- The book is a memoir of Arthur Docters van Leeuwen, a prominent Dutch civil servant, covering his roles in disaster management, police reorganization, the BVD (predecessor of AIVD), and the AFM.
- It offers insights into the evolution of Dutch bureaucratic and administrative culture, with relevance to current governance and security services.
- Docters van Leeuwen's tenure at the BVD involved modernizing the service and establishing an ethics committee to improve operations.
- The memoir recounts his controversial period at the Openbaar Ministerie, including the IRT affair, and his later role as head of the AFM.
- The book provides candid reflections on personal failures and lessons, though some claims (e.g., about Khalid Masood, Van Traa's death) are contentious.
- It is recommended for those interested in government innovation, intelligence, and security services, and is well-written by co-author Lars Kuipers.