Book Talk: Hazardous Devices by Barry Black

Kristina Tanasichuk sat down with Barry Black, a retired FBI agent with more than three decades of service, to discuss his new memoir, Hazardous Devices—a firsthand account of some of the most consequential investigations and moments in modern FBI history. In Hazardous Devices, Black takes readers inside landmark events including the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, the Oklahoma City bombing, and Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11. Drawing on his extensive career, he offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective on fraud investigations, money laundering cases, and the FBI’s evolving role in counterterrorism. Black entered the Bureau at just 24 years old as an accountant, expecting a career centered on financial analysis. Instead, his path led him far beyond spreadsheets—serving as a SWAT sniper, master bomb technician, and counterterrorism instructor for law enforcement officers, warfighters, and commandos around the world. From tracing illicit funds through offshore accounts to training alongside international partners and providing expert testimony before Congress, his career reflects the breadth and intensity of the FBI’s mission. In this conversation, Black shares how those experiences shaped his understanding of risk, resilience, and service—and why the untold stories behind major cases matter for today’s homeland security professionals. Hazardous Devices by Barry Black is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble: 👉 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/haza...