Undaunted

My Fight Against America’s Enemies, at Home and Abroad

By: John O. Brennan

Narrated by: John O. Brennan

Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant New York Times best seller

This program is read by the author.

A powerful and revelatory memoir from former CIA director John Brennan, spanning his more than 30 years in government.

Friday, January 6, 2017: On that day, as always, John Brennan’s alarm clock was set to go off at 4:15 a.m. But nothing else about that day would be routine. That day marked his first and only security briefing with President-elect Donald Trump. And it was also the day John Brennan said his final farewell to Owen Brennan, his father, the man who had taught him the lessons of goodness, integrity, and honor that had shaped the course of an unparalleled career serving his country from within the intelligence community.

In this brutally honest memoir, Brennan, the son of an Irish immigrant who settled in New Jersey, describes the life that took him from being a young CIA recruit enamored with the mystique of spy work, secretly defiant enough to drive a motorcycle and sport a diamond earring, and invigorated by his travels in the Middle East, to being the most powerful individual in American intelligence. He details his experiences with very different presidents and what it’s been like to bear responsibility for some of the nation’s most crucial and polarizing national security decisions.

He pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of the Agency, describing the selfless, patriotic, and invisible work of the women and men involved in national security. He also examines the insularity, arrogance, and myopia that have, at times, undermined its reputation in the eyes of the American people and of members of other branches of government. Through topics ranging from George W. Bush’s intervention in Iraq to his thoughts on the CIA’s controversial use of enhanced interrogation techniques to his eye-opening account of the planning of the raid that resulted in Bin Ladin’s death to his realization that Russia had interfered with the 2016 election, Brennan brings the listener behind the scenes of some of the most crucial moments in recent US history. He also candidly discusses the times he has failed to live up to his own high standards and the very public fallouts that have resulted.

With its behind-the-scenes look at how major US national security policies and actions unfolded during his long and distinguished career - especially during his eight years in the Obama administration - John Brennan’s memoir is a work of history with strong implications for the future of America and our country’s relationships with other world powers.

Undaunted: My Fight Against America’s Enemies, at Home and Abroad offers a rare and insightful look at the often-obscured world of national security, the intelligence profession, and Washington’s chaotic political environment. But more than that, it is a portrait of a man striving for integrity; for himself, for the CIA, and for his country.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 John O. Brennan (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Awesome Book!

OUTSTANDING! BRILLIANT PUBLIC SERVANT REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL BELIEFS! DON'T MISS IT! WELL DONE John.

Great book about how CIA and politics intersect

Enjoyed John Brennan's recounting of his long career in national intelligence. Best parts were the story of his joining the CIA and what some of the international dignitaries were like when he met and worked with them to influence policy and action. We also liked learning about the CIA's work behind the scenes during past major national & international events, but inclusion of more of the secret stuff would have been fin to know, but it's most likely "classified." The book bogs down a bit in the middle where he describes his role as new CIA Director in changing some of the personnel policies of the time, regarding gender and equity issues. Many workplaces across America were going through the same thing then and now, so we're already familiar with those issues from our own jobs! But Brennan's story picks up again as he moves on to the 2016 election then into events of 2017-18 and finally transition to the Trump administration! So much revealed here about key players still in the news everyday now! We are so appreciative that Mr. Brennan is continuing to speak out undaunted, about the intelligence community and Trump! Thank you, Mr Brennan! Keep it up! We always enjoy your commentaries on evening news shows!

This is what we need to teach our children

To sustain human progress in a harmonious way, we must pursue knowledge, not faith. This is a rare book that shares a rare glimpse of a person refusing to follow the eugenicist narcissist. We can all learn the difficulties and glad we have people who pursue knowledge, not beliefs.

What a story. What a life.

An intimate look into this fascinating life.
Thank you Director Brennan for decades of service to our country.
This is a spellbinding narrative.
The chilling story in the final few chapters is still unfolding.
Do not miss this one.

Eye-opening Story

I'm not a huge fan of the CIA - I think that if the U.S. was half the democracy of character that We purport to be, we wouldn't have so many enemies to keep track of. But Brennan's book gave me a fresh perspective. Learning about the thoughtful wrestling of ethics in some of Our toughest issues, hearing a man at the highest levels of government and personal performance admit to mistakes, and following the creation of a man of integrity through life's crucible gave me faith in the humanity of Our government.

An accounting of a life of service by an American.

An accounting of a life of service by an American patriot. All Americans should hear this story and reflect on our times.

Excellent Read

Mr. Brennan’s story left my angry, frustrated, scared, thankful and hopeful. This book should have been required reading before casting your Presidential Vote.

Author’s voice was like listening to Santa

The book took a while to get me interested, as the author’s voice was distracting because it was so calm and kind, like listening to Santa. But the story was so interesting, Director Brennan’s recollections of his days in the CIA. Excellent background and so interesting. Especially since I just listening to a book by a former FBI agent!!

Brilliant, honest, insightful book by John

John Brennan is a remarkable public servant and his work and honesty is extremely admirable.

American Hero

Analyst who altered the Legacy of Ashes. neglecting the controversial nature of the Agency and it's history, John Brennan positively altered the course of the IC