The FBI is a federal criminal investigative intelligence agency and is the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). This article provides an overview of the best FBI books that look inside 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 types of systems, databases, records, and reports used to run background checks, track down 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
- How to get a job in the FBI and pursue a career as a federal agent. Learn about the qualifications, education requirements, and how to apply for a position.
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 mind of the murderers.
John Douglas, an expert on the unit with extensive experience in the Bureau, writes 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: Inside Information on Getting Chosen for and Succeeding in One of the Toughest, Most Prestigious Jobs in the World
The FBI Career Guide explains the qualifications necessary for a Special Agent in the intelligence agency. The book explains some common mistakes applicants make during the application process and how to avoid them. Learn how to improve the odds of getting hired, network with key people, how the job may affect your family life, and get an overview of the typical compensation structure.
In addition to providing advice on getting a job, the book provides helpful career tips for being successful in the position. You’ll also get an overview of various special operations and tactics and 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 not prepared for the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.
It explains the challenges the Federal Bureau faced before the attacks and why their intelligence on terrorist organizations was not up to par. It also provides an overview of how law enforcement agency is working to stop terrorism today.
FBI Careers, 3rd Ed: The Ultimate Guide to Landing a Job as One of America’s Finest
The FBI Careers book is an excellent guide for anyone pursuing an FBI career. The book provides a historical overview and a description of the intelligence division’s organization. It provides a detailed overview of the compensation package, including the benefits. In addition, the guide explains how to prepare and present yourself as the ideal candidate for a position.
Learn everything from the paperwork/application process, the overall strategy, and the training associated with various positions. This can help you understand more clearly what the department expects so you can get a better feel if 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 overviews many essential events and changes within the organization. Also, it explains how the Feds solved several high-profile crimes. In addition, it covers the bureau’s hi-tech solutions and some of the challenges they faceup.
The author also wrote a similar book called “Inside the CIA,” also 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 post a comment below. Also, learn about other Federal Government Agencies, Bureaus, Commissions, and Departments.
