Rating: 
Summary: Good intro but does not include the dark side of the agency
Review: there is scarce mention of the Cointelpro program, or of some of the seamier sides to the agency as has come out over the past 6 years in the James "Whitey" Bulger case. there is something scary about this agency and its ability to surreptitously monitor us with little oversight. This book does a good job of showing the training and background of the agency and no doubt there are many fine people in the agency. However, it does not discuss how working in the agency affects its employees and i suspect there are more than a few stresses on the home life of people who work for it. It is also apparent that the agency is highly controlled and that field agents and the like might have a lot of restrictions in truly seeking justice. And the intrusiveness into one's personal life by the agency is something that cannot be understated.
Rating:
Summary: Well written
Review: This book provides a comprehensive look behind America's premiere law enforcement agencies. It goes into detail about the history as well as the major cases which have changed the FBI into what it is today. What makes the book nice is the way it is divided among the major offices in different cities which the FBI serves. Moreover, the author not only praises the work of the FBI but also takes a look at the misfortunes and mistakes the FBI has made which helps to humanize the agency. The book can at times get mundane as the author uses too many names of different people and of different cases. Overall though, this book was very well written and the interviews and excerpts given are unmatched.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book about the premier law enforcement agency
Review: This is an excellent book about the recent history of the FBI and a good look at how the FBI operates. Kessler not only praises the FBI when it is warranted, but he also critiques it and exposes some problems. The book alternates chapters between looking at various field offices; ie Baltimore, Dallas, and others; with a look at the various departments within the agency; ie criminal profiling. It is informative, easy to read, and fun. If you want a look inside the FBI, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book about the premier law enforcement agency
Review: This is an excellent book about the recent history of the FBI and a good look at how the FBI operates. Kessler not only praises the FBI when it is warranted, but he also critiques it and exposes some problems. The book alternates chapters between looking at various field offices; ie Baltimore, Dallas, and others; with a look at the various departments within the agency; ie criminal profiling. It is informative, easy to read, and fun. If you want a look inside the FBI, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for FBI applicants
Review: This is an excellent well-written book covering various aspects of the FBI. As a law enforcment officer, this book has enlightened me to apply to the FBI. They are a remarkable organization making grand changes in law enforcement nationwide. This book is recommended to anyone in law enforement. Once you read this, you'll want to be an FBI agent.
Rating:
Summary: Average But Fair
Review: This is another around the world in 8 days tour of an American institution by Kessler. The author is presenting a book that is billed as basically an overview of the FBI as it is today with some history through in to give it some background and a few real life cases peppered through out the book for spice. The author has always done a good job in these large overview books and he has maintained that level here. He has been working with contacts from this agency for years so there is some interesting inside info that will be new to the reader, but a lot of the really interesting stuff has been spelled out in an number of other books or TV programs. The book is a well written and constructed story with a good road map though the years and departments. The reader does not get lost in a jumble of department abbreviations. A good overview book that is probably what most readers are looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Average But Fair
Review: This is another around the world in 8 days tour of an American institution by Kessler. The author is presenting a book that is billed as basically an overview of the FBI as it is today with some history through in to give it some background and a few real life cases peppered through out the book for spice. The author has always done a good job in these large overview books and he has maintained that level here. He has been working with contacts from this agency for years so there is some interesting inside info that will be new to the reader, but a lot of the really interesting stuff has been spelled out in an number of other books or TV programs. The book is a well written and constructed story with a good road map though the years and departments. The reader does not get lost in a jumble of department abbreviations. A good overview book that is probably what most readers are looking for.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive text!
Review: When my spouse applied for a position with the FBI, I immediately began researching the agency. I found Kessler's book to be the most informative. Much of what he wrote about the agency, we have since found to be true. Although Kessler gives a broad overview, his anecdotes are personal and insightful. Does the FBI have too much power? Kesslers objective account of the agency truly allows the reader to form their own opinion. A must-read for any potential Special Agents!
Rating:
Summary: A fair, balanced, and unbiased review of the modern FBI.
Review: When reading books on law enforcement, one has to be careful to avoid those which only glorify an agency, or only villify it. Mr. Kessler was granted an unmatched access to FBI agents for writing this book, and has chronicled the many successes of the agency, as well as some of its most public embarrasements. He pulls no punches when describing the shortcomings of agents and past fiascos, he names names and assigns blame. The final chapter of the book goes into detail about the previous director, William Sessions, his successes certainly, but also the abuses that he uncovered during the research of his book. His revelations led to Sessions' firing. He describes with a great deal of detail the workings of the agency on the street level, in the field offices, and at headquarters. One gets a good look at policies, procedures, training, and special ops. But most especially, he talks about real agents, men and women who deserve our respect for the jobs they perform.! The human interest in this book is very good, making it an easy book to read, and leaving one with a sense that the FBI is in fact the greatest law enforcement agency in the world.
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