A look inside the renowned law enforcement agency—its history, its recruiting and training process, and tips for those seeking a Secret Service career. The Secret Service was established after the Civil War by the Treasury Department, originally to protect American currency against counterfeiters. It was only after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 that Congress directed the Secret Service to protect the President of the United States. Today, protection remains the primary mission of the United States Secret Service. It takes a special type of individual to be a U.S. Secret Service agent, one willing to “take a bullet” to preserve the ideals on which the United States was founded. To Be a U.S. Secret Service Agent lifts the curtain for a look inside this law enforcement agency, including the highly selective recruiting, the intense training, and the specialized weapons and equipment used to protect current and past presidents, vice presidents, their families, and visiting heads of state. Includes photos

A rare inside look at the Secret Service from an agent who provided protection worldwide for President George H. W. Bush, President William Clinton, and President George W. Bush Dan Emmett was just eight years old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The events surrounding the President's death shaped the course of young Emmett's life as he set a goal of becoming a US Secret Service agent—one of a special group of people willing to trade their lives for that of the President, if necessary. Within Arm's Length is a revealing and compelling inside look at the Secret Service and the elite Presidential Protective Division (PPD). With stories from some of the author's more high-profile assignments in his twenty-one years of service, where he provided arm's length protection worldwide for Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush, both as a member of the PPD and the Counter Assault Team, Dan Emmett describes the professional, physical and emotional challenges faced by Secret Service agents. Included are never before discussed topics such as the complicated relationship between presidents, first ladies and their agents, the inner workings of Secret Service protective operations as well as the seldom-mentioned challenges of the complex Secret Service cultural issues faced by an agent's family. Within Arm's Length also shares firsthand details about conducting presidential advances, dealing with the media, driving the President in a bullet-proof limousine, running alongside him through the streets of Washington, and flying with him on Air Force One. Within Arm's Length is the essential book on the United States Secret Service. This revealing and compelling inside look at the Presidential Protective Division, along with spellbinding stories from the author's career, gives the reader an unprecedented look in to the life and career of an agent in America's most elite law enforcement agency.

“Spies and Secret Service” is a 1915 work by Hamil Grant that explores the world of spying and espionage, examining its history and inner workings with a particular focus on nineteenth century Europe. Offering a fascinating insight into the secretive organisations of various countries, this volume is not to be missed by those with a keen interest in the exciting field of espionage and its most notable historical figures. Contents include: “The Ethos of the Spy”, “The Spy Through the Ages”, “Le Caron”, “Schulmeister”, “Nathan Hale”, “Mack and the Molly Maguires”, “Major André”, “British Secret Service”, “French Secret Service”, “German Secret Service”, “German Secret Service—Continued”, etc. Read & Co. History is proudly republishing this classic work now in a brand new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on espionage in the First World War.