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Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop's Battle for America's Soul
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
An urgent warning about the growing threat to our democracy from a twenty-year police veteran and former Trump supporter who nearly lost his life during the insurrection of January 6th.
When Michael Fanone self-deployed to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, he had no idea his life was about to change. When he got to the front of the line, he urged his fellow officers to hold it against the growing crowd of insurrectionists—until he found himself pulled into the mob, tased until he had a heart attack, and viciously beaten with a Blue Lives Matter flag as shouts to kill him rang out.
Now, Fanone is ready to tell the full story of that fateful day, along with exploring our country’s most critical issues as someone who has had firsthand experience with many of them. A self-described redneck who voted for Trump in 2016, Fanone’s closest friend was an informant—a Black, transgender, HIV-positive woman who has helped him mature and rethink his methods as a police officer. With his unique insight as an undercover detective and intense desire to do the right thing no matter the cost, Fanone provides a nuanced look into everything from policing to race to politics in a way that is accessible across all party lines.
Determined to make sure no one forgets what happened at the Capitol on January 6th, Fanone has written a timely call to action for anyone who wants to preserve our democracy for future generations.
An urgent warning about the growing threat to our democracy from a twenty-year police veteran and former Trump supporter who nearly lost his life during the insurrection of January 6th.
When Michael Fanone self-deployed to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, he had no idea his life was about to change. When he got to the front of the line, he urged his fellow officers to hold it against the growing crowd of insurrectionists—until he found himself pulled into the mob, tased until he had a heart attack, and viciously beaten with a Blue Lives Matter flag as shouts to kill him rang out.
Now, Fanone is ready to tell the full story of that fateful day, along with exploring our country’s most critical issues as someone who has had firsthand experience with many of them. A self-described redneck who voted for Trump in 2016, Fanone’s closest friend was an informant—a Black, transgender, HIV-positive woman who has helped him mature and rethink his methods as a police officer. With his unique insight as an undercover detective and intense desire to do the right thing no matter the cost, Fanone provides a nuanced look into everything from policing to race to politics in a way that is accessible across all party lines.
Determined to make sure no one forgets what happened at the Capitol on January 6th, Fanone has written a timely call to action for anyone who wants to preserve our democracy for future generations.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
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July 22, 2022
I’m not giving this book 5 stars for prose but for content. It’s well written, yes, but the author doesn’t mince words or play politics. He tells it the way he sees it and bravely shows authenticity. Be forewarned the language is rough. Fanone became the unwitting face of the beleaguered police at the Capitol on January 6th. He was simply doing his job when he was pulled by duty to defend the Capitol against a mob that subsequently pulled him into the mob, beat him with fists, clubs, flagpoles, etc., tased him three times, attempted to take his gun, while screaming, “Kill him with his own gun!” He returned to the tunnel semi conscious and slipped into unconsciousness for approximately 4 minutes. I encourage everyone to watch his body camera footage. He is every officer defending the Capitol that day.
Fanone is, for the most part, apolitical. Although not explicitly stated, I am under the impression that he subscribes to Republican ideals. That said, he is equally critical of far left and far right politics and strongly advocates to depoliticize police, provide more comprehensive training, and quit using the police to run political scrum. See a problem? Provide a solution and involve all parties to address it. Then fund it.
Fanone provides a comprehensive background on himself and does not hide his character flaws. He owns his mistakes and provides how they shaped him and taught him. He was a Capitol Police officer for a short time and street cop for most of his career. He understands the unintended biases and worked with the attitude of increasing public safety, taking the real criminals off the streets. His goal was not to be punitive or meet quotas. He served the people in his assigned area.
The last part focuses on some real world ideas to bring about police reform. As he sees the people he served, he doesn’t believe in punitive actions except in the case of truly bad actors (he singles out Chauvin), but pushes the ideas of training in all aspects of law enforcement, including the cultural aspect.
I really liked the book.
Honest review provided in return for a copy provided by Netgalley.
Fanone is, for the most part, apolitical. Although not explicitly stated, I am under the impression that he subscribes to Republican ideals. That said, he is equally critical of far left and far right politics and strongly advocates to depoliticize police, provide more comprehensive training, and quit using the police to run political scrum. See a problem? Provide a solution and involve all parties to address it. Then fund it.
Fanone provides a comprehensive background on himself and does not hide his character flaws. He owns his mistakes and provides how they shaped him and taught him. He was a Capitol Police officer for a short time and street cop for most of his career. He understands the unintended biases and worked with the attitude of increasing public safety, taking the real criminals off the streets. His goal was not to be punitive or meet quotas. He served the people in his assigned area.
The last part focuses on some real world ideas to bring about police reform. As he sees the people he served, he doesn’t believe in punitive actions except in the case of truly bad actors (he singles out Chauvin), but pushes the ideas of training in all aspects of law enforcement, including the cultural aspect.
I really liked the book.
Honest review provided in return for a copy provided by Netgalley.
November 14, 2022
There are different reasons to give a particular book a 5 star review. Sometimes a novelist writes so beautifully that the book is a work of art. Sometimes a vastly knowledgeable biographer writes with evenhanded nuance. Sometimes an historian plumbs the depths of a time period in an unexpected and illuminating manner. And then there’s Hold the Line.
Fanone isn’t a writer, though the book isn’t badly-written, but what makes me give this book 5 stars is its importance. Fanone doesn’t obfuscate or whitewash, and he certainly doesn’t hold back. He just writes plainly of both his pre-Jan 6th career and his horrifying experiences during and after the insurrection. His utterly justified outrage and disbelief come at you off every page.
This book matters, because what happened matters, deeply. The way Fanone was treated, first by the crazed mob on January 6th, and then by the police union and especially by spineless members of Congress, is beyond shameful. More power to Fanone for telling the story.
I cannot recommend this read highly enough.
Fanone isn’t a writer, though the book isn’t badly-written, but what makes me give this book 5 stars is its importance. Fanone doesn’t obfuscate or whitewash, and he certainly doesn’t hold back. He just writes plainly of both his pre-Jan 6th career and his horrifying experiences during and after the insurrection. His utterly justified outrage and disbelief come at you off every page.
This book matters, because what happened matters, deeply. The way Fanone was treated, first by the crazed mob on January 6th, and then by the police union and especially by spineless members of Congress, is beyond shameful. More power to Fanone for telling the story.
I cannot recommend this read highly enough.
July 8, 2022
So much of this was like reliving a nightmare, which in actuality it was: a nightmare of epic proportions. That Jan 6 actually happened was horrific enough but that so many, including members of Congress who were rushed to safety on that day, actually refused to later admit that an Insurrection took place, is even more horrific. Officer Farone and his fellow police officers and all those who rushed TO the mob to help on Jan 6th, deserve every single American's gratitude and respect. They saved our democracy and showed Donald Trump and his cohorts, in egging on the crowds that day, to be the despicable cowards that they truly are: whine and rant and rave and stir up the crowd and then run back to their gilded mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and gleefully watch the horrible events play out, safely protected from the carnage and desecration of the United States seat of government.
Bravo to Officer Fanone.
And forever shame be on all those who chose not to support him and the other officers who
fought to protect their freedoms, as well, on Jan 6 th.
Bravo to Officer Fanone.
And forever shame be on all those who chose not to support him and the other officers who
fought to protect their freedoms, as well, on Jan 6 th.
December 18, 2022
As more and more information comes out about what led up to the horrific events of January 6, 2021—-that Trump not only incited the conflagration but purposefully did absolutely nothing to mitigate or stop his followers for several hours; that some Republican members of the House and Senate aided and abetted the terrorists as they broke through the police lines; that the attack on the Capitol was a far more coordinated effort than originally thought—-it is disheartening that so many people don’t seem to be appropriately outraged or passionate about it.
Is it a case of news burn-out? People just get tired of hearing about it, so they stop caring? Or is it a case of helplessness and apathy? The average person just feeling like he or she can’t do anything to change the corruption in Washington, DC, so why bother? It seems to me that both cases are exactly what Trump and his lackeys want, because they want us to forget and move on, disingenuously claiming that letting bygones be bygones will somehow bring a sense of unity back to partisan politics when, in fact, it is nothing more than an attempt to dodge true accountability.
January 6 still angers me. I am still horrified and bewildered by the events of that day, and I refuse to let it go. Like Michael Fanone—-the DC vice cop that answered the call to help his fellow Capitol police officers under siege by a violent mob (each officer there was outnumbered 58 to 1) and suffered a beating that resulted in a heart attack, major concussion, and PTSD—-I find it a disgrace the way some Republicans have either downplayed or completely denied the events of that day. The implication is clear: they see their own culpability—-four years of sycophantic ring-kissing and either turning a blind eye or blatantly green lighting Trump’s anti-democratic (and, yes, criminal) policy-making—-so they need to downplay or ignore it for posterity’s sake. They believe that the average American is stupid and will forget about all this in a few years. They also believe that history will forget about it, too, if we all just shut up about it.
Well, Fanone isn’t shutting up about it. In his book “Hold the Line”, Fanone tells his first-hand account of being knee-deep in the shit of that day: being dragged into the middle of the insurrectionists and beaten with a flagpole that ironically waved a “Blue Lives Matter” flag; tazed repeatedly at the base of his neck resulting in being knocked unconscious for four minutes and subsequently suffering minor brain damage; hearing someone scream “Shoot him with his own gun!”; being terrified that he was going to die and screaming, “I have kids! I have kids!”, which may have actually saved his life; having some insurrectionists actually pull him back to safety. Famously, on a live TV interview, Fanone, in regards to those in the crowd who helped him, responded, “Thank you, but fuck you for being there in the first place.”
I personally love him for that. That one line, strangely enough, riled up a hornet’s nest of anger from many people, all for the wrong reasons, in my opinion. No, Fanone isn’t saying that he’s against protesting. He’s also not saying that everyone at that protest necessarily went there with the intention of doing harm and attempting to overturn the election. What he is saying is that everybody involved in that attempted coup (and let’s not sugar-coat it: it was a coup attempt, and an insurrection) was there because they were either gullible and actually believed Trump’s Big Lie or knew the truth but didn’t care because they wanted to make history.
Fanone has pissed off a lot of people. Foremost among the pissed are, of course, the Trump supporters and supporters of the insurrectionists. He still gets death threats. He’s also pissed off a lot of the Republicans who are trying to push a false narrative that January 6 was just a peaceful protest and a day of “hugs and kisses”. Sadly, though, he’s also pissed off a lot of his fellow brothers-in-blue. Many of them, if not all, he notes, are white, because Fanone is smart enough to see the role racism and white supremacy played in the events of January 6, and he’s not afraid to say it.
“Hold the Line” is an important book to read for anyone who believes in things like Truth and Integrity. Fanone is a true American hero.
Is it a case of news burn-out? People just get tired of hearing about it, so they stop caring? Or is it a case of helplessness and apathy? The average person just feeling like he or she can’t do anything to change the corruption in Washington, DC, so why bother? It seems to me that both cases are exactly what Trump and his lackeys want, because they want us to forget and move on, disingenuously claiming that letting bygones be bygones will somehow bring a sense of unity back to partisan politics when, in fact, it is nothing more than an attempt to dodge true accountability.
January 6 still angers me. I am still horrified and bewildered by the events of that day, and I refuse to let it go. Like Michael Fanone—-the DC vice cop that answered the call to help his fellow Capitol police officers under siege by a violent mob (each officer there was outnumbered 58 to 1) and suffered a beating that resulted in a heart attack, major concussion, and PTSD—-I find it a disgrace the way some Republicans have either downplayed or completely denied the events of that day. The implication is clear: they see their own culpability—-four years of sycophantic ring-kissing and either turning a blind eye or blatantly green lighting Trump’s anti-democratic (and, yes, criminal) policy-making—-so they need to downplay or ignore it for posterity’s sake. They believe that the average American is stupid and will forget about all this in a few years. They also believe that history will forget about it, too, if we all just shut up about it.
Well, Fanone isn’t shutting up about it. In his book “Hold the Line”, Fanone tells his first-hand account of being knee-deep in the shit of that day: being dragged into the middle of the insurrectionists and beaten with a flagpole that ironically waved a “Blue Lives Matter” flag; tazed repeatedly at the base of his neck resulting in being knocked unconscious for four minutes and subsequently suffering minor brain damage; hearing someone scream “Shoot him with his own gun!”; being terrified that he was going to die and screaming, “I have kids! I have kids!”, which may have actually saved his life; having some insurrectionists actually pull him back to safety. Famously, on a live TV interview, Fanone, in regards to those in the crowd who helped him, responded, “Thank you, but fuck you for being there in the first place.”
I personally love him for that. That one line, strangely enough, riled up a hornet’s nest of anger from many people, all for the wrong reasons, in my opinion. No, Fanone isn’t saying that he’s against protesting. He’s also not saying that everyone at that protest necessarily went there with the intention of doing harm and attempting to overturn the election. What he is saying is that everybody involved in that attempted coup (and let’s not sugar-coat it: it was a coup attempt, and an insurrection) was there because they were either gullible and actually believed Trump’s Big Lie or knew the truth but didn’t care because they wanted to make history.
Fanone has pissed off a lot of people. Foremost among the pissed are, of course, the Trump supporters and supporters of the insurrectionists. He still gets death threats. He’s also pissed off a lot of the Republicans who are trying to push a false narrative that January 6 was just a peaceful protest and a day of “hugs and kisses”. Sadly, though, he’s also pissed off a lot of his fellow brothers-in-blue. Many of them, if not all, he notes, are white, because Fanone is smart enough to see the role racism and white supremacy played in the events of January 6, and he’s not afraid to say it.
“Hold the Line” is an important book to read for anyone who believes in things like Truth and Integrity. Fanone is a true American hero.
October 5, 2022
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I’ve watched Michael’s interviews on TV. Seen him testify in front of congress and read the articles on him. I’ve appreciated his no nonsense style while feeling worry for his clear struggles from the physical and emotional after effects of January 6th. His story was fascinating. I wasn’t bored reading about what I read about in articles or heard in interviews. His journey from high school dropout to a compassionate and fierce MPD police officer was compelling. His honesty is something sorely missing in todays world. Most of all his thoughtful views and opinions on the state of policing in America are worth the read. Don’t let the no filter guy you see on TV keep you from reading this book. Fanone is an intelligent and thoughtful person and has a story that should be heard.
I just reviewed Hold the Line by Michael Fanone; John Shiffman. #HoldtheLine #NetGalley
I just reviewed Hold the Line by Michael Fanone; John Shiffman. #HoldtheLine #NetGalley
September 12, 2024
I have once again decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2024 US Presidential Election. This was a great success as I prepared for 2020, with an outcome at the polls (and antics by both candidates up to Inauguration Day) that only a fiction writer might have come up with at the time! Many of these will focus on actors and events intricately involved in the US political system over the last few years, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.
With the events of July 21, 2024, when Joe Biden chose not to seek re-election, the challenge has become harder to properly reflect the Democratic side. I will do the best I can to properly prepare and offer up books that can explore the Biden Administration, as well as whomever takes the helm into November.
This is Book #28 in my 2024 US Election Preparation Challenge.
I saw this book and thought that it would be a great addition to the election series because of its focus on the January 6th, riots, as told by one of the police officers in the middle of the melee. Not only does Michael Fanone tell a gripping tale of being attacked by rioters, but also recounts his story of life as a police officer in DC and the many things he encountered over his time. Raw and honest, Fanone pulls no punches with his sentiments and creates a well-written account of a man whose views changed as he saw the linguistic manipulation and subtleties hoisted upon the American public during the Trump Administration.
Michael Fanone always wanted to be a part of the solution and not contribute to the problem. Spurred on to join the police focce in reaction to the events of September 11, 2001, the book opens with the saga that was getting through training by a man whose outward appearance was quite rough and tumble. Fanone was tattooed and filterless in his speech, which left an odd impression by many. However, he excelled and soon found himself protecting many on Capitol Hill before making a move the Metropolitan Police Department, protecting those in DC’s inner city.
Fanone noticed a significant change after 2018, not only because of the Trump Administration in the White House—whom he supported—but also the increase in police brutality situations across the country. This uptick in violence against minorities created a negative image of the police, though President Trump’s assertions that the police needed to do more and forego worrying about the criminals who were caught troubled Fanone. That a leader would be so brazen in his comments left Fanone worrying about the state of the country and how he, as a police officer, would be seen by the general public.
Fanone explores how he listened to the police bandwidth radio during the early part of the January 6th, 2021 events on and around the Capitol and knew his colleagues needed assistance. Officers were being attacked or overwhelmed by rioters and Fanone could not sit idly by. He ran into the fray to help his fellow officers and found himself being attacked by those who were trying to breach the Capitol. Fanone is the officer who was famously (infamously?) caught on film being attacked with a flag before he was kicked, scratched, and tased. He was only saved from death when some of the more empathetic rioters helped get him out of the way.
In the aftermath, Fanone reflects on what happened as best he could remember and the bodycam footage that he saw of the event later. He stands firm that this was an insurrection and that Republicans refused to acknowledge it as such, as recounted in the introduction of his book. Fanone speaks from the heart and tries to offer his side of things, as well as the asinine attempts of GOP legislators to downplay things or acknowledge the help he provided because he spoke out against Trump’s antics. He was doubly shocked to see his one police union—supporters of Trump—downplay his concerns or negate them entirely. The book resonates for the reader who is able to stomach all that it offers.
Michael Fanone does not cut corners in his telling of the story, nor does he feel that he did it alone (both protecting the Capitol or writing this book), He acknowledges the hard work of his fellow officers and John Shiffman who helped him tell his story effectively and with grace. Each chapter is thorough and chilling in its depiction, with the three parts of the book clearly noting the different portions of his life as a police officer and true epiphanies he discovered along the way. While not revealing of anything tat the world did not know, I was happy —can I say that?—to see an insider’s perspective of events and listen to someone who served tell of hos he was turned off of the Trump rhetoric, which was exacerbated by those withi nthe GOP who downplayed things and continued to justify them. I do not expect this book to turn the tides of those who are adamant supporters, but would encourage them to read it, if only to see how devastating things were and how it could all have been avoided.
Kudos, Messrs. Fanone and Shiffman, for bringing this story to light.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
With the events of July 21, 2024, when Joe Biden chose not to seek re-election, the challenge has become harder to properly reflect the Democratic side. I will do the best I can to properly prepare and offer up books that can explore the Biden Administration, as well as whomever takes the helm into November.
This is Book #28 in my 2024 US Election Preparation Challenge.
I saw this book and thought that it would be a great addition to the election series because of its focus on the January 6th, riots, as told by one of the police officers in the middle of the melee. Not only does Michael Fanone tell a gripping tale of being attacked by rioters, but also recounts his story of life as a police officer in DC and the many things he encountered over his time. Raw and honest, Fanone pulls no punches with his sentiments and creates a well-written account of a man whose views changed as he saw the linguistic manipulation and subtleties hoisted upon the American public during the Trump Administration.
Michael Fanone always wanted to be a part of the solution and not contribute to the problem. Spurred on to join the police focce in reaction to the events of September 11, 2001, the book opens with the saga that was getting through training by a man whose outward appearance was quite rough and tumble. Fanone was tattooed and filterless in his speech, which left an odd impression by many. However, he excelled and soon found himself protecting many on Capitol Hill before making a move the Metropolitan Police Department, protecting those in DC’s inner city.
Fanone noticed a significant change after 2018, not only because of the Trump Administration in the White House—whom he supported—but also the increase in police brutality situations across the country. This uptick in violence against minorities created a negative image of the police, though President Trump’s assertions that the police needed to do more and forego worrying about the criminals who were caught troubled Fanone. That a leader would be so brazen in his comments left Fanone worrying about the state of the country and how he, as a police officer, would be seen by the general public.
Fanone explores how he listened to the police bandwidth radio during the early part of the January 6th, 2021 events on and around the Capitol and knew his colleagues needed assistance. Officers were being attacked or overwhelmed by rioters and Fanone could not sit idly by. He ran into the fray to help his fellow officers and found himself being attacked by those who were trying to breach the Capitol. Fanone is the officer who was famously (infamously?) caught on film being attacked with a flag before he was kicked, scratched, and tased. He was only saved from death when some of the more empathetic rioters helped get him out of the way.
In the aftermath, Fanone reflects on what happened as best he could remember and the bodycam footage that he saw of the event later. He stands firm that this was an insurrection and that Republicans refused to acknowledge it as such, as recounted in the introduction of his book. Fanone speaks from the heart and tries to offer his side of things, as well as the asinine attempts of GOP legislators to downplay things or acknowledge the help he provided because he spoke out against Trump’s antics. He was doubly shocked to see his one police union—supporters of Trump—downplay his concerns or negate them entirely. The book resonates for the reader who is able to stomach all that it offers.
Michael Fanone does not cut corners in his telling of the story, nor does he feel that he did it alone (both protecting the Capitol or writing this book), He acknowledges the hard work of his fellow officers and John Shiffman who helped him tell his story effectively and with grace. Each chapter is thorough and chilling in its depiction, with the three parts of the book clearly noting the different portions of his life as a police officer and true epiphanies he discovered along the way. While not revealing of anything tat the world did not know, I was happy —can I say that?—to see an insider’s perspective of events and listen to someone who served tell of hos he was turned off of the Trump rhetoric, which was exacerbated by those withi nthe GOP who downplayed things and continued to justify them. I do not expect this book to turn the tides of those who are adamant supporters, but would encourage them to read it, if only to see how devastating things were and how it could all have been avoided.
Kudos, Messrs. Fanone and Shiffman, for bringing this story to light.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 21, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This book was like reliving a tragic day in history that so many want to forget even happened and Fanone is here to make sure you never forget! I really liked the format of the book and how it was broken down into before, during and after and the raw emotions that he wrote with. I felt the same emotions while reading and couldn't put the book down. This book is definitely something that every American should read, if you can get past his excessive use of the F word, you'll see him as the hero that I believe he is.
This book was like reliving a tragic day in history that so many want to forget even happened and Fanone is here to make sure you never forget! I really liked the format of the book and how it was broken down into before, during and after and the raw emotions that he wrote with. I felt the same emotions while reading and couldn't put the book down. This book is definitely something that every American should read, if you can get past his excessive use of the F word, you'll see him as the hero that I believe he is.
October 11, 2022
This book is a powerful condemnation of the traitorous, seditious insurrection committed against the people and government of the United States of America by Donald Trump and his cohorts. Michael Fanone ran towards the violence, and got beaten, tased, suffered a heart attack and unconsciousness for his trouble. A former Trump voter, Fanone did his duty and more on January 6, 2021.
Although it is somewhat of a cliche, this memoir reads like a novel. It is a page-turner. I was fascinated, and repulsed all at the same time. I was particularly interested to read about the cowardice of that lickspittle toady Lindsey Graham who wanted the Capitol Police to shoot the rioters in the head.
This is an important book with good ideas on how to reform police training, written from the point of view of someone who has been there. It is worth reading no matter what your politics are. Heartily recommended.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Although it is somewhat of a cliche, this memoir reads like a novel. It is a page-turner. I was fascinated, and repulsed all at the same time. I was particularly interested to read about the cowardice of that lickspittle toady Lindsey Graham who wanted the Capitol Police to shoot the rioters in the head.
This is an important book with good ideas on how to reform police training, written from the point of view of someone who has been there. It is worth reading no matter what your politics are. Heartily recommended.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
July 14, 2023
I have total and utter respect for our military members and those that serve as first responders. I can't imagine what it must have felt like down in DC on January 6. But, to go towards danger rather than away from it should be applauded.
Fanone is a what you see is what you get kind of guy. He doesn't hold back on his opinions of those that stood by him and those that quickly abandoned him. It’s tough to listen to what happened to him on January 6, but it’s also so very important.
On a side note, the chapters were out of order at the end of my copy of the book. I never actually read the last page!
Fanone is a what you see is what you get kind of guy. He doesn't hold back on his opinions of those that stood by him and those that quickly abandoned him. It’s tough to listen to what happened to him on January 6, but it’s also so very important.
On a side note, the chapters were out of order at the end of my copy of the book. I never actually read the last page!
November 7, 2022
I listened to the audio version of this book, read aloud by Michael Fanone. The emotion, frustration and overall attitude he has as a result of January 6 comes through clearly. He is raw, doesn’t mince words and calls it like he sees it. Highly recommend listening to get first person account of what January 6 was like for someone on the front line, as well as the backlash and patronizing of fellow officers and elected officials on both sides. Word of caution for those offended by colorful language- there’s a lot of it. But it wouldn’t be the same book without it.
October 3, 2022
Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop’s Battle for the Soul of America
Michael Fanone and John Shiffman
Atria Books
2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Michael Fanone self-deployed to the Capitol during the Insurrection when he heard officers screaming for their lives. Things were out of hand and the police were outnumbered by the insurrectionists. Fanone was helping to hold the line when he was brutally attacked, beaten with a Blue Lives matter flagpole, and tased in the neck which caused a heart attack. Five people died, four by suicide. He described the violence as medieval, hand-to-hand combat. He had been an avid Trump supporter, but January 6th changed his mind. To ensure no one forgets what happened on January 6th, he has written this book to help others remember that our democracy is at stake and that action is required.
Fanone’s book is presented in three parts: Before, During, and After. The epilogue is “Legitimate Political Discourse.” The book is his journey.
(Abe Lincoln created the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in 1861, three months after the start of the Civil War.)
Fanone offers sound advice for police training: Gun training under stress, not just shooting at a static target; showing new recruits how to engage with the public; getting to know a source and treating them with respect and compassion even if you didn’t like them. He writes about White Privilege and Black Lives Matter and how it affects police work. He discusses the impact of the Trump presidency on himself (He voted for Trump’s “law and order” speeches) and the police. He turned his back on the president and voted for Biden. Fanone’s mantra is “See the humanity in the people you will meet today.”
On January 6th, Fanone rose at 6:00 am and had breakfast with his mother. She had CNN on in the background and the reporters were discussing the Stop the Steal rally at 11:00 am where then-President Trump would speak. Nanone suspected that there may be property damage but suspected nothing like the insurrection that occurred. He went about work as usual, planning a drug bust later in the afternoon. He was at the gym and the television was on and the reporters were commenting on the size of the crowd and the anger in the crowd, which was scheduled to walk to the US Capitol after the rally. Back at his mother’s, he heard that the rhetoric coming from the speakers was espousing violence to ensure that Trump remained in power. “…trial by combat…” said Rudy Giuliani. “ We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing…” Trump said, indicating that they should only count the real electors-those who voted for Trump-and that they will walk down to the Capitol together to ensure that happens.
Fanone heard on his radio that riot equipment was to be donned. The crowd was massive and was gathering at the Capitol. This meant the protesters were inciting violence against the police. Next was a call for tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bang grenades. Things were escalating fast. Fanone decided to go in to assist as the attacks appeared coordinated and planned in advance. At 1:49 pm, the attack was now a full-blown riot.
Fanone and his partner arrive in uniform and riot gear and are heckled by the insurrectionists with chants of, “You’re on the wrong team! 1776! USA! USA! F—- you, traitors!” They headed to the Rotunda where officers had requested assistance. They found a few Trumpers yelling and hanging onto the statutes but there was no violence. They headed out to the West Terrace Tunnel where they met battered and exhausted officers, some lying down while others were keeping the rioters out of the tunnel. It was brutal hand-to-hand combat. Then, Fanone was grabbed by one of the rioters. The guy yelled, “I got one!” You’ll have to read the book yourself to know what happened afterwards. It’s a page-turner.
Fanone and Shiffman have written a minute-by-minute breakdown of July 6th. The narrative is frightening and so well-written that I couldn’t stop reading. Page after page I lived the horror of that day. I am so proud of the police and all the others who helped them get through the insurrection. I am ashamed of those Americans who fought against our law and order. Needless to say, the presidential election certification successfully resumed.
I recommend this book for those who want a first-hand experience of July 6th and the saving of our democracy. It will get your adrenaline pumping as you experience what one courageous cop did when needed. Now, that’s a real patriot.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for the earc. The opinions are my own.
Michael Fanone and John Shiffman
Atria Books
2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Michael Fanone self-deployed to the Capitol during the Insurrection when he heard officers screaming for their lives. Things were out of hand and the police were outnumbered by the insurrectionists. Fanone was helping to hold the line when he was brutally attacked, beaten with a Blue Lives matter flagpole, and tased in the neck which caused a heart attack. Five people died, four by suicide. He described the violence as medieval, hand-to-hand combat. He had been an avid Trump supporter, but January 6th changed his mind. To ensure no one forgets what happened on January 6th, he has written this book to help others remember that our democracy is at stake and that action is required.
Fanone’s book is presented in three parts: Before, During, and After. The epilogue is “Legitimate Political Discourse.” The book is his journey.
(Abe Lincoln created the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in 1861, three months after the start of the Civil War.)
Fanone offers sound advice for police training: Gun training under stress, not just shooting at a static target; showing new recruits how to engage with the public; getting to know a source and treating them with respect and compassion even if you didn’t like them. He writes about White Privilege and Black Lives Matter and how it affects police work. He discusses the impact of the Trump presidency on himself (He voted for Trump’s “law and order” speeches) and the police. He turned his back on the president and voted for Biden. Fanone’s mantra is “See the humanity in the people you will meet today.”
On January 6th, Fanone rose at 6:00 am and had breakfast with his mother. She had CNN on in the background and the reporters were discussing the Stop the Steal rally at 11:00 am where then-President Trump would speak. Nanone suspected that there may be property damage but suspected nothing like the insurrection that occurred. He went about work as usual, planning a drug bust later in the afternoon. He was at the gym and the television was on and the reporters were commenting on the size of the crowd and the anger in the crowd, which was scheduled to walk to the US Capitol after the rally. Back at his mother’s, he heard that the rhetoric coming from the speakers was espousing violence to ensure that Trump remained in power. “…trial by combat…” said Rudy Giuliani. “ We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing…” Trump said, indicating that they should only count the real electors-those who voted for Trump-and that they will walk down to the Capitol together to ensure that happens.
Fanone heard on his radio that riot equipment was to be donned. The crowd was massive and was gathering at the Capitol. This meant the protesters were inciting violence against the police. Next was a call for tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bang grenades. Things were escalating fast. Fanone decided to go in to assist as the attacks appeared coordinated and planned in advance. At 1:49 pm, the attack was now a full-blown riot.
Fanone and his partner arrive in uniform and riot gear and are heckled by the insurrectionists with chants of, “You’re on the wrong team! 1776! USA! USA! F—- you, traitors!” They headed to the Rotunda where officers had requested assistance. They found a few Trumpers yelling and hanging onto the statutes but there was no violence. They headed out to the West Terrace Tunnel where they met battered and exhausted officers, some lying down while others were keeping the rioters out of the tunnel. It was brutal hand-to-hand combat. Then, Fanone was grabbed by one of the rioters. The guy yelled, “I got one!” You’ll have to read the book yourself to know what happened afterwards. It’s a page-turner.
Fanone and Shiffman have written a minute-by-minute breakdown of July 6th. The narrative is frightening and so well-written that I couldn’t stop reading. Page after page I lived the horror of that day. I am so proud of the police and all the others who helped them get through the insurrection. I am ashamed of those Americans who fought against our law and order. Needless to say, the presidential election certification successfully resumed.
I recommend this book for those who want a first-hand experience of July 6th and the saving of our democracy. It will get your adrenaline pumping as you experience what one courageous cop did when needed. Now, that’s a real patriot.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for the earc. The opinions are my own.
August 23, 2023
It's hard to believe that a situation would arise where a redneck Republican 20-year police veteran would be beaten, tazed and called a traitor (and much worse), by supporters of the former president for simply trying to do his job on January 6th, 2021. Yet that is what happened. Michael Fanone suffered a heart attack and a concussion during the assault and, in addition, was threatened with shooting from his own gun. For this, you would think that the Congress he fought to defend would be appreciative, but the truth is that many members refused to shake his hand, talk with him, or vote for any show of appreciation for what the Capitol Police and MPD officers did to defend them on that date.
You may have heard or read all of this and drawn conclusions about Fanone. Most likely they conform to your world view. If so, that says more about yourself than about this officer. For this reason, it behooves all of us to read this book with an open mind. You may be surprised by what you learn. I know that I was.
You may have heard or read all of this and drawn conclusions about Fanone. Most likely they conform to your world view. If so, that says more about yourself than about this officer. For this reason, it behooves all of us to read this book with an open mind. You may be surprised by what you learn. I know that I was.
October 19, 2022
Absolutely phenomenal first person account of the rank and file police officers that held the Capitol grounds during the January 6th Insurrection. Officer Fanone writes as if he were telling you his story over a couple beers.
Sadly, this work shows the state of our nation currently, and the long road we have ahead. Could not put this book down.
Sadly, this work shows the state of our nation currently, and the long road we have ahead. Could not put this book down.
October 11, 2022
Have a seat in Kevin McCarthy’s office for the Prologue and buckle up for the ride!
Begins with a brief auto biography, moves on to an hard hitting, first person, thrilling account of being front and center inside the January 6th riot on the Capitol and ends with a proposal for updating arcane and ineffective policing techniques, strategies and policies.
Michael Fanone is a tough cop who loves our country. A self proclaimed “beer drinking red neck”, he moves expertly from drug dealers to political elite. His writing is loaded with expletives, f-bombs included, but it’s also exploding with passion and fervor. The opening chapter in Kevin McCarthy’s office is packed with tension and barely restrained anger for what I assumed to be Fanone exercising decorum. The chapters during the riot read like a top notch thriller. Closing the Epilogue are the few paragraphs describing how to revamp policing at a national level that involves reforming the entire criminal justice system along with a charge to current officers.
Repression of body cam footage seems to be a dual party responsibility that has me both cranky about it and wanting to see it for myself to find out why. Regardless of which side of the aisle you wander, “Hold the Line” is a book that will make you think about this horrific event in a new way📚
Begins with a brief auto biography, moves on to an hard hitting, first person, thrilling account of being front and center inside the January 6th riot on the Capitol and ends with a proposal for updating arcane and ineffective policing techniques, strategies and policies.
Michael Fanone is a tough cop who loves our country. A self proclaimed “beer drinking red neck”, he moves expertly from drug dealers to political elite. His writing is loaded with expletives, f-bombs included, but it’s also exploding with passion and fervor. The opening chapter in Kevin McCarthy’s office is packed with tension and barely restrained anger for what I assumed to be Fanone exercising decorum. The chapters during the riot read like a top notch thriller. Closing the Epilogue are the few paragraphs describing how to revamp policing at a national level that involves reforming the entire criminal justice system along with a charge to current officers.
Repression of body cam footage seems to be a dual party responsibility that has me both cranky about it and wanting to see it for myself to find out why. Regardless of which side of the aisle you wander, “Hold the Line” is a book that will make you think about this horrific event in a new way📚
October 14, 2022
Welcome to the human side of Jan. 6. The book is a quick read, but it's not easy. You feel, at least as well as a reader can, the hate, viciousness and violence that Officer Fanone and other officers have experienced--and continue to experience. No one who saw that video footage should have any doubt that these people did their jobs superbly, holding that line, restoring peace at the Capitol, and enabling the democratic process to continue. They were rewarded by having to fight a much more dangerous enemy, battling the lie that the insurrection didn't happen or that it was full of "love and kisses" when it cost more than one officer his life, his health, his livelihood, and his friends. It's a straightforward, brutal, serious, funny & heartbreaking account of what it cost one ordinary man to do what was right, something that is becoming increasingly extra-ordinary. One of the best books I've read all year.
October 14, 2022
Hold The Line by Michael Fanone is a memoir in which he documents his life journey as a police officer, responding to the January 6th Insurrection, and what followed. If you followed the Insurrection hearings, you likely remember his face and powerful testimony. The way he writes is like the way he speaks, honest, direct, and sometimes brash.
I really appreciated his view on policing, serving the community, and ways to successfully reform policing. Unfortunately, not all officers have the same perspective on their jobs. His experiences and relationships have shifted his thinking and how he operates as an officer.
Fanone's accounts of the Insurrection are truly terrifying and even what comes after is so, because of the whitewashing by some politicians about the events of that day. I had no idea how little support the responding officers had received following the insurrection because if how the event was and continues to be politicized.
This is an extremely important book, especially right before our midterm elections where so many people who refute the 2020 election results are running for office.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
I really appreciated his view on policing, serving the community, and ways to successfully reform policing. Unfortunately, not all officers have the same perspective on their jobs. His experiences and relationships have shifted his thinking and how he operates as an officer.
Fanone's accounts of the Insurrection are truly terrifying and even what comes after is so, because of the whitewashing by some politicians about the events of that day. I had no idea how little support the responding officers had received following the insurrection because if how the event was and continues to be politicized.
This is an extremely important book, especially right before our midterm elections where so many people who refute the 2020 election results are running for office.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
October 16, 2022
Hold the Line should be required reading in high schools. It’s both inspiring and grim, hopeful and hopeless, the best and the worst of our country, the best and worst of humanity. We are at a crossroads. We either improve, grow, and change, or we die slowly, drowning the muck and mire of our own willful ignorance, hate, squalor, racism, and misery. Officers, some off duty and self deployed, were permanently injured and killed defending our Capital. That they have been maligned for their heroism, told that what happened didn’t happen, is beyond disgraceful. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to fully honor them. We witnessed this attack on democracy, on the capital, on elected representatives happen in real time with our own eyes. Like Holocaust deniers, the sycophantic GOP began an assault on reality, an absurd gaslighting operation. A year or two prior, as racist confederate monuments were torn down, the GOP talking point was “they are erasing history”. This book is history, history that must be understood, taught, and learned from. Far from self aggrandizing, this is a story of everyday heroism from an everyday person, there are no heroes, just heroic choices, heroic actions, and some occasional wisdom.
November 2, 2022
Every person in the USA should read this book. Fanone (with John Shiffman) gives an honest and harrowing account of what happened to him during the January 6th insurrection attempt. I couldn't help but be emotionally affected as I read it. But this book is more - Fanone's history with the police force and the aftermath of January 6th are just as compelling. He speaks honestly and candidly about himself and his experiences (flaws and all), about race relations, the police force and the problems with it, and of course the current political climate, and I say thank God for him. How he was treated by the insurrectionists is obvious and despicable, but how he's been treated afterwards by his fellow police officers, members of Congress, and various other people with their own agenda is sickening. We all need to listen and learn from Fanone. As he says toward the end of the book: "The rule of law should mean something...People may say I'm bitter, but I don't give a f--k. I'm angry. I love my country, and I want justice." I agree 100%.
November 5, 2022
Confession: I really only bought this book because I respected the hell out of Officer Fanone for what he went through on January 6th. I figured that while I knew his story, if there was ANYBODY who deserved to earn some money from a book it was him.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was wrong. The book is full of heroism and humanity. More than anything, Fanone is vividly rendered and disarmingly human. Co-author John Shiffman did a masterful job of capturing Fanone's distinctive voice and personality while keeping the story clear and interesting. Fanone also has some interesting ideas about how policing should be reformed based on his extensive experience.
You probably think you already know the full story, but the book is a surprisingly compelling read from start to finish. It's worth buying and reading on its own merits. And yes, it remains true that if there's ANYBODY who deserves to earn a buck from a book about the horrors of January 6th,. it's Michael Fanone.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was wrong. The book is full of heroism and humanity. More than anything, Fanone is vividly rendered and disarmingly human. Co-author John Shiffman did a masterful job of capturing Fanone's distinctive voice and personality while keeping the story clear and interesting. Fanone also has some interesting ideas about how policing should be reformed based on his extensive experience.
You probably think you already know the full story, but the book is a surprisingly compelling read from start to finish. It's worth buying and reading on its own merits. And yes, it remains true that if there's ANYBODY who deserves to earn a buck from a book about the horrors of January 6th,. it's Michael Fanone.
January 23, 2023
Fanone's dialogue is a little crass, but I'm sure, that is just who he is. He calls 'em as he sees 'em. I do like the way he thinks, and he does. He ends the book with his ideas about how to better police forces and make them better serve their communities.
Even though I am an avid follower of politics, it is still jarring to read of the misdirection some of the Republicans, ministers, and even other policemen "recall" the incidents of January 6. Unfortunately, even my own congressman gets called out for his continued support for the Usurper in Chief.
The book closes with 16 pages of a single column giving the names of the police who participated in trying to protect the Capitol and our democracy. I read every. Single. Name.
Even though I am an avid follower of politics, it is still jarring to read of the misdirection some of the Republicans, ministers, and even other policemen "recall" the incidents of January 6. Unfortunately, even my own congressman gets called out for his continued support for the Usurper in Chief.
The book closes with 16 pages of a single column giving the names of the police who participated in trying to protect the Capitol and our democracy. I read every. Single. Name.
November 8, 2022
Vivid account of what happened to Officer Fanone on Jan 6th. I don't know how he's still with us, but I'm grateful he shared this compelling & impactful story. I'm sorry he had to go through such living hell -- and subsequent gaslighting -- at the hands of his fellow Americans, but Officer Fanone has somehow managed to handle it with a dignity & grace that is sorely lacking in our political & public figures. It takes balls to speak truth to power. Thanks for being our voice Officer Fanone. Keep fighting the good fight.
November 9, 2022
Should probably be mandatory reading for high schoolers.
October 24, 2022
Think of all the adjectives that come to mind and then look for more in describing this book. Like millions of others I watched with horror, the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. I could not believe my eyes while I watched unhuman like creatures climbing walls, breaking down doors and smashing windows. To my way of thinking, the Capitol like many other buildings in Washington, DC are sacred shrines to our Democracy. Add to the outrage was the fact that a defeated President instigated This out-of-control assault. A deranged man whose ego was hurt because he lost an election, so he was staging a coup detat.
Hold the line is a book written by a survivor of this national tragedy. It is not a stylist rendering, just a plan language viewpoint of someone who was heroic and almost a martyr to the events of that day. Fanone does not write about his personal importance, he just says he loves police work and he responded to the events like any other cop would have done. The accursed beings who were attacking our democracy, in their frenzy proceeded to beat him with their weapons, stomp on him while he lay on the ground and stray him with chemicals to within an inch of his life. All of this on camera, so how could it be doubted?
The prologue to this book talks about a meeting that Fanone and others were able to arrange with the republican speaker of the house chamber; This meeting was achieved after many failed attempts and only after political pressure mounted on the speaker. The meeting was a sham, Congressmen Kevin McCarthy demonstrated all the attributes that people so despise in politicians. McCarthy was unwilling to even condemn what took place on the 6th, for fear of offending the defeated President; he would not even recognize the valor of the defenders. Five people lost their lives, and many others were maimed physically and mentally for life, but politics precluded recognizing the heroes who saved the lives of these same politicians. How sick is that!
At this point in this narrative, Fanone begins a short biography and tells some harrowing tales from his 20 years at the MPD. His stories are compelling and are the stuff that makes cop shows on TV so successful. He had been injured many times and that included many concussions; yet he tells us that he loves life on the street making the district safe place to live. He provides an interesting story of Leslie, a transsexual addict who he befriends. This story is included in this story to demonstrate his humanity and sensitivity to the issues and problems of the under privileged who turn to drugs out of desperation.
These stories are of interest and do depict what life on the streets of our nation’s Capital are really like. There is no denying the out-of-control drug culture that permeates our society. Yet on a certain level, I wonder why these stories are germane to the story of the insurrection on January 6th.
Fanone’s story of his odyssey on the 6th begins like most days at his mother’s home in Alexandra, Va. His shift is scheduled to begin at 2PM but he is going about his routine as he listens to what is going on at the capital. As he listens, he is picking up the messages and their coded meaning. They are becoming frantic and out of control. He decides that he is going to the scene as he hears the call of officers down.
What seemed to me to be surreal in his narrative, was after hearing the panic in the voices on the radio, he went to the station and there were officers standing around! Even when reaching the Capitol grounds and trying to just park his police car, two officers challenged him about where he was trying to park! The call was for all hands-on-deck! Yet, some just stood around, it is hard to believe.
Fanone describes what happened to him when he and his partner went into action, and it is chilling. He gets pulled into this crazed mob and beaten to an inch of his life. He is beaten with pipes, he is sprayed with chemicals and kicked while on the ground. After screaming I have children, some humanity appeared in this unhuman rabble, and a few helped him get to safety. So much rage goes through your mind as you read this story. My thoughts go back to my earlier remark where I wondered why the author included stories of his heroics during 20 years of policing in the tough streets of Washington DC. Now I see why those stories are told! These stories illustrate the point that most of this cowardly mob are fat guys who would not stand a chance up against Fanone, mano o mano, yet armed and part of a huge mob they fantasize their bravery, so sick!
The reset of this book becomes surreal because as he tells the story of the 6th, many of his fellow officers, supervisors and even the police union begin to drift away from his narrative. Some are entrenched in the trump cult; some are concerned about offending members of the cult and others just want the 6th to go away.
In the closing chapters Fanone becomes the problem, he is too vocal in his denunciation of the events of that day. These closing chapters just left this reader saddened because as the old saying goes, you just can’t get people to agree on anything, even the time of day. This miracle of democracy cannot last and in the next election or two, our democracy will be lost. I am an old man, so it will probably have little or no impact on me. But something beautiful was taken away from us on January 6th.
Hold the line is a book written by a survivor of this national tragedy. It is not a stylist rendering, just a plan language viewpoint of someone who was heroic and almost a martyr to the events of that day. Fanone does not write about his personal importance, he just says he loves police work and he responded to the events like any other cop would have done. The accursed beings who were attacking our democracy, in their frenzy proceeded to beat him with their weapons, stomp on him while he lay on the ground and stray him with chemicals to within an inch of his life. All of this on camera, so how could it be doubted?
The prologue to this book talks about a meeting that Fanone and others were able to arrange with the republican speaker of the house chamber; This meeting was achieved after many failed attempts and only after political pressure mounted on the speaker. The meeting was a sham, Congressmen Kevin McCarthy demonstrated all the attributes that people so despise in politicians. McCarthy was unwilling to even condemn what took place on the 6th, for fear of offending the defeated President; he would not even recognize the valor of the defenders. Five people lost their lives, and many others were maimed physically and mentally for life, but politics precluded recognizing the heroes who saved the lives of these same politicians. How sick is that!
At this point in this narrative, Fanone begins a short biography and tells some harrowing tales from his 20 years at the MPD. His stories are compelling and are the stuff that makes cop shows on TV so successful. He had been injured many times and that included many concussions; yet he tells us that he loves life on the street making the district safe place to live. He provides an interesting story of Leslie, a transsexual addict who he befriends. This story is included in this story to demonstrate his humanity and sensitivity to the issues and problems of the under privileged who turn to drugs out of desperation.
These stories are of interest and do depict what life on the streets of our nation’s Capital are really like. There is no denying the out-of-control drug culture that permeates our society. Yet on a certain level, I wonder why these stories are germane to the story of the insurrection on January 6th.
Fanone’s story of his odyssey on the 6th begins like most days at his mother’s home in Alexandra, Va. His shift is scheduled to begin at 2PM but he is going about his routine as he listens to what is going on at the capital. As he listens, he is picking up the messages and their coded meaning. They are becoming frantic and out of control. He decides that he is going to the scene as he hears the call of officers down.
What seemed to me to be surreal in his narrative, was after hearing the panic in the voices on the radio, he went to the station and there were officers standing around! Even when reaching the Capitol grounds and trying to just park his police car, two officers challenged him about where he was trying to park! The call was for all hands-on-deck! Yet, some just stood around, it is hard to believe.
Fanone describes what happened to him when he and his partner went into action, and it is chilling. He gets pulled into this crazed mob and beaten to an inch of his life. He is beaten with pipes, he is sprayed with chemicals and kicked while on the ground. After screaming I have children, some humanity appeared in this unhuman rabble, and a few helped him get to safety. So much rage goes through your mind as you read this story. My thoughts go back to my earlier remark where I wondered why the author included stories of his heroics during 20 years of policing in the tough streets of Washington DC. Now I see why those stories are told! These stories illustrate the point that most of this cowardly mob are fat guys who would not stand a chance up against Fanone, mano o mano, yet armed and part of a huge mob they fantasize their bravery, so sick!
The reset of this book becomes surreal because as he tells the story of the 6th, many of his fellow officers, supervisors and even the police union begin to drift away from his narrative. Some are entrenched in the trump cult; some are concerned about offending members of the cult and others just want the 6th to go away.
In the closing chapters Fanone becomes the problem, he is too vocal in his denunciation of the events of that day. These closing chapters just left this reader saddened because as the old saying goes, you just can’t get people to agree on anything, even the time of day. This miracle of democracy cannot last and in the next election or two, our democracy will be lost. I am an old man, so it will probably have little or no impact on me. But something beautiful was taken away from us on January 6th.
December 4, 2022
Michael Fanone is one of the 140 police officers injured in the insurrection on January 6, 2021, in his case seriously. The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police officer was dragged from a tunnel at the West Entrance of the US Capitol into the violent crowd, beaten (with a Blue Lives Matter flagpole), tased, and almost shot with his own weapon. When he cried out for mercy a few of the insurrectionists saved his life by carrying him back behind police lines. He suffered traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and a heart attack as a consequence. Not accepting the white-washing of the event and calling out politicians’ hypocrisy and deception, he went public, first in some interviews, then as a witness of the January 6 congressional investigation committee, then as a CNN commentator. I first took note of Michael Fanone in footage where he was asked what he would say to the people who rescued him from the violent mob. The former undercover narcotics officer with a prominent spiderweb tattoo on his neck answered bluntly: Thank you for saving my life, but f!@# you for being there!
Fanone defines himself as a typical Virginia redneck and apologizes for his expletive laden language in the beginning of the book. I don’t think that he is sorry, though. He tells the story of a rebellious youth growing up in an immigrant family, uninterested in school, searching for a purpose, and getting in trouble. Bless his mother who never stopped caring! He found his purpose as a police officer, first within the Capitol then the D.C. Metropolitan Police. His knowledge of the streets, his eagerness to make a difference, and his resistance to authority led him to a successful career as an undercover narcotics officer. In his recollection of his years on the streets in the First Police District (including Capitol Hill) Fanone shows his compassion for the victims of drug abuse, his lack of racism, and sense of belonging to a community. Making a difference in Fanone’s newfound sense of purpose meant to take the worst people off the streets, while connecting with the communities he served as a police officer.
Fanone’s story of what happened during the riot has been well publicized in interviews, his body camera footage, and testimony before the January 6 congressional committee. What is not well known, are the consequences of his outspokenness. Abandoned by fellow police officers who remain loyal to Trump, a police union beholden to the Trump-Republican political apparatus, and by lifelong friends, Fanone calls attention to the suffering of police officers who responded that day, including the seven who died. He decries the hypocritical “Blue Lives Matter” Republican politicians who would not stand up for the killed and injured responders that day, most notably Kevin McCarthy, the so-called leader of the House Republican Caucus. “So-called” because Fanone points to meeting McCarthy personally and hearing his excuse for not condemning fellow Republicans who call the riot a regular tourist visit or claim that rioters and police officers hugged rather than fought: "I can’t control my caucus."
While I would like nothing more than having seen the face of the editor who first saw Fanone’s expletive-laden manuscript, I appreciate the language and tone. He makes his point, believably, authentically, and with authority in his language, including a pronounced southern drawl (he reads the audiobook himself). This book is not supposed to be a piece of literature. It is a message to simple people still caught up in the Big Lie Trump and his people spread after the 2020 presidential elections. The message is clear: We are all part of this Democracy, no matter background, race, religion, or politics. We all know or should know the difference between right and wrong. As individuals we should and can make up our minds about an issue as critical as a violent insurrection to undo our elections. It is a convincing message from an imperfect, complicated, courageous, and straight-shooting messenger!
Fanone defines himself as a typical Virginia redneck and apologizes for his expletive laden language in the beginning of the book. I don’t think that he is sorry, though. He tells the story of a rebellious youth growing up in an immigrant family, uninterested in school, searching for a purpose, and getting in trouble. Bless his mother who never stopped caring! He found his purpose as a police officer, first within the Capitol then the D.C. Metropolitan Police. His knowledge of the streets, his eagerness to make a difference, and his resistance to authority led him to a successful career as an undercover narcotics officer. In his recollection of his years on the streets in the First Police District (including Capitol Hill) Fanone shows his compassion for the victims of drug abuse, his lack of racism, and sense of belonging to a community. Making a difference in Fanone’s newfound sense of purpose meant to take the worst people off the streets, while connecting with the communities he served as a police officer.
Fanone’s story of what happened during the riot has been well publicized in interviews, his body camera footage, and testimony before the January 6 congressional committee. What is not well known, are the consequences of his outspokenness. Abandoned by fellow police officers who remain loyal to Trump, a police union beholden to the Trump-Republican political apparatus, and by lifelong friends, Fanone calls attention to the suffering of police officers who responded that day, including the seven who died. He decries the hypocritical “Blue Lives Matter” Republican politicians who would not stand up for the killed and injured responders that day, most notably Kevin McCarthy, the so-called leader of the House Republican Caucus. “So-called” because Fanone points to meeting McCarthy personally and hearing his excuse for not condemning fellow Republicans who call the riot a regular tourist visit or claim that rioters and police officers hugged rather than fought: "I can’t control my caucus."
While I would like nothing more than having seen the face of the editor who first saw Fanone’s expletive-laden manuscript, I appreciate the language and tone. He makes his point, believably, authentically, and with authority in his language, including a pronounced southern drawl (he reads the audiobook himself). This book is not supposed to be a piece of literature. It is a message to simple people still caught up in the Big Lie Trump and his people spread after the 2020 presidential elections. The message is clear: We are all part of this Democracy, no matter background, race, religion, or politics. We all know or should know the difference between right and wrong. As individuals we should and can make up our minds about an issue as critical as a violent insurrection to undo our elections. It is a convincing message from an imperfect, complicated, courageous, and straight-shooting messenger!
January 2, 2023
This was an interesting narrative by one of the police officers who was seriously injured in the January 6 insurrection. Fanone admits to having a "cowboy" attitude when he first got into law enforcement. He learned to humanize others and strive to treat them with dignity. He matured as a law enforcement officer, often with good mentors:
More experienced partners, including Jeff Leslie, taught me three important skills: patience, persistence, and paperwork. They helped me pivot from the go-go-go mentality of my early, cowboy days. They taught me how to make complex cases, investigations that led to real results.I want to mention Fanone’s body art because it is important to him and says something about his background, outlook, and sense of humor. In his late teens Fanone honored his Irish and Italian ancestry by having flags tattooed on his right forearm, but the colors on the Italian flag were reversed! It took a few year of using hydrogen peroxide to create enough scar tissue to fix the mistake!! But Fanone and the artist, Matt, became lifelong friends, and Matt inked every future tattoo. The tats must have helped Fanone blend in during his years of undercover police work. I thought the one on his back smile-provoking (and music https://youtu.be/J9EZGHcu3E8); a large tribute to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
I think they symbolize his fierce, "I don't give a *@*! attitude, and his independent, loyal hard-work ethic.
Here's a photo his buddy took after Fanone was diagnosed with a heart attack and concussion. https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/s...
Fanone will bear physical and mental scars from his brutal attacks at the Capitol, but what is important to him is that the officers who responded should be respected, not insulted or degraded or ignored. He offers quite a few observations and summarized his thoughts near the end of the book.
This remains a glaring police problem with a simple solution: Officers should train with their weapon at least every ninety days in stressful simulations.....I recommend reading this very personal, well-written, and readable account from Michael Fanone. The 8 color photo pages enhanced it.
That’s why “reforming” the police will only get us so far. We need a holistic approach to repair the entire criminal justice system and address inequities across the board. We must improve training and resources with respect to mental health, incarceration, recidivism, legal representation, and the crushing administrative court fees for defendants. We also need more elected officials who understand what it means to serve something other than themselves.
August 3, 2022
"People on the right need to stop saying " we back the blue, except for those who defended the capital on January 6th." People on the left need to stop saying "cops in riot gear are evil, except for those officers who defended democracy on January 6th."
I have to admit that I fall in the latter category. When I saw Hold the Line available for review, I was not sure that I wanted to read it. I am glad that I did.
What I saw on January 6th confirmed what I already knew about Trump and his supporters, they are opportunistic about Police, Military, and even law and order. So, none of that was a surprise to me. What was impactful for me, as a reader, was Retired officer Michael Fanone' take on necessary police reform. As well as his truthfulness about racism and classism in policing and the justice system. Having LEO's in my family has been a reconciliation process for me since 2020. Mr. Fanone gave me food for thought. He provided insight into his personal life, who he is as a person, father, officer, and now a stalwart protector of Democracy and what is right.
This book is firsthand important insight into understanding the depths to which Trump, his supporters, and those who have sympathetic to him will go to breakdown the fundamental rights for so many of us in this country. I hate that the burden of defending our Democracy has been placed upon the shoulders of Michael Fanone and so many, however I do rest a bit easier knowing that he is a voice in the fight.
I have to admit that I fall in the latter category. When I saw Hold the Line available for review, I was not sure that I wanted to read it. I am glad that I did.
What I saw on January 6th confirmed what I already knew about Trump and his supporters, they are opportunistic about Police, Military, and even law and order. So, none of that was a surprise to me. What was impactful for me, as a reader, was Retired officer Michael Fanone' take on necessary police reform. As well as his truthfulness about racism and classism in policing and the justice system. Having LEO's in my family has been a reconciliation process for me since 2020. Mr. Fanone gave me food for thought. He provided insight into his personal life, who he is as a person, father, officer, and now a stalwart protector of Democracy and what is right.
This book is firsthand important insight into understanding the depths to which Trump, his supporters, and those who have sympathetic to him will go to breakdown the fundamental rights for so many of us in this country. I hate that the burden of defending our Democracy has been placed upon the shoulders of Michael Fanone and so many, however I do rest a bit easier knowing that he is a voice in the fight.
July 30, 2022
Powerful. As I read, I felt like I'd been transitioned back to that fateful day when I watched in horrified disbelief the events going down in Washington DC. Given the impact this book had on me, I cannot imagine what it must have taken Michael Fanone to find the will to write it. It took strength of not just character but belief. His belief that our democracy was on the line shines through. We owe him and the others who stood firm on the side of democracy a huge thank you.
As such, I won't detract from the importance of this book by trying to find the fancy words to describe it. It carries a powerful punch. Read it.
Thank you #MichaelFanone #NetGalley and AtriaBooks for making this important work available to the American people.
As such, I won't detract from the importance of this book by trying to find the fancy words to describe it. It carries a powerful punch. Read it.
Thank you #MichaelFanone #NetGalley and AtriaBooks for making this important work available to the American people.
October 11, 2022
Having not read any books on J6, I knew this would be the one I wanted to read when I saw the author. I have followed Mr. Fanone and his fellow officers and am so proud of the job they did and so very sad for everything they had to go through and are still dealing with.
This is a powerful read, an honest, bare knuckled take on Officer Fanone and his experiences. His story is an amazing one and I cannot wait to see his next chapter!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!
This is a powerful read, an honest, bare knuckled take on Officer Fanone and his experiences. His story is an amazing one and I cannot wait to see his next chapter!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!
November 3, 2022
I can't say that I enjoyed reading this book because, quite honestly, it gave me bouts of anxiety and anger. BUT, I am grateful for the authors willingness to share the brutal truth of what happened to him and his colleagues, not only during the insurrection itself, but in the days, weeks, and months that followed.
August 28, 2022
Fantastic book written my a hero. I highly recommend it to any who likes American politics, justice and great people.
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