Inside the Oval Office

Library Journal, April 15, 1999

The control and abuse of electronic surveillance began with Franklin Roosevelt, who, feeling miffed at being misquoted during White House press conferences, installed a recording machine for the Oval Office. But according to Doyle, who won the 1998 Writers Guild Award for Best Documentary for A&E's The Secret White House Tapes, Richard Nixon debased the presidency more than any other chief executive.

Doyle's thoroughly researched, finely written investigation is primarily about how recordings can describe management style and show how effectively a president fulfills the constitutionally defined role as head of the Executive Branch. Presidents mostly taped to protect themselves, although Truman, Ford, Carter, and Bush did not use tapes because of personal ethical doubts, while Clinton recklessly recorded conversations describing campaign finance law exploitation and sex. The best safeguard, notes Doyle, is to elect honest presidents, and he sensibly recommends that only the business operations of the White House be taped for clarifying conversations and policy proposals.

Strongly recommended for public and academic collections.