Publishers Weekly
11/06/2023
Dunn pulls too many punches in this underwhelming account of his experiences as a member of the Capitol Police during and after the attempted Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C. He alternates between visceral accounts of holding rioters back from the Capitol—which included his being called the n-word for the first time by a protester—with reflections on his childhood in suburban Maryland and his adolescent hopes for a pro football career. Following a suggestion from a customer at his car rental job, Dunn joined the Capitol’s police force in 2008, rising to the rank of private first class by 2011. That training, Dunn explains, put him in good shape to handle the events of January 6. Unfortunately, when he addresses the security failures that enabled the event, Dunn descends into foggy vagueness, contending on the one hand that he was let down by his bosses, while on the other suggesting that police chief Steven Sund, who resigned at the behest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was treated unfairly. Elsewhere, Dunn stumbles in his attempt to frame the Capitol riot as a collective “trauma.” This well-intentioned effort comes up short. Agent: Kirsten Neuhaus, Ultra Literary. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Officer Harry Dunn is an American hero, whose fidelity to his oath to protect and defend shines through in his new book. Offering an inside look at the daily life of a Capitol Police Officer, readers will gain an appreciation for the work required to ensure that democracy can peacefully proceed. And all will be moved by his piercing honesty: Transporting us to the Capitol grounds on January 6th to witness the unimaginable anguish – and extraordinary courage – of Officer Dunn and his colleagues. In telling his story, Officer Dunn continues to use his thundering voice to demand accountability for that dark day. Standing My Ground is a powerful, patriotic tale – told with striking moral clarity about what happened on January 6th and where the blame lies.”—Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
“After 150 officers were bloodied and wounded, after a presidential election was nearly overthrown, an exhausted Officer Harry Dunn posed the essential question of January 6 in three simple words: ‘Is this America?’ Now, in this electrifying memoir, Officer Dunn shows us what it means to be a true American patriot in a century where everything is suddenly up for grabs. A remarkable achievement.”—Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8)
“Harry Dunn is a cop’s cop – brave, fair-minded – who tells a chilling tale of an unthinkable attack on our democracy. His story is an inspiration to all who protect and serve, and to all who speak out and stand firm against the racism and extremism that poisons our public discourse. This is a must-read for those who care about our nation’s future.”—Congressman Eric Swalwell
“Very gripping.”—Gayle King, CBS Mornings
“Everyone needs to read this.”—Joy Reid, The ReidOut
“Officer Dunn’s book Standing My Ground, it’s a good read.”—Jake Tapper, CNN
“A very powerful and real book.”—Mehdi Hasan, MSNBC
“If you think you’ve read everything you need to know about the violent attempt to overthrow the US government on 6 January 2021, this insider’s book by a 6ft 7in African American Capitol police officer will change your mind….Harry Dunn has written a 237-page cri de coeur for himself and for the US. It is a story that is more important than ever."—The Guardian
“An incredible book, so well written.”—“The Daily Beans” podcast
“Dunn dramatically recounts the hours leading up to the attack….His intimate first-person chronicling of the crowd’s violent surge is as riveting as his account of retreating to his post, covered in pepper spray and bruises, to take a video call from his young daughter. He candidly addresses his mounting frustration and disbelief weeks later as the event’s violent intensity became diluted…. Throughout this forcefully delivered book, Dunn’s passion for true patriotism and the tenets of constitutional democracy resonate, despite his emotional pain and PTSD. A sobering, heroic testimonial about an infamous day in American history.”—Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
2023-08-26
A decorated law enforcement officer shares his experiences on the day of the Capitol insurrection.
Dunn was at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the building while Congress was in session. He and dozens of other officers were injured, several fatally. The author lucidly dissects the elements of the Capitol Police and how they work, and he briefly discusses his youth in Maryland and his desire to play professional football. When physical limitations sidelined those aspirations, Dunn found his way to the Capitol Police in 2008, where he observed how impassioned protests demonstrated the power of democracy and freedom of expression. These experiences helped him grow into his political thinking, which he shares throughout the book. Dunn dramatically recounts the hours leading up to the attack as he questioned the need to wear riot gear in anticipation of a possible attack. His intimate first-person chronicling of the crowd’s violent surge is as riveting as his account of retreating to his post, covered in pepper spray and bruises, to take a video call from his young daughter. He candidly addresses his mounting frustration and disbelief weeks later as the event’s violent intensity became diluted, told that it was just “random wingnuts who got a little too carried away.” Disillusioned, he fought for justice, starting with an interview with a Buzzfeed reporter and continuing with an impact statement to the Justice Department during an Oath Keepers trial. For appearing publicly, Dunn admits, he has been both praised and viciously vilified for openly rebuking the insurrectionists who “tried to destroy the very lifeblood of this nation.” Throughout this forcefully delivered book, Dunn’s passion for true patriotism and the tenets of constitutional democracy resonate, despite his emotional pain and PTSD.
A sobering, heroic testimonial about an infamous day in American history.
