In this excellent and important book, former FBI director James Comey writes what are essentially his memoirs, but with a very obvious purpose. Drawing on episodes throughout his personal life and professional life, which includes his time prosecuting members of the mafia and Martha Stewart, and serving three presidents as deputy attorney general or FBI director, Comey highlights traits, good and bad, that he observed in others and helped shape his ideal of ethical leadership, an ideal which he strove for. While doing so, he methodically and logically builds a case against President Trump’s style of leadership, despite not mentioning his name until the final few chapters.

The book is a fascinating take on what happens at the highest levels of our government, including some pretty dramatic events such as the race between then Deputy Attorney General Comey and the White House counsel to Attorney General Ashcroft’s hospital bed. Comey’s appraisal of the various figures he worked for or with seems even-handed and fair. But mostly it’s a reminder of that higher loyalty all of us should have, not to our political tribe but to building and maintaining a just nation for all.