Very Special Agents [Paperback]

James A. Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

A behind-the-scenes look at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms chronicles such exploits and investigations as the ATF's war against the mafia, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the raid on the Branch Davidians at Waco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671570358
• ISBN-13: 978-0671570354
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,841,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge this book by its cover: Good idea, poor writer., July 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Special Agents (Paperback)

The reason for such a low score is that I had such high hopes for this book.

What I first thought would an in-depth look at "honest agents in a failing agency" turned out to be just an exercise in "finger-pointing" and 20/20 hindsight.

Instead of investigating the deep-rooted causes of some of the ATF's problems along with some possible solutions; he blames such groups as the FBI and the NRA while calling for the abolishment of the ATF itself.

The ATF has a lot of internal as well as external problems. On occasion they have made serious mistakes in judgement that should be corrected. In my opinion, this book does nothing to aid an already embattled agency in a struggle for its very existence.

After I read the book, I donated it to my public library. I couldn't place it next to other books I own such as "Inside the CIA" or "The Puzzle Palace"

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not very good at all, February 29, 2000

By 

Caine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Special Agents (Paperback)

His book displays too many prejudicial notions about various classes of people, and should not be taken seriously. The author should focus on proven facts the next time he writes such a text.

Too many allegations, not enough proof!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Love Poem for One of the Most Brutal Federal Agencies, March 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Special Agents (Paperback)

This book was written by former agent, Jim Moore, in an attempt to portray the BATF as a well trained, lawfully authorized, federal law enforcement agency. Nothing could be further from the truth. This agency, armed tax collectors, which has now been authorized to investigate "suspicious fires" in the wake of the church burnings across the nation, is a blight on constitutional law. Mr. Moore's paean to his former agency is sophomoric, poorly written, and frankly, disgusting in light of the many innocent people killed and jailed by this agency yearly.