Hard Measures

How Aggressive CIA Actions After 9-11 Saved American Lives

By: Jose A. Rodriguez Jr.

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 8 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

From a top-level operative in the counterterrorism unit of the CIA comes an explosive memoir about the behind-the-scenes fight against Al Qaeda after September 11.

Since the death of Osama Bin Laden, interest in counterterrorism is at an all-time high. Most people don’t know that Bin Laden’s death was the culmination of years of covert operations and tactics largely overseen by Jose Rodriguez from 2001 to late 2007 and built on by his successors.

Like a real-life Jack Bauer from television’s 24, Rodriguez’s sometimes controversial tenure as Chief of the Agency’s Counterterrorism Center involved CIA officers capturing and detaining key senior Al Qaeda operatives and implementing Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, tools which were an integral part of the War on Terror but are no longer available to those fighting America's fiercest foes.

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Columbia, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez shares his unlikely journey from law school student to CIA recruit and finally, at the end of a 31-year career, to being America’s top spy. Rodriguez sparked controversy and a three-year investigation by his decision to order the destruction of videotapes showing CIA officers conducting harsh, but what he describes as “legal, necessary, and effective interrogation[s]”.

Riveting and timely, Hard Measures also examines how the current political climate and resulting policies have negatively impacted the CIA’s efficiency - even taking away the mechanisms that made feats like the successful Bin Laden operation possible.

©2012 Jose A. Rodriguez Jr (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Jose Rodriguez guided some of the CIA's greatest counterterror victories, and his story is one of courage, commitment, and decisiveness. In this book, he provides concrete details about the value of the Agency's interrogation program of terrorists - a program which thwarted terrorist attacks and has made America safer." (General Michael V. Hayden, USAF [Ret.] Former Director of Central Intelligence)

Excellent, Gripping, Can't-Put-It-Down "Read"!

What made the experience of listening to Hard Measures the most enjoyable?

A unique inside story by the person at the sharp end of the CIA's covert intelligence spear.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The struggles between the agency operatives dedicated to their work and the bureaucrats who were more interested in covering their asses.

What does Sean Pratt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was quite good, but I with the author had read it himself. There was a bit of cognitive dissonance because the narrator didn't have the Hispanic accent of the author. Small point, though.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

A true national hero.

Mr. Rodriguez, by all accounts you are a true hero in the hearts and minds of those of us that follow history and understand the bigger picture. It is a shame that a small segment of the machinery seems to always work in a self interest and ego-driven manner. It is despicable that you and others (blue and green badges) had to endure such experiences upon acting with integrity, and by the book. Pa' alante mi hermano.

Mr. Rodriguez is truly an American hero.

The truth about enhanced interrogation is told by the man in charge. A great look at a terrible time in our history.

A MAN OF COURAGE

For over seventy years I’ve watched the politicians play with the lives of heroes such as Jose A. Rodriguez. As always, when politicians like Nancy Pelosi have a chance to undermine the heroic actions of those who risk their own lives, she and others like her have no shame. Nancy Pelosi and others like her are soulless cowards who stand on the necks of brave men like Officer Rodriguez for a few minutes on CNN.

I applaud Jose A. Rodriguez for his actions and highly recommend this book.
May God bless Jose A. Rodriguez and others like him who have the courage to lead, while the politicians sit in their heads in the sand of fools.

Truth beyond media and politics

What made the experience of listening to Hard Measures the most enjoyable?

The book was well written.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

How the slanted news media twisted truth to further their discrediting of G. W. Bush.

What about Sean Pratt’s performance did you like?

He spoke very well making the book more enjoyable and presented the author in a personal light.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. It did make me frustrated at how politics and the news media work to paint a patriot in the most negative light by using lies. Truth is not what they are about. We really can't believe anything they say because it is filter through their politically slanted pen.

Intense & Powerful Peek Behind The Curtain

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It was amazing story of how an ordinary little boy became the nation's top spy master and his journey to protecting the American people after 9-11. Mr Rodriguez bravely took the fight right to the terrorists front door and gives a peek behind the CIA's curtain. Its about an ordinary man who is tasked with an extraordinary responsibility -

Which character – as performed by Sean Pratt – was your favorite?

Mr. Pratt did an excellent job to bring depth and personality to all of the players

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That it is possible to be a terrorist-hunting super-hero by day, and still host dinner parties and do the whole family thing on nights and weekends. - Amazing!

like all government agencies - its run by bureaucratic people who put covering their own butts ahead of whats best for the people of the United States - which Mr. Rodriguez had to navigate while still keeping the focus on getting the terrorists off the battle field. (its like walking a high-wire without a net- and being forced to juggle bureaucratic chain-saws)

Without Mr. Rodriguez the US would have had several more terrorists attacks on its soil.
Every person in the country would buy this guy a beer if they knew his story.

Any additional comments?

I have recommended this book to all of my family and friends.

Insiders view of harsh interrogations

What made the experience of listening to Hard Measures the most enjoyable?

Great insight on the debate and internal and external battles fought over the detention and interrogation of terrorists.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The author's unapologetic defense of the actions of the CIA and his disdain for those individuals who tried to hide from their decisions or tried to take advantage of the controversy to promote their own agenda.

What three words best describe Sean Pratt’s performance?

Even

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Great book

loved the Insight from someone that was there found it hard to put it down.

A must read for those who have questions

Rodriguez takes us through his career with the Central Intelligence Agency. A career that included that period of time surrounding September 11, 2001.

In this book you will learn exactly how many were water boarded, who was water boarded and what was gained from it. He also tells us in, no uncertain terms, why enhanced interrogation is needed in this day and age.

This book is a must listen for those who still think war and espionage must be played by the Marquess of Queensberry rules. You will come away with a harsh does of the reality the United States and the rest of the world face today.

This one will hold your interest and it makes the miles go by fast.

Served and Forgotten

Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. wrote this book. He was a CIA Officer who worked mostly in the southern hemisphere until hard work put himself in a position to where he was right under the Director. He was and still is a honorable man and thank him for his service.The book itself gives you tantalizing factoids on how the CIA works, and suggest the book to those that do not know how the agency operates in a very sanitized manner. I enjoyed the book and the commentator gave an "Eagle Scout" performance. I hope the book does good, as there is an audience out there that will enjoy it. Oh, Did I mention that I truly believe the CIA might have written it. Just Saying.