Posted by
K on Friday, July 27, 2007 9:59:06 AM
usinfo.state.gov
For his more than 50 years in the mainstream media, Robert Novak never seemed to have a problem telling and revealing both the truth and his own personal opinions, always respectfully separating the two. And just when it feels safe to assume that there couldn’t possibly be anything else to tell, Novak’s newly released memoir, “The Prince of Darkness,” suggests otherwise.
His new book highlights the last half century in Washington politics, media and his own involvements and perspectives, many of which have never been written about before. Novak’s life has been politics, news, and commentary – his dedication to the facts and finding answers has contributed greatly to the American public’s attainable wealth of knowledge. And whether your relationship with Novak is either love or hate, his memoir deserves the respect from conservatives, liberals and anyone in-between.
Novak takes the reader through his extensive and vibrant career in Washington and also describes his highs and lows as a political reporter and commentator. Some stories are quite surprising and include significant political players and journalists such as National Review Contributing Editor David Frum, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, Former President Lyndon B. Johnson and many more. Even in his first words of the book Novak tells the story of his first experience with observing Joseph Wilson, husband of Valerie Plame, in the NBC Meet the Press green room in 2003.
While reading, it seems as if with each page the reader finds a new revelation – about both events in history and Novak’s reactions and thoughts – bringing truth out of the dark and into the light. Not only does the reader discover hidden sources and freshly revealed information, we get to see even further into the man who is known as, “The Prince of Darkness.”
It’s evident through the content that Novak’s intentions are to give the reader never-before seen, insider information. “I had a lot of fun stories in my life that didn’t get in print…I try to tell a lot of these stories [in the book],” Novak told Townhall’s National Political Reporter Amanda Carpenter during a phone interview on Monday. “A lot of journalists write memoirs and they don’t tell you anything that you don’t [already] know.”
From humorous tales of a drunken Lyndon B. Johnson to intimate details of his role in the Valerie Plame CIA scandal, “The Prince of Darkness” proves to be both an intriguing and enjoyable read. Don’t let the 600+ pages feel overwhelming at first glimpse – Novak’s writing style and storytelling make you wish his writings never ended. And as you read, it is clear why he’s so nationally known and respected and particularly prominent in Washington D.C.
“While writing, he told one and all he intended to use his memoir to clear up some matters and settle some accounts. He does not disappoint,” Author and Founding Editor of The American Conservative Magazine Pat Buchanan recently wrote of Novak and his new book. “That he has survived so long, after having enraged so many, is testimony that when Novak is denounced or disputed by some powerful figure, his editors believe him, not them.”
On June 14, Ben Wattenberg asked Robert Novak onto his PBS show, Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg. He sought after Novak’s thoughts on an array of political issues and players.
When Wattenberg spoke the words, “Hillary Clinton,” Novak’s response was: “A very unlikable person. I think you have to be likeable to be in politics, Ben. That’s why you’ve never gone into politics.” His whole career Novak has raised both the bar and eyebrows of many, and that is something we can all expect to see continuing even after he leaves the world of mainstream media.
Being a young, aspiring political journalist, Novak’s memoir was both a sea of information and work of inspiration. With the severe liberal bias in the media, journalism is an intimidating field. If I could in my lifetime acquire a fraction of his experiences, his complete honesty, and his love of politics and media, I know I can have a meaningful and worthwhile career that will make a difference to both parties as Novak did. All readers - whether a long-time Novak-follower or a curious new admirer - will each get something unique and meaningful from Novak’s veracity and intellect expelled in “The Prince of Darkness.”