Just do the work

What I learned from Bob Woodward. Also, an embarrassing apology at Northwestern University, and 7 other things worth reading today.

When I was in 7th or 8th grade in the mid-1980s, I read All the President’s Men at least a half a dozen times.

(I’m talking about the book by legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the Watergate investigation—but we all know that, right?)

I was really into it. I watched the 1976 film starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman over and over, too, borrowing a VHS tape from the library in my hometown in Rhode Island.

Fast forward 20 years, wind your way through a truly bizarre chain of events (I’ll tell the story when I have more time one day)—and I wound up working as Woodward’s lead reporting assistant from 2005 to 2007.

Today’s story is mainly about what I learned from him.

I’m Bill Murphy Jr. Welcome to Understandably. Thanks for reading.

Trying a new thing today: putting this little blurb about what you’re reading a little lower. “Why not change it up?” I say. If you’re new here, why not add your email address below? 

The big secret

It was only a few wee…