John Ashcroft's service as Attorney General began with turmoil: a loss to a deceased challenger in his Senate reelection campaign and a tumultuous confirmation battle. Then, on September 11, 2001, his job was transformed into the greatest leadership challenge an Attorney General has ever faced. What Ashcroft learned from highly classified intelligence briefings, secret surveillance of terror cells, and war councils with President Bush gave him a uniquely comprehensive--and uniquely chilling--view of the threats to America's security. What he did to prevent another terrorist attack on American...