James Comey's Book

A Weekly Online Publication of the Anonymous Anything Society — April 25, 2018

REVIEWING JAMES COMEY'S BOOK: A HIGHER LOYALTY-Truth, Lies, and Leadership - Part I

Through Chapters One through Eleven, 11 - 182 of 277 pages

Why not wait until I finished the book, including an extensive five page Index? Since it has taken me over a week of two to four hour daily sessions, interrupted by copious note taking, I fear I may not have enough time in my allotted life span to introduce you to an extensive cast of important personages and touch upon the part they played thus far in James Comey's life.

It's dense going, because one is prompted to thumb through the Index to remind yourself for example, who John Gambino was: a Mafia Crime Boss, and the part he played in the author's career. (not much...pages 22-28). Two things stand out thus far. James Comey was destined to be in the FBI, and to lead it. He deserves better. We are the losers in this travesty.

He worked for a fine law firm for a time, but one day he had an epiphany; realized (as did his wife) that he must follow his calling,...his bliss, and return to the Justice Department.

The first big chunk—nearly half this autobiography—deals with great teachers and role models, early family matters, a supportive wife, good friends, a growing family, marvelous and-not so marvelous political leaders. The normally tight-lipped lawman is unsparing with praise and condemnation, when each is deserved.

The book had fine editors. The pace is unrelenting. I am at the point of the unsettling report just days before the 2016 Presidential election, when he felt the need to speak out about Hillary Clinton's mishandling of classified information while she was Secretary of State.

I want to conclude this initial piece of my review with a foreword by James Comey found on the cover of his book: "What is ethical leadership? How do you do what is right instead of what is politically expedient? How do you maintain loyalty to the institutions you have sworn to protect, the values you have dedicated your life to upholding, even if that loyalty comes at your own personal expense?"

Part II of my review of "A Higher Loyalty," will appear here on May 2, 2018.

-Phil Richardson, Observer of the Human Condition and Storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself."—Joseph Menchen

Our unending thanks to Jim Bromley, who programs our Archive of Prior Commentaries

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