Most Dangerous

Most Dangerous follows Daniel Ellsberg's transformation from Pentagon insider to whistleblower during the Vietnam War era. The narrative tracks his path from the RAND Corporation to the Pentagon, where he gained access to classified documents that would become known as the Pentagon Papers. The book details the political climate of the 1960s and early 1970s, documenting the decisions made by multiple U.S. presidents regarding Vietnam. It explains how Ellsberg's growing doubts about the war led him to take actions that would put him at odds with the highest levels of government. The story includes the legal battles over the publication of classified information in major newspapers and Ellsberg's subsequent trial for espionage. The events unfold against the backdrop of an increasingly divisive war and a nation grappling with questions of government transparency. Through this true account of the Pentagon Papers scandal, the book explores enduring questions about patriotism, conscience, and the balance between government secrecy and the public's right to know.

Readers describe Most Dangerous as a gripping account of the Pentagon Papers that reads like a spy thriller while maintaining historical accuracy. Teachers and librarians report strong student engagement with the complex political material. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of the Vietnam War's progression - Daniel Ellsberg's transformation from hawk to whistleblower - Primary source documents and photographs - Parallel structure between 1970s events and modern whistleblower cases Common criticisms: - First third moves slowly before picking up pace - Some found the political details overwhelming - A few noted pro-Ellsberg bias in the narrative Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 "This book made me understand why people protested the war," wrote one student reviewer. Another reader noted: "The complexity of government decisions during wartime comes through without losing the human element."

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🔸 The Pentagon Papers, which Daniel Ellsberg leaked, consisted of 7,000 pages of classified documents, which he and his family photocopied page by page over many nights. 🔸 Author Steve Sheinkin began his career writing textbooks, but quit to write engaging historical narratives after becoming frustrated with how boring traditional textbooks were. 🔸 Daniel Ellsberg faced a potential 115-year prison sentence for his role in leaking the Pentagon Papers, but all charges were eventually dismissed due to governmental misconduct. 🔸 The book won the 2015 National Book Award finalist recognition, the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, and was named a Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Honor Book. 🔸 The story intersects with major historical figures including Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Robert McNamara, revealing how their private conversations about Vietnam differed dramatically from their public statements.