Facts and Fears

Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence

By: Trey Brown, James R. Clapper

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 18 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

The former director of National Intelligence's candid and compelling account of the intelligence community's successes - and failures - in facing some of the greatest threats to America

When he stepped down in January 2017 as the fourth United States director of national intelligence, James Clapper had been President Obama's senior intelligence adviser for six and a half years, longer than his three predecessors combined. He led the US intelligence community through a period that included the raid on Osama bin Laden, the Benghazi attack, the leaks of Edward Snowden, and Russia's influence operation during the 2016 US election campaign.

In Facts and Fears, Clapper traces his career through the growing threat of cyber attacks, his relationships with presidents and Congress, and the truth about Russia's role in the presidential election. He describes, in the wake of Snowden and WikiLeaks, his efforts to make intelligence more transparent and to push back against the suspicion that Americans' private lives are subject to surveillance. Finally, it was living through Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and seeing how the foundations of American democracy were - and continue to be - undermined by a foreign power that led him to break with his instincts honed through more than five decades in the intelligence profession to share his inside experience.

Clapper considers such controversial questions as: Is intelligence ethical? Is it moral to intercept communications or to photograph closed societies from orbit? What are the limits of what we should be allowed to do? What protections should we give to the private citizens of the world, not to mention our fellow Americans? Are there times when intelligence officers can lose credibility as unbiased reporters of hard truths by inserting themselves into policy decisions?

Facts and Fears offers a privileged look inside the US intelligence community and, with the frankness and professionalism for which James Clapper is known, addresses some of the most difficult challenges in our nation's history.

©2018 James R. Clapper and Trey Brown (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"James Clapper has written the best book on intelligence in a generation.... At a critical time in our nation, [Clapper] offers a crucial insight into the threat we face.... His great sense of humor also makes the book a pleasure to read." (Brookings)

"James Clapper might just be the nation's most experienced intelligence officer ever.... Facts and Fears does more than simply tell Clapper's own story.... Instead, he's written a book that stands with the likes of Robert Gates' first memoir, From the Shadows.... Clapper's book tells the first, thoughtful, in-depth history of the rise of the American intelligence community as a semi-united entity.... Readers of this memoir will find a more complex and nuanced portrait than they might expect. The James Clapper who comes across in the book possesses a self-deprecating charm and a wry sense of humor.... Every chapter of the book offers hard-earned lessons for our modern moment." (Wired)

Thank you Director Clapper

This book is not just a recitation of sleepy details but a wonderfully written story about the life of an incredibly interesting man. He generously shares his life from childhood to his retirement after a 50 year career in intelligence.

I am very worried about the direction this country is heading. I honestly believe that anyone who reads this book (even the 40%).....will mull over their current thinking of where we’ve been as a world power, where we are heading AND should we alter that trajectory.

Thank you Director for sharing yourself with your country both professionally and now as a much needed educational leader.

great book

one of the best books I've ever read , you get a close look at how government really works, I highly recommend it

Thank you for your insights!

Such valuable insights acquired through a life of public service. Thank you so much! Sharing with the American public your extremely tough decisions across the decades, serves as a guide for future generations. I’m left with the feeling that I must do my part to preserve the American democracy and the American Dream that I grew up believing in, and has always served as the brightest force in this dark world.

As riveting as Intelligence can get.

Truth to Power, calling like it is for over 50 years to service of our once great nation. The extent to which Russia and Putin are our greatest threat is explained to the informed American citizen. Despite the vulgar child in the White House's denials, the Russian influence campaign handed the election to trump. 3 swing states with less than 80000 votes decided this election. This is the truth, the facts, not spun by political agenda.

Mr Clapper YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

I love this book...it's so refreshing to hear a smart true American that loves our Country. completely the opposite of what we have in the White House a lunatic that cannot even speak nor act right, a total disgrace for America, with that said I gave enjoy the intelligence and the story of Mr Clapper's story as much as Mr Comney's book.

Candid, informative, relevant, and often humorous

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I learned that James Clapper has devoted over 50 years of his life to the service of our country. I’ve seen him many times on television, but had no idea about his distinguished military career or his involvement in important national and world events as the Director of National Intelligence. His writing is humble and self-deprecating. He shares some of his most embarrassing moments, his regrets, and the tenderness he feels for Sue, his wife, his children, and grandchildren. He sets the record straight on many news cycles and shares his fears on the erosion of values and freedoms we hold dear as Americans. It’s a good read.

Truth to Power

Clapper does any excellent job of explaining his background and objective apolitical opinions and how his life has been about speaking truth to power regardless of how hard that may be. Excellent story of a life dedicated to public service. I'm grateful our country had such a humble and selfless man defend us for half a century!

Required Reading

I picked out this book on a whim after a quick scan of the reviews. I could NOT stop listening to it. It is terrifying and compelling and you won’t be able to look away. Great performance by Mark Bramhall who I felt channeled Mr Clapper.
I urge you to listen to (or read) this book.
Thank you, Mr Clapper for your service and for your honesty.

Truth to Power

excellent read. helped me to understand that We the People need to pay attention to in these upcoming elections. And that is that WE ALL need to vote.

One of most important books written

I want to first state I support no political group. In saying that, This book is a must read. Gives people a fairly non biased factually account of how things in government and media have gone down. His account of trump and Russia at end, every one, I believe should know, no matter what their political views are