"As the first book written by an insider with firsthand knowledge of key decisions and moments in history, Holding the Line is a must-read for those who care about the presidency and America's national security. It's filled with never-before-told stories that will both alarm and reassure, a testament to the quiet and steady efforts of General Mattis and the dedicated men and women he led at the Department of Defense"--

For nearly two years as Trump's Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis maintained a complicated relationship with the President. A lifelong Marine, Mattis was committed to keeping America safe. Yet he served a President whose actions were frequently unpredictable and impulsive with far-reaching consequences. Snodgrass, Mattis's former chief speechwriter and communications director, reveals how one of the nation's greatest generals-- and the dedicated men and women he led at the Department of Defense-- walked a political tightrope while leading the world's most powerful military. -- adapted from jacket