Publisher's Weekly Review
Now that the Watergate scandal source, Deep Throat, has decided to step forward (or at least Mark Felt's family has), this audiobook serves as the final chapter of the saga Woodward and Carl Bernstein began with All the President's Men. Boyd Gaines has a tough job as reader. Retelling a tale that was so memorably and, as it turns out, accurately portrayed by Robert Redford and Hal Holbrook on film is a daunting task. But Gaines rises to the occasion with aplomb. His rendition of Woodward is authoritative yet humble and delivered with a confident crispness. His take on Felt's voice is also strong, and it is interesting to hear Felt's digression into the less complimentary mannerisms of old age. Gaines's version of the older, forgetful Felt sounds a bit like his Richard Nixon, with a pinch of John Wayne thrown in the mix. Overall, The Secret Man is a historically informative and enjoyable listening experience that also speaks to the current issue of journalism and the protection of sources. Simultaneous release with the S&S hardcover. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Most of Woodward's books follow a predictable formula: the fly-on-the-wall perspective, the sleight-of-hand sourcing, the omniscient narrative style. Perhaps that's why this unraveling of the Deep Throat mystery seems so out of character. True, Woodward had to publish in a hurry. When Mark Felt, the FBI's number-two man during the Watergate era, disclosed in Vanity Fair0 that he was Deep Throat, the rug was effectively pulled from under the book Woodward had been planning to write. So it's no surprise that this nearly instant book has a rushed feeling to it; what is surprising is that, unlike Woodward's typical productions, this one comes across as honest, personal, and slightly off balance, seemingly mirroring the author's own ambivalent feelings about his relationship with Felt. Usually Woodward is an unseen presence in his narratives, but this time he's in the middle of everything, explaining how the relationship between himself, at the time a young Washington Post 0 reporter, and Felt evolved to the point that, when Watergate broke open, he felt comfortable about calling Felt directly. Felt's role, we learn, was more to confirm, deny, or steer in the right direction rather than leak, but the FBI man had his own agenda, stemming from being passed over for J. Edgar Hoover's job. He also had his own ambivalence about what he was doing. Equally interesting here is the chance to reprise the various journalistic decisions Woodward has made over the years--particularly relevant, in today's world, is the whole topic of protecting sources. A must for anyone who watched Watergate unfold, but there's plenty here of interest even for those who don't know their Jeb Magruders from their Charles Colsons. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2005 Booklist
Library Journal Review
One of the greatest and longest held secrets in American political history is told here in this thoughtful and compelling tale. Washington Post veteran reporter Woodward (coauthor with Carl Bernstein, All the President's Men) finally reveals the story behind his confidential source for the -Watergate scandal, "Deep Throat." The FBI's second in command-W. Mark Felt-was ultimately revealed to be Woodward's source. This very unlikely leak was critical in guiding the reporters to stories that helped bring down the White House of President Richard M. Nixon. While this book is the story of Felt, it also is a glance into the early journalistic career of the author-warts, mistakes, and all. By starting with the chance meeting of Woodward and Felt and slowly taking the listener through their often tumultuous relationship, this book concludes in summer 2005, when Deep Throat's true identity was released to the world. Boyd Gaines's narration is gripping; recommended for all public and academic libraries.-Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
