Wow. What a moving and an important read. This book is well written. Former MPD officer Michael Fanone does not hold back! He's not the type to beat around the bush when it comes to the physical and mental trauma he suffered on January 6, 2021. Fanone frankly discusses how Trump supporters and Republican members of Congress have gone out their way to whitewash, deny, gaslight, and downplay the violent insurrection. Fanone admits he voted for Trump in 2016, but quickly denounced him in 2017 for his racist remarks about immigrants, and his mistreatment of law enforcement. I absolutely loved this book. It held my attention and Fanone has a strong and clear voice (and awesome potty mouth). He's not afraid to be vulnerable about his personal life and how he feels about certain members of Congress. He wants America to know that the insurrection did happen, it was violent and shameful, and it sure as hell wasn't a peaceful protest. I wish Fanone nothing but the best. He's a brave and gutsy man. A must read!

Thank you, Netgalley and Atria for the digital ARC.

"People on the right need to stop saying " we back the blue, except for those who defended the capital on January 6th." People on the left need to stop saying "cops in riot gear are evil, except for those officers who defended democracy on January 6th."
I have to admit that I fall in the latter category. When I saw Hold the Line available for review, I was not sure that I wanted to read it. I am glad that I did.
What I saw on January 6th confirmed what I already knew about Trump and his supporters, they are opportunistic about Police, Military, and even law and order. So, none of that was a surprise to me. What was impactful for me, as a reader, was Retired officer Michael Fanone' take on necessary police reform. As well as his truthfulness about racism and classism in policing and the justice system. Having LEO's in my family has been a reconciliation process for me since 2020. Mr. Fanone gave me food for thought. He provided insight into his personal life, who he is as a person, father, officer, and now a stalwart protector of Democracy and what is right.
This book is firsthand important insight into understanding the depths to which Trump, his supporters, and those who have sympathetic to him will go to breakdown the fundamental rights for so many of us in this country. I hate that the burden of defending our Democracy has been placed upon the shoulders of Michael Fanone and so many, however I do rest a bit easier knowing that he is a voice in the fight.

Powerful. As I read, I felt like I'd been transitioned back to that fateful day when I watched in horrified disbelief the events going down in Washington DC. Given the impact this book had on me, I cannot imagine what it must have taken Michael Fanone to find the will to write it. It took strength of not just character,, and we do learn a bit about him as a person, too, but belief in doing the right thing. His belief that our democracy was on the line shines through. We owe him and the others who stood firm on the side of democracy a huge thank you.

As such, I won't detract from the importance of this book by trying to find the fancy words to describe it. It carries a powerful punch. Read it.

Thank you #MichaelFanone #NetGalley and AtriaBooks for making this important work available to the American people.

This book is book in regards to one man's view of events at the White House. I do not necessarily agree with most of what he says in the book however it is written well.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This book was like reliving a tragic day in history that so many want to forget even happened and Fanone is here to make sure you never forget! I really liked the format of the book and how it was broken down into before, during and after and the raw emotions that he wrote with. I felt the same emotions while reading and couldn't put the book down. This book is definitely something that every American should read, if you can get past his excessive use of the F word, you'll see him as the hero that I believe he is.

Raw, honest and powerful-read this in one sitting and could not put it down. Michael Fanone pulls no punches about anything or anyone, including himself, in his book. Part brief biography, part plea to the country to wake up and see reality, and part scathing indictment of all who caused, carried out and continue to try to whitewash the attempted overthrow of the government on January 6th-this book should be read and absorbed by as many people as possible

This is a powerful read.

Not for the squeamish, you can actually feel the pain and horror on January 6. It must have been awful to be part of that.

The tone of the book is fairly angry, which is to be expected.

Writing is raw and honest and this should be a must read for everyone who was January 6.

So much of this was like reliving a nightmare, which in actuality it was: a nightmare of epic proportions. That Jan 6 actually happened was horrific enough but that so many, including members of Congress who were rushed to safety on that day, actually refused to later admit that an Insurrection took place, is even more horrific. Officer Farone and his fellow police officers and all those who rushed TO the mob to help on Jan 6th, deserve every single American's gratitude and respect. They saved our democracy and showed Donald Trump and his cohorts, in egging on the crowds that day, to be the despicable cowards that they truly are: whine and rant and rave and stir up the crowd and then run back to their guilded mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and gleefully watch the horrible events play out, safely protected from the carnage and desecration of the United States seat of government.
Bravo to Officer Farone.
And forever shame be on all those who chose not to support him and the other officers who
fought to protect their freedoms, as well, on Jan 6 th.