I Am a Secret Service Agent: My Life Spent Protecting the President

by Dan Emmett, Charles Maynard

Adapted from Within Arm’s Length for a young adult audience, a rare inside look at the Secret Service from an agent who protected Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Dan Emmett was just eight years old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. From that moment forward, he knew he wanted to become a Secret Service agent, one of an elite group of highly trained men and women dedicated to preserving the life of the President of the United States at any cost, including sacrificing their own lives if necessary. Armed with single-minded determination and a never-quit attitude, he did just that. Selected over thousands of other highly qualified applicants to become an agent, he was eventually chosen to be one of the best of the best and provided protection worldwide for Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush.
I Am a Secret Service Agent skillfully describes the duties and challenges of conducting presidential advances, dealing with the media, driving the President in a bullet-proof limousine, running alongside him through the streets of Washington, and flying with him on Air Force One. With fascinating anecdotes, Emmett weaves keen insight into the unique culture and history of the Secret Service with the inner workings of the White House. I Am A Secret Service Agent is a must read for young adults interested in a career in federal law enforcement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Politics, Biography Memoir, Military Fiction, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Joseph Carano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Won this book on Goodreads. This was a short read with very little of any substance or bite. There were no good stories or behind the scene observations by the author. For such a short book at less than 120 pages it was just plain boring. I wish I could have rated it lower.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the cover, the author is a really humble guy, despite the cover. (I admit that I was drawn in by the action thriller-like cover).

His career spanned 3 administrations (41, 42, 43). He and the presidential families had a mutual respect for each other. The most dangerous thing he was surprising but really obvious when you thought about it. And then he went to Afghanistan after retiring at the ripe old age of 49.

It's a really great book for those wondering how it all works. I really wonder what Secret Service agents would say about working the Presidential Protection Detail today. We'll find out in a few years, hopefully.

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. 

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting career

[SUSAN *Nevertheless,she persisted* · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very insightful look into the life of a Secret Service agent. Dan Emmet protected three Presidents in his rich and interesting career.
Highly recommended.

[Fran Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. That bein said. 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.

[Marisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing was terrible. I've never seen such extraneous use of exclamation points in a published book or a work of nonfiction. I found t patronizing and jarring from the reader experience. The actual content of the book was good, not great. I wish some parts had gone into more detail. Story followed chronological timeline of the subject's career, versus other ways to tell a story.

Was hoping to book talk this to 7th and 8th graders, but the writing....not great.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC through Goodreads.
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Wow. This was a very interesting, albeit short read. I really enjoyed reading the author's story and journey to becoming a secret service agent. He was very straightforward and concise with his words, with lots of details to keep your attention but also focusing on a lot of important and main points (focus on your goals, work hard, persistence pays off and friendships lasts a lifetime).

The public and media (thanks Hollywood) are lead to believe that Secret Service Agents are basically bodyguards to the president, which is true but they are also so much more than that. They also handle financial investigations, have ongoing and intense training throughout their career, and are super dedicated to what the President represents, despite who is in the seat (you have to be politically impartial to who is in the seat and your own personal beliefs). I feel like Secret Service Agents would make very good diplomats, with kick ass weapons and combat skills. They are definitely people who have your back and will make sure you are very well protected in any event (especially with terrorism on the rise).

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a very interesting and insightful look into life of a secret service agent. When most people think of secret service agents the think of the movie screen Hollywood version. The men in the dark sunglasses standing silently in the corner with no feelings or thoughts of their own, almost robotic. But this book shows that they are real people with real lives, family's and dreams of their own. They are people who constantly sacrifice their life in order to protect the leader of the free world. As I read this book my eyes were opened to things I had never really thought about before and it gave me a new respect for the people who are constantly risking their lives for the future of the United States of America. If you are looking to enter into a career in the secret service or you are looking for insightful and exciting read, I highly recommend you read this book!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I think of the Secret Service, my thoughts are to the PPD. Mr. Emmett was able to outline the history of the organization in a manner that was very easy to understand. I had no idea that the original purpose was for forgery just after the Civil War.

As I read through the book, it was eye opening to learn that some divisions of the Secret Service have to retrain and requalify for their positions every eight weeks. I don’t know of any other career where an individual goes through that type of rigor.

My appreciation of the Secret Service increased significantly while reading this book.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway, this is the first thing I've read by the author.

First I'll say Mr. Emmett has had a very interesting and intense life. I'd like to thank him for his service in each and every one of his capacities.

I'm not a fan of first person writing, admittedly it's hard not to write in the first person in a memoir. There were times that it seemed it wasn't sequential (often an issue for me) and the writing come across like you are attending a lecture, a very interesting lecture but a lecture none the less. I learned a lot reading this and for that reason it was total worth it.

[Read Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick and easy to read story. This book quickly captured my attention. Not full of technical facts, but full of insights regarding the person dedicated to protection of the POTUS. A hard life full of obsessive detail, long hours, and nail biting situations. I personally, don't agree with the politics of some Presidents, but this book does offer insight regarding the fact that they are not protecting the person as much as they are protection the office and the country it represents. My hats off to the professionals.

You will find this to be a GoodReads

[N Flanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good read for anybody, not just wannabe agents. It details the career of Dan Emmet, a secret service agent who spent over 20 years protecting 3 presidents and how not all of it is as exciting as it seems. It is an autobiography and is detailed in its description. Although it was well written, the transitions from one part of the job to another is not especially clear as to how he got there and is a little hard to follow. For anyone who likes, memoirs or adventures or even just looking for a good book, this is for you.

[Luis Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There was an abundant usage of deep imagery that kept me interested, and there were many shocking/surprising moments throughout the book. However, it felt way too chronological, essentially meaning that there was hardly any backstory (it was always 'X happened, Y happened shortly afterwards', and so on), and if it was actually ever included, it was too vague for me to firmly grasp onto the total emotions or conflicts that affected the author further into the book. Regardless, I think it's a great book.

[Lovely Loveday · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Toni Mcintire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads.com. I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about the Secret Service, the extremely hard work it is to be an agent. Dan Emmett takes you from his first desire to become an agent and the steps he took to get to be one. Not all who have the desire gets to achieve their goals. He tells of the sacrifices the agents make in their lives to be an agent. I plan to loan my book to my son to see if his son would also enjoy reading it.

[David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good solid book on the life of a Secret Service agent. It is told in a Joe Friday style, "just the facts mam" with no salacious gossip that is so common in these type of books. With all of the training and the dedication of the agents that Emmett describes it is surprising that the Secret Service scandals during the Obama presidency happened. But that is perhaps, another book.
Thanks for your service.

[Aaron Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a secret service agent is a solid read, that follows a former secret agent through his time before, during and after service. The specifics of becoming an agent and tasks involved while being an agent were very interesting. I never knew how much is involved and how many different jobs the secret service agents do.

Interactions with the President are very enlightening as well. Good book.

I received this book for free from Goodreads in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Annette Heslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting read, taken from Dan Emmett's perspective of the role he had protecting and ensuring the President and his Family were kept safe.

Dan was fortunate to serve three President's before retiring from the Secret Service and continuing in a different role that helped train new recruits for the Secret Service.

Long shifts, time spent away from his family, his life was never his own. The Sacrifices he made to do his dream job and enjoyed every moment of it.

[Jovelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this, but I definitely would have enjoyed it more if there had been less cussing. A*** and s*** were used I think once each, but d*** and h*** were used relatively casually and frequently.
Story-wise, it was a really interesting account, and also very eye-opening. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a well-written biography, or for anyone who is interested in federal law enforcement.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really showed good insight into the job of the secret service. It showed many interesting things about being a secret service agent and how they don't just protect the president. I also thought the author did a great job of including little stories throughout to explain different things they do.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads giveaway win.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Though I am not the target audience, I am sure there are some boys in my middle school classroom that would enjoy this book. It shows that the life of a secret service agent is not glamorous, and is generally boring, but those times when they are needed are ever so important. Though you spend most of your time with the president/vice president/their families, they are not your friends and you have to keep a professional relationship. It must be difficult to not involve yourself in the goings-on around you at all times, but that is your job. I also learned some history in this book that I did not know before, which was a great bonus.

[Diane Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Short and easy to read. The author describes his career journey, his motivations and the characteristics required to be part of the elite team that protects the president of the United States.

[Twinkie Twinkles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun and quick read. It was very interesting to see this perspective on what being in the Secret Service is like. The personal antic dotes were short enough to hold my attention, yet detailed enough for me to get sucked in to each situation he was describing.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for YA. Most everyone should be aware of this information. Dan Emmett did a great job of dispelling the James Bond view of service to one's nation. Thank you for your service Mr & Mrs. Emmett.

[Doug Bivens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and concise read! With the current climate, its important to remember there are people like you and I who are close to the president and just as much affected by the presidents choices as we are. Worth reading

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great details about the life of a Secret Service Agent. The first few chapters were painfully slow. Maybe a bit more excitement and then a "flashback" would have increased my interest in the beginning. I was tempted to "skip ahead" but did not.

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it showed how people reacted when President Kennedy and how for the rest of his life he wanted to become a secret service agent. My favorite part was when he asked his dad what the secret service agent was doing while the president was getting shot at.

[Kayihura Shami · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not just protecting the president and other officials, there are some other roles and sections within this organization. Useful to someone who's looking a career in this type of job or some related one.