Synopses & Reviews
In 1971 former Cold War hard-liner Daniel Ellsberg made history by releasing the Pentagon Papers a 7,000-page top-secret study of U.S. decision-making in Vietnam to the New York Times and Washington Post. The document set in motion a chain of events that ended not only the Nixon presidency but the Vietnam War. In this remarkable memoir, Ellsberg describes in dramatic detail the two years he spent in Vietnam as a U.S. State Department observer, and how he came to risk his career and freedom to expose the deceptions and delusions that shaped three decades of American foreign policy. The story of one man's exploration of conscience, Secrets is also a portrait of America at a perilous crossroad.
Review
"Daniel Ellsberg's covert photocopying and subsequent publishing of thousands of documents pertaining to the decision-making behind the American war effort in Vietnam is among the best known examples of civil disobedience in American history. It is certainly one of the most effective. Although Secrets does not reveal much new regarding the publication of the Pentagon Papers, Ellsberg's memoir is nevertheless a fascinating depiction of the crisis of conscience suffered by this former insider. Interestingly, Ellsberg knew very early on that the escalation of the war in 1964—65 was born in a crucible of deception. In August 1964, Ellsberg was busy pouring over the cables sent by the Navy from the Tonkin Gulf. His position allowed him the access to know that the administration's claims regarding an 'unprovoked attack' were simply not the case. Despite his early understanding and private revulsion to the course of American involvement in Southeast Asia, Ellsberg's decision to risk his job and his freedom by copying and disseminating the famous documents did not come until 1971. His depiction of this period is extremely interesting—Ellsberg potently describes the frustration he suffered resulting from his fruitless attempts to convince his superiors that America's Vietnam policies were fundamentally flawed. This is a fascinating memoir and should be read by anyone interested in this sad period in America's history." Reviewed by Andrew Witmer, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Review
"Ellsberg's autobiographical account provides insight into the disturbing abuses of presidential power that plagued the Vietnam/Watergate era." Library Journal
Review
"Secrets will be of value to readers interested in recent history for the light it sheds on America's engagement in Vietnam. But it bears also on the present." The Economist
Review
"Ellsberg's deft critique of secrecy in government is an invaluable contribution to understanding one of our nation's darkest hours." Theodore Roszak, San Francisco Chronicle
Review
"...Ellsberg has delivered an eye-opening, useful lesson on American policy-making that is compelling and relevant today. History does repeat itself, after all..." Miami Herald
Review
"...a real-life political thriller that cogently traces the nation's failed policy in Vietnam." USA Today
Review
"No previous psychological portrait of a whistle-blower has topped Ellsberg's for suspense, subtlety and clarity. The admirable qualities of the book extend beyond its insights into one person's evolution from organization man to dissident..." St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Review
"In this long-awaited memoir, Ellsberg tells the gripping story of his transformation from hawk to dove, insider to outsider, secrets keeper to secrets spiller." Boston Globe
Review
"At the time, many Americans considered Ellsberg a traitor. He was not, nor in this book is he an apologist for the communists or their system. He is a liberal. Liberals should like this book a lot particularly now, when they seem unsure of their own bearings." Bruce Ramsey, Houston Chronicle
Review
"[Ellsberg's] story parallels the entire American experience in Vietnam, one that began with determination and even enthusiasm, moved on to doubt and dread, and ended in disgust and shame. Thus Secrets is a necessary and a painful read." Chicago Tribune
Review
"There are certainly points on which many readers will disagree with Ellsberg, but such disagreements don't erase this fundamental idea: Self-criticism and self-examination are critical ingredients in an open society." Rocky Mountain News
Review
"A classic. As he explains at length the factors driving him to become a whistle-blower, he shares his doubts and his missteps. No previous psychological portrait of a whistle-blower has topped Ellsberg's for suspense, subtlety and clarity." Portland Oregonian
Review
"If we're looking for a warning signal as we teeter on the brink of yet another war waged on the basis of information considered too important to share with the public, we should look no further than in these pages." Los Angeles Times
Synopsis
The true story of the leaking of the Pentagon Papers, the event which inspired Steven Spielberg's feature film The Post In 1971 former Cold War hard-liner Daniel Ellsberg made history by releasing the Pentagon Papers - a 7,000-page top-secret study of U.S. decision-making in Vietnam - to the New York Times and Washington Post. The document set in motion a chain of events that ended not only the Nixon presidency but the Vietnam War. In this remarkable memoir, Ellsberg describes in dramatic detail the two years he spent in Vietnam as a U.S. State Department observer, and how he came to risk his career and freedom to expose the deceptions and delusions that shaped three decades of American foreign policy. The story of one man's exploration of conscience, Secrets is also a portrait of America at a perilous crossroad.
" Ellsberg's] well-told memoir sticks in the mind and will be a powerful testament for future students of a war that the United States should never have fought." -The Washington Post
"Ellsberg's deft critique of secrecy in government is an invaluable contribution to understanding one of our nation's darkest hours." -Theodore Roszak, San Francisco Chronicle
Synopsis
In 1971 former Cold War hard-liner Daniel Ellsberg made history by releasing the Pentagon Papers-a 7,000-page top-secret study of U.S. decision-making in Vietnam-to the
New York Times and
Washington Post. The document set in motion a chain of events that ended not only the Nixon presidency but the Vietnam War. In this remarkable memoir, Ellsberg describes in dramatic detail the two years he spent in Vietnam as a U.S. State Department observer, and how he came to risk his career and freedom to expose the deceptions and delusions that shaped three decades of American foreign policy. The story of one man's exploration of conscience,
Secrets is also a portrait of America at a perilous crossroad.
About the Author
Daniel Ellsberg, a Harvard graduate, ex-Marine, and Rand Corporation analyst, was one of the "whiz kids" recruited to serve in the Pentagon during the Johnson administration. In 1971, Ellsberg made headlines around the world when he released the Pentagon Papers. He is now a prominent speaker, writer, and activist.
Table of Contents
Preface
Part I
Prologue: Vietnam 1961
1. The Tonkin Gulf: August 1961
2. Cold Warrior, Secret Keeper
3. The Road to Escalation
4. Planning Provocation
5. "Off the Diving Board": July 1965
6. Joining the Foreign Legion
7. Vietnam: The Lansdale Team
8. Travels with Vann
9. Losing Hope
10. Rach Kien
11. Leaving Vietnam
Part II
12. Jaundice
13. The Power of Truth
14. Campaign '68
15. To the Hotel Pierre
16. The Morality of Continuing the War
17. War Resisters
18. Extrication
19. Murder and the Lying Machine
Part III
20. Copying the Papers
21. The Rand Letter
22. Capitol Hill
23. Leaving Rand
24. Kissinger
25. Congress
26. To the New York Times
27. May Day 1971
28. Approaching June 13
29. Going Underground
Part IV
30. The War Goes On
31. The Road to Watergate
32. End of a Trial
Acknowledgements
Notes
Works Cited
Index