Poisoning the Press: Richard Nixon Jack Anderson and the Rise of Washington's Scandal Culture

A Washington Post Best Book of 2010. A Denver Post Best Book of 2010. A Kansas City Star Best Book of 2010. Poisoning the Press recounts the bitter quarter-century battle between the postwar eras most contentious politician and its most reviled newsman. The struggle between Richard Nixon and Jack Anderson included bribery blackmail burglary spying and sexual smears―even a White House plot to assassinate Anderson. In this riveting real-life political drama Mark Feldstein traces the arc of this confrontation between a vindictive president and a flamboyantly crusading muckraker. Their vendetta at once symbolized and accelerated the growing conflict between the government and the press a clash that would long outlive both men. Brilliant captivating and darkly comedic Poisoning the Press is an absolutely essential book for anyone interested in American political history (NPR).