The author’s stories about specific cases he worked on were fascinating and sometimes very nerve-wracking to read, as the danger he experienced was palpable in many cases.  The cast of characters and their antics sometimes were more reminiscent of college buddies and fratboys and less that of trained, respectable professionals, and their personalities were often barely touched on. The author disdained authority and made no secret about it, and his many examples of backbiting and corruption made it pretty clear why he felt the way he did.  I had no idea about the history of the ATF, and I finished the book with a good understanding of the dangerous and important work these agents do.