At the height of a spectacular career that spanned four administrations, Daniel Ellsberg chose a new course he believed would land him in prison for the rest of his life. He smuggled out of his office a 7,000 page top-secret study of US decision-making in Vietnam from 1945-1968, and he leaked it to the New York Times.
How did the coldest of warriors come to turn against his own government? In Secrets, Ellsberg finally tells the full story.
Ellsberg provides a vivid eyewitness account of the two years he spent behind the lines in Vietnam as a State Department observer, an experience that profoundly altered his own political thinking. And he tells how the release of the Pentagon Papers set in motion a train of events that ultimately toppled a president and helped to end an unjust war.
Infused with the political passion and turmoil of the Vietnam era, Secrets is the memoir of a daring man, a story about what it takes to make a dramatic life-change in the context of moral challenge, an expose of Washington power politics, and a searing portrait of America at a perilous modern crossroads
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"A great memoir about Ellsberg's brave decision to release the Pentagon Papers. Some parts were a little dry, but he clearly wanted to give a thorough and detailed history of what happened. Wonder what the government is lying about these days... "
— Jessica (4 out of 5 stars)
“[Ellsberg’s] well-told memoir sticks in the mind and will be a powerful testament for future students of a war that the United States should never have fought.”
— Washington Post“Ellsberg’s deft critique of secrecy in government is an invaluable contribution to understanding one of our nation’s darkest hours.”
— San Francisco Chronicle" An exceptionally well written account of Ellsberg's transition from government insider to his decision to make what would soon be known as the Pentagon Papers public, even though it could mean life in prison for his actions. "
— Steve, 5/6/2011" Interesting insight into the mind and thinking of this active participant in our nation's ill-fated involvement in Vietnam. "
— Frank, 12/10/2009" History is always more interesting when it is told as a story by those who were the principle actors "
— Sasha, 11/30/2008" Audio book read by Daniel Ellsberg. "
— Jonathan, 10/10/2008" Daniel Ellsberg is my freakin <u>hero</u>. His is a revelatory firsthand account of war, power & deception in Washington. "
— Sira, 8/8/2008" very interesting! this is the guy who outed the pentagon by sending copies of the pentagon papers to the nytimes!! "
— Jeeyoung, 6/22/2008Daniel Ellsberg (1931-2023), a Harvard graduate, ex-marine, and Rand Corporation analyst, was one of the “whiz kids” recruited to serve in the Pentagon during the Johnson administration. In 1971, he made headlines around the world when he released the Pentagon Papers. He was a prominent speaker, writer, and activist.
Dan Cashman is an American television actor, producer, and audiobook narrator who has also appeared in many television movies such as Dangerous Women, The Invisible Man, and The Pretender.