The Company (Ehrlichman novel)

"The Company" is a political fiction novel wrote by John Ehrlichman, a former close aide to President Richard Nixon and figure in the Watergate Scandal. This book was first published in 1976 by Simon & Schuster Inc.

Although all characters are fictional, the plot is mainly based on the breakup of the Watergate Scandal and Nixon administration and illegal Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) activity. Many characters are based on the real-life persons.

ynopsis

The main character of book is CIA Director William "Bill" Martin, a longtime Agency agent. Martin is appointed by US Democratic Party President Esker Scott Anderson, who, as the Vice President succeeds his predecessor, William Curry, who dies in the plane crash.

Martin has a very strong ties to Anderson, dating from he was a lower-level agent, and Anderson was a highly powerful Senator.

As Deputy Director, Martin was responsible for planning undercover operation of invasion of Dominicana by the emmigres trained and supported by the U.S. However, President Curry, who worried about consequences, decided to kill a priest, who was a leader of this movement in order to failure of operation.

CIA Inspector General, Major-General Antonio Primula wrote the report about invasion, blaming Martin, CIA Director Horace McFall and, in part, President himself for this fiasco and recommended to fired both Director and his deputy.

However, Curry was killed soon in the plane crash. Anderson take office and appointed Martin as a CIA head. Martin was very loyal, in order to kept this report in secret, to Anderson.

Anderson, during his second term, was seriously ill and declined to run again, leaving his Vice President Ed Gilley as a nominee. Martin, despite formal obligation, worked hard to help Gilley get elected. However, Republican nominee Richard Monckton defeated Vice President. Monckton, a longtime political enemy of Curry and his people, such as Martin, was seen by Martin as a great threat for Agency and him. Monckton wanted to fire all people from old administration.

But Martin retained his position, mainly because of support of Carl Tessler, a former foreign affairs aide to Governor Thomas J. Forville, whom Monckton defeated in the GOP primaries and who became his National Security Advisor.

Martin position in the new administration wasn't strong, but he discovered illegal practices of administration (resembled Watergate) and used his knowledge to make deal with President - Mockton must destroy Primula Report and give Martin an ambassador post in Jamaica in order to save his career and reputation. On his side, Martin promised, he will not use this material against Mockton.

Real life inspirations

* President Richard "Dick" Monckton of Illinois - President Richard Nixon of California
* President William Arthur "Bill" Curry of New York - President John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts
* President Esker Scott "ESA" Anderson of Oregon - President Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas
* Vice President Edward Miller "Ed" Gilley of Pennsylvania - Vice President Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota
* Governor Thomas J. Froville of New Jersey - Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York
* National Security Advisor Dr. Carl Tessler - National Security Advisor Dr. Henry Kissinger
* President's Monckton Aide Frank Flanerthy - White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman
* FBI Director Elmer Morse - FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover