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PEACE, WAR, AND POLITICS An Eyewitness Account

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Peace, War and Politics unveils a side to US history that is lost in survey courses. Anderson and Gibson cover everything from McCarthyism to the Iran-Contra scandal, all while toppling political figures to their ruin in true mudracker style. It will interest those who have lived through the events and embarass others about their lack of knowledge. Anderson is not afraid to admit when his investigative reporting went too far or when he's wrong. The trouble he gets in when he is right (CIA surveillance, debates with polished politicians) is hiliarious.

Page 350 refers to ""the kidnapping of CIA Beirut Station Chief William Buckley by the pro-Iranian extremist group Islamic Jihad"" later tortured to death (P351) and then executed (P352) ""in retaliation for an Israeli air raid on the headquarters of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Tunis.....

During that period, which followed the aftermath of the occupation of Beirut - the only Arab Capital ever to be entered by the Israeli Army - nothing could really dull the grief and anguish that swept the `ruined' city and the predominant feeling in Beirut had been one that while the niceties of diplomacy could no longer be observed, many people would now have to face their moment of destiny, come as it may.
For those who have lost scores of their love ones during the raging battles three years back, the capture of `CIA Station Chief' was a signal for wild rejoicing, because during Israel incursion into Beirut (in specific) the city was actually gripped by `spy mania.'
The lack of enthusiasm of Beiruti masked in effect a vague feeling that, though pro-Iranian groups were now riding on the crest of a wave, retribution would follow if Buckley was harmed.
Unlike the Israelis, whose war machine so far consisted entirely of more action and less vainglorious boast, the American Administration remained lethargic and apathetic to this event.

Columnist Jack Anderson never suffered self-esteem or objectivity problems. Yet in his autobiographical Peace, War and Politics, Anderson displays humility and a degree of introspection that is shocking to anyone familiar with his often self-aggrandizing muck.

Anderson often pumped out scandalous drivel in which he conspicuously cast himself as the central figure. It could be speculated that if Anderson had not been such a successful publicity hound, he would have become a serial killer obsessed with newspaper clippings and broadcast reports of his crimes. Yet a decent and moral man emerges in this account of a colorful life.

Although several of Anderson's more convoluted conspiracy theories are rehashed (the JFK assassination chapter is incomprehensible), the book is mostly solid and an enjoyable read. Early chapters devoted to Anderson's boyhood in Depression-era Utah and his World War II adventures in China are excellent.

Anderson's running battle with the Nixon Administration, and his seething rage at what he saw as Jimmy Carter's hypocrisy and total incompetence, reveal a righteous indignation that is simultaneously tedious and fascinating. While he rightly condemns the excesses of J. Edgar Hoover, and even digs through garbage bins for dirt on the late FBI director, Anderson also is objective enough to admit the G-man never politicized his agency.

Anderson makes some very insightful observations. For example, he shares his fear that former Soviet scientists might one day assist rogue Islamic states. Written well before 2001, this and much more speculation about the aftermath of the Cold War proves well-founded.

The most surprising aspect of Peace, War and Politics is Anderson's self-deprecating humor. When potential sources offer juicy details for cash, Anderson humorously remembers he didn't have the funds to pay for them, and ethics were a secondary consideration. In addition to himself, Anderson reports on the foibles and strengths of his poorly paid interns and associates. Many like Brit Hume went on to become prominent reporters and broadcasters. The degree to which Anderson acknowledges these young, underpaid muckrakers is as admirable as it is surprising. Anderson also turns the spotlight onto a hypocritical national media that shunned him yet often followed his lead.

The highlight of the book is a very brief chapter about the return of General Anthony McAuliffe, whom Anderson describes as the most decent person he ever met, to a hero's welcome in Bastogne. Gen. McAuliffe is remembered for his reply "nuts" to a Nazi demand that he surrender his 101st Airborne troops and the Belgian town they defended during the Battle of the Bulge. McAuliffe tells Anderson that he "never cared " for General George Patton after Patton surveyed the frozen enemy bodies at Bastogne and commented "these are the types of Germans I like to see." McAuliffe, who commanded the troops who killed the soldiers, said the dead were mostly boys like the Americans who fought against them.

Given such humanistic insight into people, it is apparent Anderson never wet the bed into his late 20's, engaged in pyromania, tortured small animals in his youth, or fantasized about serial murder. No, if he hadn't become a muckraker, Jack Anderson very well could have been a Mormon church official albeit a very opinionated and self-absorbed one.

As a self-professed muckraker, Anderson provides some new and even amusing insights into a clumsy government which, to the public's good fortune, is often its own worst enemy. He is particularly effective in providing the contrasting sides of J. Edgar Hoover, a tyrant on the one hand but a protector of the system (for varying reasons of his own) as well. Frankly, I learned as much about Drew Pearson as I did Jack Anderson, which I enjoyed as well. Overall, excellent reading.

An absolutely phenomenal read. Jack Anderson was a HUGE asset to the American public, and yet the vast majority of us never even knew it. We also had no clue of what was going on behind the closed doors of the White House, CIA, FBI, Senate, House, IRS, Pentagon...and on and on and on. Jack Anderson shaped national policy with his "Washington Merri-Go-Round" column. He rubbed shoulders with the likes of JFK, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, LBJ, President Bush, etc. An unbelievable book which leaves you staring at your ceiling at night wondering what else is going on in Washington, D.C. and other places in the US & World that our government and leaders are involved in....most of which we are completely clueless to. If you have ever voted, you must read this book. THE best book I have read in years. Hands down!! This book has juicy secrets, how he got them, how he uncovered them, and all the messy details about how the truth would usually prevail. Jack Anderson is a National Hero. Without question.

Very informative, yet very influentual. Lets you know what has really happened in past wars and what has happened in the goverment, that the average citzen doesn't even know about now. I have very diferent issues on politics now that i have read this book. I recomend it to anyone & everyone. I've read alot of books and this happens to be one of my personal favorites.

A very informative and influential book. I now know things about the goverment that I never knew before. My views on the goverment and on politics have now changed after reading this masterpiece of a novel. Everyone should read this superb book. I have read alot of books and this is one of my personal favorite books.