To begin, I will provide a little background on the author of this book. Richard Clarke was born in 1950. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in 1972. He began working for the United States Department of Defense in a management role, while obtaining his Master's Degree in management. He worked for President Reagan in the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence. Under President Bush, (George H. W.), he was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. He coordinated diplomatic efforts to support the 1990–1991 Gulf War and security arrangements. President Clinton kept him on staff, even though he was a Republican, and he served as National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism for the National Security Council. He was also still serving during the administration of President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001. He left service in 2003.

I feel that it is important to note the author's career of service in several different roles in the government. He had Cabinet level access to multiple administrations. His education and experience gave him a unique understanding of the issues regarding cyber security and counter terrorism. He worked closely with President Clinton on terrorism, and was ready to meet with President Bush about the same al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, but President Bush did not grant him a prompt meeting. They were obsessed with Saddam Hussein, who was also a miscreant, but as we all know now, bin Laden had some horrific plans. The author made some really scathing comments about the Bush administration, and I cannot say that they were not well deserved comments.

This book was really eye opening. We never know what kind of nonsense is going on behind the scenes. I suppose it is the same way at any job, one lower level person knows what they are talking about, and the higher ups think they know everything and do not listen, or listen to people who are sucking up to them. It is unfortunate that the decisions made my the Bush administration cost so many lives, and that there were underlying schemes going on as well. This is a good book, and the content should really be carefully considered food for thought.