Within Arm's Length

A Secret Service Agent's Definitive Inside Account of Protecting the President

By: Dan Emmett

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Dan Emmett was just eight years old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The events surrounding the president's death shaped the course of young Emmett's life as he set a goal of becoming a U.S. Secret Service agent-one of a special group of people willing to trade their lives for that of the president, if necessary. Within Arm's Length is a revealing and compelling inside look at the Secret Service and the elite Presidential Protective Division (PPD). Using stories from some of the author's more high-profile assignments in his twenty-one years of service, Emmett describes the professional, physical, and emotional challenges faced by Secret Service agents. Included are never-before-discussed topics such as the complicated relationship between presidents, first ladies, and their agents; the inner workings of Secret Service protective operations; and the seldom-mentioned challenges of the complex Secret Service cultural issues faced by an agent's family.

©2014 Dan Emmett (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Controversial." ( Inside Edition)

Interesting story about the Secret Service

This book was an enlightening story for me. Through the years, I have often wondered what it was like for those brave men and women who worked in the a United States Secret Service. Through my listening to the book, I was able to find out some of the day to day aspects of the life of a Secret Service agent. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in those folks who provide a very valuable service to the President of the United States and the citizenry of our country.

An Inside Look

For those interested in the USSS seeking information on the hiring process and academies, you won't find much inside information. But for those seeking information on what the lifestyle as USSS agent is like, then this book is for. Great book and look at the daily life of a USSS agent.

Good Book

enjoyed story and great narration. very interesting and important subject matter .informative and easy listerning

Disappointing

I'm not sure exactly what is expected from this book. I found it rather dull and too much about the author and not about secret service. I think I expected more about the secret service and Presidents. It's more of a autobiography of Emmett.

A fascinating behind-the-scenes account

There are those rare, hard-charging kind people who are able to meet any challenge head on, no matter the hardships. Regardless of what they do, they make it their business to be the very best at it. Dan Emmett is one of these individuals, and his storied career provides a unique and fascinating insight into the largely mysterious world of those who protect the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Excellent choice

This is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to know some history of the U.S. Secret Service and it has a great story line to accompany it.
Mr. Emmett has a very interesting history and I am glad I made the choice to purchase.

THE LIFE AND DUTY OF A CIA AGENT

Would you listen to Within Arm's Length again? Why?

NO, IT WAS VERY INTERESTION, BUT I GOT IT.

What did you like best about this story?

THE TRAINING REQUIRED OF AGENTS.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Foley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I HAVE NOT.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

THE LIFE OF A CIA AGENT

Any additional comments?

EXCELLENT BOOK!

The honest story of a man with questionable morals

This honest story of a military man who built his career based on his desire to fight and endure hardship of what his jobs required of him teaches us that even a person with a very questionable morals (he believes in law and rules when they are applied to others but not to him as breaking the rules he considered to have balls, he believes in no difference between Russian and American Secret Service and their ideas Etc.) is necessary for our protections and well-being and we should be grateful to them for their sacrifice and dedication.

good

everything about the book was really good. the narrator did an excellent job telling the story.

Suggested by a 10 year old

I got this recommendation from a youngster in 6th grade who read the abridged/adapted version and thought I might like it. What a great read and great insight into a very elite environment.
It's well paced and read and the anecdotes will keep you listening. It also made me want to do more pull ups. LOL