Prelude to Danger [Hardcover]

William D Sample (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2009

Prelude to Danger (Revisited) Plot Breakdown

Special Agent Gene Carey launched his adventure career with the U.S Secret Service early in his life. This novel begins with a carefully calculated counter sniper training exercise of the ordeal of a counter sniper attempting to prevent an assassination attempt on the President of the United States. It is followed by an assignment to deal with a very short time frame to set-up a USSS Command Center for the first national major event after 9/11 which happens to be the NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans. Trouble and many surprises seem to follow him through his short time experience in New Orleans, but he somehow manages to prevent any significant security breaches. After New Orleans, he was tasked with an unexpected order to assist a protective detail at a temporary command post site in Saudi Arabia where he experienced an unexpected welcome gift from a Saudi government.

A trip to Bogota, Columbia was another time in Agent Carey's life that was filled with more intrigue and danger for anyone to handle. Nothing is really truly safe or taken for granted in Agent Carey's life. The mission is what it is and it owns you all the time. Even New York City draws attention to terrorist who what to make a statement. He attempts to stop a plot to blow up one of the New York bridges along with tracking down people who threaten the President. The Presidential debates offered more challenges and surprises with the everyday activities. But through all of this, Agent Carey would experience "flashbacks" of his past life that included time on the beaches, fishing in Canadian lakes, and fighting off tough kids. His background is fully described in detail including his thoughts and beliefs at that time. The author purposely described and explored careful details of the main character Agent Carey so as to give the reader a clear view of his unusual and unique life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

As a first time author, I was offered some interesting comments from the Outskirts Press editor who reviewed it. I thought it would very helpful to share these two comments with the readers.

"This is an exciting account of a truly unique profession. I certainly have a renewed appreciation of what the employees of the USSS do on a daily basis. Good job."

"A very insightful look into the men and women who protect this country but often go unheralded. Nice work."

Since "PRELUDE TO DANGER" was only recently published, I am currently reaching out for more reviews and will also share them with the readers.

Although I truly appreciate one readers comment that the novel was FUN to READ, I would also like to point out that SPECIAL AGENTS typically faced certain DANGER while out in the field during both INVESTIGATIVE and PROTECTIVE missions. Agent Gene Carey represents one who met those DANGERS and somehow SURVIVED at the end. The readers have a very RARE opportunity to explore the background and to share a JOURNEY to reach the EXPECTATIONS of a SPECIAL AGENT and really feel their PAIN and ANXIETY as they meet the many UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES throughout their career.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BOOK!

WDS

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (December 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432750542
• ISBN-13: 978-1432750541
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,583,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Brooklyn, New York and move to the 'Island' early in my life only to eventually marry and move to the Washington DC area after being offered a position with the U.S. Secret Service in January 1978. I retired from the U.S. Secret Service in 2007 and continue working today.

I began my career in the U.S. Secret Service Facilities Management Branch, Administrative Operations Division, as a design/construction project manager responsible for designing, renovating, expanding, and relocating field offices in the United States and overseas. Setting up protective sites and multiple national major events were also my responsibility. I am an associate of the American Institute of Architects and travelled extensively during my twenty-five years with the agency.

I am not a special agent, but was fortunate to have worked closely with senior special agents on most of my field assignments. This unique experience allowed me to wonder how close it was to the actual lifestyle of a special agent. My short version novel presents my personal view from a non-agent prospective. My travel included many cities in the United States and international locations such as Bogotá, Colombia, and Lagos, Nigeria.

My most recent work assignments involved assisting with setup of U.S. Secret Service command centers for national major events. These included the 2002 NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans, the presidential inaugural in 2001& 2005, presidential debates, and United Nations General Assembly in New York City (Spring and Fall sessions). I also helped set up many IMF World Annual Conferences, 2004 presidential debates, and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

While developing this novel, it was particularly important not to reveal any sensitive security secrets or measures that would jeopardize, endanger, or compromise the U.S. Secret Service. "Prelude to Danger" is my own personal interpretation and does not necessarily represent the U.S. Secret Service. It is an inside personal analysis from an experienced individual who was privileged to play an important role in the mission of a very unique agency. More details can be found on www.outskirtspress.com/preludetodanger

My late uncle William J. Caunitz was a first lieutenant in the New York City Police Department, wrote adventure novels including "One Police Plaza" and "Suspects", which were international best sellers. His other novels included "Black Sand", "Exceptional Clearance", "Cleopatra Gold", and "Pigtown". My uncle has been one of the main inspirations in the writing of this novel and also developed most of his novels based on actual events from his career.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prelude to Danger - Riveting!, January 12, 2010

By 

nom de plume - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prelude to Danger (Hardcover)

I loved the book. It really read like a trip down memory lane from a seasoned professional who knows what's he's talking about. It must have been quite a career working for those guys!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prelude to Danger, Days in the Life of SA, January 7, 2010

By 

Men's Development Club "MDC Arlington" (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prelude to Danger (Hardcover)

Sample weaves memories from his life and career into this fun to read novel. The anecdotes from travels to Washington, Africa and Central America bring the reader into the scene.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secret Service Special Agent inner thoughts, February 1, 2010

By 

tennisplayer (westpalmbeach) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prelude to Danger (Hardcover)

Awesome read into the mind of a U.S. Secret Service Agent
committed to preserve the interests
of America.Especially, enjoyed the details of Agent Careys travels abroad and
measures taken to complete the field assignments.The childhood flashbacks were amusing and would enable the reader to also ponder about their own childhood memories and how we relate them in our own daily experiences.Bravo, Mr Sample! I hope that there will be more books to follow!