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Louis Freeh led the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1993 to 2001,
through some of the most tumultuous times in its long history. This is the
story of a life in law enforcement, and of one man's determined struggle
to strengthen and reform the FBI while ensuring its freedom from political
interference.
Bill Clinton called Freeh a "law enforcement legend"
when he nominated him as FBI Director. The good feelings would not last.
Going toe-to-toe with his boss during the scandal-plagued '90s, Freeh
fought hard to defend his agency from political interference and to
protect America from the growing threat of international terrorism. When
Clinton later called that appointment the worst one he had made as
president, Freeh considered it "a badge of honor."
This is Freeh's
entire story, from his Catholic upbringing in New
Jersey to law
school, the FBI training academy, his career as a US District attorney and
as a federal judge, and finally his eight years as the nation's top cop.
This is the definitive account of American law enforcement in the run-up
to September 11. Freeh is clear-eyed, frank, the ultimate realist, and he
offers resolute vision for the struggles ahead.
Book review
My FBI was an intresting read for
me. It provided a another side to the story we've heard thousands of times
from the media and other politicians. Freeh provides insight into the
workings of the FBI and how it has struggled against not only criminals
and terrorist but also from within our own goverment.
Throughtout the book, he consistenly tells us about the many
difficulties the FBI faces as it head into the 22nd Century. The lack of
adequate technology to combat todays computer and online crimes, and the
insufficient funding and main power to fight an efficeint war against
terrorist. It seems as if Freeh is trying one last attempt to get the
Public to pressure Congress to make the FBI into an up-to-date, fully
manned crime/terrorist fighting agency.
Freeh gives short little reviews of many of the huge cases that the FBI
dealt with during his term. I do think that he spent too much time about
Clinton and the investigation about him. Not saying that Clinton was a
perfect man, but he slams down too much on him when he could be writing
about more important topics. Freeh also blames a lot of the problems he
and the FBI faced on other people and groups. Freeh wasn't perfect and
niether was Congress or the President, so Freeh shouldn't have put so much
blame for his problems on them.
Another things that was a problem in My FBI was the story was rather
scattered. He starts off with the attack in Saudi Arabia then moves to his
childhood and jumps around like that. It makes the book hard to follow
sometimes and awkwards in places.
Overall, this was a good memoir of Louis Freeh and the time he spent as
director of the FBI. A lot of good actions happened during his time and
some negative events also happened. Freeh took the FBI through a lot of
change and came out the better for it.
Author
introduction
LOUIS J. FREEH served as director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1993 to 2001. He now is senior vice
chairman of MBNA.
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