Reading and Writhing

    YeGads, I'm reading a book, am almost halfway through. Of the autobiographical genre, I would have called it, but the writer calls it a memoir. I guess that makes a difference, in regard to lawsuits and such. Two observations  I've made:   I'm viewing the author from a different perspective than before I started reading the book, and I realize I could never write this type of book about myself.
    The writer takes an in-depth analytical approach to life in general and human behavior in particular. His efforts to be rational and reasonable and to treat everyone equally in the name of justice translates to his viewing himself in the same light. What he perceives as flaws in his character and mistakes he has made are examined and described with a scrutiny that presents him as less than admirable, and he acknowledges that.  I suppose that can be perceived as a manifestation of superiority by some critics:   "Here I am, with all my shortcomings laid right out before you, so I deserve to be respected, if not admired, for that."  His mantra is the truth must be told, in the name of justice and democracy, and it was his responsibility to uphold what is the basis for our country.
   He does not seem to refrain from detailing accounts of his less than admirable behavior, even when no one but himself could have been aware  of how he acted, or even thought. He recounts how when he was a youngster, a robber broke into his home where he was alone with his brother. The robber held a gun to his head, and threatened him and he was sure he was going to be killed. In the depths of his fear, he spilled everything he could to try to save his life, directing the burglar to every last source of cash that was in the house, and even denouncing his parents, saying he didn't care enough about them to try to identify who had robbed them, He writes that his brother had money in his pocket which he kept secret, and seemed more in control of his situation.  That is why I say I could not write this kind of memoir about myself; while I might confess to unadmirable character traits that were in the public domain, I would not want to admit to despicable behavior that was known only to myself.
     A HIGHER LOYALTY comprises 14 chapters, and 281 pages. Only Chapter 12 deals with Trump, and it is 17 pages long. All the media controversy about the release of the book centered on its  attack of the president. It's difficult to believe that was the purpose for writing the book. The author is a deep thinker who'd expected to be secure in his job as FBI Director for years to come, and suddenly found himself without a job which he loved.  The book covers his body of work, dealing with subjects from Watergate to Waterboarding, and his views and opinions on the various presidents he'd interacted with.  His memoir also describes the love and respect he has for his wife, and the heartbreak they felt when their baby son died shortly after birth.
   I would suspect that few  political commentators, supporters and detractors alike, have read more of the book than the chapter called "Trump Tower."