The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again

by Tom Ridge, Lary Bloom

When our nation called, Tom Ridge answered. Appointed by the President to head up domestic security, Ridge established the Department of Homeland Security. In this probing and surefooted memoir, Ridge takes us through the challenges he and his new department faced, including Anthrax scares and reports (both real and false alarms) of new Al-Qaeda operations sprouting up in the United States. A “law and order” Republican who was on the shortlist to be John McCain’s running mate in 2008, Ridge writes with refreshing candor on both the successes and missteps of the DHS. He details the obstacles faced in his new post—often within the administration itself—as well as the failures of Congress to provide for critical homeland security needs, and the irresponsible use of terrorism by both parties to curry favors with voters. Ridge also • How the DHS was pressured to connect homeland security to the international “war on terror” • How Ridge effectively thwarted a plan to raise the national security alert just before the 2004 Election• How Ridge had pushed for a plan (defeated because of turf wars) to integrate DHS and FEMA disaster management in New Orleans and other areas before Hurricane Katrina Finally, Ridge offers a prescriptive look to the future, advocating ways that America may reaffirm its safety—including his provocative support for a national ID card program and for comprehensive immigration reform—without sacrificing personal liberty. Television captures every word and every expression. I was reasonable to think that our enemies would look for any sign of weakness in the person who in a few days would be responsible for protecting America against them. At that moment, I experienced a royal flush of emotion—after all, I was leaving the state I loved, a loyal staff, many friendships developed over a lifetime, the frustration of work unfinished, to head into the unknown and the undoable. In normal times, I might have shed a tear at such thoughts. But I was determined not to do so as I said my farewell. If I needed any reminding, I glanced down at the note I had written for counsel. “The bastards are watching.” We can never guarantee we will be free from another attack. We must also understand that every day thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens work here and abroad to take us to a new level of readiness and security. For in the end, Americans do not live in fear. We live in freedom. And we will let no one take that freedom away. —Tom Ridge, from THE TEST OF OUR TIMES

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Thomas Joseph Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives (1983–1995), Governor of Pennsylvania (1995–2001), Assistant to the President for Homeland Security (2001–2003), and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2003–2005). Since re-entering the private sector, Ridge has served on the boards of The Home Depot and The Hershey Company and as a senior advisor to Deloitte & Touche, and TechRadium. Ridge is also the founder and CEO of Ridge Global, LLC, a Washington, D.C. based security consulting firm. Ridge spent time campaigning with fellow Republican, Senator John McCain during his 2008 bid for the presidency and was believed by some to have been in the short list of potential running mates. Ridge wrote in his memoir that then-Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and then-Attorney General Ashcroft pressured him to raise the terror alert level, running up to the 2004 elections, based upon information they had received.[3] Ridge, however, "felt that it was politically motivated" and he ignored their advice based "upon a feeling that the war in Iraq was being politically turned into a war on terror".

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mildly interesting for its recollection of the years following 9/11, the changes society endured (mostly security-related) as viewed through a policy-maker's eyes. Personally, I followed the news stories as they occurred in those years, but never pieced them together into a narrative. I'm not sure, but there are likely better books that accomplish this task, ones with less neo-conservative propaganda.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who do you call...A Keystone State public servant answers the bell....does more with less...in the face of 9/11 and the development of The Department of Homeland Security....Bush called on Tom Ridge...in depth look at the stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks inherent with this amazing challenge undertaken by a PA Patriot faced with UNITING and STRENGTHENING AMERICA by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism(USA PATRIOT ACT)....HE PULLS NO PUNCHES...

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful insight into the life and struggles in the aftermath of 9/11 and the Dept of Homeland Security. Tom gives credit to many others and takes some blame as well. It was amazing that there was such turf protection even after 9/11.

[Jeff Caron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read - Talks about post 9/11 creation of Homeland Security Office and its trials and tribulations ... not only for Reps but for Dems as well, as Mr Ridge seems more independent thinking/ non-partisan.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading. I'll have some detailed comments upon my retirement.

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find the book very insightful.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting view of federal politics and the creation of the Homeland Security Department.