In Nixon's Web: A Year in the Crosshairs of Watergate

by Ed Gray and L. Patrick Gray

Book Overview

The last untold story of Watergate--by the FBI director who maintained his silence for more than thirty years L.Patrick Gray III was the man caught in the middle of the Watergate scandal. He was a lifelong Republican, but Richard Nixon considered him a threat. Closing in on the conspiracy, Gray became the target of one of Watergate's most shocking acts--Nixon's "smoking gun" attempt to have the CIA stop the FBI investigation. And when the U.S. Senate...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805082565
• ISBN13: 9780805082562
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Times Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A man more screwed by Nixon there never was!

Before this book, there was only so much that could be seen at Watergate. The novels (All The President's Men), the conspirators stories, Barry Sussman's newspaper non-fiction account, but to see L. Patrick Gray's, the acting Director of the FBI May 2, 1972-April 26, 1973, side of the story is extraordinary. If this book had come when some of the main conspirators were still alive it would be a best seller for months. John Wesley Dean should read this book, take a look in the mirror and say, "Why did I do that to Pat Gray?"

An essential portrait

In Nixon's Web is a valuable source for Watergate junkies. It also provides new information about the Hoover-era FBI and the actions of old guard Hoover loyalists like Mark Felt. Finally, it fleshes out our picture of L. Patrick Gray who for too long has been portrayed as a cardboard villain in order to highlight the noble heroism of Deep Throat. The flesh and blood Mark felt comes off badly in Gray's telling. He was an inveterate leaker--not just to Woodward but to the New York Times and Time magazine as well. His leaks were not confined to Watergate but were aimed at discrediting Gray and his attempts to curb the tyrannical abuses of Hoover and his minions. Moreover, when confronted about the leaks, Felt lied and tried to direct suspicion at other, innocent parties. Ed Gray has also unearthed powerful evidence that Woodward overstated Felt's role and credited Deep Throat with information that came from other sources. The "Deep Throat as composite" theory is far from dead.

Extremely Interesting Book!!

This book is very easy to read and extemely interesting. I felt very bad for Pat Gray because he is still accused of things that he was never found guilty of doing. He tried to change the FBI and the people working closest with him were never on his side. It's a sad story. I was very disappointed in Mark Felt, Bernstein and Woodward. Felt lied to Gray on many occasions, probably because he wanted the top job. Felt was convicted of crimes but Gray never was and Gray received apologies from the senators who accused him of crimes. Gray's son interviews Bernstein and Woodward about their ongoing accusations against his father. Woodward comes across very badly because he can't seem to explain the notes that he took while writing his book, even though they don't match the Watergate tapes. After reading this, I'm convinced that Felt was not "deep throat". No question that "deep throat" was a combination of a lot of different people who liked to leak information without giving their names. Great book!!!

Gripping First-hand Account

I found the book fascinating. It was a real page-turner for me. Parts are absolutely gripping, especially when L. Patrick Gray is sitting in Nixon's office perplexed at what his boss is trying to tell him. Gray is an honest man and a straight-shooter and Nixon is trying to get him to be a conspirator without coming right out and saying it. Gray's mind just doesn't have a place for the idea that the President of the United States is a criminal. Although I was only a boy when the Watergate scandal broke, it was a formative chapter in my life. One of my early memories is watching my father (a Massachusetts McGovern supporter) listen to the 1972 returns in dismay. Later I watched the Watergate hearings on TV at school, transfixed by the historic importance of what was happening. I've since been keenly aware of the far-reaching damage Nixon did to our country. I was less cognizant of the damage he and his henchmen inflicted on the personal lives of so many. L. Patrick Gray's story brings this starkly to light. The extent to which the book also puts the press in a bad light is timely. I was one of those, reared on the Woodward and Bernstein myth of reporter as white knight. In the past 15 years I've come to see the press more for what it is, a self-serving business/political entity. I know there are people of good faith in both government and the press, but they don't seem to be the ones running show, bless 'em for keeping at it! This book starts to rewrite the fictional construct "Deep Throat" that Woodward and Bernstein created in order to sell a book and a movie, and cast themselves as heroes in the process. "All the President's Men" is a good story but it's far from the truth. "In Nixon's Web" is a first hand account backed up with FBI files, Senate Committee testimony, and the famous White House tapes. Patrick Gray, a highly respected naval submarine commander, accomplished lawyer and former assistant Attorney General, doesn't cast himself here as a hero, just someone trying to do the best he can for his country. He admits to being naive, especially in trusting people who have been given a high level of trust by the entire nation. Watergate left a lot of U.S. citizens disillusioned with their government. Patrick Gray was one of them. He has every right to be bitter, but this is not a bitter story. It's a tragedy told directly and without embellishment. The events themselves are enough for a terrific tale.

Great Watergate book

What a great book. L. Patrick Gray is a tragic figure. Stumbles into the FBI Directorship job, gets caught up in all the FBI backstabbing, and on top of it, gets his name thrown in with the criminals of Watergate. Even more tragic is that Mark Felt comes out a hero for being Deep Throat. Without giving anything away, Nixon's Web will give the interested Watergate reader a very different perspective. It's really easy and good reading. I like the style, it's to the point, very little fluff if any. It's a shame that Gray didn't come out with this sooner, but the announcement of Deep Throat compelled him to break his long silence. If you've been a Watergate reader, you absolutely cannot go without reading this book.