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Quick answer: The best books on Watergate tell the story of the break-in, the cover-up and Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974. Start with All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Watergate: A New History by Garrett M. Graff, The Final Days by Woodward and Bernstein, The Wars of Watergate by Stanley Kutler and Blind Ambition by John Dean.
In June 1972, five men were arrested breaking into the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex in Washington. It looked like a minor burglary, but reporting by The Washington Post, a Senate investigation, a special prosecutor and Nixon’s own secret tapes revealed a wide campaign of political spying and a cover-up reaching into the Oval Office. On August 9, 1974, facing almost certain impeachment, Richard Nixon became the first US president to resign. Watergate changed American politics and journalism. The books below include the reporters’ classics, insiders’ memoirs, modern histories, biographies of Nixon and a novel.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| All the President’s Men | Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein | Journalism | The classic |
| The Final Days | Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein | Narrative history | Nixon’s last months |
| Watergate: A New History | Garrett M. Graff | History | The best modern account |
| The Wars of Watergate | Stanley Kutler | History | Serious readers |
| Blind Ambition | John Dean | Memoir | An insider’s confession |
| The Nixon Defense | John W. Dean | History | What Nixon knew |
| Nixonland | Rick Perlstein | History | The political background |
| Being Nixon | Evan Thomas | Biography | Understanding Nixon |
| Richard Nixon: The Life | John A. Farrell | Biography | A complete life |
| The Secret Man | Bob Woodward | Memoir | Deep Throat revealed |
| Washington Journal | Elizabeth Drew | Journalism | Living through it |
| Will | G. Gordon Liddy | Memoir | A burglar’s view |
| The Conviction of Richard Nixon | James Reston Jr. | Memoir | The Frost interviews |
| Nixon Agonistes | Garry Wills | Political portrait | Literary political writing |
| Watergate | Thomas Mallon | Novel | Fiction lovers |
1. All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
The two Washington Post reporters tell how they followed the money and the sources, including the mysterious “Deep Throat,” to uncover the scandal. It’s a thrilling detective story.
2. The Final Days by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
The sequel tells the story of Nixon’s last months in office, from the tapes to his resignation. It’s dramatic and intimate.
3. Watergate: A New History by Garrett M. Graff
Graff uses decades of newly released material to tell the whole story clearly. It’s widely acclaimed and is the best single modern history.
4. The Wars of Watergate by Stanley Kutler
Kutler, who sued to release more of Nixon’s tapes, wrote this detailed history of the scandal and its roots. It’s authoritative and thorough.
5. Blind Ambition by John Dean
Nixon’s White House counsel describes his part in the cover-up and his decision to testify against the president. It’s candid and gripping.
6. The Nixon Defense by John W. Dean
Decades later, Dean used hundreds of hours of tapes to show exactly what Nixon knew and when he knew it. It’s detailed and revealing.
7. Nixonland by Rick Perlstein
Perlstein explains how Nixon rose to power by exploiting the divisions of the 1960s, which helps explain Watergate. It’s long and brilliant.
8. Being Nixon by Evan Thomas
Thomas’s biography presents Nixon as a complex, insecure and gifted man. It’s balanced and humane.
9. Richard Nixon: The Life by John A. Farrell
Farrell’s acclaimed biography covers Nixon’s whole life and career, including new evidence of his earlier misconduct. It’s thorough and readable.
10. The Secret Man by Bob Woodward
After Mark Felt, the FBI’s number two official, revealed himself as Deep Throat in 2005, Woodward told the story of their relationship. It’s short and fascinating.
11. Washington Journal by Elizabeth Drew
Drew’s journal of 1973 and 1974 records the scandal as it unfolded, before anyone knew how it would end. It’s a vivid time capsule.
12. Will by G. Gordon Liddy
One of the masterminds of the break-in tells his story in this bold, unrepentant autobiography. It’s revealing in ways the author may not have intended.
13. The Conviction of Richard Nixon by James Reston Jr.
Reston, who helped prepare David Frost for his 1977 interviews with Nixon, tells the story behind them. It inspired the play and film Frost/Nixon.
14. Nixon Agonistes by Garry Wills
Written before Watergate, Wills’s 1970 portrait of Nixon and his America is still one of the sharpest books about the man.
15. Watergate by Thomas Mallon
Mallon tells the scandal from the points of view of real people, including Pat Nixon and the burglars. It’s witty, inventive and surprisingly moving.
Tips for Reading About Watergate
- Start with the reporters. All the President’s Men is still the best way in.
- Then read Graff. His new history uses evidence released since the 1970s.
- Listen to the tapes. Many Nixon tapes are available online.
- Read an insider. John Dean’s books explain the cover-up from inside.
- Watch the films. All the President’s Men and Frost/Nixon pair well with the books.
- Learn the timeline. The scandal unfolded over two years.
Related: best books on the JFK assassination and best books on the Vietnam War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book about Watergate?
All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein is the classic, and Watergate: A New History by Garrett M. Graff is the best modern account.
Who was Deep Throat?
Deep Throat was Mark Felt, the FBI’s associate director, who revealed his identity in 2005. Bob Woodward’s The Secret Man tells their story.
When did Nixon resign?
Richard Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974, and left office the next day, August 9.