Black Ops

The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior

By: Ric Prado

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A memoir by the highest-ranking covert warrior to lift the veil of secrecy and offer a glimpse into the shadow wars that America has fought since the Vietnam Era.

Enrique Prado found himself in his first firefight at age seven. The son of a middle-class Cuban family caught in the midst of the Castro Revolution, his family fled their war-torn home for the hope of a better life in America. Fifty years later, the Cuban refugee retired from the Central Intelligence Agency as the CIA equivalent of a two-star general. Black Ops is the story of Ric’s legendary career that spanned two eras, the Cold War and the Age of Terrorism. Operating in the shadows, Ric and his fellow CIA officers fought a little-seen and virtually unknown war to keep USA safe from those who would do it harm.

After duty stations in Central, South America, and the Philippines, Black Ops follows Ric into the highest echelons of the CIA’s headquarters at Langley, Virginia. In late 1995, he became Deputy Chief of Station and co-founding member of the Bin Laden Task Force. Three years later, after serving as head of Korean Operations, Ric took on one of the most dangerous missions of his career: Re-establish a once-abandoned CIA station inside a hostile nation long since considered a front line of the fight against Islamic terrorism. He and his team carried out covert operations and developed assets that proved pivotal in the coming War on Terror.

A harrowing memoir of life in the shadowy world of assassins, terrorists, spies, and revolutionaries, Black Ops is a testament to the courage, creativity, and dedication of the Agency’s Special Activities Group and its elite shadow warriors.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2022 Ric Prado (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Ric Prado is an American original, a shadow warrior whose combat and street skills actually live up to Hollywood's spy movie fantasies. Any story of his life and his C.I.A. career will stand out in the genre of such memoirs and biographies, not only because of Ric's outsized experiences, but because his adventurous work included some of the most important covert actions in recent Agency history.” —Steve Coll, New York Times bestselling author of GHOST WARS and DIRECTORATE S and winner of the Pulitzer Prize

“Ric Prado is a rare breed of CIA officer—a man as comfortable operating behind enemy lines in disguise as he is strolling the halls of power in a suit. Having interviewed numerous of Prado’s Agency colleagues, I understand him to be a badass paramilitary operations officer and a sharp-thinking member of the Agency’s Senior Intelligence Service elite. Further adding to Ric Prado’s unique and complex character is his ability to discuss his flaws, weaknesses, and struggles, as well as his myriad of strengths. He reminds me of an ancient warrior-poet, the kind who reads haiku before going into battle with a very sharp sword.” —Annie Jacobsen, New York Times bestselling author of AREA 51 and SURPRISE, KILL, VANISH

“Ric Prado is a legendary CIA Operations Officer who gave almost three decades of exceptional service to his country in the most challenging foreign assignments, including the potential risk of immediate physical danger. He has lived his personal and professional life exhibiting the highest standards of character, ethics, principle, courage, and heroism. Ric and I served together in CTC, where he was my Chief of Operations and Chief of Station. He achieved the CIA rank equivalent of military general. No stay-at-home bureaucrat, Ric always sought out and served in harm’s way with exceptional dedication and courage.” —Cofer Black, former Director, CIA Counterterrorist Center

Tocayo

It’s amazing to me how the world really is such a small place for I came from the same place as Rick and did a lot of the same kind of work I’m grateful to know that such people exist and still fight the good fight.

Blown Away

I am a retired military officer with an Intel background. Mr. Prado takes us on a journey. I am in awe and thank Mr. Prado for what he has done to protect his nation. Thank you sir!

Insider view of CIA black ops over three decades

This is an interesting memoir from a former senior CIA officer who took part in and led so-called black operations. Ric Prado is a true patriot and ardent believer in the mission of the CIA. I do not embrace all his views, but I appreciate his sincerity. We need a robust intelligence service, but the Agency must operate with restraint and within the law while resisting political pressure. I completely endorse Prado’s mantra of organization, for which he credits his father. (I only wish my own sons would pay heed to that.) I also support Prado’s appeal to graduates to consider a career with the CIA. We need the best, brightest, and most dedicated within its ranks. People like Ric Prado.

An Extraordinary Life, The Real Deal

This is by far one of the most heartfelt and empassioned memoirs ever written by one of our most senior field operatives at CIA, and also possibly the most candid and generous glimpses into the work and dedication that goes with that impossibly secretive territory. Beautifully written, this account of Ric Prado's life's work across decades and continents is nothing short of spectacular and with all of ( or as much as permitted), the good, bad and ugly without apology or regret but with gratitude and pride. Featuring an all star cast, this book delivers the most honest look at life from the sharpest end of the spear in the US clandestine services and certainly a guide book to those inspired to follow in this line of work. For anyone with the good fortune to have touched the hem of this business anywhere in the world, you'll know without question that this is the real deal. Kudos to Scott Brick for another masterful performance.

Incredible Story

Very well told story about an agency and it's actions that are usually 'behind the scenes'. Greatly appreciate the author's perspective, experience, and patriotism.

Excellent book.

Thanks for your service and sacrifice. The stories are very intriguing and certainly you've accomplished a ton in your career!

Black ops

truly outstanding book. Thank you for your selfless service Ric. very well presented and recorded thank you

Engaging story and excellent narration

I really enjoyed this book. Ric’s career journey spanning multiple conflicts / crises phenomenal. The author puts all in historical context which adds to the story.

Outstanding , A Must Read for All.

This read tells so much more than most people would ever imagine or believe takes place to keep us free and Strong.

Thank you

As an American, although I spent 4 years in the Air Force, I have lived a middle American life un-afraid of what’s out there because of Americans like you.

I have 2 kids who are Paramedic Fire Fighters that I am gratefully proud of, but this book reminded me of the men and women like you who put their lives on the line, the contribution of immigrants and the reality of how fragile our lives and democracy is. I love our democracy and country.

Thank you Ric for your devotion, patriotism and for everything else that you have done and sacrificed for, that you can’t share with us. We are eternally grateful for you and others like you.

We fear for our country and other democracies around the world, you give us hope.