The Watergate: Inside America's Most Infamous Address – An Architectural and Political History of Washington's Legendary Potomac Building

by Joseph Rodota

Since its opening in 1965, the Watergate complex has been one of Washington's chicest addresses, a home to power brokers from both political parties and the epicenter of a scandal that brought down a president. In The Watergate, writer and political consultant Joseph Rodota paints a vivid portrait of this landmark and the movers and shakers who have lived there.

Watergate residents—an intriguing casts of politicians, journalists, socialites and spies—have been at the center of America's political storms for half a century. The irrepressible Martha Mitchell, wife of President Nixon's attorney general and campaign manager John Mitchell, captivated the nation with a stream of outrageous interviews and phone calls from her Watergate duplex. Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia put aside their differences many a New Year's Eve to celebrate together at the Watergate, dining on wild game hunted by Scalia and cooked by Ginsburg's husband. Monica Lewinsky hunkered down in her mother's Watergate apartment while President Clinton fought impeachment; her neighbor U.S. Senator Bob Dole brought donuts to the hordes of reporters camped out front. Years after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted chamber music concerts in her Watergate living room, guests remembered the soaring music—and the cheap snacks.

Rodota unlocks the mysteries of the Watergate, including why Elizabeth Taylor refused to move into a Watergate apartment with her sixth husband; reveals a surprising connection between the Watergate and Ronald Reagan; and unravels how the Nixon break-in transformed the Watergate's reputation and spawned generations of "-gate" scandals, from Koreagate to Deflategate.

The Washington Post once called the Watergate a "glittering Potomac Titanic." Like the famous ocean liner, the Watergate was ahead of its time, filled with boldface names—and ultimately doomed. The Watergate is a captivating inside look at the passengers and crew of this legendary building.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Politics

432 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2019

About the author

Joseph Rodota is a writer and consultant who has worked at the highest levels of politics in Washington, DC and California. He worked in the Reagan White House and as a top aide to California governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pete Wilson, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, New York Times and other outlets. He lives in Sacramento, CA where his play CHESSMAN, about the final days of Caryl Chessman, the "Red Light Bandit," premiered at B Street Theatre.

Reviews

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first trip back to D.C. forty years ago a friend took me to the JFK Center and the "infamous" Watergate; I still recall the Yves St. Laurent Rive Gauche store and other trendy shops in the mall area. This book brings me back to those immediate post-Watergate days, that political scandal indeed making the luxury address infamous. If the pages of Italian politics-including the Vatican-and bureaucratic building hassles are murky, to a political junkie that cast of Watergate characters is delicious. Anna Chenault, Pat Buchanan, Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, the Doles, a surprisingly foul mouthed Rosemary Woods, and of course John and Martha Mitchell. The newly built Watergate indeed was ground zero of prestige for the Nixon Administration. It was even targeted by anti-war demonstrators. The description of the June 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee Headquarters is riveting. In the Reagan years the Watergate was revived by those team members, and though it remains and the hotel is refurbished and alive again this is largely a 70's delight, spiced by the unforgettable Martha Mitchell. A criticism: On pages 230-31 in describing power player Tommy Corcoran's 30's era Hyde Park lunch with FDR, the author refers twice to Eleanor Roosevelt and "her mother" in that setting. Come on researchers, Eleanor lost her mother in her youth and her bleak, orphaned childhood is the stuff of history. While this error jarred me, I enjoyed this book as an evocation of a time and culture-and a history we may be living again. I stand often on the Kennedy Center roof next door and gaze at the Watergate-Christmas trees in the windows in December and all. I'll now do so with greater appreciation.

[Doug Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ for anyone remotely interested in architecture, politics, or history. I loved every page of it and look forward to whatever topic Rodota tackles next!

[Sally Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great combination of politics, history, gossip, land use law, and architecture. I was a pre-teen at the time of the break in, and that time was the beginning of my political consciousness., so I was very interested to read those sections of the book. But, although the break in and accompanying political fall out happens about half-way through the book, the rest of the book is still extremely interesting and relevant. I really enjoyed reading about the thoughts and intentions behind the architecture. I also really enjoyed reading about the colorful cast of characters who inhabited the Watergate, some still there to this date. Because the book is the biography of a building, it was sad to read the final chapters about it getting old, and parts of it dying (or being sold) off. Recommended for political or history junkies, as well as those interested in architecture and city planning.

[Gregory Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had dinner in a restaurant of the Watergate hotel in the mid-eighties, I don't recall what I had or even what the name was, but during my meal I do remember that an older woman was sitting several tables away. There was an elaborate ceremony being played out over and over again at her table. After a cart was wheeled up to the table, the server appeared to be assembling something and then presenting it to her most elaborately. I asked my waiter what in the hell was going on over there and found out she was being served Irish Coffee. I did purchase some souvenirs while on the premises, they had clothing with the logo of the Watergate health club for sale. These items were later stolen from the laundry room of the condominium building in which we lived, such is the allure of the name Watergate I guess.

I found the book to be highly readable. There are many many actors in this epic but I didn't have much trouble understanding and was not confused. Much, much more than just the story of the building's construction, the author delves into the private lives of its famous and infamous residents, employees, builders and financiers. I was highly entertained and the research that must have gone into assembling the work must have been gigantic. This is a piece of historic proportions that is absolutely fascinating.

[Simon Woodrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book this was! Essentially it is a biography of a building, the famous (infamous?) Watergate buildings. The book covers the behind the scenes creation of the building including its architectural design and how it was financed. Much of the book then introduces you to the colorful cast of characters that resided there (many high powered politicians and household names amongst them). The Watergate break-in that eventually brought the downfall of Nixon is of course covered but with a unique perspective. Perhaps most enjoyable is the sort of social history: it gives a slice of what life was like for its residents, from epic 1970's dinner parties to the gossip around the swimming pool and gymnasium. The lives of these Washington DC high rollers were often glamorous but not necessarily happy ones. This is a niche book covering a specific time and place but if a book about a building and its place in modern American history interest you, the book does not disappoint.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph Rodota is my favorite kind of historian. He knows that we know that this book bearing his name on the cover shows either his passion or at least his fierce interest in the history of the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. He doesn't need a long-winded introduction like other historians tend to prefer, which feel like they've been cobbled together from failed, unpublished dissertations. In fact, his prologue is about the day before, and the late night, of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate, setting the stage for what we know had happened, what history has shown us through countless angles, before going way back to the beginning, when the Watergate was simply a very expensive vision, and its parcel of land completely empty at the time.

Rodota believes in just telling the story and that's what we get here. If it feels gossipy, well, Washington, D.C., the federal side, has always been a town fueled on gossip and innuendo.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing and informative book. From the conception of the idea of The Watergate Complex to the present nothing was missing. This one of the most comprehensive and accurate historical accounts I have ever read. If you are a history buff this book is perfect for you, it’s an excellent playbook of exactly what went on in Washington. I enjoyed this book thoroughly but if you aren’t a major history buff I wouldn’t push this book on you. It’s a slow boil of some good old American scandal and history. A great beach read and just a great book to learn a little something about Inited States history.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never seen the Watergate or even visited D.C., I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book or not -- but I'm glad I gave it a try! Rodota weaves a tapestry combining the turbulent beginnings of the Watergate project with it's ongoing travails, stories about it's many colorful and influential residents, and of course, the break-in which doomed Richard Nixon's presidency. I particularly enjoyed reading how the politics and style of each presidential administration impacted trends and goings on at the Watergate. A very interesting read!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was mostly interesting because of the people connected with The Watergate over the decades. But it suffered because, at times, there was no narrative to follow; in parts, it felt like simply a collection of anecdotes, at times told in such a way as to leave me scratching my head, wondering if I should recognize a name.

I doubt this will be anybody's favorite book, but if you're looking for anecdotes about one of the most famous places in Washington, DC, this book has plenty of them for you.

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watergate complex has had quite a history. This book covers everything from acquiring the land which was considered undesirable, finding a designer for the iconic site, navigating the conflicts of placing the buildings too close to the planned Kennedy Center, as well as the height of the buildings. Of course the story behind the story of the breakin at the DNC offices. Also a peek at all the goings and comings of famous and infamous inhabitants of the apartments. Not a boring book at all.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely out of my comfort zone and wasn’t something that I thought I would enjoy. Despite not being comfortable with the book, I was still able to find enjoyment in the topic that it was on. I’ve always known about the watergate scandal from history classes, but this book gave me a better understanding of it all! I’m glad I read this book, but I don’t think I’ll read another like it anytime soon.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a feeling this made a better audiobook than a book because it was a lot like Watergate - the Podcast. It was episodic. BUT if you like DC history and political gossip and little snippets of info in your listening, you'll love it! My favorite parts were : Martha Mitchell, Monica Lewinsky (always!) the history of retail and dining in the complex, the way Washington has changed.

[Michael Stoudt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating history of one of America's "infamous"/famous buildings. Most all of what Mr. Rodota wrote about were things that I did not know, and was glad to learn as I was reading this book. I would definitely recommend this title if one wants to learn about the Watergate's history outside of June 17, 1972.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok but I guess it told me a little more about the whole Watergate complex than I really wanted to know, particularly about the financing. And although the gossip was spicy, it seemed it some ways just to be thrown in at intervals to keep me reading.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long a center of intrigue and power since its opening in the 1960s, the Watergate complex on the banks of the Potomac River has gone through wars and scandals, decay and reinvention for over 50 years. The last chapters of the Watergate story have yet to be written.

[Rachel Ellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not light reading, but a wonderful tracing of the history of this landmark.

I moved to DC in 1968, so I never knew a Washington without the Watergate. And I grew up loving, appreciating, and coveting the Watergate.

[Chy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly I skimmed through a lot of this book because I was only interested in who stayed at the hotel. I found this to be a really interesting book on the history of the most famous hotel in the United States.

[Matthew Gilmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

mostly anecdotal history...stories of residents miced with "-gate" scandals.

[Madlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting terms of events happening during that time period with Nixon, Clinton’s and Donald Trump.

[Lori Trautwein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book ranging from the design and management of the complex to the people who lived there to the events that took place there.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography of a building. Personally fascinating.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely some interesting parts, but too often explored people and events that I was less interested in.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best book i read in a while! it has everything - humor, romance, mystery ....

[Ryan Wootton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more about the Watergate scandal but instead it was the history of the building itself and things that happened. It was still a good book.

[Raymond Ozuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.

[Dave Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real scandal heer was in the design meetings with local officials, the management and ownership, one expects better from these people than Nixon's petty gang. Loads of succinct personal stories from and about tenants, employees, designers, managers, business owners and more than a few newsmakers over the decades make this place live and breathe, which I think is the point.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watergate: Inside America's Most Infamous Address is a delightful biography of the 'infamous' building complex. Rodota does a superb job of drawing the tangents of the various lives and events surrounding The Watergate is a sumptuous tale. The multiple controversies dating back to wartime plans to develop the site, the long struggle to build anything continuing through the challenges of construction and business struggles to market and maintain the prestigious place of The Watergate.
From architects, builders, financiers, politicians and the tapestry of residents that have made the Watergate home and office, the human dimension is evocatively captured. This one is well companioned to the similar volume I reviewed on the building of the Pentagon - a close neighbour.
A tale well told. It tends to be dominated by the Anna Chennault (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Ch...) story, but this is possibly an intriguing and inventive choice by the author to find an apt main character that personifies the development itself. But there is a vast panoply of characters - the Watergate shaped and shaped by some astounding people and shaped lives in this unique city within a city. It is, of course, much more than the break-in or Monica Lewinsky, but its hallways and apartments are full of stories, and the author does a superb job of drawing them together and spinning them out in a captivating fashion. I only wish there were more photos, plans and diagrams to help bring it even further to life.

[Du · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Pretty interesting book. The history and culture of this area is very interesting to me, as I attended college in the area of the Watergate and shopped at the Safeway in the basement. The building was never something I appreciated the design of, but after reading the goals and vision for it, I can see how it is a more complex building than I imagined, also I clearly did not explore the sheer size of it, at the time.

The book would be 4 stars but the gossip was a bit much. Take the pre-planning and development portion and the post 1998 section and you have a great read.