In 1974, a White House transcriber is thrust into the Watergate scandal when she obtains the only copy of the infamous 18 1/2 minute gap in Nixon's tapes.

The 72 columns selected here by editor Dan Barry, more than half of which have not been reprinted since initial publication, reveal Breslin at his best, addressing stories of national and global importance but more often uncovering tales of ordinary New Yorkers, by turns tragic or absurd but always gripping to read. Gathered here are the highlights of his consummate deadline artistry: his celebrated interview with the man who dug the grave for John...