Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service (Unabridged)
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4.3 • 108 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first definitive account of the rise and fall of the Secret Service, from the Kennedy assassination to the alarming lapses of the Obama and Trump years—from Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Carol Leonnig
“This book is a wake-up call, and a valuable study of a critically important agency.”—The New York Times
A WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Carol Leonnig reported on the Secret Service for nearly a decade, bringing to light the secrets, scandals, and shortcomings that plague the agency today—from a toxic workplace culture to dangerously outdated equipment to the deep resentment within the ranks at key agency leaders, who put protecting the agency’s once-hallowed image before fixing its flaws.
The Secret Service was born in 1865, in the wake of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, but its story begins in earnest in 1963, with the death of John F. Kennedy. Shocked into reform by its failure to protect the president on that fateful day in Dallas, this once-sleepy agency was radically transformed into an elite, highly trained unit that would redeem itself several times, most famously in 1981 by thwarting an assassination attempt against Ronald Reagan. But by Barack Obama’s presidency, the once-proud Secret Service was running on fumes and beset by mismanagement and mistakes in judgement: break-ins at the White House, an armed gunman firing into the windows of the residence while confused agents stood by, and a massive prostitution scandal among agents in Cartagena, to name just a few. With Donald Trump’s arrival, a series of promised reforms were cast aside, as a president disdainful of public service instead abused the Secret Service to rack up political and personal gains.
To explore these problems in the ranks, Leonnig interviewed dozens of current and former agents, government officials, and whistleblowers who put their jobs on the line to speak out about a hobbled agency that is in desperate need of reform.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In her explosive exposé, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Carol Leonnig shows us how one of the most important government agencies in the U.S. has fallen from grace in a dangerous way. Zero Fail uncovers the serious institutional problems plaguing the organization dedicated to protecting the president—and they run deep. Leonnig walks us through the political machinations by both parties that have steadily eroded the agency’s funding and training over the decades, peppering her history lessons with salacious stories about past administrations from Kennedy to Trump. Tales of rule bending and hard partying are just an appetizer; the entrée is the resounding evidence that the Secret Service has atrophied to the point that its ability to cope with real threats may be in serious question. Maggi-Meg Reed’s polished, newscaster-like delivery is a perfect fit for these jaw-dropping revelations, letting the facts speak for themselves. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the dark suits and cool sunglasses, don’t pass up this fascinating listen.
Customer Reviews
Very insightful
Excellent reporting on behalf of the author.
A must read for anyone in the industry
Great insight into the world of EP. This book explains the relationship between the EP agent and their principal, staff, and the logistics of dealing with bureaucracy, security, and financial resources. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from the examples in this book. This book should be required reading for anyone working EP.
Great Listen!
Amazing book. Completely unbiased and a real inside look at the Secret Service and the families they protect.