The Strange Death of Vincent Foster: An Investigation

by Christopher Ruddy

On a humid July day in 1993, White House deputy counsel Vincent W. Foster was found dead in Fort Marcy Park in suburban Virginia. One of the nation's highest-ranking federal officers, Foster was a boyhood friend of President Bill Clinton and a close confidant of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. His death sent shock waves through the White House and the nation's capital. The death was quickly pronounced a suicide. According to the official story that soon emerged, Foster was depressed, angry, and isolated. With nowhere else to turn, he went to a secluded park near the Potomac River, put a gun in his mouth, and killed himself. But is that what really happened? In this compelling and fully documented report, investigative journalist Christopher Ruddy answers that critical question. Ruddy, who has covered the case almost from the start, details the disturbing inconsistencies surrounding Foster's alleged suicide, chronicles the botched investigations, documents the frenzied illegal activity in the White House in the hours after Foster's death, and notes the persistent failure of mainstream media to ask the right questions. Throughout his thorough investigation of the available forensic and circumstantial evidence, Ruddy weaves a disturbing tale of cover-ups, abuse of power, police and prosecutorial incompetence, and press indifference. His startling conclusion -- that despite the official line, Foster could not have killed himself in Fort Marcy Park -- will persuade even the most skeptical reader to demand a full public investigation into the mysterious circumstances of the death of Vincent Foster and the troubling events in its aftermath.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Politics, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Ruddy does a superb job of investigating the death of Vince Foster, which was certainly a very strange incident. He did a much better job at investigating than either Fiske or Starr did, and unlike me he did not come to the automatic conclusion that he was murdered and the Clintons were behind it.
This is a book that everyone should read and it really opened my eyes to FBI and government investigations, especially in light of the recent investigation of Hillary Clinton by James Comey, and the subsequent hearing of Loretta Lynch.
There is no statue of limitation on murder, and it would bring justice to whoever was involved if this case was reopened and investigated in a truly independent way.

[Cooksonmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A close friend mentioned some Clinton Conspiracy stuff and I decided to see how interesting a subject it could be. This book was quick to read and interesting. The author's spin on things was thought provoking and worth my time.

[Carol Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could the White House know of a cover-up. Could the suicide have been someone else's idea? Could Bill and Hillary know more than they said. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Jeremy Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very good bit of investigative journalism, bringing to light some evidence and perspectives that were glossed over by the Main Stream Media at the time.

[Sofia Ferrucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I FINISHEDDDDD!!!! Would totally recommended this book even if you just skim it or pick and choose what you read. This book was so mind opening and just absolutely insane ans crazy and omg!!! It is insane how obvious Vincent Foster’s death was a cover-up and all the mistakes and everything made during the case. Sometimes the book was a too dense and I couldn’t read a lot at once. I also skipped some pages when it talked about Whitewater and Watergate because the financial stuff wasn’t interesting to me. Even if you don’t read this I highly recommended watching a documentary or reading up on this case because it is absolutely INSANE. RIP Vince <3

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not what I was expecting so therefore, I did not care for it. I love true crime and this was in the true crime section. Should have been in the political sections instead. I enjoyed the parts of the book that talked about Vincent Foster's death and even some of the problems afterward but I was not of the frame of mind to read about all of these political people who may or may not have done this or that. Might be good for others but it did not hold my interest.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

An example of how the Park Service should not be in the police business. Not compelling, but informative.

[E.J. Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rampant police/ governmental incompetence (and probably worse) well detailed.