Synopsis
Integrity: Good People, Bad Choices, and Life Lessons from the White House by Egil "Bud" Krogh, co-authored with his son Matthew Krogh, is a memoir that delves into Krogh’s experiences as a young Nixon administration official who became entangled in the infamous Watergate scandal, specifically through his role in the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), better known as the "Plumbers." The narrative begins in 1971 when Krogh, a 31-year-old White House deputy counsel, is summoned to a clandestine meeting with John Ehrlichman, his mentor and a key confidant of President Richard Nixon. Expecting to discuss a drug control program tied to his recent work in South Vietnam, Krogh is instead tasked with leading the SIU, a secret unit created to investigate leaks of classified government documents, particularly the Pentagon Papers, which Nixon deemed a critical threat to national security. The book recounts how Krogh, a studious and loyal lawyer with a strong sense of patriotism, was unexpectedly thrust into a role that would lead to one of the most notorious political conspiracies in American history, ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Nixon presidency.
The memoir focuses less on the broader Watergate scandal and more on the specific events surrounding the SIU’s formation and its most infamous act: the 1971 break-in at the office of Dr. Lewis Fielding, the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers. Krogh, one of three SIU leaders alongside E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, provides an insider’s perspective on the motivations and decisions that led to this illegal operation. He reflects on how his loyalty to Nixon and the administration’s "ends justify the means" mentality clouded his judgment, leading him to approve the break-in without fully questioning its legality or morality. Krogh’s narrative explores the ethical failures that stemmed from a breakdown of integrity, not only within himself but among other well-intentioned individuals caught up in the pressures of political power. His account is both a personal confession and a broader commentary on how good people can make catastrophic choices when integrity is compromised, drawing parallels to contemporary political scandals and emphasizing the timeless relevance of his story.
Krogh’s journey takes a redemptive turn as he recounts the consequences of his actions. In 1973, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate Fielding’s civil rights, accepting responsibility without seeking leniency, unlike many of his colleagues who maintained their innocence. Sentenced to six years in prison but serving only four-and-a-half months, Krogh faced disbarment and public disgrace. The book details his path to redemption, including his efforts to rebuild his reputation by resuming his law practice and becoming a Senior Fellow on Ethics and Leadership at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. A pivotal moment in his moral reckoning came during a trip to Williamsburg, where he decided to turn himself in, a decision that shaped his lifelong commitment to ethical leadership. Krogh introduces his "Integrity Zone" model, a framework for decision-making that asks three critical questions—Is it whole and complete? Is it right? Is it good?—to guide individuals toward choices grounded in integrity rather than convenience.
The memoir also weaves in personal reflections on Krogh’s upbringing and values, which made his fall from grace particularly jarring. Raised in a moral family with Christian values and a strong sense of patriotism, Krogh’s early career was marked by rapid success, including serving as a Navy officer and working as a staff assistant to the president by age 29. Yet, these same values made his involvement in the Plumbers’ activities a profound betrayal of his principles. The book highlights his eventual reconciliation with Daniel Ellsberg, who wrote the foreword and called Krogh a friend, underscoring Krogh’s transformation into a man of integrity. Through vivid storytelling and introspective analysis, Integrity offers a gripping account of the Nixon White House, a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power, and an inspiring story of personal redemption. It appeals to readers interested in political history, true crime, and the ethical challenges of leadership, culminating in a powerful reminder that learning from past mistakes is crucial to avoiding their repetition.