A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership
Score Modern
What it's about
Former FBI director James Comey writes about two decades in government, from prosecuting the Mafia and fighting terrorism to the 2016 election investigations and his firing by President Trump. Throughout, he explores what ethical leadership means and how it should guide hard decisions.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It's a firsthand account of some of the most controversial events in recent American politics.
You'll love it if you liked
A Promised Land, Fear: Trump in the White House or Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Good to know
It's one man's account of events still argued over, so it's best read as a memoir. The chapters on leadership stand alone from the politics.
Quick answers
Is A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #983 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership about?
Former FBI director James Comey writes about two decades in government, from prosecuting the Mafia and fighting terrorism to the 2016 election investigations and his firing by President Trump. Throughout, he explores what ethical leadership means and how it should guide hard decisions.
How long does it take to read A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership?
About 8 hours (312 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership?
If you liked it, try A Promised Land by Barack Obama, Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward or Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
By the numbers
- Readers70 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller53 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
#1 New York Times bestseller (2 weeks at #1).
Where it ranks
- #21 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #156 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #510 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #983 of the 2,819 books we rank
Bestseller
- #1 New York Times bestseller (2 weeks at #1)
Reads as
True story
If you like this, read next
When Breath Becomes Air
A Promised Land
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
How to Be an Antiracist
Grant