On June 13, 1971, the New York Times announced that a secret history of the Vietnam War existed. Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the documents, was soon called "the most dangerous man in America.".

Part I: Insider -- Cold warrior -- Day one -- Hostile action -- Welcome Americans -- Wider war -- Patricia -- Limited operations -- Diving board -- Kill ratio -- Escalation -- Break-up -- Making progress -- Search and destroy -- Lasting impression -- Part II: Secrets and lies -- Credibility gap -- The power of leaks -- Low point -- Madman theory -- The Pentagon Papers -- Whole vote -- Night work -- Troublemaker -- Behind the mask -- Bridges burned -- War room -- A matter of patriotism -- Part III: Outsider -- Slow build -- Mr. Boston -- Underground -- Arrest -- Fame -- The plumbers -- Bag job -- Consequences -- Preposterous -- Peace with honor? -- Bizarre events -- Painful truth -- Epilogue: History repeats.