Shadow: Five Presidents And The Legacy Of Watergate

By Bob Woodward

Twenty-five years after Richard Nixon's resignation, investigative journalist Bob Woodward examines the legacy of Watergate. Based on hundreds of interviews - both on and off the record - and three years of research of government archives, Woodward's latest book explains in detail how the premier scandal of US history has indelibly altered the shape of American politics and culture - and has limited the power to act of the presidency itself.

Bob Woodward's mix of historical perspective and journalistic sleuthing provides a unique perspective on the repercussions of Watergate and proves that it was far more than a passing, embarrassing crisis in American politics: it heralded the beginning of a new period of troubled presidencies. From Ford through to Clinton, presidents have battled public scepticism, a challenging Congress, adversarial press and even special prosecutors in their term in office. Now, a quarter of a century after the scandal emerged, the man who helped expose Watergate shows us the stunning impact of its heritage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471104725

Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward is an associate editor at The Washington Post, where he has worked for more than 50 years. He has shared in two Pulitzer Prizes, one for his Watergate coverage and the other for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has authored 21 bestselling books, 15 of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers.

Reviews for Shadow

[mrdickie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book by Washington Post reporter, Bob Woodward about the impact of the Nixon Watergate scandal on the five following presidents. The book throws into doubt the judgment of appointing Special Counsels to investigate the dealings of presidents and their staffs without clearly establishing the scope and time limits of the investigation in the enabling documents.

[kkirkhoff_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We start the day after Watergate and follow each of the Presidents through their terms. The book shows how the media and public opinion of the Presidency has changed since Watergate. Also it shows the way each of the Presidents treat sensitive issues in the wake of Watergate. Scandals (or maybe just rough patches) affecting Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton are examined in great detail. Fascinating information on all except Clinton. I've read and heard so much about him it was all just repeat. I now see Ford, Reagan, and Carter in a very different light. Not a bad light, just different. They're human.

[jbd1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nixon-Clinton and the impact of Watergate. Well done.