Secrets : a memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon papers

Daniel Ellsberg began his career as the coldest of cold warriors-a U. S. Marine company commander, a Pentagon analyst, and a staunch supporter of America's battle against Communist expansion. But in October 1969, Ellsberg-fully expecting to spend the rest of his life in prison-set out to turn around American foreign policy by smuggling out of his office the seven-thousand-page top-secret study, known as the Pentagon Papers, of U.S. decision making in Vietnam. Now, for the first time, Ellsberg tells the full story of how and why he became one of the nation's most impassioned and influential anti-war activists-and how his actions helped alter the course of U.S. history. Covering the decade between his entry into the Pentagon and Nixon's resignation, Secrets is Ellsberg's meticulously detailed insider's account of the secrets and lies that shaped American foreign policy during the Vietnam era. Ellsberg provides a vivid eyewitness account of the two years he spent behind the lines in Vietnam as a State Department observer-an experience that convinced him of the hopelessness of Johnson's policies and profoundly altered his own political thinking. As Ellsberg recounts with drama and insight, the release of the Pentagon Papers, first to The New York Times and The Washington Post , set in motion a train of events that ultimately toppled a president and helped to end an unjust war. Infused with the political passion and turmoil of the Vietnam era, Secrets is at once the memoir of a committed, daring man, an insider's exposГ© of Washington, and a meditation on the meaning of patriotism under a government intoxicated by keeping secrets. "Daniel Ellsberg began his Vietnam-era career as the coldest of cold warriors: a U.S. Marine company commander, a Pentagon official, and a staunch supporter of America's battle against Communist expansion. But in October 1969, Ellsberg - fully expecting to spend the rest of his life in prison - set out to turn around American foreign policy by smuggling out of his office and making public a seven-thousand-page top secret study of decision making in Vietnam, eventually to be known as the Pentagon Papers. In this penetrating political memoir, Ellsberg now tells the full story of how and why he became one of the nation's most impassioned and influential antiwar activists and the most important whistleblower of the last fifty years.". "Secrets is a detailed insider's view of the secrets and lies that shaped three decades of American foreign policy during the Vietnam era. Ellsberg's exposure to the lying began on his very first day in the Pentagon, August 4, 1964, which was also the day of the infamous Gulf of Tonkin incident. The more Ellsberg learned about the war from top decision makers, confidential documents, and reports of secret maneuvers, the more skeptical he became about prospects for military victory in Vietnam. Then, during a two-year volunteer tour in Vietnam as a State Department official, he saw firsthand how disastrous American military strategy was, and he became convinced that the Johnson administration's policies were hopeless. Returning to the United States in 1967, he began to see that his pessimism was widely shared inside the government, despite encouraging public statements by the president and other high officials. And yet the war continued. Richard Nixon, elected president in 1968 with promises of peace, escalated the war further. By 1969 Ellsberg had gone beyond a commonly shared position critical of U.S. policy, and he describes here in detail how he came to risk his career and his freedom to expose the deceptions and delusions of the entire American involvement in Vietnam, from President Truman onward - for the Pentagon Papers revealed that Washington had clearly known Vietnam to be a catastrophe for decades.". "The release of the Pentagon Papers, first to the New York Times and the Washington Post, set in motion a chain of events that included a landmark Supreme Court decision, the arrest and trial of Ellsberg and his collaborator, Anthony Russo, and the crimes of Watergate. Ultimately his actions helped end not only the Nixon presidency but the Vietnam War. Infused with the political passion and turmoil of the Vietnam era, Secrets is at once the memoir of a daring and committed man, an insider's expose of Washington, and an exploration of conscience and patriotism in a government intoxicated by secrets."--BOOK JACKET. Daniel Ellsberg Began His Career As A U.s. Marine Company Commander, A Pentagon Official, And A Staunch Supporter Of America's Battle Against Communist Expansion. But In October 1969, Ellsberg--fully Expecting To Spend The Rest Of His Life In Prison--set Out To Turn Around American Foreign Policy By Smuggling Out Of His Office The Seven-thousand-page Top-secret Study, Known As The Pentagon Papers, Of U.s. Decision Making In Vietnam. Ellsberg Tells The Full Story Of How And Why He Became One Of The Nation's Most Impassioned And Influential Antiwar Activists--and How His Actions Helped Alter The Course Of U.s. History. Covering The Decade Between His Entry Into The Pentagon And Nixon's Resignation, Secrets Is Ellsberg's Meticulously Detailed Insider's Account Of The Secrets And Lies That Shaped American Foreign Policy During The Vietnam Era. Ellsberg Provides A Vivid Eyewitness Account Of The Two Years He Spent Behind The Lines In Vietnam As A State Department Observer--an Experience That Convinced Him Of The Hopelessness Of Johnson's Policies And Profoundly Altered His Own Political Thinking. As Ellsberg Recounts With Drama And Insight, The Release Of The Pentagon Papers, First To The New York Times And The Washington Post, Set In Motion A Train Of Events That Ultimately Toppled A President And Helped To End An Unjust War. Infused With The Political Passion And Turmoil Of The Vietnam Era, Secrets Is At Once The Memoir Of A Committed, Daring Man, An Insider's Expose Of Washington, And A Meditation On The Meaning Of Patriotism Under A Government Intoxicated By Keeping Secrets. 1. The Tonkin Gulf : August 1964 -- 2. Cold Warrior, Secret Keeper -- 3. The Road To Escalation -- 4. Planning Provocation -- 5. Off The Diving Board : July 1965 -- 6. Joining The Foreign Legion -- 7. Vietnam : The Lansdale Team -- 8. Travels With Vann -- 9. Losing Hope -- 10. Rach Kien -- 11. Leaving Vietnam -- 12. Jaundice -- 13. The Power Of Truth -- 14. Campaign '68 -- 15. To The Hotel Pierre -- 16. The Morality Of Continuing The War -- 17. War Resisters -- 18. Extrication -- 19. Murder And The Lying Machine -- 20. Copying The Papers -- 21. The Rand Letter -- 22. Capitol Hill -- 23. Leaving Rand -- 24. Kissinger -- 25. Congress -- 26. To The New York Times -- 27. May Day 1971 -- 28. Approaching June 13 -- 29. Going Underground -- 30. The War Goes On -- 31. The Road To Watergate -- 32. End Of A Trial. Daniel Ellsberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 471-475) And Index. In 1971 former Cold War hard-liner Daniel Ellsberg made history by releasing the Pentagon Papers-a 7,000-page top-secret study of U.S. decision-making in Vietnam-to the New York Times and Washington Post. The document set in motion a chain of events that ended not only the Nixon presidency but the Vietnam War. In this remarkable memoir, Ellsberg describes in dramatic detail the two years he spent in Vietnam as a U.S. State Department observer, and how he came to risk his career and freedom to expose the deceptions and delusions that shaped three decades of American foreign policy. The story of one man's exploration of conscience, Secrets is also a portrait of America at a perilous crossroad. A Memoir Of Vietnam.pdf......Page 1 Daniel Ellsberg - Secrets A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers.pdf......Page 2