Open Target: Where America Is Vulnerable to Attack - Hardcover

Ervin, Clark Kent

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1403972885 ISBN 13: 9781403972880

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2006

Synopsis

Based on his first-hand experiences and observations of how the Department of Homeland Security is failing to make America safe, Ervin shows the real threats we face--from nuclear attack to homegrown terrorism. Pushed out by the White House for refusing to sugarcoat its failures, Ervin candidly discusses the circumstances of his departure. He takes the reader inside the decision-making councils of this newest department of the U.S. government, and shows how his team's prescriptions for urgent change were ignored--leaving the US vulnerable to another terrorist attack.

About this title

About the Author:

Clark Kent Ervin is former Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security and currently holds a post at the Aspen Institute. He is an on-air terrorism analyst for CNN, and will be appearing regularly as an expert on Wolf Blitzer's new show, The Situation Room. Previously, Ervin served as Inspector General of the State Department for over a year under Secretary Powell, and worked as Assistant Secretary of the State of Texas under President George W. Bush when he was Governor of Texas. Ervin has been profiled in media such as U.S. News and World Report, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, among others. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Review:

“[Ervin's] analysis is persuasive--from his sensible policy prescriptions to his infuriating description of how his teams passed through aviation screening with deadly weapons.” ―The Washington Post

“Almost five years after 9-11, we are still not safe. Clark Kent Ervin brings an inside perspective as to why and what needs to be done. A must-read for those interested in the security of our people in this age of terror.” ―Tom Kean, Chairman of the 9/11 Commission and former governor of New Jersey

“A tell-all book filled with stories about sensitive political egos and government inefficiencies that left the nation vulnerable to terrorists.” ―The Houston Chronicle

“Clark Kent Ervin's Open Target is a well-written, interesting, and devastating critique of the Department of Homeland Security--a critique that is made all the more timely in the wake of the department's incompetent response to Hurricane Katrina.” ―Peter Bergen, author of The Osama bin Laden I Know, CNN terrorism analyst, and Fellow of the New America Foundation

“Open Target is a sobering perspective on what still must be done to secure the homeland against terrorists who remain determined to strike. You don't have to agree with everything in it to recognize what an important contribution it is to the national dialogue.” ―John McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence

“This is a critically important book. Clark Ervin knows better than anyone the challenges we face on homeland security. He describes clearly where the dangers are, what mistakes are being made, and how to fix things.” ―Walter Isaacson, author of Ben Franklin: An American Life and president of the Aspen Institute

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1403972885
• ISBN 13: 9781403972880
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272