Author: James B. Comey

“A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership” by James Comey is a memoir that delves into the former FBI Director’s career and his views on leadership, ethics, and politics. Here’s a detailed summary and review:

Summary

Early Life and Career:
James Comey begins by recounting his childhood in New York and New Jersey, where he faced bullying and a traumatic robbery at gunpoint. These experiences shaped his desire to protect the defenseless and pursue justice¹. He worked various jobs, including at a grocery store, where he learned valuable leadership lessons from his boss, Harry Howell¹.

Professional Journey:
Comey’s career in law enforcement and government is marked by high-profile cases and significant roles. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted the Mafia and insider trading cases, including that of Martha Stewart². He later became the U.S. Deputy Attorney General, where he opposed certain Bush administration policies on torture and surveillance².

FBI Director:
Appointed by President Obama, Comey served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017. His tenure included overseeing the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email use and the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election². His decisions during these investigations were highly controversial and scrutinized⁴.

Interactions with Trump:
The book provides an insider’s view of Comey’s interactions with President Trump, including their meetings and the events leading up to his dismissal in May 2017¹. Comey describes feeling pressured by Trump to show loyalty and to drop the investigation into Michael Flynn⁴.

Review

Strengths:

• Insightful Leadership Lessons: Comey shares six traits of great leaders he observed while working with the Obama administration, emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership¹.
• Personal Anecdotes: The memoir is rich with personal stories that humanize Comey and provide context for his professional decisions¹.
• Timely and Relevant: The book offers a timely perspective on recent political events and controversies, making it a compelling read for those interested in American politics and governance².

Criticisms:

• Subjectivity: Some readers may find Comey’s perspective biased, particularly regarding his portrayal of Trump and the decisions he made during his tenure³.
• Detail Overload: At times, the book delves deeply into procedural details, which might be overwhelming for readers not familiar with legal or governmental processes³.

Overall, “A Higher Loyalty” is a thought-provoking memoir that provides a unique glimpse into the corridors of power and the ethical dilemmas faced by a high-ranking government official². If you’re interested in leadership, ethics, and recent political history, this book is definitely worth a read.

Source:
(1) A Higher Loyalty Summary and Review – Four Minute Books. https://fourminutebooks.com/a-higher-loyalty-summary/.
(2) A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership – Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35108805-a-higher-loyalty.
(3) Book Summary A Higher Loyalty , by James Comey – Shortform. https://www.shortform.com/summary/a-higher-loyalty-summary-james-comey.
(4) A HIGHER LOYALTY: Truth, Lies, and Leadership [book review]. https://www.themindfulword.org/higher-loyalty-book-review/.
(5) A Higher Loyalty Summary | SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/a-higher-loyalty/summary/.
(6) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35108805-a-higher-loyalty.