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wingless13's review against another edition
3.0
Don't start this book thinking you'll get an insider's detailed view on CIA agent tactics or anybody's dirty laundry besides Doug Laux's. It was a true insider's view of how hard it is to have a personal life while working for a government agency like the CIA and the politics that slow down and complicate missions to the point of failure.
shaddowhawke's review against another edition
2.0
This had the potential to be an interesting book. Sadly the asinine redactions (a portion you could piece together from other information supplied in the book and elsewhere) made it annoying to read.
baronessekat's review against another edition
1.0
What a load of self-centered narcissistic dreck.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
baronessekat's review
1.0
What a load of self-centered narcissistic dreck.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
lauraakersauthor's review
5.0
An excellent examination of an idealistic man turned into a cynic in short order by the behemoth of the CIA and its ineffective policies in Afghanistan and Syria.
numbersnumbers's review against another edition
3.0
A little disappointing, to be honest. But maybe my expectations were too high.
While this book was certainly interesting, it seemed to be very held back by the poor writing of the author, with far too little description, though some can be excused.
Contrary to many complaints, the blacked out text did not bother me. It’s understandable why it must be utilized, and I commend the author for choosing to leave it in rather than try to work around it. I would rather know that things are being hidden from me than not know at all.
Overall, I found this book pretty decent, and an interesting look into some of the work and complications that can come with life working for the CIA.
While this book was certainly interesting, it seemed to be very held back by the poor writing of the author, with far too little description, though some can be excused.
Contrary to many complaints, the blacked out text did not bother me. It’s understandable why it must be utilized, and I commend the author for choosing to leave it in rather than try to work around it. I would rather know that things are being hidden from me than not know at all.
Overall, I found this book pretty decent, and an interesting look into some of the work and complications that can come with life working for the CIA.
adbbfd's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced and action packed, this book is an excellent window into the secrecy of the CIA. It's hard to know whether to sympathize with the author or wonder if he's telling the truth, but his story is fascinating. It's a quick read (helped along by a lot of redaction), and it gives some insight into a world even well-informed Americans can't understand. If nothing else, it's a lesson in futility with the best of intentions.
thisistaylort's review against another edition
4.0
The book balances the strains placed on CIA employees and their relationships, the inner workings of being a CIA case officer, and the inefficiencies of bureaucracy.