American Spy

Wry Reflections on My Life in the CIA

By: H. K. Roy

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

This ain't your daddy's spy story. In a memoir written as a series of narrative vignettes, a former CIA operations officer recounts his years of danger, intrigue, and adventure.

This candid and darkly witty memoir recounts an exhilarating life - and a few close brushes with death. With remarkable sangfroid and a humorist's eye for absurdity, H. K. Roy describes his many strange and risky exploits in his long career with the CIA. Whether he was pursuing Soviet and Cuban spies, running "denied area" operations in Eastern Europe, hunting Bosnian War criminals, or providing actionable intelligence to US government and coalition forces in Iraq, Roy usually found himself at the right place at the right time.

Except when he didn't - like the time he stumbled into a life-threatening ambush by Iranian terrorists while dodging Serb snipers and shelling in Sarajevo. Eight summers later, caught in a blinding sandstorm between Amman and Baghdad, he learned his fate was in the hands of an Iraqi tribal chief who had just lost his entire family to a US airstrike in Ramadi, in a failed attempt to kill Saddam Hussein that had tragic consequences.

Combining dedication to duty with a maverick's disdain for bureaucracy, Roy makes it clear that he prefers foreign locales to Washington and thrives on the adrenaline rush that comes with danger. He also sheds much light on why intelligence is an essential component of national defense, even our very survival as a nation.

©2019 H. K. Roy (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. “Chapter 1: Betrayal in the Balkans” accounts originally published in and adapted from “Betrayal in the Balkans,” World & I Magazine, August 2001 “The Closer You Get,” track 1, on Alabama, The Closer You Get, RCA, 2000, compact disc, originally released in 1983. Used with permission by Easy Song Licensing.

Very insightful and entertaining

I really enjoyed this book. While based on cold hard facts, the stories were often told with an air of suspense and a touch of humor that captivated my attention. At other times, a somber mood perfectly conveyed the gravity of the situation or operation being described. The book gave enough background detail to paint a full picture, but was concise enough to keep the story fast-paced and engaging. I have read/listened to at least a dozen CIA and spy-related books, and so far this book has been the most enjoyable. What makes me feel that way? I really appreciated the author's candidness and lack of ego while telling captivating stories in a brutally honest, intriguing and concise manner. I definitely recommend this book.

Good until the 10 minute political rant

Good listen, entertaining and fun. Would have been 5 star but he thought he needed to bash one particular president even though throughout the book they all made mistakes. Pushing his political agenda

Serious illness

The book is ok, but the author can't help but makes his serious case of TDS known throughout the book. It's both unnecessary for the story and ironically, it lacks truth.

Spy Tales

A dose of reality with chapter-ending humor! Loved it!

Going to need an updated Epilogue!

Superb storytelling of a fascinating CIA career

As a former CIA Operations Officer, I can attest to the accuracy of H.K. Roy's description of CIA training and all facets of life within the CIA's clandestine branch. His storytelling ability allows the reader to marvel at the ingenuity and dedication of CIA Operations Officers putting their lives in harm's way for the United States while having to deal with armchair bureaucrats and opportunistic policy-makers. Roy's witty and often hilarious accounts of his trials and tribulations provide a necessary relief from the seriousness of the mission at hand. Roy is a true patriot. I highly recommend this book!

interesting fascinating enjoyable, good listening

interesting fascinating enjoyable, good listening a easy audible book to listen as I do my various things.

Superbly written and narrated

This is an entertaining book with interesting insights into the ordinary world of espionage. This was 100% better than Amaryllis Fox's verbose CIA memoir (Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA).

Good personal history

good personal history one can learn from, there is a part disagree with an lacks creditable proof meaning Russian hoax directed against potus, flip side in reverse previous administration there was, had Trump lost election none of this would have never been known, book could use revision regarding that an other areas, keep in mind here there's a story not the story.

Interesting and well written

I found this book interesting, with just the right amount of humor. I read another review, where the reader was critical of author for being too polical. I found the author's discussions of politics to be fair. Having served years in government service myself, I too share the author's displeasure with the failures, misguided intentions, and lack of ownership of our nation's politicians, on both sides of the aisle. I liked the author's stories, which shed light on a world of which most Americans are oblivious. We need more authors like H.K. Roy.

Eye opening, insightful and often hilarious.

A fascinating look behind the scenes of the CIA, told by a grounded and witty officer whose career spanned some of our most troubled times. Don't be put off by the carping in earlier reviews about "politics;" the author takes BOTH Democrat and Republican administrations to task for ignoring or politicizing CIA provided intelligence. The author has a sharp eye for the absurd, and the fantastic narration enhances the many laugh out loud moments.