Within Arm's Length: The Extraordinary Life and Career of a Special Agent in the United States Secret Service [Paperback]

Dan Emmett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 2012

Dan Emmett was just eight years old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The events surrounding the president's death shaped the course of young Emmett's life as he set a goal of becoming a US Secret Service agent-one of a special group of people willing to trade their lives for that of the president, if necessary. Within Arm's Length narrates the story of Emmett's journey in this coveted job-from the application process to his retirement as assistant to the special agent in charge on the elite Presidential Protective Division (PPD). Here he discusses some of his more high-profile assignments in his twenty-one years of service, including the PPD and the Counter Assault Team where he provided arm's length protection worldwide for Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush. This memoir describes the professional challenges faced by Secret Service agents as well as the physical and emotional toll that can be inflicted on both agents and their families. Within Arm's Length also shares firsthand details about the duties and challenges of conducting presidential advances, dealing with the media, driving the president in a bullet-proof limousine, running alongside him through the streets of Washington, and flying with him on Air Force One. With fascinating anecdotes, Emmett weaves keen insight into the unique culture and history of the Secret Service.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Emmett earned a master's degree from Troy University. A former captain in the US Marine Corps, he worked twenty-one years as a special agent in the US Secret Service. Emmett is currently an adjunct professor and security consultant. He lives with his family in the southeastern United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1462070728
• ISBN-13: 978-1462070725
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on presidential protection February 24, 2012

By Fmr. Agent Abraham Bolden

Format:Paperback

As an ex-secret service agent and the first African American to be assigned to the Secret Service White House Detail during the presidency of John F. Kennedy, I found "Within Arm's Length" to be to be a very well written and informative book detailing the duties of a secret service agent. Without embellishing or attempting to paint a heroic picture of the awesome job of presidential protection, Agent Emmett skillfully gives the reader an inside view of what it means to be an agent of the elite group of agents surrounding the president.

I was deeply impressed by his descriptions of the responsibilities and duties of the advance detail agents who are responsible for setting up the protection of the president whenever the president travels. The marvel of this book is that it describes these procedures without sacrificing the security of the current operations.

This is a book well written. It is a "must read" for anyone anticipating a job in government security services or police administration.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Right on the mark! March 5, 2012

By matttara

Format:Paperback

I worked with Dan in the New York Field Office and have known him for over 30 years. I can vouch for his integrity and the accuracy of the content of his book. His description of life in the Secret Service is much more valid than a recent publication by a non agent who sought out salicious stories by some disgruntled former agents. The book takes you through a typical agent's career giving one an insight into the trials and tribulations that an agent faces throughout his or her career. I highly recommend it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work February 3, 2012

By Brenda

Format:Paperback

Dan Emmett documented an interesting and honest account of his important responsibilities and accomplishmets within the Secret Service. Mr. Emmett brought us through the "ups and downs" of what agents go through with their personal lives and family due to mandatory transfers, long working hours and the overall stress of constantly working both protection and investigaions. The author's writing method, while serious, also maintained a sense of humor throughout the book indicating that his flexibility and optimistic attitude brought him through many difficult times. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading it for anyone who desires insight into what is behind the curtain of the U.S. Secret Service.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Within Arm's Length February 23, 2012

By ISA

Format:Paperback

I, and two other members of my family, enjoyed reading Dan Emmett's "Within Arm's Length"! Emmett provided the readers a true description of the demands and sacrifices required of a Secret Service Agent and his/her family. What is most beneficial to the readers is that the stories and information that Emmett provides are based on his personal experiences! Emmett also highlights the high standards and principles of the U.S. Secret Service as a Federal Law Enforcement Agency, which make it and its members "Worthy of Trust and Confidence"! We highly recommend this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical reporting November 27, 2012

By eldestwin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having worked on Capital Hill for so many years, in the past, I found this book to be very insightful and correct! Thank you!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! - Within Arm's Length February 15, 2012

By Jim Cullen

Format:Paperback

Mr. Emmett gives an up front and personal account of his career and the ups and downs of government service, in one of the most prestigious organizations in the world. His first hand accounts make you feel like you are on board with him working through the excitement and frustrations of a secret service agent. His accounts brings you closer to true day to day history making, than you will ever see on the news or in text books. It is clear that Mr. Emmett believes in his country, himself, and what is good in America. A refreshing honest memoir of one of the great Americans that make this country great.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, Steady and Insightful Read. A Quite Refreshing Look at the Life and Duties of A Secret Service Agent April 1, 2012

By Big D VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Good, steady and insightful read that accomplishes what it sets out to do: offer an accurate no-frills account of what it was like to be a working-level Secret Service Agent for more than 20 years protecting both Bush Presidents, President Clinton, Ted Kennedy and many other high profile public figures.

To Mr. Emmett's credit, he successfully avoids the all too inviting pitfall of spreading (or sharing)gossip and salacious details of the President, his family and their private lives.

A refreshing read in that it takes the high road in recounting a Secret Service career. No pandering with sensationalism, inside information or tabloid-like stories. Too much of that kind of stuff already. We don't afterall, "own" the First Family. They are entitled to lives of their own provided they don't violate the law or act in such a way that affects their ability to carry out the duties of the office they hold.

A book about what is like to go to work everyday and protect the most important life in the free world. Not a spectacular, page-turning, read, but a good, solid and insightful read about life as it is for a Secret Service Agent, not the life tabloid journalism would have us beleive.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Within Arm's Length: The Extraordinary Life and Career of a Special Agent in the United States Secret Service February 26, 2012

By ally

Format:Paperback

forget the Kennedy detail this is the only secret service book worth reading, an excellent highly entertaining work well worth buying if you are fed up with reading boring books by agents trying to cover there own butts then i suggest you read this instead. this is the best work i have read by a secret service agent who doesn't lead you up the garden path like some ex agent's have done