About the book
Just four months after Richard Nixon’s resignation, New York Times reporter Seymour Hersh unearthed a new case of government abuse of power: the CIA had launched a domestic spying program of Orwellian proportions against American dissidents during the Vietnam War. The country’s best investigative journalists and members of Congress quickly mobilized to probe a scandal that seemed certain to rock the foundations of this secret government. Subsequent investigations disclosed that the CIA had plotted to kill foreign leaders and that the FBI had harassed civil rights and student groups. Some called the scandal 'son of Watergate.' Many observers predicted that the investigations would lead to far-reaching changes in the intelligence agencies. Yet, as Kathryn Olmsted shows, neither the media nor Congress pressed for reforms. For all of its post-Watergate zeal, the press hesitated to break its long tradition of deference in national security coverage. Congress, too, was unwilling to challenge the executive branch in national security matters. Reports of the demise of the executive branch were greatly exaggerated, and the result of the 'year of intelligence' was a return to the status quo. American History/Journalism
Editions of Challenging the Secret Government
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807822548
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807845622
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890883858
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807863701
Read an Excerpt
Just four months after Richard Nixon’s resignation, New York Times reporter Seymour Hersh unearthed a new case of government abuse of power: the CIA had launched a domestic spying program of Orwellian proportions against American dissidents during the Vietnam War. The country’s best investigative journalists and members of Congress quickly mobilized to probe a scandal that seemed certain to rock the foundations of this secret government. Subsequent investigations disclosed that the CIA had plotted to kill foreign leaders and that the FBI had harassed civil rights and student groups. Some called the scandal 'son of Watergate.' Many observers predicted that the investigations would lead to far-reaching changes in the intelligence agencies. Yet, as Kathryn Olmsted shows, neither the media nor Congress pressed for reforms. For all of its post-Watergate zeal, the press hesitated to break its long tradition of deference in national security coverage. Congress, too, was unwilling to challenge the executive branch in national security matters. Reports of the demise of the executive branch were greatly exaggerated, and the result of the 'year of intelligence' was a return to the status quo. American History/Journalism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Challenging the Secret Government about?
Just four months after Richard Nixon’s resignation, New York Times reporter Seymour Hersh unearthed a new case of government abuse of power: the CIA had launched a domestic spying program of Orwellian proportions against American dissidents during the Vietnam War. The country’s best investigative journalists and members of Congress quickly mobilized to probe a scandal that seemed certain to rock the foundations of this secret government. Subsequent investigations disclosed that the CIA had plotted to kill foreign leaders and that the FBI had harassed civil rights and student groups. Some called the scandal 'son of Watergate.' Many observers predicted that the investigations would lead to far-reaching changes in the intelligence agencies. Yet, as Kathryn Olmsted shows, neither the media nor Congress pressed for reforms. For all of its post-Watergate zeal, the press hesitated to break its long tradition of deference in national security coverage. Congress, too, was unwilling to challenge the executive branch in national security matters. Reports of the demise of the executive branch were greatly exaggerated, and the result of the 'year of intelligence' was a return to the status quo. American History/Journalism
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Challenging the Secret Government?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Challenging the Secret Government?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807822548
How long is Challenging the Secret Government and how many pages does it have?
Challenging the Secret Government has 272 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Challenging the Secret Government?
Kathryn S. Olmsted
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Challenging the Secret Government is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807822548) and paperback(ISBN 9780807845622) and ebook(ISBN 9798890883858) and ebook(ISBN 9780807863701)
Where can I buy Challenging the Secret Government online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Challenging the Secret Government from below
Where can I buy Challenging the Secret Government?