The book I chose to read for this assignment was All the President's Men, by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The book was about the biographical accounts of two Washington Post reporters and of how their investigative journalism played a major role in solving one of the largest political scandals in American history. Me being a history buff was happy that the book was on the list of selective readings that we could choose for this assignment and before even reading a page was most certain that I would enjoy the book. I knew some about Watergate already and was eager to jump on the chance to learn more about it, especially from the two people who played the major role of bring the whole scandal to the surface. I had seen the movie before and had known from past experiences that movies leave out so much information when they are based on a book so I knew that I would be getting the full detail in account from the authors that I missed out on before. I am not the type who enjoys reading and it always ends up being a hard struggle for me to get through an entire book, but this book ended up not being like pulling teeth for me. Reading the book ended up being the exact opposite, enjoying it so much that it was hard to put down, not only because of the fact that I was fascinated with the information being provided, but also in the direct way that it was presented.
The American culture was portrayed very well in this novel. It shows how everyone in the U.S. trusted and supported they're elected officials and very rarely doubted them. It also portrays how political figures can get away with sabotaging a national election and get any with it without having criminal charges filed against them. The novel also portrays how people can lie to the American people and get away with it. It also portrays the American political culture as willing to do anything to win. It also shows political figures dedication to the president by doing anything to protect his reputation even going as far as to take the blame for a crime they had nothing to do with. Woodward and Bernstien accurately portray American culture at the height of the Watergate scandal.
I would rate this chapter of After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection at an 8/10. I really liked how the authors analyzed Brown’s letter to Harry Stearns and connected that to his motivations and character as an adult. I am leaving off two points because I feel that the article could have at least mentioned what the rest of the U.S. government or other countries thought of this incident. Overall, this was an interesting chapter to read and gave me a new understanding of what is required to properly research and analyze a historical figure in order to support one’s
The documentary entitled, Watergate Plus 30: Shadow of History, documents the political decisions and environment within the Nixon Administration from 1969-1974. The documentary specifically details and describes the environment and culture in which the Watergate scandal could occur and the events and abuses of power that lead to its occurrence. Setting the tone and the political climate of the Nixon Administration was the Vietnam War; making him a wartime President, a war that he inherited from his predecessor. The Vietnam War faced a lot of opposition from the general public, with massive protests and political demonstrations by the younger generations and overall general public. Nixon’s presidency was surrounded by this climate amidst the
In conclusion, the movie All the President's Men is a precise depiction of the Watergate scandal. This is visible through the representations of Bob Woodword and Carl Bernstein, the events that took place to reveal the crime, and the steps that ultimately ended Nixon's presidency.
Where Men Win Glory is an ironic euphemism for war. The title is ironic because there is nothing glorious about war or the way it ended Pat Tillman’s beautiful life. Jon Krakauer orchestrates this masterpiece with his diligently, articulated descriptions and with a timeline sewn together from the threads of two worlds. The author’s style can best be characterized by his challenging, precise diction and his ability to fluently intervene pertinent quotes and facts that further persuade the reader toward his cause. Throughout the book, the author’s tone harnesses resentment towards the militant hierarchy; for through its ingenuousness, deceit, and manipulation, the military uses Pat’s death as propaganda to bolster the war’s support. Furthermore, the military covers up the fact that Tillman was a victim of fratricide, and it deceives the nation into believing Tillman’s end was a valiant fight against insurgents. When the truth is exposed and pursued by Dannie - Pat’s mother - the army destroys evidence and pleads guilty to ignorance as a rebuttal. This book is molded by three prodigious aspects that help to illustrate Pat’s life story. The carelessness of war, importance of family, and enhancement through change were all important ingredients that created a virtuous life. Each theme, in addition, challenges me personally to reassess the facts I have been fed and the reality that I have been presented. By doing so, I can achieve a sound base of knowledge and an intellectual prowess capable of challenging all facts presented.
Throughout the ages, men and women have been at the heart of myths and legends, evolving into tragic heroes in large part due to the embellishment bestowed upon them over the ages. From Odysseus and Achilles to Brutus, Hamlet, and King Lear, epic poems have revolved around the tragic hero. Pat Tillman was a man of many aptitudes and virtues, never satisfied by the mediocre, striving for more adventure, more meaning, in his tragically short time on Earth, and personifying the phrase carpe diem. Even Pat Tillman had tragic flaws; his unwillingness to be typical, his undying loyalty to family and country, and his curiously concrete set of morals amalgamated to set in motion Tillman’s eventual death. These, whatever the outcome might have been, are not by any means, the archetypical tragic flaws. They are, as Jon Krakauer later described, “tragic virtues.” Where Men Win Glory is not solely a tribute to Pat Tillman. What makes it truly unique is its exhaustively comprehensive history preceding Tillman’s death, and equally essential, the events that transpired following his death, including the cover-ups, scandals, corruption, falsified documents, indignities, and lies that facilitated, also, in emphasizing the core themes, of which Tillman was the epitome. Tillman’s fidelity and devotion to the people whom he loved, the use of misinformation and cants surrounding his death, and others’ responses to what Tillman considered paramount in his life all played a key role in the tragedy of a man who won glory.
... The book was educational concerning the Watergate Scandal, although it does not explicitly explain what happened, it is implied, but more importantly it is educational concerning Jesus Christ. In the end, that is the only person that matters. With this book Colson has reached more people than he could have personally, and through that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been spread. Colson had said that his goal as a politician was to make the country a better place, and for peace to rule the land.
...gh but the book. The author does a thorough job explaining the atmosphere and backs it with much proof. The everyday happenings and letter writings make history able to be found by this author. Details like Francis Scott Key's son dying in the street because of his affair with a wife in Washington both interests me and reduces history from it's loft. Students who are bored with the retelling of history should read this book. The book shows that each day is important and history is made of people. I like the author finishing the Mrs. Eaton story even though it has no political meaning. Her death after being financially ruined by her last husband who then married her granddaughter emphasizes the tragedy of her life but should not minimize its completeness. Her life was unbelievable as she met, knew, traveled, and participated in events only in our history books.
revenge scene is very odd, I say this because it is the only scene in
The Watergate scandal significantly changed many things in America. Changes to American journalism were the biggest changes that occurred because of the scandal. Prior to the scandal, journalism was very straightforward and did not use any innovated ways to get stories. The journalists of the time hardly ever used anonymous sources in their reports because they didn’t think that the public would accept the information if it wasn’t coming from a named
Woodward and Bernstein's undertaking constructed the cornerstone for the modern role of the media. The making of the movie about the Watergate Scandal and the ventures of the two journalists signify the importance of the media. The media’s role as intermediary is exemplified throughout the plot of the movie. The movie is the embodiment of journalism that guides future journalists to progress towards the truth, no matter what they are going up against. It was the endeavor of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein that led them to the truth behind the president’s men. They showed that not even the president is able to deter the sanctity of journalism in its search of truth. The freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and people’s right to know account for the same truth that journalists pursue; the truth that democracy is alive and will persist to live on.
I felt that the whole “how it changed America” idea didn’t quite seem completely justified by the author. It felt like the book just dropped off once the action of the actual 1972 flood had been told. The adding of additional information such as the improvements that took place on the Mississippi River after the flood of 1927 and I kind of wanted more information to support the length and depth of the Hoover research. I felt like the author during the last quarter of the book had just given up, because it just wasn’t as tightly uniformed as the rest of the book and it felt like it was wallow in it own detail. While the author failed in the regards to gathering of all information on the “how it changed American”
I have decided to use the Nixon Watergate Scandal as my topic for this museum post. I chose the Watergate scandal because it brought about the first and only resignation of a president. That president’s name was Richard Nixon and he resigned August 9, 1974, after being “faced with what seemed almost certain impeachment” (Frank and Sidey). The Watergate scandal came to be after a break-in occurred on June 17, 1972, at the office of the Democratic National Committee. This office was located in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C., hence the name Watergate Scandal. The intruders were caught and arrested after trying to setup secret recording devices and steal documents. After an investigation into the five burglars it was found that these
The film, “All the President’s Men ”, focuses mainly on the story of two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, uncovering the mystery of the Watergate burglary on June 17, 1972. The film begins with the burglars getting caught in the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Woodward starts investigating the burglary after hearing details, so he begins to call sources to confirm information. Bernstein, who was also interested in the report, takes Woodward’s papers and revises them. Although Woodward gets mad at Bernstein for taking his papers without telling him, they are both assigned to the report and begin to work diligently together to undercover facts. The two slowly acquire new information through indirect and anonymous sources. For example, Woodward meets Deep Throat at 2am and Bernstein visits a woman’s house and asks her to confirm information. However, throughout the film their editors are continuously reluctant to
The world is full of great novels. From Sherlock Holmes to the three musketeers. As the years progress more novels are written and more money is made. John Grisham is a rising star in literature. His books have enticed readers and has given the people something good to read. What makes his books great is that they are so realistic. He applies his personal law and trial knowledge into the books he writes. What it is about ? It was his last semester of law school. Rudy Baylor was assigned to give free advice to a group of seniors. It is at that very time, and that very place, that Rudy encounters his first true clients. Dot and Buddy Black. They have been robbed by a powerful insurance company. A company with millions of dollars in assets. They have caused the suffering of a young man. They have ruined his chances to live by not issuing their coverage that they were obligated to give. Donny Ray, son of Dot and Buddy is dying of Lukemia, he is going to die, his chances for survival are over and it is a matter of months. Rudy does’nt realize the case that has fallen into his lap until phone calls are made. There is a great problem, however, Rudy is broke, he hasn’t even passed his bar exam yet. And will go head to head with one of America’s most experienced and accomplished defense attorney’s. From the beginning of the novel to the last word, Rudy is plagued with a series of mishaps and problems. When something looks bright the clouds come in and ruin the hope. Rudy is in Luck. As the big trial begins, he is given a judge that is definetly on his side and 12 jury members that think the same way that he does. After researching great benefit, the insurance company, Rudy discovers cover ups by the company. He also discovers Great Benefits harsh way in getting rid of their numerous mistakes. n How it relates to your audience The Trial Obviously Rudy is not stupid. He enters all the facts he has discovered and uses them to help solidify his position in the minds of the jurors As the trial goes on Rudy is given another problem. A beaten girl is discovered by Rudy at the hospital during his studying.