The Man to See

by Evan Thomas

Legendary attorney Edward Bennet Williams was arguably the best trial lawyer ever to practice. Now, for the first time, best-selling author Evan Thomas takes us into the courtrooms of William's greatest performances as he defends "Godfather" Frank Costello, Jimmy Hoffa, Frank Sinatra, The Washington Post, and others, as well as behind the scenes where the witnesses are coached, the traps set, and the deals cut.

In addition to being a lawyer of unprecedented influence, Williams was also an important Washington insider, privy to the secrets of America's most powerful men. Thomas tells the truth behind the stories that made Williams one of the most talked about public figures of his time, including Williams' role in the publication of the Pentagon Papers and the possibility that Williams may have been Watergate's Deep Throat. Based on Thomas's exclusive access to Williams's papers, "The Man to See" is an unprecedented look at the strategies and influence of this exceptional man.

Genres: Biography, Law, Nonfiction, History, Legal, Crime

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Evan Thomas is the author of nine books: The Wise Men (with Walter Isaacson), The Man to See, The Very Best Men, Robert Kennedy, John Paul Jones, Sea of Thunder, The War Lovers, Ike’s Bluff, and Being Nixon. Thomas was a writer, correspondent, and editor for thirty-three years at Time and Newsweek, including ten years (1986–96) as Washington bureau chief at Newsweek, where, at the time of his retirement in 2010, he was editor at large. He wrote more than one hundred cover stories and in 1999 won a National Magazine Award. He wrote Newsweek’s fifty-thousand-word election specials in 1996, 2000, 2004 (winner of a National Magazine Award), and 2008. He has appeared on many TV and radio talk shows, including Meet the Press and The Colbert Report, and has been a guest on PBS’s Charlie Rose more than forty times. The author of dozens of book reviews for The New York Times and The Washington Post, Thomas has taught writing and journalism at Harvard and Princeton, where, from 2007 to 2014, he was Ferris Professor of Journalism.

Reviews

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best, if not the best, biographies I have ever read. Evan Thomas takes an interesting subject, famous trial lawyer Edward Bennett Williams, and makes him come alive in this book. The book moves with the speed of a good novel and Thomas paints a portrait of an interesting, charming, complex, and flawed man. This book is as much about D.C. culture from the 1940s through the 1980s as it is about Williams, for Williams was a pivotal figure in D.C.'s growth from a sleepy southern town to a city of energy and power. Williams truly was the man to see. He could make potential indictments disappear, he counseled presidents and politicians, was friends with writers and editors. He was a daily Mass-goer who had a ribald sense of humor. A committed father and husband who in his early years strayed a bit. I highly recommend this great book. A modern masterpiece.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incoming law students are invariably advised to read "One L," but they should be told to read this fascinating biography of a man who rose from obscurity to the absolute pinnacle of power in post-war Washington, D.C. It describes the highs (the courtroom victories, the alcohol-fueled camaraderie) and the lows (the constant stress, the agony of defeat) in satisfying detail. It is a case study of the Washington, D.C. super-lawyer model, which so many law firms and lobbyists have attempted to replicate through the years. It also describes the emergence of white-collar criminal defense as a lucrative big firm practice area. Most fascinatingly, it describes how Williams was able to forcefully advocate diametrically opposed viewpoints and attitudes at different times, for different clients and audiences. That too is a feature of modern legal practice, one which Williams carried out more deftly than nearly anyone else.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning of this bio a lot better than the later chapters. The beginning tells the story of an earnest, hardworking, extremely intelligent young man who genuinely cares about the accused individual's right to legal counsel, no matter who that individual might be. The names of some of the individuals whom he represents are well known, so there's a fine sense of history-from-the-ground-up. At the same time, his pro bono work for the less-well-known is admirable.

Bu by the middle of the book, there's nothing but a long list of wealthy, powerful, massively self-interested people whose cases Williams wins not so much by attentiveness to and skill with the fine points of the law as by personal connections with politicos and judges. Interspersed are his regular angry outbursts and racist/sexist/just-plain-rude remarks.

The man attended Mass daily. He was loved by his close friends and highly regarded by most of his clients. But his biography doesn't have much of a change, self-recognition or learning curve to it. It's impressive in a way, but mostly pitiable. And very repetitive.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mentioned by Robert Caro in the book,"Master of the Senate". I have always been interested in where the real power is played. How do some people achieve so much power? The more I read about LBJ the more shocked I become.
As a Irish Catholic Baby Boomer growing up in Minnesota this book touched on most of the characters I grew up learning about in the news. I felt as if I were reading a well told novel. I have read books by David Brinkley, Katharine Graham, Ben Bradlee, Woodward, Bernstein, James Reston and Ted Kennedy. Cal Griffin lived in my home town. Joe McCarthy lived in the state next door. Eugene and Hubert were home town boys. What a era. Watergate changed so many things. Some for the better. To grow up in the 1950's and 60's was to live through may major changes. And yet, somethings never change.
This book made me want to learn more about so many of the main characters. It also leads me to ask many questions. How did either Nixon or Johnson ever get to the White House? Why didn't someone have the balls to fire J. Edgar Hoover? How did George Will become close friends with Nancy Reagan? Does anyone trust Jesse Jackson and how does he maintain so much power? Was Ed B. Williams the only person he Washington to realize Reagan was not very bright? Did anyone besides Mrs. Carter ever really like Jimmy?
To Mr. Evan Thomas I say....Job well done.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and thoroughly researched book on the ultimate Washington Insider, Edward Bennett Williams. A Who's Who of DC icons from the 1940s-80s. A great criminal lawyer and owner of the Washington Redskins who brought Vince Lombardi to Washington, Williams had a fascinating life and this was an admirable biography.

[Steve Angelkov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable biography. Detailing the trials and tribulations of a criminal lawyer between 1950's - 1980's.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably not very interesting if you are not interested in the law. If this strikes your fancy, excellent account of the man considered by many to be the best trial attorney to ever practice and the man who made the practice of criminal law respectable.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read for any litigators, historians, heavy drinkers, or catholics.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and honestly written; showing you not only his amazing talents but also his human flaws.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great example of an unauthorized biography.

[Mark Prak]

Great bio of a terrific lawyer.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating lawyer and HC alum.

[Marcus Devin]

Hardback

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! I read it years ago but still recall some of the fascinating stories and connections that were so evident with EBW.

[Frank Palardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important figure and a well written biography.

[Daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Nice for young litigators that like reading great war stories.