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A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership Hardcover – April 17, 2018

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#1 New York Times Bestseller now in paperback with new material

The inspiration for The Comey Rule, the Showtime limited series starring Jeff Daniels premiering September 2020

In his book, former FBI director James Comey shares his never-before-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career in the past two decades of American government, exploring what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how it drives sound decisions. His journey provides an unprecedented entry into the corridors of power, and a remarkable lesson in what makes an effective leader.

Mr. Comey served as director of the FBI from 2013 to 2017, appointed to the post by President Barack Obama. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. deputy attorney general in the administration of President George W. Bush. From prosecuting the Mafia and Martha Stewart to helping change the Bush administration's policies on torture and electronic surveillance, overseeing the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation as well as ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, Comey has been involved in some of the most consequential cases and policies of recent history.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

#1 New York Times Bestseller and soon to be a CBS miniseries

“By far the most consequential book yet in the literature of the Trump presidency.” ―
NPR

A Higher Loyalty is the first big memoir by a key player in the alarming melodrama that is the Trump administration....Comey’s book fleshes out the testimony he gave before the Senate Intelligence Committee in June 2017 with considerable emotional detail, and it showcases its author’s gift for narrative....Provides sharp sketches of key players in three presidential administrations....Comey is what Saul Bellow called a ‘first-class noticer.’” ―The New York Times

About the Author

James Comey served as the seventh Director of the FBI, from 2013 until May 9, 2017, when he was fired by Donald Trump.

A Yonkers, New York native, Jim Comey attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, Comey returned to New York and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. There, he took on numerous crimes, most notably organized crime in the case of the
United States v. John Gambino, et al. Afterwards, Comey became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he handled the high-profile case that followed the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S. military’s Khobar Towers in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Comey returned to New York after 9/11 to become the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. At the end of 2003, he was tapped to be the Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ) under then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and moved to the Washington, D.C. area.

Comey left DOJ in 2005 to serve as General Counsel and Senior Vice President at defense contractor Lockheed Martin. Five years later, he joined Bridgewater Associates, a Connecticut-based investment fund, as its General Counsel. In early 2013, Comey became a Lecturer in Law, a Senior Research Scholar, and Hertog Fellow in National Security Law at Columbia Law School.



After he was fired as FBI Director, Comey held the King Lecture Chair in Public Policy at Howard University for 2017-18 and served as a Distinguished Lecturer in Public Policy at William and Mary for 2018-2019. In September 2020, his first book, "A Higher Loyalty," was made into a Showtime limited series, "The Comey Rule."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flatiron Books; First Edition (April 17, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250192455
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250192455
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 6.12 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 17,490 ratings

About the author

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James Comey
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James Comey served as the seventh Director of the FBI, from 2013 until May 9, 2017, when he was fired by Donald Trump.

A Yonkers, New York native, Jim Comey attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, Comey returned to New York and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. There, he took on numerous crimes, most notably organized crime in the case of the United States v. John Gambino, et al. Afterwards, Comey became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he handled the high-profile case that followed the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S. military’s Khobar Towers in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Comey returned to New York after 9/11 to become the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. At the end of 2003, he was tapped to be the Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ) under then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and moved to the Washington, D.C. area.

Comey left DOJ in 2005 to serve as General Counsel and Senior Vice President at defense contractor Lockheed Martin. Five years later, he joined Bridgewater Associates, a Connecticut-based investment fund, as its General Counsel. In early 2013, Comey became a Lecturer in Law, a Senior Research Scholar, and Hertog Fellow in National Security Law at Columbia Law School.

After he was fired as FBI Director, Comey held the King Lecture Chair in Public Policy at Howard University for 2017-18 and served as a Distinguished Lecturer in Public Policy at William and Mary for 2018-2019. In September 2020, his first book, "A Higher Loyalty," was made into a Showtime limited series, "The Comey Rule."

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
17,490 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They praise the writing quality as well-crafted, straightforward, and calm. Readers appreciate the author's moral character and focus on values and ethics. The book is described as entertaining and enthralling, with funny anecdotes.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

1,943 customers mention "Readability"1,934 positive9 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's honesty, convincing story, and reasonable arguments. The narrative is simple yet compelling.

"...The re-telling of this tale is riveting and indicative of a serious, thoughtful man that impressed me far more than any appearance he has made..." Read more

"...Tests of Loyalty, and 14. The Cloud.Positives:1. A joy to read. A candid, revealing page turner.2...." Read more

"...On the whole, he struck me as intelligent, hardworking, honest, and a dedicated patriot. There was also something else that struck a chord...." Read more

"...I think this is an excellent book and I recommend it highly, even for those of you who feel you know it all and don’t have to hear it again...." Read more

1,136 customers mention "Insight"1,109 positive27 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. They describe the author as intelligent, hardworking, honest, and candid. The book provides a great overview of his work and is considered an important statement. Readers appreciate the clear thinking and portrait of himself and his family. Overall, they find the book inspiring and motivating.

"...be aware that you will be missing the most entertaining, informative writing I’ve come across in recent years...." Read more

"...A candid, revealing page turner.2. A fascinating topic treated with utmost respect and care. James Comey is credible and candid.3...." Read more

"...On the whole, he struck me as intelligent, hardworking, honest, and a dedicated patriot. There was also something else that struck a chord...." Read more

"...Wrong. The book is very well written and flows well, covering events well known to those who have been paying attention over the past two years,..." Read more

1,118 customers mention "Writing quality"1,076 positive42 negative

Customers find the writing compelling and engaging. They describe the book as personal, intimate, and humorous at times. The prose is straightforward and easy to read. Readers appreciate the grammatically correct and nice flow. The author comes across as sincere, knowledgeable, and thoughtful throughout the book.

"...re-telling of this tale is riveting and indicative of a serious, thoughtful man that impressed me far more than any appearance he has made before..." Read more

"This is a well-written book, most of which details JC's long and impressive career...." Read more

"...Wrong. The book is very well written and flows well, covering events well known to those who have been paying attention over the past two years,..." Read more

"...Comey comes across as sincere and knowledgeable and doesn't seem to have any ax to grind...." Read more

382 customers mention "Ethics"343 positive39 negative

Customers appreciate the author's integrity, moral character, and honesty. They find him fair-minded and loyal. The book provides a candid assessment of his own actions and reactions during 2016. It's easy for them to respect the author's thoughts and actions, as he lays everything out clearly.

"...This man is good and kind and ethical and smart AND he laughs. This man. James Comey. This man would make a good POTUS...." Read more

"...I find him credible and honorable. I will do my best to write this review in the spirit of fairness and openness and—..." Read more

"...and I find Comey's observations and thoughts on ethical leadership very insightful. His view of President Obama is mostly high praise...." Read more

"...It's clear that he has a strongly developed moral conscience, leading him to confess his shame over having bullied a college classmate, for example...." Read more

322 customers mention "Reading enjoyment"292 positive30 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing style. They find it engaging and enthralling, with humorous anecdotes. The story is refreshing, honest, and packed with information about the FBI. Readers appreciate the author's storytelling ability and the book's rhythm.

"...As you do so, though, be aware that you will be missing the most entertaining, informative writing I’ve come across in recent years...." Read more

"...James Comey is credible and candid.3. The book has great rhythm, Comey is an excellent storyteller and his characterizations of key players is..." Read more

"...This man is good and kind and ethical and smart AND he laughs. This man. James Comey. This man would make a good POTUS...." Read more

"...Comey's book provides an excellent education into the workings of our Government and in particular the FBI - it enlightened me in many regards...." Read more

275 customers mention "Story teller"275 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's candor and honesty in sharing personal experiences. The memoir is described as heartfelt and honest, with a heavy dose of introspection.

"...I mean, Comey’s life story is outstanding and the telling to us is far better written and more engaging than I ever anticipated...." Read more

"...Comey cleverly shares his personal experiences while building a compelling case of what leadership is and why Trump does not meet such standards...." Read more

"...until then it has been an autobiography of sorts with a fairly heavy dose of introspection – and that’s a good thing...." Read more

"...He emphasizes humility, a willingness to listen to others, the ability to change course when one recognizes a mistake, crediting those who work for..." Read more

110 customers mention "History"110 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history interesting and well-told. They appreciate the insightful biography and thorough explanations of important historical decisions. The author paints a detailed picture of his career and FBI work.

"...It is that prescient. However, the most gratifying version, for me, is the Audible copy, as it is narrated by James Comey, himself...." Read more

"...: Truth, Lies, and Leadership is a superb work, and historically important for everyone to read. Comey tells the truth consistently throughout...." Read more

"...His journey is interesting and his place in key historical events is fascinating...." Read more

"...This is one of those lifetime rare historical books like tho. I think it might wind up a classic. It could be used to teach in classes...." Read more

109 customers mention "Visual style"109 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's visual style engaging and informative. They appreciate the author's clear writing style and the personal history that provides a good backdrop for understanding the story. The author paints vivid and engaging pictures of people and situations, setting the scene and bringing the reader into his mind. Readers praise the author's ability to provide credible depictions of key players.

"...7. One of the strengths of this book is Comey’s ability to give very credible depictions of the key player of the book. “..." Read more

"...His detail is impeccable and he leaves no aspect unturned...." Read more

"...Full of problems. He wrote the book himself. It's well plotted, balanced and builds almost imperceptibly to a riveting climax...." Read more

"...The details there are easy to visualize and I can imagine this book as a great movie...." Read more

He reminds me of Jimmy Carter...
5 out of 5 stars
He reminds me of Jimmy Carter...
Inspiring. Can I just say that with all the many expectations I brought to the reading of this book, being inspired was not one of them. Yet, here I am. Inspired.I vehemently disliked James Comey over the Hillary Clinton email debacle. Now I realize that I was unfair. I didn’t know the truth. I didn’t know all the facts. I try so hard to always look at things from other viewpoints. I failed. I thought myself righteous in my outrage. Truly, James Comey chose the only honorable path. It was a terrible path, but it was the least worst option.We, the American public, we are the culpable ones. We are the ones who chose the people who were running for President. We are responsible for not putting Hillary in office. We are the ones who chose not to re-elect Jimmy Carter because he was too good of a man and too kind of a man. Well, not me personally. I was a child then. Carter was judged as weak when really what he was was ethical.Ethical. Good. Kind. What has happened to us that we’re at each other’s throats. People clamor for what is best for them with no thought of what’s best for America. We are America. All of us. Kindness and goodness are not weakness.I digress. The book will take you through a teenager trying to avoid being murdered, a mafia boss in court, pasta made by a serial killer, the truth about Hillary’s emails, and what happened with Trump.There’s no smoke and mirrors. Just the truth. My God, it’s refreshing to just read a book that’s honest. How do I know the book is honest? I can feel the truth ringing from sentence to sentence. This is how the Liberty Bell sounds in my head.This man. James Comey. This man I so unfairly blamed for Hillary losing the election. This man is good and kind and ethical and smart AND he laughs. This man. James Comey. This man would make a good POTUS. I know everyone is going to say that his character has been so besmirched in the media that there’s no coming back from that. I bet someone with a mind like Hamilton Jordan could get him elected. We need someone who doesn’t want the job. An ethical person who will help us make better laws rather than caring if he/she is re-elected. If Elizabeth Warren won’t run, then perhaps James Comey should.By the way, if James Comey happens to be reading this... the problem with privacy and Apple, Google, etc... You’re missing a piece. You saw the lines arcing away from each other leading to increased murder rates in cities. Well, the privacy problem is also lines arcing away from each other. Whatever one’s opinion of Snowden, he did let the American people know they were unfairly and unconstitutionally being spied on by our own government. It’s wrong to pull data from innocent people’s emails. If someone is suspicious, get a court order like the FBI. There is no freedom of speech if everyone’s emails or texts are being scanned by a branch of the government that is supposed to protect us. The desire for privacy isn’t a sign of wrongdoing despite how some twist it into that as an argument. I’m not doing anything wrong when I go to the bathroom, but I still want a door! Imagine if Hitler had been able to scan the texts and emails of his citizens. Absolute power corrupts.Apple, Google, etc have responded by making our data inviolable because of the outcry of the American people. Our freedom of speech is compromised if as an innocent citizen every word we write is scanned as a matter of course. 1984 is not a democracy. As consumers, our spending allows us to have a voice. We demanded the right to privacy from Apple, Google, etc, because we found that we were not getting it from our government.Take us back to the land of the free. Equality. Ethical goodness. Kindness. Gain our trust. If the government can be trusted to only get data with a court order AND that was actually the TRUTH, then people wouldn’t clamor for privacy from companies.Just my two cents, of course. I love this country. I think we have the best county in the whole damn universe. We’ve got some work to do on balancing safety with civil rights and constitutional freedoms. We also have some work to do in learning how to care about each other.I was a kid when the hostages were taken in Iran during Carter’s presidency. Know what I remember?? Yellow ribbons on trees. Everywhere. Remember that? The song? “Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree.” I saw yellow ribbons tied around oak trees everywhere. I had a hard childhood- was molested for a decade. Those yellow ribbons. They brought tears to my eyes. Each time I saw one, I could feel how the people in America were a community filled with a lot of love and light. I could feel the goodness in people and sustain the belief that, despite my own experience, most people are inherently good. I still believe that.We need love and light back. Maybe we should start tying yellow ribbons on trees again to remind each other that America is still one community where we love, share, and support each other.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2018
FULL DISCLOSURE As most any reader of my reviews knows, I am not a fan of the current POTUS. I was North Dakota Hillary Clinton delegate to the state convention and also was elected to preside over the national delegate selection committee. Still, I am reviewing the writing of this book, and will refrain from any thoughts I have regarding its impact on President Trump or on the Mueller investigation of any possible collusion.

As I prepared to write this review, I searched for the most apt quote. Instead of one, I found two that summarize James Comey’s take on serving in government:

‘Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good. - Joe Paterno

Demakis, Joseph. The Ultimate Book of Quotations (p. 466). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle. - George William Curtis

Demakis, Joseph. The Ultimate Book of Quotations (p. 387). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

After a too-long introduction, Comey recounts an experience he and his brother endured while quite young. The re-telling of this tale is riveting and indicative of a serious, thoughtful man that impressed me far more than any appearance he has made before congress or the media. I hope every reader will consider what young Comey went through, while going through a predicament that had him contemplating his own death twice, one evening. His frank discussion of his own weakness while confronting a thief is not what one would expect from a man now standing 6-foot eight-inches tall. To admit his cowardice and thoughts for self-preservation requires courage.

Most of the early pages read more as a memoir than as the anticipated, and hyped, expose on President Donald J. Trump. Are these pages necessary content? I will let others decide. The writing, however, is far more engaging than I expected. What is interesting is the life lessons the author flashes back on while a young attorney (idolizing Rudy Giuliani, initially, then learning of his hero’s demand for the spotlight at all cost), and then harking back to earlier lessons as a teen and as a college student. Often, I am put off while trying to track through shifts in time, back and forth, in the way this book wrenches us. With this story, though, it worked okay.

BLUSH FACTOR As with most modern books on politics and crime, there are a few profanities, so consider this while sharing with others. For me, though, the mention of such is notable because of the writer’s penchant, in public, to use such Boy Scout clean phrases as “Lordy” to substitute for more profane forms of exclamation. Still, I had no personal issues with the very few cuss words.

HOW & WHERE SHOULD I READ THIS? I bought, both, the Kindle and the Audible version. I probably also will purchase the hard cover in time, for this is a book I want to refer to again and again. It is that prescient. However, the most gratifying version, for me, is the Audible copy, as it is narrated by James Comey, himself. While listening to him read his own words, I feel, I get a better sense of what he tried to communicate, and to his own character.

HOW MUCH CONTENT IS DEVOTED TO TRUMP & COLLUSION? Basically, the first 40 percent of the book is devoted to other considerations, including memoir and such. So, if you’re looking for juicy stuff, be prepared to skip over the first half. As you do so, though, be aware that you will be missing the most entertaining, informative writing I’ve come across in recent years. At least as compared to other people who’ve served us in government.

I’ve probably already irritated many readers with so much discussion. Still, I felt my take might help others understand that this story is far more than a few salacious sound bites that critics have been repeating to us in the media. I mean, Comey’s life story is outstanding and the telling to us is far better written and more engaging than I ever anticipated.

EXCERPT

Patrice and I were planning to stay in Richmond forever. We had good public schools, and a nice and relatively inexpensive house in a safe neighborhood. After Collin’s death, we had a healthy baby girl in 1996 and added another in 2000. We would raise the five kids in Richmond. I would do work I loved. We were set. Then the country was attacked on 9/11, and my phone rang.

I was home from work one day in October 2001, watching the two youngest girls. Patrice was at church for the foundational meeting of a women’s group she was starting. She spoke inspiringly to the women about growing old together. But she couldn’t hear our phone ring from there. I heard it at home and answered. The man said he was calling from the White House because the president would like to know if I would be willing to return to Manhattan as the United States Attorney, the chief federal prosecutor. I assumed it was one of my hilarious friends, so I began to say, “Yeah, why don’t you kiss my a—” when the man cut me off, saying this was not a joke. President George W. Bush needed to appoint a new United States Attorney, there was something of a political logjam in New York over the pick, and they had decided I was the right person: I had worked in that office, I had done terrorism cases, and I would be acceptable to Democrats and Republicans. Would I do it?

It is difficult at this distance to capture the feeling of the fall of 2001, a time of unity and purpose and anxiety in the country. Of course I will do it, I replied, “but my wife’s not home right now. I will call you back if she has a problem.” I hung up the phone, abandoned my caregiving responsibilities, and went out to stand in the driveway to wait for Patrice, my heart pounding.

After what seemed like hours, she came driving up in our red Ford minivan. She got out, took one look at my face, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I answered, standing in the driveway without my little girls. “A guy called from the White House and asked me to be the U.S. Attorney in New York.”

Her eyes started to well up. “You can’t say no.”

“I didn’t say no. But I told him I would call back if you had a problem.”

She began crying, her open hands covering her face. “I’m going back to New York. Oh my God, I’m going back to New York.”

We were going back to New York, where the World Trade Center site still smoked. I would lead 250 prosecutors with hundreds of cases, ranging from terrorism to violent crime to corporate fraud, including what would be one of the most high-profile cases of my career.

Patrice opened the minivan’s sliding door and the large ceramic plate that had held the bagels she took to church slid out. In a moment that was hard not to take as a prophetic metaphor, it shattered on the driveway.

Comey, James. A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership (pp. 48-49). Flatiron Books. Kindle Edition.

BOTTOM LINE

I was prepared for a letdown. And, due to the media blitz and concentration on how much detail the writer spent on Trump’s appearance, I was prepared to even offer negative thoughts. Upon reading it, and especially upon listening to James Comey read his own words, I have concluded that what James Comey experienced, and what James Comey has reported, is classic Donald Trump versus Government. Unfortunately, Trump now IS the government.

We are in for a rocky time.

Five stars out of five.

I trust readers of this review will offer up some advice as to what I did well, and what I did poorly in summarizing what I liked and what I did not like about this book. All viewpoints are respected and welcome, if provided in a similar vein.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my thoughts and, especially, for taking a moment to pass on your thoughts.
528 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2018
A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey

“A Higher Loyalty” is a surprisingly insightful book on leadership at the highest levels of American government. Former FBI director James Comey provides the readers with his personal experiences from prosecuting the mafia and Martha Stewart to his unexpected firing by President Trump. This candid 293-page book includes the following fourteen chapters: 1. The Life, 2. This Things of Ours, 3. The Bully, 4. Meaning, 5. The Easy Lie, 6. On the Tracks, 7. Confirmation Bias, 8. In Hoover’s Shadow, 9. The Washington Listen, 10. Roadkill, 11. Speak of Conceal, 12. Trump Tower, 13. Tests of Loyalty, and 14. The Cloud.

Positives:
1. A joy to read. A candid, revealing page turner.
2. A fascinating topic treated with utmost respect and care. James Comey is credible and candid.
3. The book has great rhythm, Comey is an excellent storyteller and his characterizations of key players is very compelling.
4. In many respects this book is about the defense of the integrity of the FBI versus Trump’s insistence to mix politics into it and demand loyalty.
5. Many readers most likely will read this book to get the dirt on the current administration but Comey covers many of his important experiences including dealing with the mafia. “But the promises not to kill made guys, bed their wives, or deal dope were lies. Gravano and his fellow Mafia members routinely did all three.”
6. Shares his experiences that led him to decide on a legal career. “Lawyers participate much more directly in the search for justice. That route, I thought, might be the best way to make a difference.”
7. One of the strengths of this book is Comey’s ability to give very credible depictions of the key player of the book. “Rudy’s demeanor left a trail of resentment among the dozens of federal judges in Manhattan, many of whom had worked in that U.S. Attorney’s office. They thought he made the office about one person, himself, and used publicity about his cases as a way to foster his political ambitions rather than doing justice. It was a resentment that was still palpable when I became the chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan—and sat in Giuliani’s chair—a dozen years later.”
8. Describes his experiences with bullies and his personal disdain for them. “Those years of bullying added up, minor indignity after indignity, making clear the consequences of power. Harry Howell had power, and he wielded it with compassion and understanding. That wasn’t always easy for him, because he had to deal with a lot of immature kids. Others had power, like the bullies at school, and they found it far easier to wield it against those who were defenseless and to just go along with the group rather than stand up to it.”
9. Does a very good job of describing what drives him. “I carried in my wallet from the age of sixteen a quotation by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.””
10. Describes the people who influenced him. “I HAVE WORKED with great men over the years, but two of my most important teachers about life and leadership were women.”
11. The lies!!! “He who permits to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world’s believing him. This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good dispositions. – Thomas Jefferson”
12. Much philosophy shared in this book, here is one of Comey’s favorite analogy. “I would explain that the problem with reservoirs is that they take a very long time to fill but they can be drained by one hole in the dam. The actions of one person can destroy what it took hundreds of people years to build.”
13. Many interesting cases and stories including Martha Stewart, Scooter Libby, and Abu Ghraib torture case. “The Bureau had long ago concluded that coercive interrogations were of no utility, the information obtained largely useless or unreliable. Instead, over decades, the FBI had perfected the art of “rapport-building interrogation”—forming a trusting relationship with those in its custody.”
14. Interesting interactions with people at the highest levels. “Mueller and I were not particularly close and had never seen each other outside of work, but I knew Bob understood and respected our legal position and cared deeply about the rule of law. His whole life was about doing things the right way. When I told him what was happening, he said he would be there immediately.”
15. Insights into the FBI. “They helped me rewrite the organization’s mission statement to match what was already written on their hearts: they exist to “protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.”
16. Much of this book revolves around leadership. “We would teach that great leaders are (1) people of integrity and decency; (2) confident enough to be humble; (3) both kind and tough; (4) transparent; and (5) aware that we all seek meaning in work. We would also teach them that (6) what they say is important, but what they do is far more important, because their people are always watching them. In short, we would demand and develop ethical leaders.”
17. Some revealing admissions. “First, I said, we in law enforcement need to acknowledge the truth that we have long been the enforcers of a status quo in America that abused black people; we need to acknowledge our history because the people we serve and protect cannot forget it. Second, we all need to acknowledge that we carry implicit biases inside us, and if we aren’t careful, they can lead to assumptions and injustice. Third, something can happen to people in law enforcement who must respond to incidents resulting in the arrest of so many young men of color; it can warp perspectives and lead to cynicism. Finally, I said, we all must acknowledge that the police are not the root cause of the most challenging problems in our country’s worst neighborhoods, but that the actual causes and solutions are so hard that it is easier to talk only about the police.”
18. Great respect and admiration for President Obama. “And this is where Barack Obama surprised me yet again. He was an extraordinary listener, as good as any I’ve seen in leadership.”
19. A fascinating look at that whole email situation with Hillary Clinton, a really telling chapter in the book. “The facts of the case were straightforward: Hillary Clinton had used her personal email system, on a server and with an email address that was entirely of her own creation, to conduct her work as secretary of state.” “In Secretary Clinton’s case, the answer to the first question—was classified information mishandled?—was obviously “yes.””
20. The case against Petraeus. “I argued strongly to Attorney General Holder that Petraeus also should be charged with a felony for lying to the Bureau. Replaying in my mind the Martha Stewart, Leonidas Young, and Scooter Libby cases, I argued that if we weren’t going to hold retired generals and CIA directors accountable for blatantly lying during investigations, how could we justify jailing thousands of others for doing the same thing?”
21. Trump, Trump, Trump. “The four agencies had joined in the assessment, which was both stunning and straightforward: Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered an extensive effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. That effort, which came through cyber activity, social media, and Russian state media, had a variety of goals: undermining public faith in the American democratic process, denigrating Hillary Clinton and harming her electability and potential presidency, and helping Donald Trump get elected.” “I suddenly had the feeling that, in the blink of an eye, the president-elect was trying to make us all part of the same family and that Team Trump had made it a “thing of ours.” For my entire career, intelligence was a thing of mine and political spin a thing of yours. Team Trump wanted to change that.”
22. The firing. “Donald Trump’s presidency threatens much of what is good in this nation. We all bear responsibility for the deeply flawed choices put before voters during the 2016 election, and our country is paying a high price: this president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values. His leadership is transactional, ego driven, and about personal loyalty.”

Negatives:
1. No supplementary material. I would have liked a timeline, charts or diagrams.
2. There is no doubt that Comey was restrained but he certainly made the best of it.
3. Some readers will be disappointed that most of the book is not about Trump. That said, he builds an interesting momentum toward Trump.

In summary, an excellent and credible account of Comey’s experiences at the highest levels of government. Comey cleverly shares his personal experiences while building a compelling case of what leadership is and why Trump does not meet such standards. He is defender of the integrity of the FBI and exposes the lies and conflicts brought upon by Trump’s administration. A must read!

Further suggestions: “Fire and Fury” by Michael Wolff, “Trumpocracy” by David Frum, “What Happened “ by Hillary Rodham Clinton, “Can It Happen Here?: Authoritarianism in America” by Cass R. Sunstein, “Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire” by Kurt Andersen, “It’s Even Worse Than You Think” by David Cay Johnston, and “How Democracies Die” by Steven Levitsky.
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EDGAR LOPEZ TELLEZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Un buen libro
Reviewed in Mexico on July 22, 2024
Me gustó mucho. Trae unos ejemplos de la vida con lo que se puede aprender a valorar.
Marcos Luz
5.0 out of 5 stars What a book. Clarify things
Reviewed in Brazil on April 22, 2018
I bought this book to see what’s the fuss was about. Two-thirds of the book is James Comey biography and his fundamental standards. These 2/3 are a kind of memoir. Very cool to read.The last third goes into the Hilary email investigations and why he did what he did during elections time. This third also tells the story of Comey and Donald Trump. Is he a liar? Is he amoral? Is he a Casa Nostra Mafia kind of guy? It's up to each of us to say so and in doing that shape a better city, state, country, and world by extracting the better part of it all. The book ends reinstating the credo that the FBI, as an institution, has its independence and competence as a mission to defend the American People and the Constitution above all. That's true and I really hope that someday, looking for this moment, the world can say that this was a test of USA democracy and a period of time that made our institutions stronger. Excellent book James. Five stars for sure independently if you are red, blue or have no political color at all.
Hetti
5.0 out of 5 stars It's everybody's job to defend the very concept of democracy.
Reviewed in Italy on January 9, 2020
I cringed at Comey's recollection of his meetings with Trump: the president of "the free world", who didn't care to blur the lines between institutions and tipped the system of check and balances to his favor. Also, I really appreciated Comey's explanation of the Clinton's emails. The news media didn't help me to clarify the "matter" (which wasn't a "matter" at all) but his recount did. The connection with Anthony Weiner's laptop is shocking. I recommend this book to anybody who cares more about facts than opinions. Lady Justice is blind for reaso and that reason could be the one that will save the very concept of democracy in the Western world.
Mumzy
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, Intelligent and Entertaining
Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2018
Got the book yesterday and couldn't put it down. Written with a learned and wise hand, with attention to detail from a keen observer of human nature and humankind, this book was much better than I had expected. With all the hoopla around it, I feared it would be mostly a cheesy tell-all like most of the Trump-exposés, but I found this book to be full of interesting stories that answered a lot of questions...and thankfully only a wee blurbette about Trump's looks etc...which have been rehashed ad nauseum by the news media and comedians (not that it isn't funny, but it's old joke territory by now). I was also afraid the book would be as dull and monotone as most lawyers seem to be, but it was colorful and rich with excellent writing and easy relatability. I believe Comey to be a highly intelligent academic that could have penned a novel far above the ability of the average Joe (like myself) to understand so I appreciated not having to flip open my dictionary every 2 minutes. I disliked the man when I didn't know why he hurt the Clinton campaign...but now I believe his intentions were not 'political' in the truest sense, and he truly thought he was doing the right thing. It wasn't, and he may have helped Don Trump (Don as in Don Corlene...not Donald) make the White House his very own nightclub basement where oaths to the Family are ceremoniously performed, but what's done is done and I can forgive him for being human and making a mistake. Lord knows he, and the USA, are suffering enough already. Comey proves to an enlightened and perspicacious man who had a lot to say, and said it well indeed.
ClausVB
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein sehr gutes, lesenswertes Buch
Reviewed in Germany on August 29, 2018
Vorab: Ich kann nicht ansatzweise eine objektive Rezension schreiben, weil ich James Comey zuerst nicht mochte, aber jetzt ein Fan bin.

Ich habe den Wahlkampf in den USA täglich verfolgt. Ich habe die Medien (MSNBC, FoxNews, etc) jeden Tag verfolgt.

"Donald Trump is a manchild ... he is a bafoon."

Niemand hat damit gerechnet, das er Präsident wird, auch ich nicht. Ob ein Geschäftsführer in Deutschland das Buch interessant findet, um seinen Führungsstil zu ändern/verbessern ... ich weiß es nicht. Wenn er amerikanische Geschichte, die heute, hier und jetzt passiert langweilig findet ... ich weiß es nicht.

Ich interessiere mich für die USA. Ich habe die Aussage von James Comey vor dem Kongress-Ausschuss gesehen. Mehr als 2 Stunden YouTube waren das.

In meinem ganzen Leben habe ich noch NIE gesehen, dass sich Demokraten und Republikaner über etwas einig waren.

Alle in diesem Ausschuss haben James Comey für seinen Arbeit gedankt und ihm versichert, dass er integer ist. Ich gehe einen Schritt weiter, James Comey ist der Inbegriff von
- Integrität
- Wahrheitsliebend
und er ist "The rule of law" verschrieben.

Er hat seine Arbeit für das FBI und die Mitarbeiter(innen) des FBI geliebt. Das zeigt nicht nur das Buch, das zeigt in fast jedem seiner Interviews. Seine Kollegin(innen) vom FBI haben ihm Aktenschränke voller Karten, Geschenke und Briefe geschickt, nachdem er gefeuert wurde.

Donald Trump hat diese Liebe, diese Hingabe aus seiner Seele gerissen. Dafür ist seine "Abrechnung" wie sie es bei "Fox News" genannt haben, sehr sachlich. Ich kann in dem Buch keine Abrechnung finden. Ich sehe die Wahrheit in diesem Buch, ich sehe Integrität in diesem Buch. Ich sehe fundamentale Werte der USA, aber auch deutsche Werte (wie Gradlinigkeit) in diesem Buch.

Sein Buch bringt mich zum Weinen, Lachen, Nachdenken und noch vieles mehr. Er benutzt kurze Sätze, erzählt kurze Geschichten und Anekdoten. Was ihm wichtig ist erzählt er lang und ausführlich, aber nie langweilig.

Bei den Zeilen über Hillary Clintons Mails, die auf Anthony Weiners Laptop gefunden werden, schreie ich innerlich laut: "Lügen, James, schütze dich. Verschweige bis nach der Wahl, dass du etwas gefunden hast."

Aber nicht mit James Comey. Er berät sich mit seinem Stab. Lügen kommt für ihn überhaupt nicht in Betracht. Das ist in seiner Gedankenwelt nicht vorhanden. Er bespricht die zwei Möglichkeiten "Reden" oder "Verschweigen". Die amerikanische Öffentlichkeit zu informieren oder den Weg "concealment" bestreiten. Randnotiz: Letzteres ist strafrechtlich relevant, im Gegensatz zu "collusion", was es im juristischen Sprachgebrauch nicht gibt.

James Comey sucht verzweifelt nach der Tür mit der Aufschrift: "Nicht handeln"
... aber diese Tür gibt es nicht. Also müssen er und sein Stab zwischen "schlecht" (Reden) und "katastrophal" (Verschweigen) wählen.

Mit all seinem Wissen würde er heute wieder so handeln. Auch ein Grund: Er hat es nicht in Eigenregie gemacht hat, sondern mit seinem Team zusammen.

Es liegt nicht in seiner Natur zu lügen, es liegt nicht in seiner Natur zu verschweigen oder dem FBI Schaden zuzufügen; also wurde am 28. Oktober 2016, kurz vor der Wahl, die Untersuchung neu eröffnet.

Ich hätte bis nach der Wahl gelogen und verschwiegen. Ich hätte mir selbst nicht in diesem Maße geschadet; nicht vor einer Wahl, die einer Schlacht geglichen hat und an Tiefschlägen nicht zu unterbieten war.

Aber James Comey unterliegt einer "higher loyalty".

Das Buch erzählt viel über seine Familie. Seine Frau ist einer seiner wichtigsten Berater, auch wenn er mit ihr nicht über "Top Secret" Material sprechen darf.

SPOILER ALERT: Als seine Mutter im Sterben liegt, gibt sie ihm einen Zettel, den sie über Jahrzente hinweg aufbewahrt hat. Als James Comey 7 Jahre alt war und er von seiner Mutter auf sein Zimmer geschickt wurde, hat er diesen Zettel geschrieben. "Ich entschuldige mich", sagt die Notiz als erstes. "Ich werde irgendwann ein großer [great] Mann sein, das verspreche ich."

Meiner Meinung nach, hat er dieses Ziel mehr als übertroffen. Wenn es mehr Männer/Frauen wie ihn in Amerika gibt, dann besteht Hoffnung für die USA.