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Facts and Fears

By: Trey Brown, James R. Clapper
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
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Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller

The former director of National Intelligence's candid and compelling account of the intelligence community's successes - and failures - in facing some of the greatest threats to America

When he stepped down in January 2017 as the fourth United States director of national intelligence, James Clapper had been President Obama's senior intelligence adviser for six and a half years, longer than his three predecessors combined. He led the US intelligence community through a period that included the raid on Osama bin Laden, the Benghazi attack, the leaks of Edward Snowden, and Russia's influence operation during the 2016 US election campaign. 

In Facts and Fears, Clapper traces his career through the growing threat of cyber attacks, his relationships with presidents and Congress, and the truth about Russia's role in the presidential election. He describes, in the wake of Snowden and WikiLeaks, his efforts to make intelligence more transparent and to push back against the suspicion that Americans' private lives are subject to surveillance. Finally, it was living through Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and seeing how the foundations of American democracy were - and continue to be - undermined by a foreign power that led him to break with his instincts honed through more than five decades in the intelligence profession to share his inside experience.

Clapper considers such controversial questions as: Is intelligence ethical? Is it moral to intercept communications or to photograph closed societies from orbit? What are the limits of what we should be allowed to do? What protections should we give to the private citizens of the world, not to mention our fellow Americans? Are there times when intelligence officers can lose credibility as unbiased reporters of hard truths by inserting themselves into policy decisions?

Facts and Fears offers a privileged look inside the US intelligence community and, with the frankness and professionalism for which James Clapper is known, addresses some of the most difficult challenges in our nation's history.

©2018 James R. Clapper and Trey Brown (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"James Clapper has written the best book on intelligence in a generation.... At a critical time in our nation, [Clapper] offers a crucial insight into the threat we face.... His great sense of humor also makes the book a pleasure to read." (Brookings)

"James Clapper might just be the nation's most experienced intelligence officer ever.... Facts and Fears does more than simply tell Clapper's own story.... Instead, he's written a book that stands with the likes of Robert Gates' first memoir, From the Shadows.... Clapper's book tells the first, thoughtful, in-depth history of the rise of the American intelligence community as a semi-united entity.... Readers of this memoir will find a more complex and nuanced portrait than they might expect. The James Clapper who comes across in the book possesses a self-deprecating charm and a wry sense of humor.... Every chapter of the book offers hard-earned lessons for our modern moment." (Wired

What listeners say about Facts and Fears

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Fantastic

James Clapper’s Facts and Fears chronicles fifty years of experience in the US intelligence field. For all it’s meaty topics, this book is very easy to read. One doesn’t need any experience in it to understand what Clapper is saying, especially when he outlines the rules and regulations that govern US intelligence practices. I would have thought some of these topics would be very dry and boring to read through (was alternating between reading a hard copy and listening to he audiobook), but I found it all really engrossing. This is especially true of the later chapters which are about the recent election and the Russian campaign to undermine the confidence of the US electorate in the processes and agencies that uphold US democracy.

Great stuff!

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Essential content for any intelligence student

Superb view into the evolution of US intelligence matters for half a decade, through a range of agencies, service and through a wide range of both foreign and domestic threats. Well written and we'll delivered.

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Insightful, Honest, and Fascinating.

Both an fascinating insight into U.S. Intelligence Services, & humble recounting of the author's service.

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A great insight of a man's career & Intelligence

A riveting account of a man who served his country for all of his adult life in military intelligence and government intelligence agencies. A read of old times and new times, old challenges and new, and then Donald Trump. It's well worth your dime!

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Outstanding!

The life of a career intelligence officer. From start to finish (really, the last 4 hours are fantastic) it’s just enthralling, what an amazing man and an even greater public servant.

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An amazing journey and passionately written book.

A strong honest book spanning an incredible career of service. Extremely honest and a must read for all Americans.

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From a trusted source

Loved it. The narration was lile listening to Jim himself. Thank you James! This book had to be written. The facts had to made know to the public because we fear it may be a long time before things normalise. A book on leadership so many lessons. I am all the better for it.

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