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meta_grrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Like so many, I wanted to learn more about this historical person. What did he have to say for himself? What makes him tick?
I listened to the Audible version rather than reading the book, and I’m glad I did since he reads to himself. He’s got a very clear sense of right and wrong and little sense for grey areas. I wasn’t shocked when the investigation into him came back with some lack of protocol. If all his many interesting stories (his mafia stories are worth the read alone), the Clinton stories are the least in line with the others. He probably did feel he did the right thing.
On a side note, his leadership lessons are pretty solid . Listen, be approachable, walk the talk. Go to lunch everyday and talk to someone new everyday and just listen, even when it’s hard. I can see why many at the FBI have only positive things to say about his leadership.
I listened to the Audible version rather than reading the book, and I’m glad I did since he reads to himself. He’s got a very clear sense of right and wrong and little sense for grey areas. I wasn’t shocked when the investigation into him came back with some lack of protocol. If all his many interesting stories (his mafia stories are worth the read alone), the Clinton stories are the least in line with the others. He probably did feel he did the right thing.
On a side note, his leadership lessons are pretty solid . Listen, be approachable, walk the talk. Go to lunch everyday and talk to someone new everyday and just listen, even when it’s hard. I can see why many at the FBI have only positive things to say about his leadership.
lethaldose's review against another edition
5.0
I want to rate this is two ways and fair warning I think it worth 5 stars in both ways.
First is the writing. James Comey never struck me a great storyteller in any of the times I had seen him in an interview or testifying, but his attention to detail and impeccable memory serve him very well. When he writes about these meetings with powerful people over important issues, he does an amazing job of making me feel like I am write there. In the uncomfortable silence between him and Trump, I feel like a fly on the wall, in a tense stand off with bush officials over John Ashcrofts hospital bed I almost feel like an FBI Agent is going to ask me to leave. James Comey does a great job of setting all these scenes, of making you see these powerful people in the way he saw them. The structure of the book is great too, it doesn't tell any kind of linear tale but mostly is told as his career progressed, but it jumps back and forth at times, huge chunks of his professional career are not told to, but this serves the narrative quite well as the stories he does tell serve to make you understand the events and people that molded James Comey and form his moral fiber.
The story is simply a joy to read, even if you wish it had a happier ending. James Comey is funny, charming and most importantly interesting. He does a great job of helping the reader understand the basics of the inner workings of the FBI, of the Justice Department, and the relationship all of them play to politics. He never makes it overwhelming and I certainly don't feel like an expert at any of that, but I understood it enough to enjoy and follow the stories Comey told.
The second way I need to review this book is a nonfiction book, an account of very recent events and in many cases events that are still unfolding as of my writing of this review. I think many people are going to go into this book with a strong feeling one way or another about James Comey. I didn't know how I should feel about him going in, and will honestly admit I read the book because I am sure this is one of the books that Trump would hate. I openly admit that I detest Trump and couldn't wait to hear any of the juicy parts of this book that painted him badly, of them there are quite a few. But as for Comey and his part in current events and in the possible making of Trump, I hadn't reached a conclusion. I knew him mostly because of Clintons emails and Trump's interactions with him and subsequent firing of. During the course of the book Comey constantly is trying to bring you into his mind to let you see what he was thinking at the pivotal moments. He hardly stamps his foot and demand that you come to the same conclusions that he did, but he does his best to help you understood what challenges he faced and what options he had. I am not sure I would have made the same choices he did, but I am also not sure I wouldn't have either, given his explanations. He seems like a genuine guy, and I know he has reasons to lie about his motivations and actions but there doesn't seem to be any sense of that in this book. He seems to be a talented and ambitious man, but a man of honor and integrity, a person who can be loyal to others that he considers honorable people, his descriptions and feelings toward John Ashcroft and Barack Obama are both quite glowing. My feelings toward James Comey are very positive from this book, I feel like we could use more people like him right now and I thank him for his service to our country.
One addition note, I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it, James Comey's reading is terrific.
First is the writing. James Comey never struck me a great storyteller in any of the times I had seen him in an interview or testifying, but his attention to detail and impeccable memory serve him very well. When he writes about these meetings with powerful people over important issues, he does an amazing job of making me feel like I am write there. In the uncomfortable silence between him and Trump, I feel like a fly on the wall, in a tense stand off with bush officials over John Ashcrofts hospital bed I almost feel like an FBI Agent is going to ask me to leave. James Comey does a great job of setting all these scenes, of making you see these powerful people in the way he saw them. The structure of the book is great too, it doesn't tell any kind of linear tale but mostly is told as his career progressed, but it jumps back and forth at times, huge chunks of his professional career are not told to, but this serves the narrative quite well as the stories he does tell serve to make you understand the events and people that molded James Comey and form his moral fiber.
The story is simply a joy to read, even if you wish it had a happier ending. James Comey is funny, charming and most importantly interesting. He does a great job of helping the reader understand the basics of the inner workings of the FBI, of the Justice Department, and the relationship all of them play to politics. He never makes it overwhelming and I certainly don't feel like an expert at any of that, but I understood it enough to enjoy and follow the stories Comey told.
The second way I need to review this book is a nonfiction book, an account of very recent events and in many cases events that are still unfolding as of my writing of this review. I think many people are going to go into this book with a strong feeling one way or another about James Comey. I didn't know how I should feel about him going in, and will honestly admit I read the book because I am sure this is one of the books that Trump would hate. I openly admit that I detest Trump and couldn't wait to hear any of the juicy parts of this book that painted him badly, of them there are quite a few. But as for Comey and his part in current events and in the possible making of Trump, I hadn't reached a conclusion. I knew him mostly because of Clintons emails and Trump's interactions with him and subsequent firing of. During the course of the book Comey constantly is trying to bring you into his mind to let you see what he was thinking at the pivotal moments. He hardly stamps his foot and demand that you come to the same conclusions that he did, but he does his best to help you understood what challenges he faced and what options he had. I am not sure I would have made the same choices he did, but I am also not sure I wouldn't have either, given his explanations. He seems like a genuine guy, and I know he has reasons to lie about his motivations and actions but there doesn't seem to be any sense of that in this book. He seems to be a talented and ambitious man, but a man of honor and integrity, a person who can be loyal to others that he considers honorable people, his descriptions and feelings toward John Ashcroft and Barack Obama are both quite glowing. My feelings toward James Comey are very positive from this book, I feel like we could use more people like him right now and I thank him for his service to our country.
One addition note, I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it, James Comey's reading is terrific.
olympiadee's review against another edition
4.0
It was a honest testimony of his experience in law enforcement. His honesty is endearing and his humility is revealed throughout the book. His perspective on major events including the emails, 2016 elections, Trump presidency is quite interesting. I would recommend the book. It was a good and quick read. It makes me want to read Bush Jr’s book and all the other political folks who ran through the White House and D.C.
zachnachazel's review against another edition
5.0
What a great read. POLITICS ASIDE, Comey's autobiography provides a very different perspective on many high-profile decisions made in the FBI. While I never followed each of the discussed investigations in close regards, it was easy to see a very different perspective of each existed for this leader. Additionally, throughout the text, Comey gives short, but relate-able leadership tidbits anyone can benefit from. I really enjoyed this, and would gladly recommend this to others.
goobdiddy's review against another edition
3.0
I originally picked this up at the library because I wanted to get some insight into why Comey felt he had to mess with the election. After reading his side of things, I'm left with a grudging respect for him as a leader, and frustration that he made the choices he did.
Overall, this is an interesting inside look into the apparently horrible and honorless upper echelons of American politics. Each chapter is focused on an aspect of leadership that was demonstrated by someone in his past. None of these leadership characteristics are exhibited by Trump and his minions, which is not surprising. Main takeaway: never work at/for the White House, and politicians suck. Not a new message, but more people should probably learn it.
Overall, this is an interesting inside look into the apparently horrible and honorless upper echelons of American politics. Each chapter is focused on an aspect of leadership that was demonstrated by someone in his past. None of these leadership characteristics are exhibited by Trump and his minions, which is not surprising. Main takeaway: never work at/for the White House, and politicians suck. Not a new message, but more people should probably learn it.
cunningba's review against another edition
5.0
It’s not really about Trump
It is a memoir about Comey’s life, education, and events that shaped him. It condenses his lifetime of thoughtful analysis of what means and takes to be an ethical leader.
Trump is the last and most egregious of several counterexamples who demonstrate how not to be an ethical leader. Others included Rudy Giuliani, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Andrew Card, Karl Rove, and the Clintons.
It is a memoir about Comey’s life, education, and events that shaped him. It condenses his lifetime of thoughtful analysis of what means and takes to be an ethical leader.
Trump is the last and most egregious of several counterexamples who demonstrate how not to be an ethical leader. Others included Rudy Giuliani, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Andrew Card, Karl Rove, and the Clintons.
morgainlafeye's review against another edition
I enjoyed the insights into Comey's thinking, although the beginning of the book was difficult to get through, it felt very philosophical when what I wanted to hear was the story, although by the (when things are picking up), I think he was really trying to lay the ground work for why he made the choices he did.
nattie19's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
mparkerfl's review against another edition
5.0
Not all about Trump
Despite what you might have heard in the headlines, this book was not all about Trump. The book was more than halfway through before that name appeared. I have great respect for Mr. Comey after reading this book.
Despite what you might have heard in the headlines, this book was not all about Trump. The book was more than halfway through before that name appeared. I have great respect for Mr. Comey after reading this book.