Featured Author: John Fitzgerald

"I couldn’t understand why Nixon didn’t burn the tapes." That question prompted John Fitzgerald to research the "Watergate mess" and ultimately write Watergate Amendment. This political thriller will leave you with one question: Is it true? In this historical fiction novel, John examines the coincidental passing of the 25th Amendment that sheds new light on the Watergate scandal.

About the book:

Richard Nixon. America’s sole president to resign from office. His decision stemmed from the scandal that involved breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. Although the scandal rocked the American public, while there was a huge outrage regarding the scandal itself, few have delved into the events surrounding the 25th Amendment and Nixon’s close relationship with Nelson Rockefeller.

Except for author John Fitzgerald, that is. After conducting intense research, Fitzgerald’s book, Watergate Amendment takes a closer look at the events surrounding Nixon and Rockefeller’s friendly relationship, especially in correlation to Rockefeller’s coincidental vice presidency. Focusing on the 25th Amendment that enabled a vice-president to take temporary office, Fitzgerald weaves a convincing conspiracy theory. The plot surrounds the story of Jude Thaddeus, a patient that has been hidden away in a mental institution for years. But Jude’s former life is soon revealed to have been that of a mastermind behind the events surrounding Watergate and the 25th Amendment. The resultant mystery behind the 25th Amendment unfurls itself so convincingly that you’ll have to ask yourself whether the story is indeed fact or fiction.

Major themes in the book include:

• An in-depth look at what Rockefeller would gain from the 25th Amendment

• Questioning the events surrounding Nixon’s resignation

• Manipulated elections

• Political conspiracy

• Attempting to answer some of the unanswered involved in the Watergate scandal

Based on years of research, this political thriller will have you questioning the events surrounding Nixon, Rockefeller, and the 25th Amendment.

Interview with John Fitzgerald

John, Watergate Amendment is your second published book. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I have been writing over ten years.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

Jude Thaddeus.

What would your main character say about you?

A very interesting character.

No pun intended, right? Are any of your characters inspired by real people? Who?

David Young, who worked at the White House.

One of your characters has just found out you’re about to kill him off. He/she decides to beat you to the punch. How would he kill you?

He would kill me off and make it look like suicide.

He sounds ruthless. If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?

Jude Thaddeus.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

Gala

With what five real people would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

Richard Nixon, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

The opening, when Jude tries to sell Nelson Rockefeller on the idea of making him president of the United States.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

"To Dream the Impossible Dream."

Who are your favorite authors?

Thomas Wolf, Allan W. Eckert , Ken Follett, and Ron Chernow. 

You get to decide who would read your audiobook. Who would you choose?

Scott Brick.

I love him! What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

Sarum...e-book.

Do you have a routine for writing?

Early each morning.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

In my office.

Where’s home for you?

Cincinnati, Ohio.

We're practically neighbors! If you could only keep one book, what would it be?

Witness by Whittaker Chambers.

You’re leaving your country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?

Steak...at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Oh my, yes. Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?

Abington Library...I wrote a book there.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I wanted the book to be read in my lifetime.

Are you happy with your decision to self-publish?

I am happy with my decision to self-publish. It took a lot of work and some money, but I like the finished product.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“I hired some to do the editing. I was able to pull off one of the greatest chess maneuvers and changed history: it was so well crafted no one realized what happened.”

What’s your favorite candy bar? And don’t tell me you don’t have one!

O’Henry.

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

Winds of War, Washington’s Crossing, Frozen in Time.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Kayaking, gardening and bicycling. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Oregonia, Ohio.

What are you working on now?

On a book about coal mining.

About the author:

John Fitzgerald spent 20 years researching and doing work on Watergate Amendment. He served as a paratrooper in Vietnam and then worked in manufacturing and marketing in the plastics industry, including munitions for the U.S. Navy. He has published another book, Thanksgiving Breakfast, and is currently writing a third historical novel. He currently resides in Oregonia, Ohio with his wife.

“I have spent 20 years researching and doing work on this book,” says Fitzgerald, “and it shows a different view of the events that happened surrounding the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. I take into consideration the one who benefited most from the Watergate affair and the 25th Amendment, Nelson Rockefeller. If you follow the money, the story makes sense.”

For more information on Watergate Amendment, please visit watergateamendment.com.

Watergate Amendment is available in paperback and ebook at Amazon.com.