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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Crime in Progress summary
Glenn Simpson
Peter Fritsch
Inside the Steele Dossier and the Fusion GPS Investigation of Donald Trump
24 mins
Brief summary
Crime in Progress by Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch is a real-life thriller about their investigation into the Trump-Russia scandal. It explains how they uncovered evidence of collusion and obstruction by the Trump campaign and the months-long efforts by the White House and Republican leaders to cover it up.
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Crime in Progress
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 9
One of today’s biggest political stories began life as a small-scale opposition research report.
Collecting information on political opponents is a standard part of contemporary politics. As election season approaches, it’s normal for private intelligence firms to be hired to conduct opposition research – investigating the backgrounds of political candidates to try and unearth damaging material from their pasts.
But it’s hardly common for an “oppo research” report to snowball into multiple governmental investigations. And it’s less common still for those investigations to be focused on a sitting president and his possible ties to a potentially hostile foreign power.
Yet that was the consequence when the small intelligence firm Fusion GPS decided to investigate Donald Trump and his curious relationship with Russia.
Fusion GPS was founded by Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, two former investigative journalists who met while working at the Wall Street Journal. At Fusion, they put their analytical skills to use in unearthing and interpreting complex, publicly available documents – like financial records and court filings – for a range of private clients.
Generally, Fusion didn’t work with politicians, but rather clients like lawyers or hedge fund managers. In fact, before 2015, they had only ever worked on one political campaign. That was in 2012, when they investigated the murky financial background of Mitt Romney – the Republican candidate for president at the time.
In 2015, Fusion viewed Donald Trump as a similar prospect to Romney: someone with plenty of questionable business dealings that they would be well placed to shed light on. So they sought a client to pay for an investigation into Trump, and they found one in the conservative publication the Washington Free Beacon. It was run by the billionaire Paul Singer – a Republican opposed to Trump. Fusion was given a broad brief, but the aim was simple: to find information that would hinder Trump’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Then, they got to work.
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What is Crime in Progress about?
Crime in Progress (2019) is the thrilling inside story of the intelligence agency that first started investigating the links between Donald Trump and Russia. Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch of Fusion GPS relate how they commissioned the infamous Steele Dossier, which alleged that the Russians had leverage over Trump, and the astonishing series of events to which this led.
Crime in Progress Review
Crime in Progress (2019) is a riveting exposé that uncovers the truth behind the connections between Donald Trump, Russia, and the 2016 US presidential election. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- This book offers a meticulously researched account of the events that unfolded during the election, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the complex web of influence.
- With its insider perspective from two experienced journalists, the book provides unique insights into the behind-the-scenes maneuvers and power dynamics at play.
- The book skillfully weaves together a gripping narrative that reads like a high-stakes political thriller, ensuring that readers will be captivated from start to finish.
Best quote from Crime in Progress
The more Fusion dug into Trump, the more he appeared to fit the textbook definition of a charlatan.
—Glenn Simpson, Peter Fritsch
Who should read Crime in Progress?
- Fans of American politics
- Readers who enjoy a political thriller
- Anyone who’s been glued to the news for the past several years
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Crime in Progress FAQs
What is the main message of Crime in Progress?
The main message of Crime in Progress is an inside look at the real-life events that led to the investigation of Donald Trump's ties to Russia.
How long does it take to read Crime in Progress?
The reading time for Crime in Progress varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Crime in Progress a good book? Is it worth reading?
Crime in Progress is a compelling read that provides valuable insights into the investigation of Donald Trump. It is definitely worth reading for those interested in the subject.
Who is the author of Crime in Progress?
The authors of Crime in Progress are Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch.
What to read after Crime in Progress?
If you're wondering what to read next after Crime in Progress, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Zero Fail by Carol Leonnig
- A Very Stable Genius by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig
- The First Minute by Chris Fenning
- Fast. Feast. Repeat. by Gin Stephens
- Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- The Truth About Immigration by Zeke Hernandez
- Job Therapy by Tessa West