1970’s and 19780’s and watched the movies. I also need to point out that this particular book has been sitting on my shelf or in a box since I originally bought it in 1976. I consider it a newly discovered hidden treasure.
I only read it because I had nothing else to read for the moment and realized it might be timely in relation to current events. As I plowed through it I realized I had forgotten a lot of the finer details and personalities associated with this landmark event.
The Final Days by Bob Woodard and Carl Bernstein is just that - the final months/days leading up to the resignation of Richard Nixon as President of the United States.
One of the first things that leapt off of the page for me was the characterization of the Watergate Investigation and the Senate Watergate Committee hearings as a “witch-hunt…”! That statement on Page 114 was the impetus for my decision to stay up all night and finish the book. And, Heaven help us all, that is not the only strong, decisive parallel to the present White House administration regarding criminal investigations.
While I do recall most of the major highlights of the Hearings and the Investigation it seems I had forgotten a lot of the minutiae - the coverup payments; the infamous Nixon generated enemies’ list including wiretapping the phones of reporters; some of the major players inside and outside of the White House.
The structure and construction of this story which covers a narrow timeline is just masterful. This is gripping, scary stuff. Richard Nixon operated the Presidency on a wing and a prayer during which there was a total disregard for moral and ethical parameters as well as the fundamental rule of law(s).
If you follow the political landscape in which we live today and have not read this book, I recommend it highly. The fundamental takeaway: What we thought of as unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime lapse of judgement back in the 1970’s is actually repeating itself in a slow, torturous loop in the 21st Century.
I only read it because I had nothing else to read for the moment and realized it might be timely in relation to current events. As I plowed through it I realized I had forgotten a lot of the finer details and personalities associated with this landmark event.
The Final Days by Bob Woodard and Carl Bernstein is just that - the final months/days leading up to the resignation of Richard Nixon as President of the United States.
One of the first things that leapt off of the page for me was the characterization of the Watergate Investigation and the Senate Watergate Committee hearings as a “witch-hunt…”! That statement on Page 114 was the impetus for my decision to stay up all night and finish the book. And, Heaven help us all, that is not the only strong, decisive parallel to the present White House administration regarding criminal investigations.
While I do recall most of the major highlights of the Hearings and the Investigation it seems I had forgotten a lot of the minutiae - the coverup payments; the infamous Nixon generated enemies’ list including wiretapping the phones of reporters; some of the major players inside and outside of the White House.
The structure and construction of this story which covers a narrow timeline is just masterful. This is gripping, scary stuff. Richard Nixon operated the Presidency on a wing and a prayer during which there was a total disregard for moral and ethical parameters as well as the fundamental rule of law(s).
If you follow the political landscape in which we live today and have not read this book, I recommend it highly. The fundamental takeaway: What we thought of as unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime lapse of judgement back in the 1970’s is actually repeating itself in a slow, torturous loop in the 21st Century.
January 1, 2017
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's The Final Days is an absolute gem, the highest level of political reporting.
This is a follow up to their brilliant book All the President's Men, and takes up where that book ended. Richard Nixon's White House is under siege, following the revelations of the Watergate scandal and the indictments of many of his top aides. All of the key players in the drama are followed in great detail, from the President and his family, to White House staffers, members of Congress, and the Judiciary. The profound shock of the scandal takes its toll on each.
Richard Nixon truly was a secretive, paranoid, vindictive geek. In many ways he was a pathetic and tragic figure. Many who read this will remember the more titillating details of the book (Nixon talking to the pictures on the wall of past presidents, forcing Kissinger to get down on his knees and pray with him, etc.). But to me this is truly an extraordinary account of a terrible crisis in the time of United States history, and a very sad human drama for all involved as well. I would very much recommend this for anyone interested in the Watergate scandal and its aftermath.
This is a follow up to their brilliant book All the President's Men, and takes up where that book ended. Richard Nixon's White House is under siege, following the revelations of the Watergate scandal and the indictments of many of his top aides. All of the key players in the drama are followed in great detail, from the President and his family, to White House staffers, members of Congress, and the Judiciary. The profound shock of the scandal takes its toll on each.
Richard Nixon truly was a secretive, paranoid, vindictive geek. In many ways he was a pathetic and tragic figure. Many who read this will remember the more titillating details of the book (Nixon talking to the pictures on the wall of past presidents, forcing Kissinger to get down on his knees and pray with him, etc.). But to me this is truly an extraordinary account of a terrible crisis in the time of United States history, and a very sad human drama for all involved as well. I would very much recommend this for anyone interested in the Watergate scandal and its aftermath.
June 6, 2012
I read this one a while ago. It's sort of a sequel to All the President's Men, chronicling the crackup of the Nixon administration. In many ways, this book is better than its predecessor: it's not focused on just Watergate, and it follows the politicians rather than the reporters (All the President's Men is largely the story of how Woodward and Bernstein did their reporting).
Two very striking facts will always stay with me from this book. First: it's eye-opening to read how much all of these people cared not just about themselves, but about what was right, appropriate, and legal. Remember, these folks lived in a world where no president had ever resigned -- this was brand-new territory. Second: my gracious, the time the President spent on saving his own hide instead of running the country! You get a sense of how scandals really can be crippling; that's not just some media cliche.
Anyway, I've mentioned that I'm a Watergate junkie, and this was an extension of that. Very well-written book.
Two very striking facts will always stay with me from this book. First: it's eye-opening to read how much all of these people cared not just about themselves, but about what was right, appropriate, and legal. Remember, these folks lived in a world where no president had ever resigned -- this was brand-new territory. Second: my gracious, the time the President spent on saving his own hide instead of running the country! You get a sense of how scandals really can be crippling; that's not just some media cliche.
Anyway, I've mentioned that I'm a Watergate junkie, and this was an extension of that. Very well-written book.
July 26, 2024
A riveting account of the Nixon presidency spiraling down the drain. I wouldn’t recommend it as your first Nixon book since the authors reasonably figured that anyone reading this book when it came out in 1976 would be familiar with the story so they don’t spend much time setting things up (you’d be better off starting with a more general Nixon bio)
But if you are already familiar with Watergate and the poor souls it ensnared this is compelling material and drama, even though you know how it will all shake down. The biggest surprise was the almost sympathetic portrayal of Tricky Dick himself, an awkward introvert under a tremendous strain of his own paranoid making. I’ve read many presidential bios but none of them featured as many commander-in-chief tears as this one.
But if you are already familiar with Watergate and the poor souls it ensnared this is compelling material and drama, even though you know how it will all shake down. The biggest surprise was the almost sympathetic portrayal of Tricky Dick himself, an awkward introvert under a tremendous strain of his own paranoid making. I’ve read many presidential bios but none of them featured as many commander-in-chief tears as this one.
August 20, 2019
What a fascinating read. I was 16 years old when President Nixon resigned. I have vivid memories of my mother glued to the television screen during the Watergate hearings. Now, as an adult, reading this detailed a counting of Nixon's final months in office I am struck by the similarity between Nixon and Trump's personalities. This account bvb thing was riveting to read. The perpetual state of limbo in which Nixon's loyal staffers existed is hard to fathom. The differentiation between the man and the office, as well as a President's sense of being a person who will be assessed by historians was quite powerful. I do not envy anybody who works for a boss who lies. I also finish reading this book thinking that it seems next to impossible to be in politics and to maintain one's integrity.
May 27, 2015
took me a ling tome to get through this one. very detailed account.
June 16, 2017
From a historical perspective, one of the ten best books I've ever read. Fascinating.
June 22, 2017
Seemed like a good time to read this.
August 2, 2017
That bastard should have gone to jail.
March 19, 2024
This was an outstanding and thrilling conclusion/sequel to All The Presidents Men. Great narration from Holter Graham on the audiobook. Great details of the final days along with additional information to close out the facts from the first book. A lot of people seem to compare Nixon to Trump lately, but Trump is/was way worse because he still has no clue that he is STILL living in a delusion. At least Nixon had remorse for what happened, even if he ended up getting pardoned by Ford anyways. 4.25/5
Summary:
The Final Days is a 1976 non-fiction book written by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the Watergate scandal. A follow-up to their 1974 book All the President's Men, The Final Days concerns itself with the final months of the Presidency of Richard Nixon including battles over the Nixon White House tapes and the impeachment process against Richard Nixon.
Not long after the resignation of Richard Nixon in August 1974, Woodward and Bernstein took a leave of absence from The Washington Post in order to begin work on the book. They originally intended to cover just the last hundred days of the Nixon presidency but then expanded it further back. They hired two research assistants, Scott Armstrong and Al Kamen, and among them, they interviewed 394 people involved in the tale. People were anxious to talk in an effort to get their (sometimes self-serving) perspective on the events included in the narrative, and almost all of the sources were promised anonymity in return. In this way, Woodward and Bernstein constructed a fly on the wall type narrative of the events in question. While the book was being written, there were some intimations that it was going to be a "blockbuster" in terms of content, but Woodward demurred, saying instead that it would be "a book of a hundred small surprises." According to Jon Marshall's 2011 retrospective look at Watergate and the press, although Bernstein got co-equal credit on the cover, he in fact did relatively few interviews and not only less of the writing than Woodward, but also less than either Armstrong or Kamen. (It could also be noted that Woodward wrote the foreword to Marshall's book.) As noted in the book's foreword, all the information and scenarios depicted were taken from interviews with 394 people who were involved. The content of the interviews was considered on the record, but the identity of the sources remained confidential. Every detail was thoroughly checked, and any information that could not be confirmed by two separate accounts was left out of the book. In an example of the book's approach, J. Fred Buzhardt co-operated with Woodward and Bernstein during the research for the book by sitting for eight "extensive" interviews. One person was interviewed as many as 17 times.
The book contains two parts, with twenty chapters. The first carries on from where All the President's Men leaves off, in particular from April 30, 1973, when John Dean, the White House counsel, was fired, and brings the narrative through developments of later in 1973 and then up to late July 1974. Part II consists of a day-by-day account of the title-referenced final days, beginning with "Wednesday, July 24" and continuing through "Friday, August 9". There is also a cast of characters at the beginning, starting at Robert Abplanalp and finishing with Ronald L. Ziegler, and a Chronology at the end, running from November 5, 1968 through August 9, 1974. Both are intended to help the reader keep the complex chain of events and people in mind. As published by Simon & Schuster, the book contained some photographic illustrations and cost $10.95. After it became the fastest selling book in the publisher's history, the price was raised to $11.95, supposedly to defray paper costs and, in the publisher's words, as part of "maintaining priority press time so that [it] can get on press before other books."
Summary:
The Final Days is a 1976 non-fiction book written by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the Watergate scandal. A follow-up to their 1974 book All the President's Men, The Final Days concerns itself with the final months of the Presidency of Richard Nixon including battles over the Nixon White House tapes and the impeachment process against Richard Nixon.
Not long after the resignation of Richard Nixon in August 1974, Woodward and Bernstein took a leave of absence from The Washington Post in order to begin work on the book. They originally intended to cover just the last hundred days of the Nixon presidency but then expanded it further back. They hired two research assistants, Scott Armstrong and Al Kamen, and among them, they interviewed 394 people involved in the tale. People were anxious to talk in an effort to get their (sometimes self-serving) perspective on the events included in the narrative, and almost all of the sources were promised anonymity in return. In this way, Woodward and Bernstein constructed a fly on the wall type narrative of the events in question. While the book was being written, there were some intimations that it was going to be a "blockbuster" in terms of content, but Woodward demurred, saying instead that it would be "a book of a hundred small surprises." According to Jon Marshall's 2011 retrospective look at Watergate and the press, although Bernstein got co-equal credit on the cover, he in fact did relatively few interviews and not only less of the writing than Woodward, but also less than either Armstrong or Kamen. (It could also be noted that Woodward wrote the foreword to Marshall's book.) As noted in the book's foreword, all the information and scenarios depicted were taken from interviews with 394 people who were involved. The content of the interviews was considered on the record, but the identity of the sources remained confidential. Every detail was thoroughly checked, and any information that could not be confirmed by two separate accounts was left out of the book. In an example of the book's approach, J. Fred Buzhardt co-operated with Woodward and Bernstein during the research for the book by sitting for eight "extensive" interviews. One person was interviewed as many as 17 times.
The book contains two parts, with twenty chapters. The first carries on from where All the President's Men leaves off, in particular from April 30, 1973, when John Dean, the White House counsel, was fired, and brings the narrative through developments of later in 1973 and then up to late July 1974. Part II consists of a day-by-day account of the title-referenced final days, beginning with "Wednesday, July 24" and continuing through "Friday, August 9". There is also a cast of characters at the beginning, starting at Robert Abplanalp and finishing with Ronald L. Ziegler, and a Chronology at the end, running from November 5, 1968 through August 9, 1974. Both are intended to help the reader keep the complex chain of events and people in mind. As published by Simon & Schuster, the book contained some photographic illustrations and cost $10.95. After it became the fastest selling book in the publisher's history, the price was raised to $11.95, supposedly to defray paper costs and, in the publisher's words, as part of "maintaining priority press time so that [it] can get on press before other books."
March 6, 2021
I started this book right around the New Year and the timing felt very appropriate. I had a lot of trouble deciding whether to give this book 3 stars or 4. Cue the usual complaint about goodreads not letting a reader give out half stars. Given my choice, I would probably give 3 and a half, just based on my actual enjoyment. Don't get me wrong. This book is incredibly well written and the subject matter is certainly fascinating. My copy is from the actual Watergate era and the publishers (and authors?) wisely included an Agatha Christie style character list in the front of the book. That list alone took up 5 pages. It was great to be able to go back and refer to the list. I almost wish they had included a map of the important locations, as Christie did in some of her books. So, on to the rest of the book! I found the first half of the book to be pretty dry reading. I don't want to fault the authors for this too much, though. It may just be that I found the first half redundant since I had already read All the President's men back in 2018. I'm not sure if that's it or not. Also, the first half of the book jumps around in time a little bit, which may be confusing for some people. A lot happens in this book and you do have to pay close attention. Keep that character list handy! The second half is when everything starts to really fall apart for Nixon. Surely I don't need to do a spoiler alert here, do I? Just in case, I won't say anything too specific. Just know that the second half is highly entertaining, but also maddening and very tragic. It should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone who wants to get into politics or serve in any kind of leadership role. My fear is that many people have not (and will not) take it as such and will instead think to themselves while reading " I bet I could have gotten away with it." I find that chilling, but I'm virtually certain that someone has had those thoughts while reading. It's a fantastic history lesson and I think that anyone even somewhat interested in 20th century American history would enjoy the book. Also, if you never read All the President's Men the first half may not feel as dry to you. I seriously doubt that Bob Woodward and/or Carl Bernstein will ever see this, but....Thank You, Mr. Woodward and Mr. Bernstein. You have both done a great service to your country. Many great services, actually! To everyone else who chooses to read this-enjoy the journey and marvel that it actually happened.
September 27, 2018
'The Final Days: The Classic, Behind the Scenes Account of Richard Nixon's Dramatic Last Days in the White House' by Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein is a political history classic and is one of the best books of its kind. Essentially a sequel to the 1974 book 'All the President's Men', another classic of the genre, it was a necessary follow up. Not long after the resignation of Richard Nixon in August 1974, Woodward and Bernstein took a leave of absence from the Washington Post in order to begin work on the book. Divided into two parts covering the demise of President Nixon's administration with incredible access through interviews with 394 people directly involved with the story, most famously for both books, "Deep Throat". The first carries on from where 'All the President's Men' leaves off, in particular from April 30, 1973, when John Dean, the White House counsel, was fired, and brings the narrative through developments of later in 1973 and then up to late July 1974. Part II consists of a day-by-day account of the title-referenced final days, beginning with "Wednesday, July 24" and continuing through "Friday, August 9.". The New York Times Book Review, author Richard Reeves said that the book "is a spectacular piece of reporting, with all the delights and limitations of journalism." Which is true. What it came down to with Nixon is that he lost the trust of the American people and even the Republican party that had previously supported him in his rise to powers. “The people of the United States are entitled to assume that their President is telling the truth. The pattern of misrepresentation and half-truths that emerges from our investigation reveals a presidential policy cynically based on the premise that the truth itself is negotiable.” The tapes, the lies, the cover up, all the "Tricky Dick" antics just became too much and in fact criminal The reading of the downfall of a U.S. president is fascinating.
“Always remember, others may hate you—but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.” ~ President Richard Nixon
“Always remember, others may hate you—but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.” ~ President Richard Nixon
February 6, 2021
The opening scene of the book tells of President Nixon's two attorneys traveling to Key Biscayne, Florida for the purpose of advising the President that his best course of action is to resign from office. As we know, he does not do so until after the nation goes through a painful, agonizing nine months later on August 9, 1974. In between, Woodward and Bernstein have stitched together notes from 394 interviews with multiple sources from inside the White House and throughout the Administration and Congress to reveal the inner workings and thought processes behind the Watergate episode and efforts to salvage the Nixon presidency.
We see conniving, out for themselves players at all levels, as well as some downright decent folks who were doing their honest best to keep the government running while the major distraction was ongoing. Although we know the outcome, the book really drew me into the world of the White House and how it functioned then. I am struck by how some 47 years later, some key lessons seem to have been ignored or totally forgotton. But most of all we see the insidiuos lust and draw for maintaining supreme political power overwhelm everything else. A good book for our present times and points out the continuing need for journalists with integrity - and the importance of finding people with integrity and character to serve as our leaders within government.
Having read this at a point of a fractiuos presidential transition in 2020-21, I am very anxious to read the upcoming collaboration by Bob Woodward and Robert Costas about the final days and aftermath of the recently departed ex-President DJT. The perspective from Woodward, who has extensively interviewed countless Admininistration officials including the former 45th President, juxtaposed against what appeared in this 1976 book should be especially intriguing.
We see conniving, out for themselves players at all levels, as well as some downright decent folks who were doing their honest best to keep the government running while the major distraction was ongoing. Although we know the outcome, the book really drew me into the world of the White House and how it functioned then. I am struck by how some 47 years later, some key lessons seem to have been ignored or totally forgotton. But most of all we see the insidiuos lust and draw for maintaining supreme political power overwhelm everything else. A good book for our present times and points out the continuing need for journalists with integrity - and the importance of finding people with integrity and character to serve as our leaders within government.
Having read this at a point of a fractiuos presidential transition in 2020-21, I am very anxious to read the upcoming collaboration by Bob Woodward and Robert Costas about the final days and aftermath of the recently departed ex-President DJT. The perspective from Woodward, who has extensively interviewed countless Admininistration officials including the former 45th President, juxtaposed against what appeared in this 1976 book should be especially intriguing.
April 10, 2017
The saga of Watergate was about how a US President elected with a record margin of both popular and electoral votes, came to be nearly impeached for a cover up of a “simple burglary, breaking and entering”. “The Final days” by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein was a chronological sequence of the events which happened during the ten months leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation on 9th August, 1974. The authors have meticulously documented the various events from the perspective of those who played varying roles to delay or hasten the resignation. This book had thrown light on the inner workings of the various organs of the US Govt touching the executive powers and privileges of the President vis-a-vis the powers of Congressional committees, Senate and US judiciary. The strength of US democracy is that the most powerful man in the world is not that much powerful and is to be answerable to the various institutions of the democratic Govt. Though, at times, the reader is wearied with too much details, the book is important as a historic record of an important event which shook the foundations of a great democracy. A great of amount of research and hard work had gone into bringing this book.
June 8, 2017
I guess it seemed appropriate to read this at the moment?! I like reading about the internal machinery of the White House and this is one of the definitive accounts, almost to a fault. It's told entirely in narrative form from 100 days before through to Nixon's resignation as President. Characters come in and out of the story throughout but I think I kept a grip on who each person was and what they did. I have no idea how some of Nixon's staff managed to keep functioning under so much stress, especially Haig, his Chief of Staff. It must has taken extraordinary dedication to the office to keep going when the facts were clear and the President was lying directly to their faces.
I felt the missing component throughout the book was Nixon himself. He seems absent, often lurking in the dusk during a late cruise aboard the Sequoia, like some Kurtz of the Potomac. Perhaps he was indeed detached, missing, and drunk throughout these days but I felt there was something missing.
I felt the missing component throughout the book was Nixon himself. He seems absent, often lurking in the dusk during a late cruise aboard the Sequoia, like some Kurtz of the Potomac. Perhaps he was indeed detached, missing, and drunk throughout these days but I felt there was something missing.
January 9, 2019
This 1976 semi-sequel to All The President's Men continues Woodward and Bernstein's coverage of the Watergate era, drawing on trusted confidential sources to provide an exhaustive behind-the-scenes account of the events leading up to Richard Nixon's resignation from the White House. It's a detailed play-by-play and a good historical record, but not a particularly gripping read. (I think I prefer the excitement of the writers covering their own quest for truth in the previous book over the more straightforward presentation of their findings here.) Still, this is an eye-opening look at the months after the burglary that history books tend to gloss over, and a reminder of how uncertain it was at the time that the ensuing scandal would really bring down a president.
May 24, 2023
A quite good account of the last weeks of the Nixon presidency. Picks up from where “All of the President’s Men” left off, but the narrative-framing gimmick is different: instead of a narrative of the journalistic investigations we get first and second person accounts from the main characters - including sometimes being privy to their internal monologues. It works well narratively but it requires an extra pinch of salt when reading. You can sometimes notice the careful languages of what the authors are willing to assert and claim and how far they are willing to go. It is also easy to notice how some people gave them much more access and talked to them more than others. A pretty good book overall if you are interested in this kind of stuff.
September 30, 2018
An in-depth look at the last 10 months or so of Nixon's time in office. I was hoping this might make me feel better about today's politics, but instead it just made me more depressed. Still an important and relevant read, though. It probably would have been easier to follow if I'd read it closer to finishing All the President's Men, but I wasn't up for that. (I got about halfway through All the President's Men last year before I realized it wasn't going to go all the way to The End and I'd have to read the "sequel.") At least there was a handy "cast of characters" list at the beginning.
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