Bob Woodward
Legendary Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Journalist Author and Associate Editor, The Washington Post
Biography
Former CIA director and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wished he’d recruited Woodward into the CIA, “His ability to get people to talk about stuff they shouldn’t be talking about is just extraordinary and may be unique.”
Therein lays the genius of Bob Woodward – a journalistic icon who gained international attention when he and Carl Bernstein broke the deeply disturbing news of the Watergate scandal. The book they wrote – All the President’s Men – won a Pulitzer Prize.
Watergate’s theme of secret government is a common thread throughout Woodward’s career that spawned 18 books – all went on to become national bestsellers – 12 of them #1 – more than any other contemporary nonfiction author. In the process Woodward became the ultimate inside man. No one else in political investigative journalism has the clout, respect, and reputation of Woodward. He has a way of getting insiders to open up – both on the record and off the record – in ways that reveal an intimate yet sweeping portrayal of Washington and the budget wrangling, political infighting, how we fight wars, the price of politics, how presidents lead, the homeland security efforts, and so much more. His work is meticulous and draws on internal memos, classified documents, meeting notes and hundreds of hours of interviews with most of the key players, including the president.
As a speaker, Woodward pulls the curtain back on Washington and its leaders to captivate audiences with stories that are sometimes surprising, at times shocking, and always fascinating. He blends stories that are both up to the minute and from the past (to provide historical context). Woodward speaks as he writes – crisp and concise – and helps people get behind the spin to understand what’s really going on in the halls of power in an age of 24-hour news, social media, and snarky politics.
Professionally, Bob Woodward is currently associate editor for The Washington Post http://washingtonpost.com/ where he’s worked since 1971. He has won nearly every American journalism award, and the Post won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for his work with Carl Bernstein on the Watergate scandal. In addition, Woodward was the main reporter for the Post’s articles on the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks that won the National Affairs Pulitzer Prize in 2002. Woodward won the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency in 2003.
The Weekly Standard called Woodward “the best pure reporter of his generation, perhaps ever.” In 2003, Al Hunt of The Wall Street Journal called Woodward “the most celebrated journalist of our age.” In listing the all-time 100 best non-fiction books, Time magazine has called All the President’s Men, by Bernstein and Woodward, “Perhaps the most influential piece of journalism in history.”
Woodward has co-authored or authored twelve #1 national best-selling non-fiction books. They are: All the President’s Men (1974) and The Final Days (1976), both Watergate books, co-authored with Bernstein. The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court (1979) co-authored with Scott Armstrong, Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi (1984), Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA 1981-87 (1987), The Commanders (1991), The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House (1994), Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate (1999), Bush at War (2002), Plan of Attack (2004), State of Denial: Bush at War Part III (2006), and Obama’s Wars (2010). Woodward’s other national bestselling books: The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat (2005), The Choice (1996), Maestro: Greenspan’s Fed and the American Boom (2000), The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008) (2008), The Price of Politics (2012) and The Last of the President’s Men (2015). Newsweek magazine has excerpted six of Woodward’s books in headline-making cover stories; “60 Minutes” has done pieces on seven of his books; three of his books have been made into feature films.
In November, 2017, the online learning portal MasterClass released “Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism.” In it Woodward reveals the lessons he’s learned during his 45-year career, teaching students what truth means, how to uncover it, and how to build a story with it. (www.MasterClass.com/BW)
Woodward was born March 26, 1943 in Illinois. He graduated from Yale University in 1965 and served five years as a communications officer in the U.S. Navy before beginning his journalism career at the Montgomery County Sentinel (Maryland), where he was a reporter for one year before joining the Post.
Employability
Speaker
The STATE of the American Presidency
Everywhere legendary journalist Bob Woodward goes, he says people ask to know what’s really going on in Washington. Their questions fall into four categories: 1) The presidency: How is President Trump doing and surviving? How does Trump compare with the eight presidents – Nixon to Obama – that Woodward has reported on for The Washington Post and in his bestselling books? 2) The investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller: is it like Watergate or will it fade away like Reagan's Iran-Contra scandal? 3) Conflict: What is the likelihood of a new war? What are the goals with North Korea, in the Middle East, with the Islamic state, and on terrorism? Will there likely be a major escalation in one of the current conflicts? And 4) The economy: Is the American/global economy sound or are we headed for trouble? How is Trump’s America First agenda playing out with our allies and enemies around the globe?
In Woodward’s speeches, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning associate editor of the Post offers some well-reported answers to these questions that audiences won't learn from any other source. As he reported on previous presidents, for 46 years Woodward has immersed himself in their decision-making, scandals, wars, and economic policy like no other reporter. He is now leveraging a rich network of sources – applying his signature aggressive but fair and non-partisan reporting method for his next book on President Trump, his administration, and its many controversies. As with his 18 bestselling books – 12 of which have been #1 – Woodward will provide a behind-the-scenes examination of what's really going on and what it means.
In 2014, Robert Gates, former director of the CIA and secretary of defense, said of Woodward, “He has an extraordinary ability to get otherwise responsible adults to spill [their] guts to him . . . his ability to get people to talk about stuff they shouldn’t be talking about is just extraordinary and may be unique.” That is Woodward’s true gift and audiences at his speeches leave transfixed by what they’ve learned.
- With Carl Bernstein, Woodward uncovered the Watergate scandal
- Author, twelve #1 bestsellers – more than any contemporary nonfiction writer – 18 bestsellers in all
- Iconic investigative journalist; winner of nearly every American journalism award, including two Pulitzers
- Reporter-historian with an aggressive but fair and non-partisan reputation for digging deep to uncover Washington’s secrets. Gives audiences unvarnished look at Washington politics and leaders
- "Woodward has established himself as the best reporter of our time. He may be the best reporter of all time." – Bob Schieffer, CBS News Face the Nation
“Your presentation was outstanding. Your content was thoughtful, riveting and provocative. You deftly touched on the critical topics most on our investor’s minds.”
-Robert W. Baird & Co.
“Bob Woodward was terrific. He was extremely well received and had the audience hanging on his every word. We really appreciated his insights.”
-Vice President, Public Affairs, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU)
“As for Mr. Woodward’s performance, it was simply stellar. He held the sold-out crowd of 1,200 in his hand, hit all his press marks with grace, and handled the post-show meet and greet like a master.”
-Marketing Director, Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
“Bob did an excellent job, he was absolutely outstanding! Many have commented that his keynote was the best they have experienced.”
-Assistant Manager, Integrated Academic Content, American Marketing Association
“Thank you for joining us at the CoBank Board Dinner. Your perspective on the changing nature of the Presidency was very well received. To a person, every comment about the dinner, and your remarks in particular, was glowing. I am grateful for your contribution making it a wonderful evening. Your remarks were educational, timely and entertaining. In short, it was a perfect message for our dinner.”
-President and CEO, CoBank
“Bob Woodward was awwwwwsome. He spoke for 30 minutes and then sat down and we did a Q&A with our VP of Federal Affairs. He signed about 30 books for us and we had purchased some to sell as well. After his speech people lined up to say hello, get their photo taken and have books signed. I bet he was there for another 30 minutes. I really enjoyed him as I know others did, too.”
-Meetings & Events Planner CMP, Canadian Real Estate Association
“The evening was a resounding success, and Bob was just outstanding. What a nice and humble guy, too!”
-President, Public Policy Forum
“Bob Woodward was gracious, powerful, pithy, kind, fascinating, funny and just so wonderful.”
-Finance Compliance
“Yesterday was great! I think most people here appreciated the opportunity to spend a day with arguably the greatest investigative journalist of all time. Bob Woodward was very good with the kids, and his sense of humor kept the adults relaxed as well. We were all amazed at just how much Bob knows about the last few Presidents. My students had seen All the President's Men the night before so they had fun comparing Bob with a young Robert Redford.”
-Choate Rosemary Hall
“Bob Woodward’s format was perfect for engaging the audience. We filled the venue to its capacity!”
-Duke University
“Bob Woodward was so gracious with his time with our donors and guests and was a delight to be around. His remarks were smart, insightful, thought-provoking, witty, hilarious and portrayed the essences of our past presidents in his unique way. We've been fortunate to bring some influential, bright minds to Santa Barbara and Mr. Woodward definitely put us on the map for hosting quality conversations about things that matter.”
-Westmont College
“Bob Woodward was great! He was fascinating and he provided an interactive discussion. We were all thrilled!”
-New York Bankers Association
