America the Vulnerable: How Our Government Is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism – A Powerful Call to Action on Security and Preparedness

by Stephen Flynn

In this powerful and urgently needed call to action, national security expert Stephen Flynn offers a startling portrait of the radical shortcomings in America's plan for homeland security. He describes a frightening scenario of what the next major terrorist attack might look like -- revealing the tragic loss of life and economic havoc it would leave in its wake, as well as the seismic political consequences it would have in Washington. Flynn also shows us how to prepare for such a disaster, outlining a bold yet practical plan for achieving security in a way that is safe and smart, effective and manageable. In this new world of heightened risk and fear, America the Vulnerable delivers a timely, forceful message that cannot be ignored.

Genres: Politics

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2004

Reviews

[Patrick Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the short comings of our Homeland Security Department. I initially bought the book after thumbing through it and finding a section on the lack of security with our cargo containers, a specific worry of mine.

This book not only breaks down where we are vulnerable, it explains why and offers workable solutions as to how to reduce this vulnerability. The book is a bit frightening in a way, when you read and realize how vulnerable we really are, even after 6 years of security measures. Why isn't more being done? What are the government officials covering up?

What makes this book hit like a sledgehammer is the credentials of the author. He was a Coast Guard Commander for 20 years, an expert in National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been on Congressional Task forces studying the problems in homeland security as well as serving in the White House Military Office during President George H. Bush administration and director for Global Issues on the National Security Council during the Administration of President Bill Clinton. Stephen Flynn is obviously an expert on this issue and his words should be given their due weight.

Bottom line, insightful, a bit frightening, definitely a book to read if you like current events or really want to know how safe we actually are.

[Mike Kowalczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since reading this book and so the facts have escaped me. However, the generally idea that the author presents is that terrorists could easily infiltrate our system on a number of levels or locales. The book is very old, since its subject is one that is rapidly change. Perhaps many of the specific situations he presents have been remedied by this point but the fact remains, there are many other issues that are always in need of rectifying. Not meant to scare but rather to awaken, the author presents a compelling case without political bias or finger-pointing. I strongly recommend it, as we all live in the world where the facts of the book are ever-present.

[Timothy Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thie book was pretty terrifying in parts-- it described in detail how a determined enemy could bring the US to an economic standstill with very little effort. Parts of the book seemed dedicated to just pointing out problems in our current system. I was worried that Flynn would offer no solutions, but later in the book he gets pretty specific about changes he would see made in our domestic and overseas anti-terrorism apparatus.

Overall I enjoyed it. It got a little dry in parts, but considering the subject matter, this could be expected. And the illustrations he chose kept most of the book pretty lively.