Truth and Consequence

From the legendary Pentagon Papers whistleblower and author of The Doomsday Machine—a posthumous collection of Daniel Ellsberg’s courageous writings that paint a portrait of his life, work, and most deeply held beliefs, edited by his son Michael Ellsberg and Jan R. Thomas.

When Daniel Ellsberg passed away in 2023 at the age of 92, his lifelong commitment to nuclear disarmament and truth-telling at the highest levels of government enshrined him as one of the most courageous patriots America has ever seen. From his role in leaking the Pentagon Papers in 1971, for which he was charged with multiple felonies under the Espionage Act, to his anti-war activism and writings in the decades following, his effects on American nuclear policy, peacemaking efforts, and information politics cannot be overstated. Yet the principles he stood on remain, more urgent than ever, as deadly wars break out and political unrest throws into question the authority of democracy and governments across the world.

In this posthumous collection of writings, including autobiographical and personal essays, manifestos, and reportage, Daniel Ellsberg’s life and ideas come into view, cementing him as one of the most heroic champions of truth in American history and reminding us of the bedrock convictions we must continue to uphold in his wake: freedom, integrity, and, above all, truth.

Author Biography

Daniel Ellsberg, the iconic whistleblower known for leaking the Pentagon Papers in 1971, was the author of The Doomsday Machine and Secrets. A lecturer, scholar, writer, activist, and truth teller, he robustly communicated his lifelong concerns about the dangers of nuclear weapons and wars of intervention until his death in 2023.

Michael Ellsberg, Daniel’s son, is the author of three previous books. His writing has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time, and more. He lives in Berkeley, CA.

Jan R. Thomas was Daniel Ellsberg’s longtime assistant. In preparing Ellsberg’s papers for the UMass Amherst Archives, she recognized the importance of his unpublished notebooks, which became the impetus for this book. Jan lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.