Lives, Lies and the Iran-Contra Affair [Hardcover]

Ann Wroe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1991

This book examines the Iran-Contra affair, the trials of Poindexter and North and the testimony of Ronald Reagan as a test-case of political morality. It draws out the implications of the statements of North and his secretary, Fawn Hall, who were so convinced of the moral rightness of their actions that they were prepared to break the law, lie and destroy vital evidence. It tries to ascertain what was going on in the minds of these people and especially in that of the President who claimed not to be cognizant of the actions of his subordinates.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Entertaining may not be the proper word to define Wroe's book, yet it is apropos. For the senior editor of The Economist of London finds in the Iran- contra affair elements of black comedy, of James Bond adventure, of TV miniseries drama, of rock-star adulation (i.e., "Olliemania"), and of low farce akin to the Keystone Kops. Using the same voluminous record that produced Theodore Draper's fine A Very Thin Line: The Iran-Contra Affairs ( LJ 6/1/91), the British writer studies morals and ethics, while Draper dwelt on constitutional consequences. And Wroe finds moral and ethical considerations sadly missing. Today, less than a decade later, concerns for the lessons learned are only faintly heard, "like the last dim echo of a shout at a mountain." Recommended for general political collections.
- Chet Ha gan, Berks Cty. P.L. System, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 349 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris; 1St Edition edition (August 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850433488
• ISBN-13: 978-1850433484
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,258,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remember?, April 15, 2008

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This review is from: Lives, Lies and the Iran-Contra Affair (Paperback)

Ann Wroe is a British historian, whose impressive knowledge of the European Middle Ages might seem an odd preparation for a book about the most sordid episode of duplicity and opportunism in modern American history, the Iran-Contra affair engineered under the back side of the aegis of Ronald Reagan. I've just been rereading her splendid book "A Fool and His Money", based on the archival transcript of a trial in Rodez, France, in 1370. One trial reminded me of another. I read this powerful book about poilitcal ethics when it first appeared 15 years ago; most of my opinions about the misconduct of North, Poindexter, and their den master came from this book, but I don't remember it well enough to review it in more detail. I'm just glad that it's still available used. Read it, Americans! You need it!