A new book being published by the University Press of Kansas on the reasons why the man known as “Deep Throat” helped newspaper reporters in the Watergate case caught the attention of John Dean, a former White House counsel who served President Richard Nixon.

A new book by author Max Holland on the Watergate scandal is winning accolades from John Dean, former White House counsel for President Nixon. The book, Leak:

Dean was charged with obstruction of justice and spent four months in prison for his role in the Watergate cover-up. He was asked by the publisher to read the manuscript and wrote in an online article that he thought the author, Max Holland, successfully navigated the vast historical record.

“Holland’s narrowed focus then enabled him to deal with this massive record,” Dean wrote. “By seeking the assistance of others who know this record well, he was able to be certain he had found virtually all of the available material that was relevant to his inquiry.”

Max Holland’s book, “Leak: Why Mark Felt Became Deep Throat,” seeks to answer that question.

Michael Briggs, editor-in-chief at the University Press in Lawrence, edited the book. The short answer, Briggs said, is that Felt was upset he was not immediately chosen for the FBI director’s position after J. Edgar Hoover died.

Briggs said the press is designed to serve the state universities in Kansas, but it looks all over to find authors and topics in its areas of specialization.

“We recruit nationwide” for authors and book ideas, Briggs said.

The press has taken a special interest in the topics of American politics, American history and military studies, Briggs said.

For that reason, the press took an interest in Holland, an independent scholar and journalist, and his project, he said. Holland, who had initially been working with a commercial publisher for the work, took an interest in the press because of its previous books on Watergate, Briggs said.

“I’m really proud of the book,” Briggs said.