I really enjoyed this memoir. It reminded me of JFKs, Profiles in Courage; both provide reflection on major milestones in American policy, and the moments we as a Nation faltered.

I'm dismayed, but I probably shouldn't, thinking back on all of the negative press that this title was given due to his perspective on Obama's terms in office.

I believe Leon Panetta gives an honest appraisal of his over 50 years of public service, and if anything provides balance to a narrative that the media only provides in extreme dichotomies. We need more individuals like Mr. Panetta to lead our Nation.

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Reading biographies or autobiographies is a good way to learn, at least for me. And since in the last few months I've been interested in the Iraq and Afghanistan's wars it seemed usefull to read Panetta's autobiography. Leon Panetta was Bill Clinton's Chief of Staff, then Director of the CIA and Secretary of Defense during the first term of Obama's presidency. To put it simply: he has had an interesting life, at the center of many interesting events (among those, the killing of Bin Laden and the assault at the Benghazi's consulate in 2012). Therefore, his autobiography is interesting, but not very good. At times, it's way too simplistic, with too little explanations, and some events or periods of time are condensed in few pages.
For me tough, it was still an interesting read.

Fascinating!