January 1973

American politics changed forever in January 1973. In the span of 31 days, the Watergate burglars went on trial, the Nixon administration negotiated an end to the Vietnam War, the Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade decision, Lyndon Johnson died in Texas (and Harry Truman had just died), and Richard Nixon began his second term. The events had unlikely links and each worked along with the others to create a time of immense transformation. Roe in particular pushed political opponents to the outer reaches of each party, making compromise something that has become more and more difficult. Using newly released Nixon tapes, author and historian James Robenalt provides readers a fly-on-the-Oval-Office-wall look at what happened in the White House, events both fascinating and terrifying, during this monumental month. He also delves into the judge's chambers and courtroom drama during the Watergate break-in trial, and the inner sanctum of the US Supreme Court as it hashed out its decision in Roe v. Wade. A foreword by John W. Dean sets the stage for this unique, insider history. Though the events took place more than forty years ago, they're key to understanding today's political paralysis. James Robenalt is a trial lawyer and the author of The Harding Affair and Linking Rings. He, along with lecture partner John W. Dean, are sought-after speakers on the Watergate scandal. John W. Dean was White House Counsel under Richard Nixon, and is a bestselling author, most recently of The Nixon Defense.