Brennan pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of the Central Intelligence Agency, describing the selfless, patriotic, and invisible work of the women and men involved in national security. He also examines the insularity, arrogance, and myopia that have, at times, undermined its reputation in the eyes of the American people and of members of other branches of government. He brings the reader behind the scenes of some of the most crucial moments in recent U.S. history. He also discusses the times he has failed to live up to his own high standards and the very public fallouts that have resulted.