Customer Reviews

John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI (Kaplan John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI)

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3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you want the history of the FBI you might be satisfied with this book, but for a career guide it's a big disappointment. Federal law enforcement aspirants need to know that the FBI isn't the only game in town, and that it's nearly impossible to compete with the countless thousands who apply each year. An outstanding book that covers 225 careers with more than 130 agencies - including the FBI - is "Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement" by Thomas H. Ackerman. This book not only has details on FBI Special Agents, but also on FBI Fingerprint Examiners, Intelligence Specialists, Biologists, Chemists, Forensic Specialists, Document Analysts, and others. Ackerman even includes details on FBI Police Officers, who patrol the FBI Academy and Headquarters building, a position many job-seekers don't know exists. Most important, Ackerman's book covers prestigious careers with more than 130 other agencies that are virtually unknown to most job-seekers. If you need details on the history of the FBI and major cases solved, I recommend "The FBI" by Ronald Kessler. If you really want to serve in federal law enforcement as a special agent, police officer, intelligence specialist, communications technician, corrections officer, or in some other capacity, I recommend Ackerman's book.

I've read many books written about the FBI, but this doesn't impress me at all. For a John Douglas book, this is very disappointing. It gives you the basic knowledge that one might need to know for writing a paper on the topic but by no means is it worth the price. I've been able to obtain the same information that is in the book from official FBI publications including recruiting material and information found in the government section at your local library. I recommend "The FBI" by Ronald Kessler, not only does it tell you the entrance requirements for FBI Special Agents but also great stories about past cases and life at the FBI Academy. If you have money to burn than buy "The FBI". Otherwise just go to your closest FBI field office at talk with the Recruit Coordinator; he or she should be able to answer any questions you might have plus give you the material that you'll need.

I found the book informative in regards to history and examples from former and current agents. However, it did not prepare me for the application process. I actually think it hindered me, in that, I went into certain phases of the process with preconceived notions of what to expect. My expectations were WRONG. I did make it to Phase II before I floundered in the Bureau's eyes. I wish I had found something more informative in detail regarding each phase of the selection process.

If one knows absolutely nothing about the FBI, this book is a fairly good place to start. But for those who have done a little research, this book covers old ground.

The bulk of the text consists of a historical sketch of the Bureau interspersed with anecdotes on various career paths -- paths limited almost exclusively to special agents. The history is pedestrian. Douglas gives only the basics (which are available elsewhere in far better detail) with a leavening of major cases.

The anecdotes are perhaps more valuable for those considering a career at the Bureau. Want to know how a criminal profiler got his start? Read Greg Cooper's story. Interested in civil rights? Douglas on Frank Watts might be useful. Taken together, these anecdotes provide a passable sketch of life as a special agent. It is not all cloak and dagger. Douglas makes clear that method and hard work solve cases. That, if anything, is the lesson of the book.

But this book is not marketed as a guide to the history of the Bureau. Rather, it is a guide to careers within the FBI. On this score, Douglas's book is a profound disappointment. The overwhelming focus is on special agents. A few pages are given to the support staff, but that information is culled directly from FBI publications.

As for the application process, again, Douglas draws upon free publications. The Bureau pamphlet "FBI Special Agent Selection Process" offers the same information (including the same sample test questions!) in a more accessible format, and is free upon request at any field office. Is the book's price worth advice such as "[don't] be tempted to fudge your answers" (p. 225)? Hardly.

If you are dead-set on a career at the FBI, you will probably buy this book -- if only to have at your disposal every scrap of written information. If your interest is more exploratory, save your money and get the free publications.

I agree with "sackrtaters" review 100 percent that Douglas' book is a big disappointment. Not only is it geared exclusively to special agent careers, it doesn't provide much useful information and discussion on the hiring process is out of date. "FBI Careers," by Thomas H. Ackerman, is up to date and MUCH more in-depth. It covers special agent careers and the hiring process at length, and also includes info on about 20 other FBI positions and their application processes. Ackerman's book also has great advice on filling out application forms, taking the exams, and passing the interviews. I also recommend "The FBI: A Comprehensive Reference Guide," by Athan Theoharis, for a great overview of the agency and its functions. The Theoharis book is an excellent reference for info on the history and organization of the FBI.

This book serves a good purpose by giving the reader a general history of the FBI and some war stories of some agents. But the title is MISLEADING. Fully 2/3 of this book have nothing to do with a guide to employment with the FBI. The 1/3 which does deal with this subject is almost taken verbatim from the FBI's employment website and consists of generalized statements. Not too much help here.

John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI is geared more toward curious middle school students than adults who want to work for a federal law enforcement agency. Besides, 100 percent of the content of the book is available from any criminal justice career counselor or professor at any college in America.

I bought this one, as well as Ackerman's book. If you're hoping for those little tidbits of inside information to give you a leg up, forget about it. These authors came from the same tight-lipped establishment you're trying to get into, and they're not about to offer any more than is offered on [line]. The Douglas book has no more than 12 pages dedicated to the application/selection process and it's straight from the FBI Web site. If you buy one, I suggest the Ackerman book as it assumes you're already past the "I'm in high school, so what's this FBI thingy" stage. It actually has some very interesting information on what to expect after applying, as well as outlines of the different organizations within, e.g. FBI Scuba Team.

The title implies multiple careers in the FBI. I was not interested in the special agent process or position and was disappointed to receive information on only the special agent career. This is not a guide to careers in the FBI. It is a guide to A special agent CAREER in the FBI.

I found this book suitably informative and somewhat inspiring. It met my needs to inform me of the nature of competition that exists with Bureau recruitment and gives me the opportunity to prepare for my application. Being a sophomore in highschool, hardly anyone believes that I am so committed about my career with the FBI, but this book allows me to sound knowledgeable and educated about the path which I intend to follow. I also found the anecdotes inspiring, albeit intimidating. I hope that with the help of this book's advice, I can make it!