The following quote sets the context for this remarkable book. “It is a point of urgency for Americans to understand what the FBI really does, and why it matters so that the citizens of this country can join together for the common good. To protect our common interests and our common concerns against very real and rising threats by those in foreign governments, and in our own, who intend to unravel the rule of law in the United States.”
The intended audience for this book is ordinary American citizens who serve their communities and make up the backbone of institutions of every kind. Those who believe in due process, the vital importance of facts and standing up for what they believe in will most benefit from reading this book.
The two most significant lessons/benefits the reader will gain from reading this book is first, a clear and concise understanding (and perhaps unprecedented) of how the FBI operates. McCabe’s words, “The FBI’s core values—rigorous obedience to the Constitution, fairness, respect for those we protect, compassion, uncompromising personal integrity and institutional integrity, exemplary leadership, accountability, and embracing diversity—take their form and power not only from guidelines and procedures but through an animating culture, something that exists in the soul.”
And second, the dissembled circumstances surrounding the chaotic attack on the rule of law by Donald Trump. McCabe writes, “I am not aware of another president who has weighed in against ongoing criminal prosecutions in the overt, hostile, and unrelenting way that President Trump has.”
Reading this book gives a thoughtful person the benefit of clarity from a person who believes in process decision-making that is impossible to gain from the media of any persuasion. I quote: “There are so many news outlets now, and the competition for clicks is so intense, that any sufficiently outrageous statement made online by anyone with even the faintest patina of authority, and sometimes even without it, will be talked about, shared, and reported on, regardless of whether it has a basis in fact.”
The writing style of the author is engaging and clear. Reading the book feels like a brilliant, patriotic, and caring person is talking directly to you.
The book was just the right length. I never grew bored, and it was enjoyable and arresting to the end. The author stays on topic and never wavers.
I feel that McCabe writes credibly and transparently from wrenching personal experience. I would have preferred more details as the book drew to a close, but McCabe is unable to do so due to an ongoing lawsuit.
His book is similar to James Comey’s "A Higher Loyalty" in that it details many of the same events —but McCabe’s viewpoint is different enough to be riveting and fresh. The author’s ability to lay out the facts in a far more straightforward way than we have learned them through the media lends this book a unique power and influence.
I cannot recommend this book more highly to those who imagine a future in which we have righted the ship of democracy. And who believes that the effort of the authoritarian Trump White House to politicize everything — could cost our country dearly.
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Andrew McCabe‘s strong moral compass and commitment to service.
This is an excellent book about the life of a brilliant and methodical FBI leader. Because of the book’s high profile, some readers may be tempted to read only the last half, which mostly deals with the Trump Administration. This approach would be a mistake since McCabe’s early career in the FBI is varied and interesting. It is well worth reading this book from start to finish.McCabe was drawn to the FBI by his interest in a life of service and commitment to the United States.After leaving a high-paying legal job to join the FBI in the mid-1990s, McCabe quickly became involved with efforts to counter Russian organized crime in the United States. He struggled against a component of the so-called “thieves in law” Russian criminal network which was becoming a major problem by the 1990s. After the 9/11 strikes, he then moved on to dealing with terrorist problems in both the United States and the United Kingdom, eventually rising to lead the FBI’s Counterterrorist Division. As part of his varied career, he also led the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and organized an inter-agency unit to interrogate terror suspects. Throughout his discussion of these assignments, McCabe is often able to discuss the principles that have become important to FBI operations in a knowledgeable and interesting way.The more well-known part of this book, of course, deals with McCabe‘s turbulent relationship with the Trump Administration. According to McCabe, “Like former Attorney General Sessions, President Trump appears not to be paying attention, or not to care, or not to trust the intelligence community“ (p 134). He gives some key examples of this problem including one important briefing where ”the president talked nonstop” (p. 136) on unrelated topics and showed no interest in the actual briefing materials. The briefer was effectively sidelined in this encounter and no information was conveyed to the president.The author also states that Trump demanded, “loyalty pledges to him personally” from McCabe as well as FBI Director Jim Comey. (p. 137). These pledges were never given by either man, and over time McCabe assumed that he would be fired. This termination of his FBI career occurred 26 hours before he became eligible for retirement benefits. Throughout the book, McCabe‘s professionalism and integrity is clearly on display. So long as the FBI has agents like him protecting this country, we can all sleep a little easier.
Top reviews from other countries
bill mullen, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Excellent information from the former head of the FBI.
Reviewed in Canada on January 9, 2024
Kovács
Astonishing and inspiring at the same time
Reviewed in the Netherlands on October 28, 2019
M Clark
An inside look at the evolving organization of the FBI as well as his views on Trump
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2019