Against All Enemies

Inside America's War on Terror

By: Richard A. Clarke

Narrated by: Richard A. Clarke

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The real war on terror has happened largely behind closed doors, run by the White House, drawing on secret intelligence and operations around the world. There is no man who knows more about it than Richard Clarke, the former Counterterrorism Czar for both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the man who has led our efforts against al Qaeda and all other terrorist enemies for years, serving under seven presidents and in the White House for George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, until he resigned in March 2003. He has had a front-row seat at every major battle in this war, from the first World Trade Center bombing, to 9/11, to Afghanistan, to Iraq.

Clarke knows the secret stories of Bill Clinton's great victories (shutting down anti-U.S. terrorism sponsored by Iran and Iraq) and his great frustrations (failing to kill Osama Bin Laden despite many attempts). When President Bush took office, Clarke was ready to present him with a master plan to roll back and destroy al Qaeda, yet the president did not grant a briefing for months. His aides had little interest in Osama Bin Laden, preferring to talk about Saddam Hussein at every turn. Clarke knows why we failed to shut down terrorist financing within our borders prior to 2001.

After ignoring existing plans to attack al Qaeda when he first took office, George Bush made disastrous decisions when he finally did pay attention. Thanks to the determined, even conspiratorial views of Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Bush, we went after the wrong enemy.

The charges Clarke levels against the current administration must be taken seriously by every American, Democrat or Republican. Our security depends upon it.

Listen to Richard Clarke's testimony before the 9-11 Commission.

©2004 RAC Enterprises, Inc. (P)2004 Simon & Schuster, Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2005

"The explosive details about President Bush's obsession with Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks captured the headlines in the days after the book's release, but Against All Enemies offers more. It is a rarity among Washington-insider memoirs: it's a thumping good read." (The New York Times Book Review)
"The level of detail Clarke includes is impressive....Clarke delivers it like a pro. With his deep tenor and weighty pauses, Clarke never lets listeners forget the gravity of the situation....Compelling." (Publishers Weekly)
"Clarke tells an insider's story of our government's awakening to a threat we had never faced before. Because the written words are his own, every pause and emphasized phrase serve to hone his intended meaning as no contracted narrator could do. Although this is an abridgement, none of the meat or spice in this hot dish seems left out." (AudioFile)

Considering the odds.

This book is an exceptionally written and read audio book. There is enough evidence in this book to get a real feeling of our Government now, and the past. The only way you might not enjoy this book, is if your one of the few that believe in Bush. But keep in mind, this man, Richard Clarke, served under Reagan, H. W. Bush, Clinton, and Bush Jr. He was devoted to keeping America Safe. And lived to tell about it. Thank you Richard Clark.(and audible for making this available)

Gigantic Sour Grapes

Clarkes agenda is so transparent. He expected Bush to solve all the problems left untouched by the Clinton administration's eight years in office in just eight months. Talk about sour grapes. I guess Clarke's next employer will think twice about not promoting him! Look what it got Bush.

The Clarke

Here is a story by a guy whose been a bureaucrat his entire life and is now looking to cash in. What makes this book his "accurate" version of the various stories he has told? Perhaps the previous statements he has made that undermine many of his key points in this book are correct. Or, perhaps, the versions he has told to the 9-11 commission that differ from both the book and his pre-book history are correct.
Who knows with this guy? The bottom line is he saw the opportunity to sell himself and retire rich, early. While this book is an interesting insider account, it is more than likely that this is not the truth.

Very biased book

although I loved the first chapter and Clarke makes several good points throughout the book, he is obviously out to get the Republicans. One of the really annoying points in his book is that he repeatedly complains the Bush Adminstration was too obsessed with the ABM treaty and then at the end of the book says, "oh btw, North Korean nuclear missles are a problem too". He wants it both ways throughout the book. When Reagan pulled troops out of Lebanon after 200+ dead, Clarke said he made America look weak. When Clinton pulled troops out of Somolia after 18 dead, Clarke said he made America look strong! Give me a break.

Against All Enemies

I have been watched 911 hearings and Dick Clark was right and every one else is wrong!!!????

Author first excuses himself for profiteering

Then he goes forward with it. Within the first 200 words, you will realize that this is just another hatchet job on the right, and soft-soap for the left. He blames attacks on Clinton for his ineffectiveness. He blames Reagan for not retaliating in Beiruit, and then Bush 41 for leaving Saddam in power. Anybody with any current event experience over the past 15 years will not waste their time after the first five minutes. The viewpoints in this book are "out there". If you thought Clinton was a great president, you will probably love the validation that will doubtless come in this book.

audible or read

I read this book and I also downloaded the audio book. This one was a better read then listening. The details that Clarke get into need to be dwelled on.

Non-Fiction? I dont think so.

This book needs to be moved into the fiction section. Why you ask? Well, compare the statements Clarke made in this book to the testimony he gave in the 911 hearings. It's like night and day. It amazes me that the story told for money greatly differs from the one he tells under oath. To his credit Clarke does a pretty good job of dramatizing the story. That's why I gave it one star. Maybe he has a future reading audio books? Those that are looking for the real truth of what happened in the events leading up to 911 should wait until the matter is documented correctly. This version of the story has too much spin when coming from a disgruntled failure out for revenge. Save your book credit for a good read.

A great book!

I loved this book!

I'll say anything to make a buck

This guy is without integrity...if you like this then you should crawl up in a hole with Al Franken's trash.