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In the non-fiction novel, All the President’s Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward chronicle their exploits in covering the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration. The book is a riveting look into one of the biggest political scandals of the past 50 years, and provides insight on the moral conscience of America.

            The novel starts across the street from the Watergate Hotel, where a resident of the adjacent apartments notices suspicious activities near the Democratic National Headquarters. The authorities are notified, and the burglars caught. Back at the Washington Post offices, the day is just starting. A young journalist by the name of Bob Woodward is assigned the story, thinking it’s a step down from the story he just covered. Carl Bernstein quickly jumps on board. What ensues is a whirlwind of scandal, revealing ties all the way up to the White House and the President’s top advisors.

            The book is written the way one would expect a journalist to write a novel- driven by the story and hard fact, instead of excessive descriptions and overbearing opinions. This doesn’t keep the story from becoming engaging however, as it quickly becomes difficult to put the book down.

            This book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the public revelation of one of the biggest scandals in U.S. history. It raises several questions about American morals, and the legitimacy of our government. Have “the ends justifies the means” thinking embedded itself so deep in American culture that a man who is almost guaranteed the presidency goes to extreme lengths just to be sure? Or is Nixon just a control freak, unsatisfied unless everything goes precisely according to plan? How much corruption is acceptable in our governmental system?

            Studies of Nixon’s character go to show that the answer to the second question is yes. Nixon was a micro-manager, totally obsessed with minor details, and just as obsessed with his image. In efforts to come across as laid back, he achieved just the opposite, through appearing to the public taking walks on the beach in a business suit. He didn’t need to sabotage his opponent, but because of his micro-managerial tendencies, he screwed up bad and ended up having to pay for it.