Thomas Mallon's book on Watergate is quite a feat. There are so many characters, 112 in fact, that I wonder how a reader who was not alive at the time of the event, can keep them straight and find them as interesting as one who lived through that politically charged time. As I read, each character came alive for me once again. My memory dredged up their faces, even as they and we sat through the endless hours of the Senate investigating committee meetings. What Mallon has done with great accuracy and imagination is make this important time in our history return again. His characters show strength, weakness and humanity in their mistakes and tragedy. Even Alice Roosevelt Longworth (at the end of her long politically involved life) makes a number of rich and wonderful appearances and always moves the action along. Pat Nixon, always a sympathetic character, turns out to have a secret romance. Tricia is the reserved daughter, Julie the accessible one, her father's mainstay and support. Nixon himself is made human, suffering with his hubris and sometimes just plain muddled.
If you lived through this time, you will recognize the names and be charmed with their resurrection. If you lived through this time, and have an interest in politics back in the day, you will enjoy this book. I recommend it as a fascinating read. If the story of Watergate is unfamiliar to you, I can't think how you will manage the cast of characters. If anything can make it come alive for you, it is this book. It seems so long ago now, but it did matter, and it's mystery cast a shadow across the Presidency and politics for many years.
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