The Investigator

Fifty Years of Uncovering the Truth

By: Terry Lenzner

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

“A time capsule of adventuresome sleuthing [that] traces the contours of U. S. political history.” (The Washington Post)

The Los Angeles Times once called Terry Lenzner “one of the most powerful and dreaded private investigators in the world”. Since graduating from Harvard Law School, Lenzner has investigated the infamous murder of three civil rights workers who inspired Mississippi Burning, prosecuted organized crime in New York, followed the money trail that led to the Watergate burglary, helped identify the Unabomber, investigated the circumstances of Princess Diana’s death, and worked with President Clinton’s defense team during the impeachment hearings.

In The Investigator, Lenzner reflects upon his remarkable 50-year career, sharing anecdotes of scandal and intrigue, lessons in investigative methods, and an eye-opening behind-the-scenes look at some of the most talked-about media stories and events of our time. 

©2013 Terry Lenzer (P)2013 Penguin Group

Critic Reviews

"Finally a real private eye tells how it's done. And this investigator - Terry Lenzner - plied his craft at the highest levels of power: from Nixon and Watergate and Howard Hughes, to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, John Kerry and the Swift Boaters, Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. A fascinating work of history, absorbing and fun to read." (Lesley Stahl)

"I stayed up until the wee hours reading this fascinating book. Lenzner played an important behind-the-scenes role in most of the great dramas of the second half of the 20th Century, from Selma to Watergate to the CIA hearings to the Clinton impeachment. He's a great storyteller and shrewd judge of character who tells us - finally - where so many of the important bodies are buried." (Jonathan Alter, author of The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies) 

"Terry Lenzner's is an exemplary life of brilliance, pragmatism and derring-do. His memoir reveals an astonishing involvement in every sector of US life from Big Oil to High Art. An absorbing account of dedicated public service, cunning intrigue and Beltway politics." (Monroe E. Price, Director, Center for Global Communications Studies Annenberg School for Communication)

Interesting, but too much self promotion

Terry Lenzner, like Forrest Gump, appears to have witnessed and played a role in most major events in US history between 1960s and 2000s. There is some interesting detail in his narrative, but is too self-promotional at times.

Inside look at some major events

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if that friend were interested in learning more about some of the most important and fascinating events of our times.

Any additional comments?

Terry Lenzner had a knack for being there to investigate many major events. Some great insights into what happened and why it did can be found here.

Mis-titled and Misrepresented

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Family members and proteges of the author might enjoy this biography. The author uses this book to recount and reflect on how he was influenced by his environment, his parents, his mentors and the VIPs he's interacted with along the way.

What could Terry Lenzner have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I anxiously purchased the book because the marketing portrayed it as a reflection of how the author learned, experienced, and executed investigative procedures in very important cases. I expected to learn how the author/investigator navigated through various obstacles (politics, difficult people, circumstances, and the law) to successfully complete investigations.

It would have been more valuable to me if the author focused more on the specifics and challenges of each case, rather than what the outcomes meant for him.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of George Guidall?

No one else. He's always an excellent story teller.

What character would you cut from The Investigator?

Any of the characters--if their exclusions provided an opportunity for the author to elaborate in detail about how he managed, confronted, and overcame particular investigative problems.

Any additional comments?

No.

Enlightening

If you could sum up The Investigator in three words, what would they be?

Informative, interesting, wanting

Would you be willing to try another book from Terry Lenzner? Why or why not?

Yes...He has a fascinating background with exposure to many memorable events.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

He can make any book rise to an occasion it was not destined for.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The second half of the book was more moving and interesting than the first half. In retrospect Terry's earlier career gave him the background for the second half of his career.