A Guide to Careers in the FBI (Kaplan John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI): Amazon.co.uk: J DOUGLAS, X. Kapan: Books

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Synopsis

A former recruiter and profiler for the FBI offers readers looking for a career in federal law enforcement inside information and expert advice on how to gain entry into the highly selective FBI, discussing educational requirements, skills, and internships. Original. 35,000 first printing.

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars a good introduction to the FBI, but a poor career guide, 13 Nov 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in the FBI (Kaplan John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI) (Paperback)

If one knows absolutely nothing about the FBI, this book is a fairly good place to start. But for those who have done a little research, this book covers old ground.

The bulk of the text consists of a historical sketch of the Bureau interspersed with anecdotes on various career paths -- paths limited almost exclusively to special agents. The history is pedestrian. Douglas gives only the basics (which are available elsewhere in far better detail) with a leavening of major cases.

The anecdotes are perhaps more valuable for those considering a career at the Bureau. Want to know how a criminal profiler got his start? Read Greg Cooper's story. Interested in civil rights? Douglas on Frank Watts might be useful. Taken together, these anecdotes provide a passable sketch of life as a special agent. It is not all cloak and dagger. Douglas makes clear that method and hard work solve cases. That, if anything, is the lesson of the book.

But this book is not marketed as a guide to the history of the Bureau. Rather, it is a guide to careers within the FBI. On this score, Douglas's book is a profound disappointment. The overwhelming focus is on special agents. A few pages are given to the support staff, but that information is culled directly from FBI publications.

As for the application process, again, Douglas draws upon free publications. The Bureau pamphlet "FBI Special Agent Selection Process" offers the same information (including the same sample test questions!) in a more accessible format, and is free upon request at any field office. Is the book's price worth advice such as "[don't] be tempted to fudge your answers" (p. 225)? Hardly.

If you are dead-set on a career at the FBI, you will probably buy this book -- if only to have at your disposal every scrap of written information. If your interest is more exploratory, save your money and get the free publications.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and somewhat inspiring, 29 Mar 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in the FBI (Kaplan John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI) (Paperback)

I found this book suitably informative and somewhat inspiring. It met my needs to inform me of the nature of competition that exists with Bureau recruitment and gives me the opportunity to prepare for my application. Being a sophomore in highschool, hardly anyone believes that I am so committed about my career with the FBI, but this book allows me to sound knowledgeable and educated about the path which I intend to follow. I also found the anecdotes inspiring, albeit intimidating. I hope that with the help of this book's advice, I can make it!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and detailed, 26 Mar 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in the FBI (Kaplan John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI) (Paperback)

This book was extremely helpful and detailed. A website called Vaultreports.com also had good information about joining the most exciting agency in America.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but I've seen better
I've read many books written about the FBI, but this doesn't impress me at all. For a John Douglas book, this is very disappointing. Read more

Published on 26 Dec 1998