Challenge 17: A Book That Will Make You Smarter

The Last of the President's Men, Bob Woodward (Simon & Schuster, 2015)

I've been looking forward to reading this ever since I met Alexander Butterfield at an event at the British Library.  He's an absolutely charming man and, when it turned out that we were heading in the same direction at the end of the talk, insisted on walking me back to the station.  He told me at the time that Woodward was writing this book, and now I finally get to read it!

Comments
This is a wonderful and insightful look inside the Nixon White House, and a very honest account of Butterfield's role in the administration and, particularly, in the taping system that would eventually prove to be Nixon's downfall.  Butterfield's memories reveal the complexity of Nixon's character, and how Butterfield was both charmed, intrigued, and also sometimes repulsed by the president.  Butterfield's dilemma once the Watergate hearings started is handled with sensitivity and honesty, and it's really great to read that side of the story.  My only regret is that the book focused pretty much exclusively on Butterfield's work for the Nixon administration, and didn't cover much more of Butterfield's fascinating career.  I'd heard some of this when Butterfield gave the talk at the British Library, and I was hoping to read more about it in the book.  Maybe they'll be another volume!  I'd definitely read it if there is!