FBI Books: Essential References and Guides for Investigators

Home » P.I. Store » Private Investigator Books » FBI Books: Essential References and Guides for Investigators

The FBI is a federal criminal investigative and intelligence agency, serving as the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). This article provides an overview of the best FBI books that offer an inside look at the bureau, its responsibilities, careers, and more.

List of FBI Books

If you’re interested in learning more about how the bureau operates or if you’re interested in pursuing a career, the following list of FBI books will help you learn about:

  • The FBI’s background and history, including the key people and political figures involved in its formation and evolution
  • The bureau’s mission, purpose, responsibilities, and how they coordinate and interact with other law enforcement agencies 
  • The systems, databases, records, and reports used to run background checks, track people, investigate crimes, catch criminals, and prevent terrorism.
  • The processes, procedures, techniques, and technology used to investigate crimes, solve murders, and bring criminals to justice.
  • Learn how to become a federal agent by getting a job in the FBI. Explore the qualifications, education requirements, and application process.

Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit

Mind Hunter is a book that tells the true story of an FBI special forces unit called the ISU – Investigative Support Unit. The ISU works with state and local law enforcement to solve key serial rape and murder cases. The unit helps solve the crimes using a deep understanding of the minds of the murderers.

John Douglas, an expert on the unit with extensive experience in the Bureau, wrote the book. Douglas was one of the first to use the concept of personality profiling. This is a recommended book for any true crime collection.

The FBI Career Guide

The FBI Career Guide outlines the qualifications required to become an FBI special agent. The book also explains some common mistakes applicants make and guides how to avoid them during the application process. Learn how to improve your odds of getting hired, network with key people, understand how the job may affect your family life, and get an overview of the typical compensation structure.

In addition to providing advice on finding a job, the book offers valuable career tips for achieving success in the role. You’ll also receive an overview of various special operations and tactics, as well as the training involved.

The Bureau: The Secret History of the FBI

This book reveals secret truths about the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation dating back to the days of J. Edgar Hoover. The book explains why the agency was unprepared for the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

It explains the Federal Bureau’s challenges before the attacks and why its intelligence on terrorist organizations was not up to par. It also provides an overview of how law enforcement agencies are working to stop terrorism today.

FBI Careers

The FBI Careers book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in pursuing an FBI career. The book offers a historical overview and a detailed description of the intelligence division’s organizational structure. It provides a thorough overview of the compensation package, including the benefits. Additionally, the guide helps you prepare and present yourself as the ideal candidate for a position.

Learn everything from the paperwork/application process to the overall strategy and training associated with various positions. This can help you understand more clearly what the department expects and give you a better sense of whether you’re qualified for the position.

The FBI: Inside the World’s Most Powerful Law Enforcement Agency

This book was written by investigative reporter Ronald Kessler, who worked for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. The book provides an overview of many essential events and changes within the organization. Also, it explains how the Feds solved several high-profile crimes. Additionally, it highlights the bureau’s high-tech solutions and some of the challenges they encounter.

The author also wrote a similar book called “Inside the CIA,” available on Amazon. If you’d like to learn more about the CIA, visit the CIA books page.

More Information

For more information, visit our FBI information page. If you have any questions about these FBI books, please comment below. Also, learn about other Federal Government Agencies, Bureaus, Commissions, and Departments.

Disclosure: As an associate with Amazon and BeenVerified, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and purchase the product or service, we receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This helps offset some of the costs of running our site. Thanks for your support.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.