Kurt Eichenwald

Easily one of the most technically accurate pictures of the FBI I've ever read. Since the FBI is viewed through the lens of a particularly complex white collar, price fixing case, the agency's political and bureaucratic foibles are imminently apparent - from warring factions of agents and prosecutors to the tedious meanderings of investigative practice. The book also serves as a wonderful behavioral analysis treatise, as the informant of the title engages in a range of unbelievable hi-jinx show more that stretch the boundaries of believabiity. The author kindly provides actual diagnostic opinions from a professional who treated the informant toward the end of the book - so your questions will be answered, nominally, at least. If you've watched so many films to see an FBI agent as someone who is quick to the draw and racing around the streets chasing serial killers, this book serves as the appropriate antidote - this is the bread and butter of the FBI, complete with all the warts that hamper it.

4 1/2 bones!!!!! show less

If Shakespeare was alive, he would have stolen this book's plot and written a play: The Tragical Death of Enron. It's got it all.

An aging ruler must choose his successor - a boring, responsible guy or an exciting, dashing, brilliant risk taker. He chooses the risk taker. But although his successor is exciting and bold, he lacks the inner strength and moral compass to guide the kingdom. Things quickly start to go wrong, so he chooses a clever man to look after the kingdom's money - one he show more knows will cheat and lie for him. But in the end, the clever man cheats and lies for himself, and the new leader, full of hubris, is brought down by his inability to face his own failure. The kingdom ends up in ruins, the risk taker is imprisoned, the old ruler dies broken and shamed, and the thief walks away with millions.

It's a great story, and all true. show less

It's hard not to hear the Michael Douglas character, Gordon Gecko, in "Wall Street" echoing 'greed is good' when reading this story. Having seen the film I decided to read the book which goes far beyond it in all respects. Mark Whitacre, PhD and head of lysine department at ADM is more like Bernie Madoff than anything else though its not suspected due to his 'good guy' nature. The twists and turns as the story unfolds show just how greedy Fortune 500 companies are and to what end they'll go show more to manipulate markets and people. But crime does NOT pay and Whitacre learns this well. Highly recommended. show less

I found this book to be impossible to put down. The author is very talented at writing, and his memoir is honest and compelling.

Then I read lots of the reviews. They represent a BINGO card of language that able-bodied people use about disability narratives: inspirational, brave, courageous!

And I thought about how folks without the privileges of the author are navigating their experiences with epilepsy, and how we as a society are failing them. And while the author brought that question up show more once or twice, it was not really dwelled upon. I'm not faulting the author for that: he certainly has enough on his shoulders without having to hoist up the rest of the world. But it's hard to ignore. show less