Endorsements for "The Fall of the FBI"
There are a million stories in the life of an FBI Agent. Some can be,
some should be, and others the FBI hopes are never told. Tom Baker, in
his compelling book, The Fall of the FBI takes the reader
through highlights of his remarkable career and offers an insight to
what the FBI has meant to America. He also tells the story of other,
more recent incidents, that do not reflect what the FBI has been. He
offers suggestions on what must be done to restore this storied
institution back to where it should be to protect, not sully, our
nation.
-- Richard A. Marquise, former FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge, author of "Scotbom: Evidence and the Lockerbie Investigation"
For those of us who grew up admiring the FBI and were shocked by the
agency’s behavior in the Russia Hoax, this is the book to read. Thomas
Baker, a retired FBI official, tells us why this happened, how an
American legend was gradually unraveled by incompetent management,
dishonesty, and loss of, well, decency itself. Mr. Baker grew up in the
agency, and in the old style rose to the management level, only to see
his and his colleagues’ work devalued by the likes of James Comey and
his coterie. Now we have an FBI that spies on Americans. It’s time for
Congress to investigate and return the FBI to its former level of
respect.
-- Peter J. Wallison, former White House Counsel, author of "Ronald Reagan: The Power of Conviction and the Success of His Presidency"
Tom Baker’s book is a must read for those desiring to witness firsthand
the career of a legendary FBI agent, as he brings the reader along from
his days at the FBI Academy and beyond: kidnappings, airplane
hijackings, espionage… even the attempted assassination of a sitting
president. The author then tackles the thorny issues plaguing the FBI
today, recognizing his beloved Bureau is “drifting away from its law
enforcement moorings.” Tom Baker’s stories are compelling, his insight
is enlightening, and his conclusions are cogent.
-- Greg Dillon, former FBI agent, author of "The Thin Blue Lie: An Honest Cop vs. The FBI"
Tom Baker, a retired FBI agent who enjoyed a wide-ranging and successful
career, describes the chaos that led to the decline of the FBI in
recent years. The Fall of the FBI is both is entertaining and
informative and centers on the turmoil that has engulfed the FBI. Baker
sheds light on Director Bob Mueller’s disastrous culture change and
Director Jim Comey’s failed leadership in the Russia Collusion case.
-- Joe Wolfinger, former FBI Assistant Director, author of "Rico: How Politicians, Prosecutors, and the Mob Destroyed one of the FBI’s Finest Special Agents"
"Tom Baker is a legend in the FBI: the first agent on the scene of the
Reagan assassination attempt, wizened veteran of hundreds of other
criminal cases, large and small. When he writes on the calling and
compromise of the FBI's institutional culture, as in his frequent
commentary for the Wall Street Journal and here, in The Fall of the FBI,
Baker commands unrivaled authority -- and the undistracted attention of
all patriots who care whether the United States remains a nation of
laws."
-- James Rosen, chief White House correspondent for Newsmax, author of "The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate"
An interesting and insightful look into the FBI. This book will give the
reader a better understanding of the inner workings of the FBI and
integrity of some Agents and the lack of it in other Agents. A very
powerful read.
-- Joe Pistone, former FBI agent, author of "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia"
"Thomas J. Baker's more than three decades of distinguished service in
the FBI validates his participation in major historic events and views
of a declining Bureau. A thousand former FBI Agents wish they had the
courage displayed by Tom in writing The Fall of the FBI. He
reveals not only one or two former Bureau bad apples but his writing
skill has the reader nearly smelling the stench of an entire orchard
rotting in decay. A deeply researched serious work of nonfiction, it is a
must read for all concerned with preserving our democracy."
-- Paul Letersky, former FBI agent, author of "The Director: My Years Assisting J. Edgar Hoover"
The failures and political corruption of the FBI have become undeniable
in recent years. The incredible insight from Thomas Baker's 33-year
career at the Bureau and his eye-opening reporting make The Fall of the
FBI a book only he could have written, and it's essential reading for
the rest of us who want to know what went wrong and wonder if the FBI
can be saved.
-- Mollie Hemingway, Editor in Chief of The Federalist, author of "Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court"
Baker’s ‘must read’ book is both timely and critical for the turbulent
times in which we live. A touchstone for FBI historians and law
enforcement organizations alike, The Fall of the FBI is essential reading and should be considered one of the most powerful and thought-provoking FBI books ever written!
-- Kenneth Strange Jr., former FBI and DOJ Special Agent in Charge, author of "A Cop’s Son: One G-Man's Fight Against Jihad, Global Fraud and the Cartels"
The FBI was the world’s greatest law-enforcement agency. To get back to
being great, it has to get back to being a law-enforcement agency:
criminal investigators nonpareil, committed to the Constitution’s
guardrails, not wannabe spies scheming to circumvent them. That is
Thomas J. Baker’s cri de cœur, compellingly delivered with the
strength of more than three decades as an agent, from the trenches to
the heights of what the Bureau does best: fight crime. That sound you
hear is those of us who love the FBI – what it was and what it still can
be – cheering.
-- Andrew C. McCarthy, former federal prosecutor, National Review contributing editor, New York Times bestselling author of "Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency"
Tom Baker clearly understands the importance of an independent and
objective federal law-enforcement authority. In this memoir, he
expresses his concerns for the organization in which he served for more
than three decades, and for which he clearly feels deep affection. His
experience bridges the Hoover era with the post-Comey Bureau, providing a
unique perspective. A cautionary tale told with humor and insight.
-- Marc Ruskin, former Brooklyn assistant district attorney, legislative aide to U. S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, author of "The Pretender, My Life Undercover For The FBI"
As I read this wonderful and entertaining book, all I could think to say
was...."well, this is certainly long overdue." It's about time that
someone with Tom Baker's vast experience, skills, and integrity
presented a close-up insider's view of the world's greatest
investigative organization. Baker shows us, especially through all of
the high profile cases, why the Bureau has enjoyed so many decades of
respect and admiration; and yet only to see it descend in recent years
into political intrigue and demoralization. This book should not only
give insight, pride and hope to every rank and file agent in the field,
but more importantly, to every American who still loves what the FBI
stands for: Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.
-- John F Picciano, former FBI agent and New York trial attorney, author of "Liam's Promise", a work of historical fiction about the TWA Flight 800 crash off Long Island in July 1996
Tom Baker draws on his years of experience within the Bureau to present a
superb examination of America’s foremost law enforcement agency. From
his amazing first-hand knowledge of historic cases like the Reagan
assassination attempt and the death of Princess Diana to his insightful
views on how to remedy the recent shortcomings of the agency that he so
loves, I found The Fall of the FBI to be an informative and thought-provoking read.
-- Philip Jett, author of "The Death of an Heir" and "Taking Mr. Exxon: The Kidnapping of an Oil Giant’s President"
Tom Baker, citing the total lack of character apparent in some of the FBI’s most recent so-called leaders, raises the question as to whether we are treating the symptom (getting rid of a few bad apples) and ignoring the problem (the changing FBI culture). Sharing 33 years of FBI experiences during his illustrious career, Tom provides keen insight into a leader’s most important responsibility – culture management.
-- Richard M. Ayres, former FBI agent, Executive Director of the FBI National Executive Institute Associates, author of "Leading to Make a Difference: Ethical, Character Driven Law Enforcement"