Carol Leonnig’s “Zero Fail” is a riveting account of the US Secret Service, an organization tasked with protecting the President of the United States and other high-ranking government officials. The book delves into the history of the agency, its successes, and its failures, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by this elite group of individuals.
The book is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a specific aspect of the Secret Service. In the first chapter, Leonnig provides an overview of the agency’s history, from its creation in 1865 to its current role in protecting the President and other high-profile individuals. She highlights the agency’s successes, including its role in thwarting several assassination attempts on President Ronald Reagan, but also its failures, such as the infamous incident in which agents failed to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
In the second chapter, Leonnig delves into the training process of Secret Service agents, detailing the rigorous physical and mental tests that aspiring agents must undergo. She also highlights the importance of building relationships with the individuals they are tasked with protecting, and the challenges that arise when agents are assigned to protect individuals with whom they have no prior relationship.
The third chapter focuses on the challenges of protecting the President and other high-profile individuals in the age of terrorism. Leonnig provides a detailed account of the planning and execution of the President’s security detail, including the use of advanced technology and the coordination of multiple law enforcement agencies. She also highlights the challenges of protecting the President in an era of increased threats, including the difficulty of identifying potential threats and the challenges of managing the President’s schedule.
In the fourth chapter, Leonnig provides a detailed account of the agency’s response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. She highlights the bravery of agents who were on the scene of the attacks, as well as the challenges of coordinating the response of multiple law enforcement agencies. She also provides a detailed account of the agency’s role in the subsequent investigation, including the identification and apprehension of the terrorists responsible for the attacks.
The fifth chapter focuses on the agency’s role in protecting the President’s family, including the challenges of protecting young children and the challenges of managing the President’s personal life. Leonnig provides a detailed account of the planning and execution of the President’s family’s security detail, including the use of advanced technology and the coordination of multiple law enforcement agencies.
In the sixth and final chapter, Leonnig provides a detailed account of the agency’s role in protecting the President’s residence, including the challenges of managing the President’s personal life and the challenges of protecting the residence from potential threats. She also highlights the importance of building relationships with the individuals who work and live in the residence, and the challenges of managing their security needs.
Overall, “Zero Fail” is a comprehensive and insightful account of the US Secret Service, an organization that plays a critical role in protecting the President and other high-profile individuals. Leonnig’s detailed account of the agency’s history, training process, and response to various threats provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by this elite group of individuals. Whether you are a fan of political history or simply interested in learning more about the inner workings of the US government, “Zero Fail” is a must-read book.
Interested in reading the whole book?
Buy the book “Zero Fail” on Amazon
