Play Audiobook Sample
The Conviction of Richard Nixon: The Untold Story of the Frost/Nixon Interviews Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.04) - 107 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the office of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel on June 17, 1971, and ended when President Gerald Ford granted Richard M. Nixon a pardon on September 8, 1974, one month after Nixon resigned from office in disgrace. Effectively removed from the reach of prosecutors, Nixon returned to California, uncontrite and unconvicted, convinced that time would exonerate him of any wrongdoing and certain that history would remember his great accomplishments—the opening of China and the winding down of the Vietnam War—and forget his “mistake,” the “pipsqueak thing” called Watergate.
In 1977, three years after his resignation, Nixon agreed to a series of interviews with television personality David Frost. Conducted over twelve days, they resulted in twenty-eight hours of taped material, which were aired on prime-time television and watched by more than 50 million people worldwide. Nixon, a skilled lawyer by training, was paid $1 million for the interviews, confident that this exposure would launch him back into public life. Instead, they sealed his fate as a political pariah.
James Reston, Jr., was David Frost’s Watergate advisor for the interiews, and The Conviction of Richard Nixon is his intimate, behind-the-scenes account of his involvement. Originally written in 1977 and published now for the first time, this book helped inspire Peter Morgan’s hit play Frost/Nixon. Reston doggedly researched the voluminous Watergate record and worked closely with Frost to develop the interrogation strategy. Even at the time, Reston recognized the historical importance of the Frost/Nixon interviews; they would result either in Nixon’s de facto conviction and vindication for the American people, or in his exoneration and public rehabilitation in the hands of a lightweight. Focused, driven, and committed to exposing the truth, Reston worked tirelessly to arm Frost with the information he needed to force Nixon to admit his culpability.
In The Conviction of Richard Nixon, Reston provides a fascinating, fly-on-the-wall account of his involvement in the Nixon interviews as David Frost’s Watergate adviser. Written in 1977 immediately following these celebrated television interviews and published now for the first time, The Conviction of Richard Nixon explains how a British journalist of waning consequence drove the famously wily and formidable Richard Nixon to say, in an apparent personal epiphany, “I have impeached myself.”
Download and start listening now!
"A synopsis leading up to the interviews of Richard Nixon by David Frost from the authors perspective of acting as an advisor and researcher."
— George (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“A treasure trove of invaluable insights from an unimpeachable source. I couldn’t put it down.
— Frank Langella, Tony Award nominee for Frost/Nixon -
Political history that reads like a thriller. Passionate, intelligent, entertaining, and human.
— Michael Sheen, Evening Standard and Laurence Olivier Award nominee for Frost/Nixon -
A riveting account.
— Richard Ben-Veniste, former chief of the Watergate Task Force -
Reston's memoir is a compact and gripping behind-the-scenes narrative focused on Frost's struggles to prepare for his encounter with the formidable Nixon. Reston captures Nixon's inner turmoil and myriad moods during the tapings.Above all, the book sheds important light on Nixon's failure to rehabilitate his reputation after his 1974 resignation.
— Matthew Dallek, Washington Post
The Conviction of Richard Nixon Listener Reviews
-
" After seeing the movie and the play, I was very interested in reading something by Reston. I listened to the audio book and it was neat to hear how much of the real story was in the play/movie -- a lot, but there were some changes for dramatic effect. What a sleeze Nixon was! "
— Vicki, 8/21/2013 -
" Interesting behind-the-scenes look at the Frost/Nixon interviews. Very quick and easy read. "
— Robb, 1/26/2013 -
" This was written 30 years ago but only recently published, and the fervor and emotion of the time is still very apparent. It wasn't as good as I'd hoped, but it was an interesting peek into Nixon post-resignation and into the mindset of the people who were still very personally angered by Watergate. "
— Ellen, 12/23/2012 -
" This book is a behind-the-scenes narrative. If you know nothing or very little about Nixon and Watergate, etc., I wouldn't recommend it. The author expects you to know a great deal of general material. Having said that, I'm finding it a fascinating read. "
— jillbertini, 10/31/2012 -
" This isn't the actual play but it is a quick and interesting read, especially for those like me for whom this is all pre-cambrian history. "
— Alex, 6/12/2012 -
" The real story behind the Frost/Nixon interviews. "
— Phil, 4/3/2012 -
" There is a movie coming out about the Frost/Nixon interviews. I'm not so good at history, and for some reason had the urge to learn more about Richard Nixon. Thus, this book, which I picked up because I had just seen a preview for the movie- which I will not likely go to see. "
— Andrea, 6/22/2011 -
" Quick behind-the-scenes look which acts as a good companion to the movie FROST/NIXON. "
— Alex, 5/15/2011 -
" Ok, a little heavy on the comparisons to Homer and Prometheus but a great follow-up to the movie to separate the fact from the drama. "
— Kim, 4/21/2011 -
" The behind the scenes story of the Frost/Nixon interview. Having lived through this time in history, it was interesting to hear what went on behind the cameras --the motives and the decisions that were made <br/> <br/>It makes me want to see the play!! "
— Paul, 6/27/2010 -
" Quick behind-the-scenes look which acts as a good companion to the movie FROST/NIXON. "
— Alex, 1/2/2010 -
" This book is a behind-the-scenes narrative. If you know nothing or very little about Nixon and Watergate, etc., I wouldn't recommend it. The author expects you to know a great deal of general material. Having said that, I'm finding it a fascinating read. "
— jillbertini, 3/4/2009 -
" After seeing the movie and the play, I was very interested in reading something by Reston. I listened to the audio book and it was neat to hear how much of the real story was in the play/movie -- a lot, but there were some changes for dramatic effect. What a sleeze Nixon was! "
— Vicki, 2/17/2009 -
" Ok, a little heavy on the comparisons to Homer and Prometheus but a great follow-up to the movie to separate the fact from the drama. "
— Kim, 2/5/2009 -
" Interesting behind-the-scenes look at the Frost/Nixon interviews. Very quick and easy read. "
— Robb, 1/17/2009 -
" This isn't the actual play but it is a quick and interesting read, especially for those like me for whom this is all pre-cambrian history. "
— Alex, 1/6/2009 -
" There is a movie coming out about the Frost/Nixon interviews. I'm not so good at history, and for some reason had the urge to learn more about Richard Nixon. Thus, this book, which I picked up because I had just seen a preview for the movie- which I will not likely go to see. "
— Andrea, 11/19/2008
About James Reston
James Reston Jr. is a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The author of more than a dozen books, including Warriors of God and Dogs of God, he lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
About Marc Cashman
Marc Cashman, Earphones Award–winning narrator, was named one of the “Best Voices of the Year” by AudioFile magazine. His voice can be heard on radio, television, film, and video games. He also instructs voice actors through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques, in Los Angeles.