A terrific look at the inner workings of the life of a secret service agent. A wealth of wonderful detail and Emmett and Maynard have opened a new world for the reader. I hope they write another book! It was fascinating and I read it in one sitting.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book - I kept on falling asleep. I am not the correct reader for it - hopefully this book finds the right reader for it!

For Americans of a certain age, Clint Hill is a recognize-able name and for author Dan Emmett, Hill was a childhood hero, sheltering Jackie Kennedy after the President was shot. That memory propelled Emmett to a career which he chronicles for young people in I AM A SECRET SERVICE AGENT. Emmett describes his time in the Marines, applying to the Secret Service and subsequent assignments in a realistic and engaging manner. He writes about PPD (Presidential Protective Division) for three presidents as well as the extensive training necessary to serve in the CAT (Counter Assault Team).

Filled with details of Emmett's own experiences and background stores on legendary agents, I AM A SECRET SERVICE AGENT is accessible and informative and will appeal to young people interested in law enforcement and public service. To build interest in a booktalk, consider using an excerpt from the book or a short video from the recent New York Times article about the training necessary to become a Secret Service agent titled "Fast Cars, Mean Dogs, and Push-Ups."

Link in live review:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/03/us/fast-cars-mean-dogs-and-push-ups-how-to-train-for-the-secret-service.html

Dan Emmett wrote this short but delightful read about his life as an agent for the Secret Service. He describes the reasons why he was interested in joining the Secret Service, how he got a job, investigating financial crimes out in the field before being able to join the protection detail. I thought he did a great job describing the training involved as well as the day to day operations of being an agent. He also touches on some of the hardships of the job including what the job does to one's social life.

This title would be a great addition to high school libraries and young adult collections. I will recommend this book to those interested in the Secret Service or law enforcement.

This was a great read. An in depth view of the life of a secret service agent. I enjoyed stories of past presidents. It was interesting as well to read about the reality versus the glamour. However, it did lack some excitement. The skills of the author did make up for it. I would have loved to learn more about how the author balanced his marriage and having a child with a fellow secret service agent. All in all, it was a great read. Everyone should definitely read this book. I was pleasantly surprised.

Maynard has given an intelligently written, easily readable, and good book on his time as a Secret Service Agent. The dedication to his career, and the pride he took in it is very admirable. The non stop training, as well as the other sacrifices he made are admirable. I was told that this book was written for a younger audience, those hoping to follow in his career footsteps. It would be a valuable reference for them, and it reads very well to an adult audience also.

I love this book! I feel it really gives you the inside look or peak of what it takes to become a secret service agent. Because of the authors love for the secret service from a very young age it helped him focus on his career goal - first with college, then the marines, finally, with a persistence that few possess, to join the secret service. I feel that anyone who is interested in the secret service or has thought about becoming an agent should read this book. An amazing read.

This is a fascinating look at what it actually takes to become (and stay) a secret service agent. The author became interested in the secret service as a young child when President Kennedy was assassinated. He moved throughout his young adulthood with a linear focus on his career goal - first with college, then the marines, finally, with a persistence that few possess, to join the secret service.

I found the authors experiences interesting and a bit humbling - there are very few jobs that require you to requalify every eight weeks. That the men and women comprising the presidential protective detail do this willingly was sobering.

Anyone interested in the secret service will appreciate this book. I gave this four stars instead of five because of the first couple of chapters. I found the large number of simple sentences distracting. This was only present in the beginning of the book and I am very glad that I continued to read.