Cook, Baker, Candlestick Maker

by Frank Skinner

Synopsis:
Take an exciting journey with Frank Skinner as he climbs the military ranks from private to Captain, co-develops anti-terrorist breaching tactics and works behind the scenes to protect our country as, all the while, he and his family cope with personal issues and life threatening medical problems. A true depiction of how the current war on terror began from a man who has seen it up close and personal.

"Definitely a 'must read' for tacticians, future leaders and historians. The author captures the human endeavors necessary to accomplish and obviously enjoy in order to pioneer the development of a continual facet of warfare, and meeting the challenges of the changing threats in both military and commercial arenas." – Richard Marcinko, a.k.a. Rogue Warrior

“Frank Skinner’s descriptions of scenes, events, and conversations which he had over the years in the Arab World…ring true and authentic and present a good insight into his cordial personal and working relations. This book is excellent as a guide of what to expect when engaged in security work in the region.” – Dr. Margaret Nydell, Former Professor of Arabic, Georgetown University, Author of Understanding Arabs

About the Author:
Author Frank Skinner has worked as a bodyguard for various families and organizations in the private sector and is now a contractor for the U.S. Government. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida in Business Management. He and his wife of 38 years, Susan Skinner, have two sons, Stephen and Michael. They live in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2008

Reviews

[John Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. To understand the developmental stages and evolution of explosive entry in national intelligence covert operations, military leadership and law enforcement nationwide. Told in a way that will have you laughing more than learning, but you'll learn a lot on what you should continue looking into. You'll learn some Lebanese Arabian, a few tricks to add to your bag, where to add vacations at on your to do list, how to be a good father and husband, but an influential leader in military leadership. If you're considering big city police departments SWAT exams, Navy EOD or other tactical military leadership commissions, or to see what it's like to be a part of something greater than yourself for likeminded pursuits than this is the book for you to read. As a 4 yr BS in CJ Administrative grad, EOD student, and fitness freak I enjoyed the journey of Skinner. You'll feel like you're there the whole time.

Started this book just for the details when I started a cert program back in 2012 and 2013 just for the details to pass most of it. Didn't really pull it off the shelf again until the last month or so to read entirely word for word. If you were always into the Tom Clancy books and Robert Ludlum books and movies when you were younger than you'll love this book outside of academia and find it hard to put down.

Though I've always trained my body and mind for officer selection for several years it's easy to run into a paradox as in a "Why Did I do That All Of Those Years? Every Mile? Every Broken Pull Up Bar? Education? etc" especially if your cards dealt were stacked from birth unlike this guy or Nate Fick of One Bullet Away than just being born under the wrong people, the wrong systematic treatment, and the efforts of your own though small compared to good choices can destroy American pride. Re-reading Cook Baker helps to restore faith in country, service, and efforts of my own.

Though it's easy to see that too many people have died for Isreals wars and freedom we don't have to work where we want, be who we wish, or choose what we choose we long to see through the lens of Skinner. You'll humble yourself seeing how many women in the Middle East wishes they had minority protections like our own has to have what ever income they want too while their men suffer, survive, get by, and cook and clean. You'll never wish to see an American woman cry about how her rights are privilege's are taken advantage of as the system of Lebanon don't cater to their existence like ours does our own women. The end of the book will remind you that we are needed in the world more than we think and maybe efforts of your own and those that have died before you, after, or with you don't have to die for no reason either.

If you've lost faith in independence value, politics, our country, the justice system, and our purpose to the rest of the world then I recommend this to you. We all want what Skinner has and that's unshaken faith in utilization, purpose, and faith in our country and ourselves.

[Mike Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written very well and I found it entertaining.