The Most Dangerous Man in America

Library Patron Howard Horne eagerly wanted to view the film The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers at the since he vividly remembers the critical events when they first took place.

"I remembered when it happened and they didn't know at first who leaked the information," Horne said. "But once they found out that it was Daniel Ellsberg, they treated him badly for telling the truth about the Vietnam War. The Pentagon papers were printed in the New York Times. It was a big story. This story parallels Wikileaks."

That is exactly why Readers’ Services Librarian Lisa Jones decided the movie needed to be seen by library patrons. “I chose this movie because the timing is right especially with Wikileaks happening,” Jones said.

Wikileaks is an international organization that publishes submissions of private and classified media from anonymous sources.

“I thought it was great that this movie was made for people to see and better understand what happened with Daniel Ellsberg,” Jones said.

A documentary narrated by Ellsberg - a former United States military analyst, The Most Dangerous Man is enlightening, thought provoking and courageous. Standing up for what’s right, Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers exposing the truth about the Vietnam War. The documents showed how the Pentagon and White House lied about the Vietnam War at the expense of many lives. He sent the official documents to the New York Times to be printed.

The film is told in detail by Ellsberg’s wife Patricia, activists, journalists and audiotapes were played of President Nixon’s voice telling his many lies which often included expletive language.

After watching the film, patrons were encouraged to discuss the film and several were eager to speak about the many untruths the country told them during that time.

Barbara Greenberg of Syosset sympathized with Ellsberg decision to expose the facts.

"It was such an earthshaking event at the time. It was scandalous that this person, Daniel Ellsberg was persecuted for telling the truth. It was astounding that Presidents and the government had lied to the public," Greenberg said.

An absolute must see, The Most Dangerous Man in America DVD is now available at the library.

For more information about free programs at the library, call 516 921-7161 or visit www.syossetlibrary.org. Reservations are required.