Customer Reviews

The Right and the Power: The Prosecution of Watergate

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Jaworski writes about his experience and perspective as Watergate Special Prosecutor. As he breaks down the details of the investigation, the reasons why this man of remarkable integrity was chosen for this poisonous job become abundantly clear.
A steadfast Republican, Jaworski does not let political considerations distract him from his duty.
The book concludes with an excellent explanation of why Nixon received Ford's pardon and why Nixon could not and should not have been criminally prosecuted.
Although not as entertaining as "All the Presidents Men," it is far superior for it's depth and historical perspective.

Okay, we'll take it for granted that the Media Age has accelerated & magnified all of these problems, but here are some of the familiar themes we find in Jaworski's memoir of the Watergate Special Prosecutor's Office: questions about the constitutionality of the Office itself, expansive jurisdiction, convictions for perjury instead of for underlying crimes, leaks, grand jury report to Congress, specious privilege claims, etc. All of the supposedly unprecedented events of recent years are all here.

Jaworski is a pretty pedestrian writer & his focus is very specific to issues that concerned the Special Prosecutor's Office; one longs for a little greater perspective. However, he leaves little doubt that Richard Nixon and his aides engaged in a conspiracy to cover up White House involvement in the Watergate & Ellsberg breakins and, in doing so, obstructed justice.

Ultimately, the most important impression that the book leaves is that America is a better place because we forced from office a man who was not fit to be President. Once upon a time in America, we cared about such matters.

GRADE: C