The Secret Man by Bob Woodward

[Scott]

I'm currently reading The Secret Man by Bob Woodward (non-fiction). It's the story of Watergate's Deep Throat, who was Woodward's secret informant.

Has anyone else read this book?

I'm only a few chapters in, but I like it very much. The informant "Deep Throat" worked as an assistant director at the FBI and ordered the investigation of leaks. The clever guy must've known that by doing that he could both ensure nobody would think he was the informant and that he could manipulate the investigation.

I'll probably write a review when I'm finished with the book.

[sleepydumpling]

Sounds like a great read, I'll have to add it to my mammoth wish list.

[Scott]

I finished it. It's a very interesting book, because it's a true story. I'm not a journalist, but I imagine journalists would especially like the book. You get to read about poeple trying to figure out Deep Throat's identity, and the decision to finally release that information so many years later. So, there's a lot of talk about protecting sources in journalism.

[Anna]

I've read quite a few non-fiction books written by journalists. It's amazing how much of their work gets censored or is prevented from being published, especially when they write about controversial issues. In countries such as Australia and America, we think there is such a thing as freedom of the press and free speech but in reality so much of the truth is omitted from the news because of the enormous control held by the big guns such as Murdoch and Paker. And when journalists try really hard to get the truth out, they get threatened, discredited etc. I hate reading local papers because I know how much they are biased or misleading. I've discovered so many startling truths from books written by journalists themselves which would never have been printed in papers or mentioned on TV.
I know I've gone a bit off topic here, but it's something that I feel really strongly about. I guess I got a bit carried away...
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Starcraft replays

[Scott]

Anna, you point out a very important problem in contemporary journalism; Despite the lack of governmental censorship, the media is censored by the megacorporations that own and essentially monopolize the various media outlets.

Luckily, the internet offers true freedom of the press; I think. I get my news from the internet - mostly from bloggers.

[Anna]

Recently I've been reading articles written by John Pilger. His website is johnpilger.com. I would recommend that everyone check it out. I've read all of his books and seen all of his documentaries - they have all been really worthwhile.
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C/k

[Scott]

Recently I've been reading articles written by John Pilger. His website is johnpilger.com. I would recommend that everyone check it out. I've read all of his books and seen all of his documentaries - they have all been really worthwhile.

I will check it out. Thanks for the tip!

[Kyle22]

This book sound very interesting to me even though I don't know much about journalism.

[baconpatroller]

This is a good book. I'd recommend first reading these two books:

• All the President's Men, Woodward and Bernstein
  In Search of Deep Throat, Leonard Garment