If you’re expecting a dry read, this isn’t it. I’ve enjoyed Frank Figliuzzi’s appearances on TV and podcasts so when I saw this offered on Netgalley, I decided to give it a try. It never dragged or got bogged down in technical details. Instead, the author uses storytelling to illustrate the points, namely, the seven essential traits to the success of the FBI, and by extension, any business or organization: code, conservancy, clarity, consequences, compassion, credibility, and consistency. It’s a great concept and I wish more organizations took this approach.

Some of my favorite quotes/words of wisdom included: “...we perform at our best when we’re accountable for something beyond ourselves.” “Trust comes from transparency, and transparency breeds accountability.” “Restoring damaged credibility can take years, even decades, if it happens at all.”

I learned a few things too. For example, the trigger pull on the Wesson .357 Magnum revolver requires about nine pounds of pressure. “If you want to get a feel for the trigger-pull test, find a full bottle of wine, grasp it with both hands, and fully extend your arms out in front of you. Hold that position for thirty seconds,” to comprehend the weight of the gun. The trigger portion is even more demanding, best likened to picking up a full one-gallon jug of milk with only your index finger, repeatedly, over thirty seconds. It’s safe to say I won’t be applying for the FBI.

I also learned something that might be common knowledge, but I found it appalling nonetheless. “According to FBI statistics, the average age a child prostitute fell prey to a pimp was thirteen. The average life expectancy for that child after becoming a prostitute was just seven years.” This means, on average, these children are barely making it to adulthood.

There’s a fascinating story told about a covert car chase from Colorado to New York as various FBI agents surveilled a suspected terrorist by the name of Najibullah Zazi. “FBI surveillance units in state after state had been handing off Zazi like a toxic baton in a deadly relay race.” The wording of this was clever enough to capture my attention.

There’s also the story of the anthrax outbreak at AMI in Florida. The details were riveting, and I found myself having a whole new appreciation for the work done by those agents. In fact, I have a whole new appreciation for everything that they do and the underlying principles that drive them: Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity. This timing of this book could not be better. Having just endured the endless denigration of their organization over the course of the past 4 years, now more than ever, the FBI needs to rebuild its image and revive the trust that many have always had in them. I believe those who read this book will be pleasantly surprised to discover the caliber of people consistently chosen for the US’s elite police force. I know I am.

The FBI Way by Frank Figliuzzi
By Jack | January 15, 2021 | Book Review
The FBI Way is about integrity of an organization. The full title is The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau’s Code of Excellence by Frank Figliuzzi. It is specifically about the FBI and how they maintain high standards which is interesting in itself but the lessons can be applied to other organizations.

I enjoyed learning about the FBI as I followed Frank Figliuzzi through several interesting episodes in his career. Some were high profile cases that many of probably know something about. and learned the importance of the FBI way in solving problems. He takes no credit for the system. He just learned on the job and codifies it to teach us both the importance of the system and how it could be implemented in other organizations.

It is especially interesting now as the FBI investigates the recent terrorist attack on the Capitol as well as other high profile cases.

I recommend this book and thank Netgalley for the chance to read it before publication

The FBI Way is a wonderful book that will teach anyone who bothers to read it how to live a life of service and integrity. I'm a permanent fan of Frank Figliuzzi.

I was very excited to read this book as I quite enjoy nonfiction and I am intrigued by the FBI due to the various tv dramas I’ve watched and because I visited the FBI headquarters earlier this year.

The book starts off strong by the author sharing what sparked his interest in writing this book- how interesting that he was pet of the designated survivor bunker!

Each chapter is then broken up into different topics. He shares a brief story about a case or cases from his time in the fbi. Not only is it interesting to hear the stories but he also shares how the lessons learned can be applied to anyone.

What I did not enjoy is the blatant anti-republican and anti-Trump storylines. He clearly shares his opinions against the president and the administration’s actions, yet treats his opinion as facts. It was ironic that in the chapter regarding code, he used the platform as a time to share his opinion. It didn’t sit right to me. This is also a sure fire way to alienate half your readers.

Quite a disappointment.

In this era of "alternative facts" and "anything goes", the author provides insight into how the FBI maintains it's high standards and excellence. Using a core set of principles, the FBI sets their expectations on conduct right from the beginning of an agent's career, and does not bend for any reason. Personally, I prefer this type of organization. It let's you know exactly what is expected of you, and of your co-workers. Not a different set of rules for a bosses favored people. It reminds me of what I was taught early in my own law enforcement career. "Act in a manner that was firm, fair, and consistent". Follow those three rules and everything else will fall into place. The author goes into much more detail, but I believe the bottom line is the same. Good book.

Frank Figliuzzi served in several investigative and leadership positions during his 25-year career with the FBI. Since leaving the Bureau he has served in several corporate security positions and is an online security expert with NBC News. In The FBI Way Figliuzzi describes “the Seven C’s of Code, Conservancy, Clarity, Consequences, Compassion, Credibility, and Consistency.” The Seven Cs he considers the basis for the global status of the FBI in the international law-enforcement community. He uses his own experiences to highlight each of the Cs while also discussing his career and how the Cs playout with agents that he served, investigated or supervised. He spent several years in the Bureau’s Office of Professional Responsibility which investigates wrongdoings committed by special agents or other Bureau employees in his role with OPR he would daily deal with ethical conduct. The book could be a timeless resource regarding government employee ethics and the use of the Cs as building blocks for an organization. However, Figliuzzi delves into the ethics of President Donald Trump and several FBI special agents including former Director James Comey, and their conduct while investigating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Trump. Although his comments may have value in the discussion of ethics, they make the discussion more political and appear to be less representative than his other examples. He would have done better to either author a book on Clinton and Trump or one on the Seven Cs.
While the

Very good talking points and you can tell topics were explored in depth and lots of background was given; lots of good research was done. However, it did go a lot into personal experiences