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How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes from an Impeachment Summer
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 12, 1976
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349 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Breslin
61 books93 followersJimmy Breslin was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American columnist and author. He wrote numerous novels, and pieces of his have appeared regularly in various newspapers in his hometown of New York City. He was a regular columnist for the newspaper Newsday until his retirement on November 2, 2004.
Among his notable columns, perhaps the best known was published the day after John F. Kennedy's funeral, focusing on the man who had dug the president's grave. The column is indicative of Breslin's style, which often highlights how major events or the actions of those considered "newsworthy" affect the "common man."
Among his notable columns, perhaps the best known was published the day after John F. Kennedy's funeral, focusing on the man who had dug the president's grave. The column is indicative of Breslin's style, which often highlights how major events or the actions of those considered "newsworthy" affect the "common man."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2024
”The office of President is such a bastardized thing, half royalty and half democracy, that nobody knows whether to genuflect or spit.”
”They did so many bad things during that campaign that there is no way to keep it from coming out. They did too many things. Too many people know about it. There is no way to keep it quiet. The time is going to come when impeachment is going to hit this Congress and we better be ready for it.”
Tip O’Neill, January 1973
Watergate books come at the scandal from multiple perspectives. Bernstein and Woodward’s book concentrates on the journalistic sleuthing that ferreted out the story. Elizabeth Drew’s treatment give real time reactions to the revelations of unfolding scandal. Pugnacious Jimmy Breslin covers the story from the halls of Congressional power, with a specific focus on the one man he assigns the lions share of the credit for taking down Nixon — Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, Jr.
Breslin posits that it was then Majority Leader O’Neill, expertly guiding Congress, who actually took down Nixon. Not the investigative journalist and the press. Not Judge Sirica and the courts. Breslin claims that both the blows from the press and from the courts shook Nixon, yet left him still standing, and likely to endure. He likewise states that the natural state of Congress is reactive and cautious rather than active. He credits O’Neill as early on realizing that Nixon was vulnerable and as masterfully using his political influence and perceived power to goad Congress on to what had been unthinkable to them — impeachment.
Breslin writes of Congress:
”And in 1974, when it all began in Congress against Richard Nixon, most politicians did not want to hear of impeachment. What is this impeachment? We’re elected officials. If you can impeach Nixon, then you can impeach any of us. Translated into newspaper stories, this became a cry for national stability. But when Tip O’Neill began using the word impeachment on the floor of the House of Representatives, this changed the issue. This was a bone politician, a man with a word, and he gave great believability to the prospects of impeachment merely by saying it.”
And Breslin presents his theory of power — that it is an illusion, a trick of mirrors and blue smoke, and that it works for the same reason as Voodoo supposedly does — because people believe in it. Breslin claims that O’Neill understood and used this principle:
”Tip O’Neill at all times has one great political weapon at his disposal. He understands so well that all political power is primarily an illusion. If people think you have power, then you have power. If people think you have no power, then you have no power.”
”When Tip O’Neill decided that his primary duty was to make rapid the removal of Richard Nixon he took on great power. Because everybody began to regard him as being quite powerful. And meanwhile, each day, these little pieces of trouble drop on the floor at Richard Nixon’s feet and more and more people noticed it. As the level of regard for Nixon’s power dropped, the level of danger for his career rose. At the end, Nixon had not the personal political power of a city councilman. He sat in the Oval Office, but he might as well have been in City Hall, in Dayton.”
Breslin emphasized his point about real power being effectively wielded illusion by contrasting it with the actions of a less skilled politician than O’Neill:
”At the end of July in 1973, Congressman Robert Drinan was preparing a resolution for the impeachment of Richard Nixon. This one was different. He was not using mirrors and blue smoke. He was using logic and reason and right. Which is why the impeachment resolution was not only ludicrous, it was dangerous: it could screw up the serious work that was already being done. The bill would have lost badly, with damaging public effect.”
Whether or not you agree with Breslin about Tip O’Neill’s outsized role in taking down Nixon, this is a fascinating and brash book. It’s full of back room stories and the type of crude, humor politicians used among themselves, as in this tale of Nixon and Haig:
Early in the going, Nixon is supposed to have mentioned something about committing suicide. And Haig supposedly said, “That might be an idea worth considering.” And Nixon didn’t speak to Haig for about a week.
Or in this phone conversation between Tip O’Neill and Jerry Ford when Ford first learned he was becoming president:
”Christ, Jerry, isn’t this a wonderful country? Here we can talk like this and you and I can be friends and eighteen months from now I’ll be going around the country kicking your balls in.”
How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes From an Impeachment Summer is a classic American book from a legendary American journalist. If you are a political or history junky like me, this is required reading.
”They did so many bad things during that campaign that there is no way to keep it from coming out. They did too many things. Too many people know about it. There is no way to keep it quiet. The time is going to come when impeachment is going to hit this Congress and we better be ready for it.”
Tip O’Neill, January 1973
Watergate books come at the scandal from multiple perspectives. Bernstein and Woodward’s book concentrates on the journalistic sleuthing that ferreted out the story. Elizabeth Drew’s treatment give real time reactions to the revelations of unfolding scandal. Pugnacious Jimmy Breslin covers the story from the halls of Congressional power, with a specific focus on the one man he assigns the lions share of the credit for taking down Nixon — Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, Jr.
Breslin posits that it was then Majority Leader O’Neill, expertly guiding Congress, who actually took down Nixon. Not the investigative journalist and the press. Not Judge Sirica and the courts. Breslin claims that both the blows from the press and from the courts shook Nixon, yet left him still standing, and likely to endure. He likewise states that the natural state of Congress is reactive and cautious rather than active. He credits O’Neill as early on realizing that Nixon was vulnerable and as masterfully using his political influence and perceived power to goad Congress on to what had been unthinkable to them — impeachment.
Breslin writes of Congress:
”And in 1974, when it all began in Congress against Richard Nixon, most politicians did not want to hear of impeachment. What is this impeachment? We’re elected officials. If you can impeach Nixon, then you can impeach any of us. Translated into newspaper stories, this became a cry for national stability. But when Tip O’Neill began using the word impeachment on the floor of the House of Representatives, this changed the issue. This was a bone politician, a man with a word, and he gave great believability to the prospects of impeachment merely by saying it.”
And Breslin presents his theory of power — that it is an illusion, a trick of mirrors and blue smoke, and that it works for the same reason as Voodoo supposedly does — because people believe in it. Breslin claims that O’Neill understood and used this principle:
”Tip O’Neill at all times has one great political weapon at his disposal. He understands so well that all political power is primarily an illusion. If people think you have power, then you have power. If people think you have no power, then you have no power.”
”When Tip O’Neill decided that his primary duty was to make rapid the removal of Richard Nixon he took on great power. Because everybody began to regard him as being quite powerful. And meanwhile, each day, these little pieces of trouble drop on the floor at Richard Nixon’s feet and more and more people noticed it. As the level of regard for Nixon’s power dropped, the level of danger for his career rose. At the end, Nixon had not the personal political power of a city councilman. He sat in the Oval Office, but he might as well have been in City Hall, in Dayton.”
Breslin emphasized his point about real power being effectively wielded illusion by contrasting it with the actions of a less skilled politician than O’Neill:
”At the end of July in 1973, Congressman Robert Drinan was preparing a resolution for the impeachment of Richard Nixon. This one was different. He was not using mirrors and blue smoke. He was using logic and reason and right. Which is why the impeachment resolution was not only ludicrous, it was dangerous: it could screw up the serious work that was already being done. The bill would have lost badly, with damaging public effect.”
Whether or not you agree with Breslin about Tip O’Neill’s outsized role in taking down Nixon, this is a fascinating and brash book. It’s full of back room stories and the type of crude, humor politicians used among themselves, as in this tale of Nixon and Haig:
Early in the going, Nixon is supposed to have mentioned something about committing suicide. And Haig supposedly said, “That might be an idea worth considering.” And Nixon didn’t speak to Haig for about a week.
Or in this phone conversation between Tip O’Neill and Jerry Ford when Ford first learned he was becoming president:
”Christ, Jerry, isn’t this a wonderful country? Here we can talk like this and you and I can be friends and eighteen months from now I’ll be going around the country kicking your balls in.”
How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes From an Impeachment Summer is a classic American book from a legendary American journalist. If you are a political or history junky like me, this is required reading.
March 30, 2017
A very good book about machinations in the House of Representatives that led to the vote on impeachment that led to the resignation of Richard Nixon. Breslin was "embedded" in today's language, wth Tip O'Neil, House Majority Leader, who made the appointments to the impeachment committee. He has good profiles of O'Neil, Peter Rodino, council John Doer, and more.
The book is quite in the weeds, so don't read it if you want a roundup or history of the whole of Watergate. But Breslin's excellence at characterization, and his eye for detail in the settings, makes the weeds easier to get through. Me, I remember almost all these events, so I liked these details, and with Breslin's recent death was wanting to read him.
Of course, lots of contrasts with today. I've got to say that the GOP seemed to be a little more upstanding back then, though Nixon had his defenders, but nobody as duplicitous as Nunes has been these last few weeks with Trump. A really good scene, though, is when Tip O'Neil goes to Wyoming to make a speech, and Breslin describes how a pretty conservative bunch hung on his every word, and O'Neil knew then that Nixon had pretty much no support in the country.
Another good part of the story, early on, is when Spiro Agnew was asserting that prosecuting him for taking bribes was against the law so he could hang on. Nixon, I think, and many Republicans thought that if they kept Agnew around, chances of Nixon's impeachment were less. O'Neil agreed and wouldn't allow Agnew to get away with things. Good scenes here, and Breslin puts you right in them.
The book is quite in the weeds, so don't read it if you want a roundup or history of the whole of Watergate. But Breslin's excellence at characterization, and his eye for detail in the settings, makes the weeds easier to get through. Me, I remember almost all these events, so I liked these details, and with Breslin's recent death was wanting to read him.
Of course, lots of contrasts with today. I've got to say that the GOP seemed to be a little more upstanding back then, though Nixon had his defenders, but nobody as duplicitous as Nunes has been these last few weeks with Trump. A really good scene, though, is when Tip O'Neil goes to Wyoming to make a speech, and Breslin describes how a pretty conservative bunch hung on his every word, and O'Neil knew then that Nixon had pretty much no support in the country.
Another good part of the story, early on, is when Spiro Agnew was asserting that prosecuting him for taking bribes was against the law so he could hang on. Nixon, I think, and many Republicans thought that if they kept Agnew around, chances of Nixon's impeachment were less. O'Neil agreed and wouldn't allow Agnew to get away with things. Good scenes here, and Breslin puts you right in them.
March 12, 2009
It was still summer, so after the last book I'd finished I really wanted something I could sink my teeth into before school started up again. I've always been a fan of newspaper columnists like Chicago's Mike Royko, Texas's Molly Ivins, Florida's Dave Berry, and DC's Art Buchwald. So I went scrounging around a hot, cavernous used bookstore in downtown Omaha for the legendary New York columnist, Jimmy Breslin.
I got lucky and found a dusty old hardcover subtitled "notes on an impeachment summer." With so many people calling for Bush, Cheney and Gonzales each or all to be impeached (including prominent Republican Constitutional scholars like Bruce Fein) I thought that it might be fun to take a look at what it was like for the lawmakers who finally stepped up and put pressure on Nixon back in 1974.
Wow, what I find! I was quickly absorbed with Breslin's warm, human, and grisly telling of how the Nixon Administration intimidated, harassed and extorted Yankees owner and Democratic campaign contributor George Steinbrenner and the careful, concerned, and constituent-influenced hard work of then House Majority Leader Thomas 'Tip' O'Neill.
So... imagine my chagrin when I discovered (a mile or two too late) that I had left my copy of this important and relevant book on the roof of my minivan, along with a cup of Dr. Pepper when leaving Subway on my way to a family picnic. "Kathunk-slosh, what was that? Hmmm, say, what's that flying around on the road behind us? Aw, shooooot."
Thanks to the miracle of the internet, I was soon able to spend $1.50 and $9.50 in shipping, handling and sales taxes on a paperback copy from a used bookstore partner of www.barnesandnoble.com. Within a week, I was joyously enjoying Tip O'Neill and his Daniel Webster cigars and whatever, probably Cuban stogies that Breslin chewed on while he shadowed the Massachusetts Democrat.
The book features the squeeky-clean Impeachment sub-committee chairman Peter Rodino, Chicago machine politicial Dan Rostentowski, meticulous and driven special prosecutor John Doar, unscrupulous Watergate burglar Jeb Magruder threatening a former New Jersey congressman in federal prison, and the affable and decent Jerry Ford as they all played their part in the first serious impeachment proceedings since Reconstruction.
Sure, you say, but you're a history buff and a political junkie- surely this is a dry, boring bit of sausage-making. Au Contraire Mon Frère! Breslin uses short, easy to read chapters and cocks it full of spicy and saucy details and anecdotes that make you appreciate what was done and get to know who did it as real people who really loved their country.
This is a book that is fun, even if you aren't a constitutional lawyer or a legislative historian- I promise. And, especially at a time when the majority of the American people (both Democrats and more and more Republicans) desperately want something done, but Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid refuse to even consider impeachment, de-funding the war, or preventing illegal wire tapping- this is a book and a time which Americans need to review and consider.
I wish Ballantine would consider republishing this book with some kind of Forward or Afterward added that addresses our current mess. If you don't order a used copy of this book for your own pleasure or edification, I hope you'll consider buying one as a gift to your local congressmen. I'd send one to mine (Steve King) but he's such a fascist, he'd probably burn it.
I got lucky and found a dusty old hardcover subtitled "notes on an impeachment summer." With so many people calling for Bush, Cheney and Gonzales each or all to be impeached (including prominent Republican Constitutional scholars like Bruce Fein) I thought that it might be fun to take a look at what it was like for the lawmakers who finally stepped up and put pressure on Nixon back in 1974.
Wow, what I find! I was quickly absorbed with Breslin's warm, human, and grisly telling of how the Nixon Administration intimidated, harassed and extorted Yankees owner and Democratic campaign contributor George Steinbrenner and the careful, concerned, and constituent-influenced hard work of then House Majority Leader Thomas 'Tip' O'Neill.
So... imagine my chagrin when I discovered (a mile or two too late) that I had left my copy of this important and relevant book on the roof of my minivan, along with a cup of Dr. Pepper when leaving Subway on my way to a family picnic. "Kathunk-slosh, what was that? Hmmm, say, what's that flying around on the road behind us? Aw, shooooot."
Thanks to the miracle of the internet, I was soon able to spend $1.50 and $9.50 in shipping, handling and sales taxes on a paperback copy from a used bookstore partner of www.barnesandnoble.com. Within a week, I was joyously enjoying Tip O'Neill and his Daniel Webster cigars and whatever, probably Cuban stogies that Breslin chewed on while he shadowed the Massachusetts Democrat.
The book features the squeeky-clean Impeachment sub-committee chairman Peter Rodino, Chicago machine politicial Dan Rostentowski, meticulous and driven special prosecutor John Doar, unscrupulous Watergate burglar Jeb Magruder threatening a former New Jersey congressman in federal prison, and the affable and decent Jerry Ford as they all played their part in the first serious impeachment proceedings since Reconstruction.
Sure, you say, but you're a history buff and a political junkie- surely this is a dry, boring bit of sausage-making. Au Contraire Mon Frère! Breslin uses short, easy to read chapters and cocks it full of spicy and saucy details and anecdotes that make you appreciate what was done and get to know who did it as real people who really loved their country.
This is a book that is fun, even if you aren't a constitutional lawyer or a legislative historian- I promise. And, especially at a time when the majority of the American people (both Democrats and more and more Republicans) desperately want something done, but Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid refuse to even consider impeachment, de-funding the war, or preventing illegal wire tapping- this is a book and a time which Americans need to review and consider.
I wish Ballantine would consider republishing this book with some kind of Forward or Afterward added that addresses our current mess. If you don't order a used copy of this book for your own pleasure or edification, I hope you'll consider buying one as a gift to your local congressmen. I'd send one to mine (Steve King) but he's such a fascist, he'd probably burn it.
July 3, 2017
Jimmy Breslin follows Tip O'Neill around starting in the summer of 1973 through Nixon's resignation in August 1974. Breslin shows how O'Neill helped lay the political groundwork and helped move the case against Nixon along in the House. O'Neill knew that regardless of the legal issues involved, Nixon's fate would come down to a vote, specifically Peter Rodino's ability to put together a vote in the House Judiciary committee. Lots of raw politics, lots of inside baseball, lots of references to political skills developed in local party clubhouses and political instincts honed at race tracks.
Rereading it after many years, I was struck by the contrast with today's Congress; not the partisanship or how little time they spend in session, but how the people running Congress today have none of the basic, fundamental retail political skills needed to legislate. Today everything's about the wholesale politics of money raising, advertising, press conferences, money raising, polling, money raising, etc. etc. You can be elected to Congress knowing absolutely nothing about how to make legislation.
Rereading it after many years, I was struck by the contrast with today's Congress; not the partisanship or how little time they spend in session, but how the people running Congress today have none of the basic, fundamental retail political skills needed to legislate. Today everything's about the wholesale politics of money raising, advertising, press conferences, money raising, polling, money raising, etc. etc. You can be elected to Congress knowing absolutely nothing about how to make legislation.
April 11, 2021
I first read this book in 1976 when it was first issued in paperback. I have read it at least twice since, and I have referred to it many, many times. This is not just a great Watergate book, it is a great book about politics and government.
Breslin's thesis is simple: it was not the lawyers and judges who saved America during Watergate, it was the politicians, particularly Tip O'Neill and Peter Rodino, who were urban, ethnic, Machine politicians to boot! Neither the prosecutors, the judges, nor Senator Ervin's Senate Watergate Committee could remove Nixon from Office. Nixon could only be removed from office if the House of Representatives impeached him and then the Senate convicted him, and Breslin documents how O'Neill and Rodino brought impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee.
It is sobering to read this book after reading books like "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall" and "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago", which are critical of urban, ethnic, Machine politicians. "How the Good Guys Finally Won" shows how ordinary politicians can do good things. O'Neill and Rodino knew what was needed -- votes! And they garnered the necessary votes to do what needed to be done. Of course, in the end, Nixon resigned before the House of Representatives voted on impeachment.
Breslin was a great writer. He wrote clearly, and his stories are fascinating and funny. This book is very informative and highly entertaining!
Breslin's thesis is simple: it was not the lawyers and judges who saved America during Watergate, it was the politicians, particularly Tip O'Neill and Peter Rodino, who were urban, ethnic, Machine politicians to boot! Neither the prosecutors, the judges, nor Senator Ervin's Senate Watergate Committee could remove Nixon from Office. Nixon could only be removed from office if the House of Representatives impeached him and then the Senate convicted him, and Breslin documents how O'Neill and Rodino brought impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee.
It is sobering to read this book after reading books like "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall" and "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago", which are critical of urban, ethnic, Machine politicians. "How the Good Guys Finally Won" shows how ordinary politicians can do good things. O'Neill and Rodino knew what was needed -- votes! And they garnered the necessary votes to do what needed to be done. Of course, in the end, Nixon resigned before the House of Representatives voted on impeachment.
Breslin was a great writer. He wrote clearly, and his stories are fascinating and funny. This book is very informative and highly entertaining!
August 27, 2024
Strong book - I do not recommend reading without knowing anything about Watergate, since it focuses a lot more on behind the scenes politicking in the House rather than the facts of the case, which are largely assumed to be known by the reader or not relevant to the stories discussed. Excellent, clever narrative prose + a unique telling of the lead-up to Nixon's resignation, and I will keep an eye out for more of Breslin's work! But I do wish at times that more explanation was provided in terms of background knowledge, and sometimes it felt like Breslin's claims and arguments were more bravado than actually backed up by facts, or even anecdotes.
January 12, 2014
Breslin provides a description of the activities of the main congressional players during the time leading up to the resignation of Richard Nixon. Tip O'Neill stars as a congressman who is a politician, but not a lawyer. What a difference that makes. Then there are the lawyers, like House Judiciary Committee Counsel John Doar, who follow the evidence and turn the inexorable wheels of justice. Breslin also provides insights into aspects of Nixon's character and personality which aided his demise.
Read
November 25, 2008This is an amazing series of great stories by the incomparable Jimmy Breslin that changed everything I thought I knew about the impeachment of Richard Nixon and everything I thought I knew about politics in the USA.
August 28, 2009
Tip O'Neill is just a straight House-floor gangsta/sage all throughout.
Takeaway Yankees Trivia: in 1971 George Steinbrenner was squeezed by the IRS during Tricky Dick's reign to head up the Ohio chapter of "Democrats for Nixon."
Takeaway Yankees Trivia: in 1971 George Steinbrenner was squeezed by the IRS during Tricky Dick's reign to head up the Ohio chapter of "Democrats for Nixon."
May 3, 2013
An entertaining narrative on the political process surrounding Nixon's impeachment. I had no idea how influential Tip O'Neil was to the Senate, or to Massachusetts until reading Breslin's firsthand accounts on the Watergate scandal.
Read
June 9, 2013My take away: Nixon was impeached by a mountain of paper.
November 6, 2014
A slim chronicle of Watergate through Congress' eyes, particularly Tip O'Neill and Peter Rodino's. A little too much time with Tip, but it's enlivened by Breslin's brilliant prose.
July 27, 2019
How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes from an Impeachment Summer by Jimmy Breslin Is another book about Watergate with an interesting angle. All the President’s Men, which I recently reviewed, was written from the view of the reporters covering the story, and the hard work in putting the pieces together.
This book covers when Jimmy Breslin followed Thomas “Tip” O’Neill (D-MA) in the summer of 1974. Tip was the House Majority Leader at the time of Watergate (two years after this book was published, he became Speaker of the House).
Tip was universally liked by his colleagues in the House, both Republican and Democrat (that was possible back then). He was a mountain of a man and a true old-fashioned Boston politician.
Tip became convinced pretty early on that they would get the votes to impeach Nixon. Yes, the Democrats were in the majority, but the some Republicans would be dismayed by Nixon’s corruption and want him gone.
Imagine – Republican politicians with a conscience.
The U.S. Congress wasn’t as bitterly divided among partisan lines as it is today. That really started with the rise of Ronald Reagan, and later, the rise of the Tea Party.
The story is a great story of Tip’s utter confidence that the law would prevail and also the very hard work that was put into drawing up impeachment papers. Tip decided that Peter Rodino (D-NJ), who was the chairman of the House Judiciary, was the right man for overseeing the impeachment process.
If you are wondering, no, Nixon was not impeached. He resigned because it was obvious he was GOING to be impeached.
One evening during the process of impeachment:
I admit it.
I completely broke down at this point. I cried and cried. Tip’s heart would be broken if he saw what was happening today. This book has such an upbeat ending, but it devastated me.
Why did I cry so hard? Why is my heart broken?
Because the Republican Party now HATES America and prefers the money they get from Russia over the American people. They don’t care that Trump is destroying democracy.
There is also the very strong possibility that the Russians and Trump have kompromat on the Republicans and they are terrified that we will find out. They don’t care if democracy is destroyed in the process.
http://theliterarylioness.com/2018/08...
This book covers when Jimmy Breslin followed Thomas “Tip” O’Neill (D-MA) in the summer of 1974. Tip was the House Majority Leader at the time of Watergate (two years after this book was published, he became Speaker of the House).
Tip was universally liked by his colleagues in the House, both Republican and Democrat (that was possible back then). He was a mountain of a man and a true old-fashioned Boston politician.
Tip became convinced pretty early on that they would get the votes to impeach Nixon. Yes, the Democrats were in the majority, but the some Republicans would be dismayed by Nixon’s corruption and want him gone.
Imagine – Republican politicians with a conscience.
The U.S. Congress wasn’t as bitterly divided among partisan lines as it is today. That really started with the rise of Ronald Reagan, and later, the rise of the Tea Party.
The story is a great story of Tip’s utter confidence that the law would prevail and also the very hard work that was put into drawing up impeachment papers. Tip decided that Peter Rodino (D-NJ), who was the chairman of the House Judiciary, was the right man for overseeing the impeachment process.
If you are wondering, no, Nixon was not impeached. He resigned because it was obvious he was GOING to be impeached.
One evening during the process of impeachment:
. . . Roger Brooks, O’Neill’s chauffeur, drove us slowly past the Capitol. The great white dome, washed in brilliant and yet subdued lighting, looked magnificent.
“No matter how many times I pass by it, “ O’Neill said, “I still get a feeling right in here.” He punched his stomach with his fist. “It stands for stability. You see that dome up there, you know that nobody is going to let anything bad happen. You die before you let this country down.”
I admit it.
I completely broke down at this point. I cried and cried. Tip’s heart would be broken if he saw what was happening today. This book has such an upbeat ending, but it devastated me.
Why did I cry so hard? Why is my heart broken?
Because the Republican Party now HATES America and prefers the money they get from Russia over the American people. They don’t care that Trump is destroying democracy.
There is also the very strong possibility that the Russians and Trump have kompromat on the Republicans and they are terrified that we will find out. They don’t care if democracy is destroyed in the process.
http://theliterarylioness.com/2018/08...
December 27, 2020
3.5 stars. Interesting read about Watergate, impeachment, and ultimately, Nixon’s resignation. As the title of this book suggests, the story is written from the perspective of one who wanted Nixon impeached and removed from office. While biased in that respect, it has lots of interesting anecdotes and information about the players who were working on impeachment (with the legendary Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill playing a starring role, as Breslin was “embedded” with O’Neill for much of this time), as well as those who were involved in other ways (like Gerald Ford).
That perspective and the anecdotes make the book worth the read. Where the book fell a little flat for me was the way some of the dialogue was presented without sufficient context. At times, it went from one conversation to the next without much setup or segue. As a result, there were several instances where I felt more like I was jumping between newspaper articles (a forum that Breslin has lots of experience with; he had a true gift for his work there). Had there been a bit more context and setup, this book would have really shined. That said, its still a well-written and interesting read for those interested in this aspect of American history. Would give this 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.
That perspective and the anecdotes make the book worth the read. Where the book fell a little flat for me was the way some of the dialogue was presented without sufficient context. At times, it went from one conversation to the next without much setup or segue. As a result, there were several instances where I felt more like I was jumping between newspaper articles (a forum that Breslin has lots of experience with; he had a true gift for his work there). Had there been a bit more context and setup, this book would have really shined. That said, its still a well-written and interesting read for those interested in this aspect of American history. Would give this 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.
August 13, 2024
I read this book when it was first published back in my high school days in the mid-seventies. I’m certain that most of tge book’s subtleties went over my head but I did retain the book’s message that Nixon’s political demise was not a sure thing and that politicians like House Majority Leader Tip O’Neill (who I got to meet once at a political function - all I remember is him saying to me “Christ, my back is killing me!”) and House Judiciary Chairman Peter Rodino, along with lawyer John Doar were instrumental in getting the votes for impeachment along with building the case against Nixon.
Lots of great anecdotes in this book and much political wisdom (I was impressed with the adage “The reputation of power is power”).
Breslin assumes that the reader has a good deal of prior knowledge about Watergate and the time period in general, so if you don’t I recommend reading the Library of America’s volume of Breslin’s writings which contain excellent and illuminating footnotes. Breslin knows politics and has a great eye for characters and memorable stories, both of which this book has in abundance.
Highly recommended.
Lots of great anecdotes in this book and much political wisdom (I was impressed with the adage “The reputation of power is power”).
Breslin assumes that the reader has a good deal of prior knowledge about Watergate and the time period in general, so if you don’t I recommend reading the Library of America’s volume of Breslin’s writings which contain excellent and illuminating footnotes. Breslin knows politics and has a great eye for characters and memorable stories, both of which this book has in abundance.
Highly recommended.
October 13, 2019
One of the few books on the politics of Nixon's impeachment. It was written by one of the lesser known New Journalists and there are some parts, like the long discourse on Tip O'Neil's Irish heritage, that need a good editor. But also, the book offers a really good look at the political side of the impeachment.
I was really intrigued by the story about how Democratic leaders staved off an earlier vote for the start of impeachment proceedings, which they thought Republican lawmakers could call for, defeat, and then use to paint any future impeachment inquiries as excessive and repetitive. Interesting stuff. Worth reading.
I was really intrigued by the story about how Democratic leaders staved off an earlier vote for the start of impeachment proceedings, which they thought Republican lawmakers could call for, defeat, and then use to paint any future impeachment inquiries as excessive and repetitive. Interesting stuff. Worth reading.
July 8, 2020
Deja Vu all over again!
Rereading the Great Jimmy Breslin's book on Nixon's demise have me chills as I related it to today's current occupier of the Whitehouse. It brought back my distinct feelings of embarrassment for my America in 1973 and 74. I was outside of the USA at the time, following the events through the International Harold Tribune. Thank God there were some great leaders with common sense like Tip O'Neill in Congress, who this book follows. I can still feel the collective sigh of relief in America when Nixon quit. A must read for a reference on today's events.
Rereading the Great Jimmy Breslin's book on Nixon's demise have me chills as I related it to today's current occupier of the Whitehouse. It brought back my distinct feelings of embarrassment for my America in 1973 and 74. I was outside of the USA at the time, following the events through the International Harold Tribune. Thank God there were some great leaders with common sense like Tip O'Neill in Congress, who this book follows. I can still feel the collective sigh of relief in America when Nixon quit. A must read for a reference on today's events.
March 9, 2019
Really too depressing to read these days. It harkens back to some dark times in our history, but times when people could actually be rational-talk to one another, agree that a fact was a fact and that truth was truth. In that time, the rule of law prevailed because politicians believed in the Constitution and that no one was above the law. Today there is no hope of that. I liked the book, but it depressed the hell out of me and cost me a lot sound sleep.
February 14, 2020
I found this book at a free library. I found it right around the time of the impeachment hearing. I was so looking forward to learning more about what happened to Nixon.
I had to Google some of the names in the book. The book was written right after Nixon was impeached. I did not know a lot of the players.
It is a difficult subject and reading. Obviously, I knew the ending. I was hoping to learn more. Back in the day, I think it was one of the best books on the Nixon impeachment.
I had to Google some of the names in the book. The book was written right after Nixon was impeached. I did not know a lot of the players.
It is a difficult subject and reading. Obviously, I knew the ending. I was hoping to learn more. Back in the day, I think it was one of the best books on the Nixon impeachment.
April 1, 2020
Breslin was obviously close to Tip O'Neill who was in charge of the Senate investigation of Nixon. A good look into the back story of impeachment bascially from the perspectiver of O'Neill and Peter Rodino who led the House Judicial investigation. Having just finished the Slate podcast about Watergate, this was a good story filling in some blanks.
March 13, 2018
and can again. Justice Brandeis: "Decency, security, and liberty alike depend on the system in which no man is above the law. This mandate is a daily thing, answerable at all time on all matters.... Our country is strong enough to survive..."
May 22, 2018
Wow! How did I miss this book? Well, it is comforting to know that the system can work, if slowly.
Thanks to Slate's "Slow Burn: A Podcast About Watergate" for mentioning this book.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Thanks to Slate's "Slow Burn: A Podcast About Watergate" for mentioning this book.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
June 26, 2017
Timely Memories
Prudent now to think about the politics and the length of time it took for the good guys to prevail. No one better than Jimmy to rattle them memory banks.
Prudent now to think about the politics and the length of time it took for the good guys to prevail. No one better than Jimmy to rattle them memory banks.
February 13, 2022
Interesting history from an era I remember but was too young to understand.
February 15, 2024
In the midst of Nixon's saga, Tip O'Neill
Knew that the resolution'd be political.
Knew that the resolution'd be political.
October 12, 2016
One of the very best, and most original, books on Watergate ever. Absolutely captivating.
April 25, 2017
(3.5) You can tell from page-to-page how much fun Jimmy Breslin had writing this. One can almost hear him thrum away at his typewriter, glass of whiskey to the side. This is an inside baseball account of how the political game that led to Nixon's impeachment really worked. Breslin loses focus at times and his love of Tip O'Neil borders on hagiographic but it's still an interesting read about all of the care and caution that went into congress' approach in dealing with an unprecedented circumstance.
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