Barbara Walters' sexual revelation fails to address the rest of the story

Washington, DC -- Barbara Walters' disclosure in her memoir about a 1970s affair with then U.S. Senator Edward Brooke may be an incomplete accounting of her resourcefulness as a journalist, although she said in her interview on Oprah on Tuesday, May 6, that she told all, "the good times and the difficult times."

The ABC television journalist did not reveal the circumstances around how she obtained an exclusive interview with Israel's Minister of Defense Ezer Weizman during the Camp David negotiations in 1978, according to a newly released book.

The Walters interview - and associated rumors - are disclosed in Clash of the Gods, an international thriller based in part on real people, contemporary and historical events, and actual espionage operations, written by two Washington, DC insiders with backgrounds in international affairs.

A passage in the novel reads:

"…the rumor is that Barbara said she would do 'anything' for the story. So someone approached Ezer Weizman, the Israeli minister of defense, and said that Ms. Walters said she would do 'anything' for the story. Apparently Mr. Weizman asked, 'Anything?'"

"Well, to make a seamy story short, when Barbara went to a cocktail party in Washington with the Israeli VIPs she was told to stick around after the party was over. She ended up with an interview in a hotel room, all night long, with the Israeli minister of defense."

Co-author Jonathan Slevin stated, "Clash of the Gods is replete with information about real-life operations and major actors on the modern world stage. The novel discloses operations by various intelligence services, and provides a look inside the propaganda machines of nations. Such details are due to our knowledge, awareness, and relationships."

"The passages in Clash of the Gods regarding the circumstances surrounding Ms. Walters' exclusive interview with Mr. Weizman have become part of the lore of successful Israeli propaganda efforts…and are documented. Contemporary Israeli and American accounts were shared in confidence, by witnesses who are still alive," Slevin said.

"Ms. Walters' was understandably eager to scoop the other reporters about the details of the Camp David negotiations with Yassir Arafat during a news blackout. The Israelis for their part were equally eager to put their own spin on the historic events. Presumably, both parties achieved their objectives."

When Ezer Weizman became president of Israel, Barbara Walters received an honorary doctorate degree from Ben-Gurion University.