Book Review: A Higher Loyalty by James Comey

Former FBI director James Comey shares his never-before-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career in the past two decades of American government, exploring what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how it drives sound decisions. His journey provides an unprecedented entry into the corridors of power, and a remarkable lesson in what makes an effective leader.

Mr. Comey served as director of the FBI from 2013 to 2017, appointed to the post by President Barack Obama. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. deputy attorney general in the administration of President George W. Bush. From prosecuting the Mafia and Martha Stewart to helping change the Bush administration's policies on torture and electronic surveillance, overseeing the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation as well as ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, Comey has been involved in some of the most consequential cases and policies of recent history.

My Review:
I am a huge fan of American politics and love nothing more than sitting up through the night here in the UK and watching the states being called by the US networks. I find it exciting! I've watched them all since Bill Clinton was elected. I think my interest stems from my grandfather being born in New Jersey while his Scottish family were based there for work purposes. Anyway, like many others that night, I was somewhat surprised to see Trump charge to victory, and yes, I suspected it was a mix of him saying he'll bring back jobs to swing states, Hillary not being the most popular Democrat in the world, and the FBI email investigations. Especially the second intervention so close to polling day. I was very keen to read this and see what he had to say about that whole mess and Trump.

However, the book has a lot more to it than that. I was fascinated to read about Comey and his brother coming face to face with the alleged Ramsey Rapist in 1977. The rapist broke into his house, seemingly looking for their sister who thankfully wasn't home and then decided to rob and frighten the two boys. I was actually startled by Comey's behaviour during this-lying to a very dangerous criminal and trying to be a bit too smart, which could have cost both boys their lives. It was pretty reckless but it was interesting to read. Further reading suggests that one of the brothers identified a photo of a man as the rapist, a man who turned out to be innocent of the crime and had his life ruined in the process. Further details here:
https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/10/archives/bergen-rape-suspect-out-on-bail-officials-now-doubt-strength-of.html 

The book then looks at Comey's early career when he joined the US State Attorney's office under the leadership of Rudy Giuliani. Comey gives his opinion that Giuliani was arrogant, loved the limelight too much, was never a team player and always took the glory for victories won by his staff. 'The most dangerous place in New York is between Rudy and a microphone.' Comey considered that everything Giuliani did was to further his own future political career and nothing to do with seeking justice. It is interesting that Comey says that about Rudy wanting the limelight too much as I would say that Comey comes across in this book as having the same negative quality. In fact, far from his claims of hating being dragged into the limelight, I think Comey actually revels in it.

He does quite a few things in his career that back this up. Comey offers to Obama to educate the US people on the threat of Russian interference in the elections. When Obama fails to respond immediatly to his offer, he instantly drafts a newspaper article on the subject and days later offers to release it, which Obama again rejects. Correct me if I'm wrong but Comey's job was to investigate and brief Obama, not try to be his Press Secretary! It looks like he was pushing himself forward again as he says 'I was willing to be the voice on this', despite saying he was tired of being the guy at the podium with bad news. Comey admits that his wife often accused him of thinking he was hot stuff and being over dramatic when delivering his press statements for maximum effect and attention. He also admits to being driven by ego and pride and being over confident, which fits his public persona.

Having previously investigated Hillary Clinton for possibly destroying emails in the Whitewater investigation as part of a Senate Committee, he is tasked with looking into her use of a personal computer to view and share classified information. His opinion was that she was careless in her behaviour but did only share the data with others who were cleared to see it, and that it was less of an issue than the Trump campaign made it out to be. Comey then took the sole decision to end the investigation without the say so of the Department of Justice, to ensure the FBI was seen to be neutral. To me it looked more like him wanting to take centre stage again. It was just before the election when the FBI become aware of Clinton related emails on the computer of disgraced Anthony Weiner.

The plot thickens as Comey's people start looking at the emails. Comey decides to go against the advice of the Department of Justice and tells Congress about the new emails. The DOJ urged caution with the election so close but Comey ignores them and sends his message which instantly leaks and places him front and centre yet again. He also sends a message about his decision to everyone at the FBI in case anyone missed it. Comey admits that it is NOT usual for the FBI to inform Congress when opening an investigation but he just feels that he should do it anyway! Then of course when they find nothing in the new emails, Comey is back out there again. He behaves the same when when meeting Donald Trump for the first time as President-Elect, going against the FBI counsel's advice by telling Donald Trump that he wasn't under investigation in the Russian investigations. He has no right saying that before the investigation starts! It's more 'ME ME ME!' behaviour.

I won't go into the whole Trump thing as there has been a lot of media coverage about relations between Trump and Comey before he was fired. His main point is that Trump continually tried to have the FBI Director as his personal friend and ally rather than being independent as it should be. I did find these interactions and the Clinton email parts of the book interesting but there is no doubt to me that Comey was milking the publicity. That's not to say I think that Comey is a bad guy or anything. I believe he did take his job seriously and that he is a pretty honest guy but the trouble he ended up in was partly of his own making. His dealings with Trump were certainly pretty bizarre if accurate. I also thought he was pretty naive to believe that he didn't really have any impact on Clinton losing the election.

The book was entertaining to read and despite a few issues with Comey himself, it was an enjoyable read, if a bit preachy in places when he went on about his own leadership qualities. That could get a little repetitive but overall, it was a good read.

Read June 2019
3.5 stars.