Our Own Worst Enemy: Asking the Right Questions About Security to Protect You, Your Family, and America
by Randall J. Larsen, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Published by Grand Central Publishing
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Randall J. Larsen is the director of the Institute for Homeland Security, a senior associate at the Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the co-host of Homeland Security: Inside and Out. Colonel Larsen served thirty-two years in the Army and Air Force and flew 400 combat missions in Vietnam.
I heard Colonel Larsen speak at a gathering in New York City in mid 2008 and was impressed with his ability to talk straight and give useful information in an entertaining manner. But it was his subject matter that garnered my attention. Larsen’s thoughts about national security are sound and transcend politics. After listening to him for a half hour I knew his book was a must read.
Our Own Worst Enemy is, in my opinion, the definitive citizen’s authority on the security of our country. It should be mandatory reading. Larsen is a realist. His mantras are: the government is not the answer; use common sense; and ask the right questions and posse up (learn and then take responsibility for yourself, your family and your community).
Larsen’s logic seems so simple once you read his book. It leads the reader to the right questions and answers about security and what we can and must do to protect ourselves.
Larsen examines the issues of national security (borders, immigration, economy, health care) and explains why we as citizens are the answer to our security and not the government (think Katrina). He also covers the weapons of terrorism, how we spend our money, issues, strategies, dangers and perceptions.
Larsen also includes a tear out sheet of family preparedness at the back of the book: The 85 percent solution. Read it, make copies and give to your friends and family and then keep Our Own Worst Enemy close by. Give a copy to those you love. It just might save their lives.
Armchair Interviews says: Our Own Worst Enemy is the most valuable book you can have in your reference library.
Author’s Web site: http://www.RandallLarsen.com