Most Dangerous facts for kids
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| Author | Steve Sheinkin |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Roaring Brook Press |
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Publication date
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September 22, 2015 |
| Pages | 384 |
| ISBN | 9781596439528 |
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War is an exciting non-fiction book from 2015. It was written by Steve Sheinkin and published by Roaring Brook Press. This award-winning book tells the true story of Daniel Ellsberg and his important role during the Vietnam War. It focuses on the famous Pentagon Papers, which were secret government documents.
Contents
Exploring "Most Dangerous"
This book starts with a thrilling scene. Two members of a secret White House group, known as The Plumbers, are trying to break into a psychiatrist's office. Their goal is to find information about Daniel Ellsberg. They hope to ruin his reputation.
The Story of Daniel Ellsberg
Like other books by Sheinkin, Most Dangerous then goes back in time. It explains why the government would want to target Ellsberg. The book shows how Ellsberg first worked at the RAND Corporation. Later, he moved to work at The Pentagon.
During his time at the Pentagon, Ellsberg helped create the Pentagon Papers. These were a top-secret study of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. The papers revealed many things the public didn't know.
Ellsberg's Journey to Activism
As Ellsberg learned more from these secret documents, he became an anti-war advocate. This meant he believed the war was wrong and should end. He felt it was important for the American people to know the truth.
So, Ellsberg decided to share the Pentagon Papers with the public. He believed this information was too important to keep secret. The book explains how he managed to get these papers out.
Secrets of the White House
The book often shifts its focus from Ellsberg. It also tells readers what was happening inside the White House during the Vietnam War. It shows the decisions made by leaders and the challenges they faced. This helps readers understand the bigger picture of the war.
The Impact of the Pentagon Papers
The story ends with the legal battles that followed the release of the Pentagon Papers. These documents were printed by major newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post. The book covers the important court cases that decided if newspapers could publish these secrets. It also tells about the legal challenges Ellsberg faced for sharing the papers.
Awards and Recognition
Most Dangerous has received several important awards and honors:
- 2016 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction winner
- A 2015 National Book Award finalist
- A 2015 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon book
- A 2015 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature finalist
- Selected for the 2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List
