The Bureau: The Secret History of the FBI

by Ronald Kessler

Book Overview

No institution is as critically important to America's security. No American institution is as controversial. And, after the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court, no institution is as powerful. Yet until now, no book has presented the full story of the FBI from its beginnings in 1908 to the present... The Bureau The Secret History of the FBI Based on exclusive interviews-including the first interview with Robert Mueller since his nomination...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312989776
• ISBN13: 9780312989774
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Another Very Detail Oriented Book By Kessler

Ronald Kessler is a wonderful author for what he does but he has a habit of selecting fairly misleading titles and The Bureau: The Secret History of the FBI follows this trend in both body and mind. The title conjures images of newly declassified documents and insightful antidotes from tenured Special Agents and analysts alike; in reality what you are given is quite different. A very detailed and organized history of the FBI from its conception as an off shot of the Justice Department (which it technically still is) to the law enforcement and intelligence agency it is today. Now having read Kessler's other books I was prepared for this however if you haven't it will be what throws you most dramatically and as such is something that any new reader should be aware of. That having been said the book does play a central role for anyone interested in the FBI, providing not only a detailed understanding of its past but also varied insights into the minds and actions of the Directors that have helped to shape the agency over its 101 years in existence. Incidentally the most recent directors comprise the majority of the people interviewed by Kessler for his book and as a result skewer the information slightly, it is only further skewered by the authors own experiences with various Directors (for better or worse) and this shows up in numerous forms throughout the text. Still the book delves into the organization, values, history, and structure of the FBI in a way that few texts have been able to and because of this I would recommend it to anyone interested in studying the FBI. On a side not if you have already read Kessler's previous book on the FBI entitled The FBI: Inside the World's Most Powerful Law Enforcement Agency then you have essentially read this book up until the last one hundred pages or so which cover the time between the two texts and introduce some of the changes which occurred in the Bureau following 9/11. If you fall into this category(as I did) then learn from my mistakes and check the book out from the library skim the first 80% and then read the last bit to see what you missed the first time around. If you're a fan of his you'll recognize this updating and repackaging format from his books on the CIA, it makes me seriously question whether or not his new book is worth reading but it's already on my coffee table so I will post a review and let you know shortly. Anyway enjoy this book for what it is and you are in for a treat.

Very strong presentation of the Bureau

Kessler's book is an interesting read. For me it has helped changed perceptions of acts and agencies of our federal government. The books gives a chronological portrayal of the Bureau's early days to the present, and finishes with a few chapters of important cases (espionage, 9/11 and others) that were too significant to put in mere historical context. For the most part Kessler's arguments and research are highly credible. His description of the Bureau over the last 15 years matches my personal recollection of certain events and my own perceptions regarding the Bureau, and how certain attitudes, dogmas or rules "handed down" by the Director were responsible for Bureau mistakes or public perceptions of the agency. At times one might view Kessler's work as an attack on the Bureau, but the book seems admirably weighed between censure for the Bureau's wrongdoing and praise for the Bureau's successes. This balance makes the book more credible, and the reader's own understanding of human nature make most of the descriptions herein very plausible. In all, a very strong presentation of the Bureau, both good and bad.

Great, unvarnished history of the FBI

Kessler is well known for his brutally honest depictions of the CIA, the White House and other areas of government. In this comprehensive history of the Bureau, he covers the administrative capabilities of each director and highlights noteworthy cases. Successes and gaffes are treated honestly and usually characterized by witnesses on both sides.And that's what makes this book really good. Kessler has talked to nearly all of the major players, from the directors down to the field agents. The pros and cons of everyone from Hoover (who, apparently would be serving time right now, if still alive ;-) to Freeh and Mueller are openly discussed with dissenting sides encouraged to speak.If you're interested in discovering Hoover, the FBI and M.L. King, David Koresh, Oklahoma City, 9/11, and many more historical topics, _The Bureau_ will be an intriguing read. Histories of governmental institutions shouldn't be this entertaining!This is an excellent, yet unvarnished, history of the greatest crime-fighting institution the world has ever seen.

Highly-readable & exhaustive

Kessler's unique talent is to deliver pages of seemingly dry material in an informative, exciting narrative. The subtitle of this book is apt - Kessler reveals much "secret history" that may not be known to the average reader. The facts are often chilling and resonate with Kessler's authoritative, well-researched tone and style. Here he answers tough questions about 9/11, terrorism, J. Edgar Hoover's shameless blackmailing tactics and the counter-espionage techniques used by the FBI. Recommended as a single-volume, readable and timely history of "The Bureau." David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author, "Race Against Evil."

A Fomer ATF & CIA Agent Gives "The Bureau" a Thumbs Up

Ronald Kessler's book, "The Bureau:The Secret History of the FBI" is the most detailed andwell-sourced book about the FBI that I have ever read. As a kid, I wanted to be an FBI agent andwent to law school solely for that purpose. But, an FBI agent in the Minneapolis office dissuadedme from my goal and suggested that I become a Treasury agent, which I did. I worked some with- and was around - the FBI for several years, as well as several other Federal law-enforcementagencies. Then, I joined the CIA and served mostly overseas. In private security practice inDallas, I came to know several former FBI agents. This book is probably a fair assessment of the FBI, an agency of mostly intelligent and dedicatedemployees with a history of disastrous management. We all knew how maniacal J. Edgar Hooverwas about the Bureau's image and his own image. Kessler documents this very well with storyafter story. And he documents the many violations of the law Hoover committed, from illegalentries to wiretaps. If there was any doubt that Hoover had personal files on celebrities and politicians, which heused to keep everybody "in line," Ron Kessler provides ample proof. From personal contacts inthe FBI, I had heard about the files many years ago. Hoover was untouchable because of thosefiles. His private files kept him in office for nearly 48 years! Plain and simple. Kessler brings us through the inept leadership of Director Sessions, to the tenure of Louis Freeh,whom he describes as having "... left the FBI in a shambles." Before reading this book, I had nodoubt that the policies of Louis Freeh had handcuffed the FBI in the area of intelligence andanalysis. In the book, you can see decision after decision by Freeh which weakened, almostdestroyed the FBI. That the FBI was using 386 and 486 computers is unpardonable. Congresswas willing to appropriate the money, but did not think Louis Freeh had a clue as to what to dowith it. He had the computer taken out of his office and did not use e-mail. How do suchincompetents as Freeh stay on the job for nearly eight years? Ron Kessler explains. The culture within the FBI was that "none of us would ever betray our country." That keptpolygraph exams from being administered and periodic background investigations from beingdone. So, for many years, Robert Hanssen, who had access to our greatest secrets, betrayed hiscountry. It is improbable that this will happen again, with the new Security Division and thechecks that are in place. Louis Freeh said at a congressional hearing that he had scheduled apolygraph for himself, but he left the FBI without ever taking one. The author was granted the first interview with Robert S. Mueller III, the new director. I hadalready formed a very positive and hopeful opinion of Mueller, an ex-Marine and prosecutor.Kessler reinforces that perception. But the book shows you what a horrendous mess DirectorMueller inherited. I have a couple of quibble points. In his discussion of Ruby Ridge, I thought