Thomas J. Baker - The Fall of the FBI: How a Once Great Agency Became a Threat to Democracy

Advance Praise for The Fall of the FBI

An interesting and insightful look into the FBI. This book will give the reader a better understanding of the inner workings of the FBI and integrity of some Agents and the lack of it in other Agents. A very powerful read.

J oe Pistone, former FBI agent, author of Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia

Tom Baker, a retired FBI agent who enjoyed a wide-ranging and successful career, describes the chaos that led to the decline of the FBI in recent years. The Fall of the FBI is both entertaining and informative and centers on the turmoil that has engulfed the FBI. Baker sheds light on Director Bob Muellers disastrous culture change and Director Jim Comeys failed leadership in the Russia Collusion case.

Joe Wolfinger, former FBI Assistant Director, author of Rico: How Politicians, Prosecutors, and the Mob Destroyed one of the FBIs Finest Special Agents

Tom Baker is a legend in the FBI: the first agent on the scene of the Reagan assassination attempt, wizened veteran of hundreds of other criminal cases, large and small. When he writes on the calling and compromise of the FBIs institutional culture, as in his frequent commentary for the Wall Street Journal and here, in The Fall of the FBI , Baker commands unrivaled authority and the undistracted attention of all patriots who care whether the United States remains a nation of laws.

James Rosen, chief White House correspondent for Newsmax, author of The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate

Thomas J. Bakers more than three decades of distinguished service in the FBI validates his participation in major historic events and views of a declining Bureau. A thousand former FBI Agents wish they had the courage displayed by Tom in writing The Fall of the FBI . He reveals not only one or two former Bureau bad apples but his writing skill has the reader nearly smelling the stench of an entire orchard rotting in decay. A deeply researched serious work of nonfiction, it is a must read for all concerned with preserving our democracy.

Paul Letersky, former FBI Special Agent, author of The Director: My Years Assisting J. Edgar Hoover

The failures and political corruption of the FBI have become undeniable in recent years. The incredible insight from Thomas Bakers thirty-three-year career at the Bureau and his eye-opening reporting make The Fall of the FBI a book only he could have written, and its essential reading for the rest of us who want to know what went wrong and wonder if the FBI can be saved.

Mollie Hemingway, Editor in Chief of The Federalist , author of Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court

Bakers must-read book is both timely and critical for the turbulent times in which we live. A touchstone for FBI historians and law enforcement organizations alike, The Fall of the FBI is essential reading and should be considered one of the most powerful and thought-provoking FBI books ever written!

Kenneth Strange Jr., former FBI and DOJ Special Agent in Charge, author of A Cops Son: One G-Mans Fight Against Jihad, Global Fraud, and the Cartels

Tom Bakers book is a must-read for those desiring to witness firsthand the career of a legendary FBI agent, as he brings the reader along from his days at the FBI Academy and beyond: kidnappings, airplane hijackings, espionageeven the attempted assassination of a sitting president. The author then tackles the thorny issues plaguing the FBI today, recognizing his beloved Bureau is drifting away from its law enforcement moorings. Tom Bakers stories are compelling, his insight is enlightening, and his conclusions are cogent.

Greg Dillon, former FBI agent, author of The Thin Blue Lie: An Honest Cop vs. The FBI

For those of us who grew up admiring the FBI and were shocked by the agencys behavior in the Russia Hoax, this is the book to read. Thomas Baker, a retired FBI official, tells us why this happened, how an American legend was gradually unraveled by incompetent management, dishonesty, and loss of, well, decency itself. Mr. Baker grew up in the agency, and in the old style rose to the management level, only to see his and his colleagues work devalued by the likes of James Comey and his coterie. Now we have an FBI that spies on Americans. Its time for Congress to investigate and return the FBI to its former level of respect.

Peter J. Wallison, former White House Counsel, author Ronald Reagan: The Power of Conviction and the Success of His Presidency

There are a million stories in the life of an FBI Agent. Some can be, some should be, and others the FBI hopes are never told. Tom Baker, in his compelling book, The Fall of the FBI takes the reader through highlights of his remarkable career and offers an insight to what the FBI has meant to America. He also tells the story of other, more recent incidents, that do not reflect what the FBI has been. He offers suggestions on what must be done to restore this storied institution back to where it should be to protect, not sully, our nation.

Richard A. Marquise, former FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge, author of Scotbom: Evidence and the Lockerbie Investigation.

The FBI was the worlds greatest law-enforcement agency. To get back to being great, it has to get back to being a law-enforcement agency: criminal investigators nonpareil, committed to the Constitutions guardrails, not wannabe spies scheming to circumvent them. That is Thomas J. Bakers cri de cur , compellingly delivered with the strength of more than three decades as an agent, from the trenches to the heights of what the Bureau does best: fight crime. That sound you hear is those of us who love the FBIwhat it was and what it still can becheering.

Andrew C. McCarthy, former federal prosecutor, New York Times bestselling author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency .

Tom Baker clearly understands the importance of an independent and objective federal law-enforcement authority. In this memoir, he expresses his concerns for the organization in which he served for more than three decades, and for which he clearly feels deep affection. His experience bridges the Hoover era with the post-Comey Bureau, providing a unique perspective. A cautionary tale told with humor and insight.

Marc Ruskin, former Brooklyn assistant district attorney, legislative aide to U. S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, author The Pretender, My Life Undercover for the FBI

As I read this wonderful and entertaining book, all I could think to say was... well, this is certainly long overdue. Its about time that someone with Tom Bakers vast experience, skills, and integrity presented a close-up insiders view of the worlds greatest investigative organization. Baker shows us, especially through all of the high profile cases, why the Bureau has enjoyed so many decades of respect and admiration; and yet only to see it descend in recent years into political intrigue and demoralization. This book should not only give insight, pride and hope to every rank and file agent in the field, but more importantly, to every American who still loves what the FBI stands for: Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.

John F Picciano, former FBI agent and New York trial attorney, author of Liams Promise , a work of historical fiction about the TWA Flight 800 crash off Long Island in July 1996

Tom Baker draws on his years of experience within the Bureau to present a superb examination of Americas foremost law enforcement agency. From his amazing first-hand knowledge of historic cases like the Reagan assassination attempt and the death of Princess Diana to his insightful views on how to remedy the recent shortcomings of the agency that he so loves, I found The Fall of the FBI to be an informative and thought-provoking read.