The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again [Hardcover]

Tom Ridge (Author), Lary Bloom (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312534876 | ISBN-13: 978-0312534875 | Publication Date: September 1, 2009 | Edition: First Edition

When our nation called, Tom Ridge answered. Appointed by the President to head up domestic security, Ridge established the Department of Homeland Security. In this probing and surefooted memoir, Ridge takes us through the challenges he and his new department faced, including Anthrax scares and reports (both real and false alarms) of new Al-Qaeda operations sprouting up in the United States.

A “law and order” Republican who was on the shortlist to be John McCain’s running mate in 2008, Ridge writes with refreshing candor on both the successes and missteps of the DHS.  He details the obstacles faced in his new post—often within the administration itself—as well as the failures of Congress to provide for critical homeland security needs, and the irresponsible use of terrorism by both parties to curry favors with voters. Ridge also reveals:

• How the DHS was pressured to connect homeland security to the international “war on terror”

• How Ridge effectively thwarted a plan to raise the national security alert just before the 2004 Election

• How Ridge had pushed for a plan (defeated because of turf wars) to integrate DHS and FEMA disaster management in New Orleans and other areas before Hurricane Katrina 

 

Finally, Ridge offers a prescriptive look to the future, advocating ways that America may reaffirm its safety—including his provocative support for a national ID card program and for comprehensive immigration reform—without sacrificing personal liberty.

 

Television captures every word and every expression. I was reasonable to think that our enemies would look for any sign of weakness in the person who in a few days would be responsible for protecting America against them. At that moment, I experienced a royal flush of emotion—after all, I was leaving the state I loved, a loyal staff, many friendships developed over a lifetime, the frustration of work unfinished, to head into the unknown and the undoable. In normal times, I might have shed a tear at such thoughts. But I was determined not to do so as I said my farewell. If I needed any reminding, I glanced down at the note I had written for counsel.

“The bastards are watching.”

We can never guarantee we will be free from another attack. We must also understand that every day thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens work here and abroad to take us to a new level of readiness and security. For in the end, Americans do not live in fear. We live in freedom. And we will let no one take that freedom away.

—Tom Ridge, from THE TEST OF OUR TIMES

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ridge, the first secretary of homeland security, recalls the agency's creation and early history in a memoir of his time performing the most thankless yet rewarding job in America. The author was governor of Pennsylvania when President Bush tapped him to coordinate the federal domestic counterterrorism effort after September 11. In a massive reorganization, Congress consolidated 22 agencies—from the Coast Guard to the INS—under the Department of Homeland Security. Ridge acknowledges his missteps, laments the baleful effects of politics and turf on his department and decries unfavorable media coverage. He also endeavors, unconvincingly, to defend the work of the Transportation Security Administration and the color-coded terror alert system. Hurricane Katrina did not occur on Ridge's watch, but disaster relief is one of DHS's responsibilities, and he cannot resist a self-serving analysis of the debacle. Ridge concludes with a series of recommendations for his successors, including a national identification system, immigration reform, energy independence and a reorganization of DHS along regional lines. DHS remains a work in progress, and Ridge's singular perspective recommends his memoir to policy makers, students and concerned citizens. (Sept.)
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Review

"In his memoir, The Test of Our Times, Tom Ridge, an exemplary public servant, provides a fascinating account of leading the first Department of Homeland Security in a confused and fearful time, as Washington struggled to adapt its bureaucracies and politics to threats it had only dimly perceived until mass murderers struck us on September 11. Tom has written a first draft of history and it’s a very memorable one." 

—Senator John McCain

"DHS remains a work in progress, and Ridge's singular perspective recommends his memoir to policy makes, students and concerned citizens."

—Publishers Weekly

“This is that rarest of political memoirs—it neither self-aggrandizes nor settles scores. Rather, it is a shrewd, unsparingly honest assessment of the mistakes and successes of the author and the rest of the Bush Administration’s homeland security efforts. Even more valuable, it provides vital, specific guidance to the current administration and the public on securing our country while protecting our freedoms.  This is the best book yet on the subject.”

—Tony Blankley, Washington Times columnist; co-host of Left, Right, and Center; author of The West’s Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations?

“Tom Ridge, the unsung hero of keeping America safe after 9/11, has given us a vivid memoir of leading the greatest reorganization in American history since the creation of the Defense Department.”

—Dr. David Abshire, President and CEO, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress

“Tom Ridge’s inside account of the rock-and-a-hard-place choices our country had to make in the aftermath of 9-11 is a great read – and an eye-opening tour through the thicket of policy, bureaucratic and political hurdles a robust democracy faces when it confronts these choices.  My only quibble is that Ridge is characteristically too modest about the personal sacrifices he made in agreeing to tackle this thankless job.”

 —Steven Brill, founder of Court TV, American Lawyer magazine, and Brill Enterprises; author of After: The Rebuilding and Defending of America in the September 12 Era

“Every law enforcement officer, firefighter, medical responder, as well as all Americans, should read this book.”

 —Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff, County of Los Angeles

“This is a memoir with a clear purpose: to educate the reader about the extraordinary efforts of dedicated public servants to build an institution vital to America’s national security. Tom Ridge describes unknown successes and struggles, and explores the persistent obstacles to achieving a safer country with candor, honesty, and integrity. I would expect no less from this dedicated and remarkable public servant.”

—Lee H. Hamilton, Vice-Chair of the 9/11 Commission, President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; co-author of Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission

“As the man who created U.S. homeland security in the post 9-11 era, [Tom Ridge] is also the man who can most authoritatively recount how it happened, where we are now, and what still needs to be done. In a candid voice, he does all of that in The Test of Our Time. This is a book which lets the political chips fall where they may. Ridge also fills this important and readable account with pithy anecdotes, self-deprecating humor, compassion and a critical eye to the personalities of those historical events which are still being played out in these very dangerous times.”

—Barry Casselman, syndicated columnist and author of North Star Rising, Minnesota Politicians on the National Stage

“As the Canadian counterpart to Tom Ridge following 9/11, I quickly learned that he was one of those rare political leaders who was all about action rather than talk. A patriot and a public servant to his core, Tom is a pragmatic and practical problem-solver, a man whose word could be counted on and who truly made his country safer. His is a compelling story that shows that good people can make a positive difference through commitment to public life.”

—John Manley, former Deputy Prime Minister

 

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312534876
• ISBN-13: 978-0312534875
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #656,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for Washingtonians, September 14, 2011

By 

Glenn D. Robinson (Linden, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again (Hardcover)

For most Washingtonians, there is little new news here. Secretary Ridge is clearly passionate about DHS and security and it clearly showed in this book. To his credit, this was not a kiss and tell mudslinging book, but a point by point history of his involvement in the formation of DHS and the protection of America in the aftermath of 9/11."

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bland -, September 5, 2009

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again (Hardcover)

I have no doubt Tom Ridge is an intelligent and honest person; however, readers will not miss anything by skipping "The Test of Our Times." His goals in writing it are to convince readers to take the ongoing threat of terrorism seriously, and to realize that we can prepare for terrorism, but not eliminate the risks. True statements, obvious without reading a book lacking detail and insight. The bulk of Ridge's book is taken up reflecting back to his personal experiences on 9/11, meeting with the president and others prior to the formation of the DHS, vignettes of the background and qualifications of its early leaders, and frustrations with instances of lack of cooperation between some government agencies.

What Ridge's book doesn't cover is how ineffective our homeland defense efforts are. Our near blank-check support for Israel vs. the Palestinians continues to aggravate Arabs of all nations and motivate the most extreme to at least consider becoming terrorists. Thus, prevention - the most effective strategy of all, isn't even on the homeland defense agenda. As for keeping potential terrorists from entering the U.S., we still can't stop even illegal immigrants and/or drugs from entering, ID theft and document forgeries are rampant and increasing, and we are unable to track the 600,000 entering the U.S. each year with student visas - let alone the millions more tourists. Then there's the "No fly list" - incapable of dealing with spelling permutations of Arab names, and probably still stuffed with obviously erroneous names such as the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. Finally, it seems like every year another report surfaces about how airport security allowed weapons or at least easily assembled parts of weapons onto flights. Airline cargo is still not screened, nor are most shipping containers. About 100 easily smuggled suitcase nukes are reportedly missing from Russia and may/may not be operable. Then there are the periodic anthrax scares. As for Department of Homeland Security's operational effectiveness - Katrina provided incredible negative evidence. And what would we do if North Korea or bin Laden sailed a ship into international waters near American shores - offering the potential of launching a short-distance missile into a coastal city?

When evaluating homeland security it is important to step back and remind ourselves that Osama bin Laden's real aim is economic evisceration of the U.S. While the billions spent on Homeland Security somewhat contribute to that aim, they pale in comparison to the economic damage we've wreaked upon ourselves via continual market meltdowns - eg. decades of trade, government, Medicare, and Social Security deficits, bailing out the S&L industry, Long Term Capital Management, the airlines (post 9/11), the auto industry, AIG, and the whole banking industry sub-prime mess. Then there's the decades of continually outsourcing manufacturing jobs, talent, and equipment - the U.S. is becoming increasingly hollowed-out and non self-sufficient in strategic dimensions, despite Adam Smith's warnings. Finally, American health care, defense, education, and the War on Drugs are each funded at about 2X the level of other developed nations - thereby draining our economic vitality by $2+ trillion/year. None of this is addressed by Ridge's book, nor the media.

Ridge's book created a temporary issue via promotional statements on the front flap alleging he was pushed to raise the threat level for political reasons. (Ridge himself writes that a Cornell study of Gallup Polls from 2001-2004 found Bush's rating rose about 3 points each time the terror alert was raised.) Inside the book, however, Ridge unequivocally states he was not so pressured, and that he would not have raised the level for political reasons. I take him at his word and believe the front flap fiasco was just an error in someone else's judgment.

Bottom Line: Homeland Security's task is impossible, poorly executed to date, and along with the rest of the government, doesn't even begin to recognize the non-military economic dimensions of the "War on Terror." But, that's not Ridge's fault.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Well-meaning bu not well-written., October 26, 2009

By 

N. Shirley (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again (Hardcover)

Although I am not Republican, I had been looking forward to this book. I am from PA and I had felt Tom Ridge was a good governor and a good and honest man. I still feel that way but I was disappointed in the simplistic style in which the book was written. I also became very concerned that he was in "way over his head" in the position he was thrust into. Being honest, well-meaning, and determined is not always enough. He did not have the background or the skills to pull it off. I cannot believe there weren't better people, more experienced people in the state department that could not have done a better job. I felt the book was not effective in getting his points across. I think he believes the American people are not smart enough to know the truth. And I think that came across in the book.