What is the author's tone in the nonfiction book, Most Dangerous?

This book is about a complicated piece of history that occurred decades ago. It is written for the young adult and for that reason it is presented with clarity and the lack of too many details that would get in the way of the core story. Most people, even young students, have heard of the Vietnam War. Not as many of these people have heard of the Pentagon Papers and if they did, they may not understand their importance.

When the story of Edward Snowden and his leaking of information about NSA spying on the email and conversations of unsuspected Americans, many recalled the story of Daniel Ellsberg and his leaking of the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times and subsequently to many other media organizations. Ellsberg was adamant that his action was vastly different from Snowden’s in that the leaking of the Pentagon Papers did not harm America it provided the truth about the Vietnam War to Americans. In Snowden’s case, intelligence experts and analysts believe that his actions placed America at risk and damaged its national security and intelligence capabilities. There is brief mention of the Snowden incident in an epilogue that follows the book.

Author Sheinkin provided a narrative that relies on facts as he found them and not on emotions or biases. His account of Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers will enlighten youthful readers about a dark time in America’s history and the man who tried to end a war. The author allows the readers to decide whether Ellsberg is traitor or patriot.