The Reluctant Spy

My Secret Life in the CIA's War on Terror

De: John Kiriakou, Michael Ruby

Narrado por: Arthur Morey

Long before the waterboarding controversy exploded in the media, one CIA agent had already gone public. In a groundbreaking 2007 interview with ABC News, John Kiriakou called waterboarding torture - but admitted that it probably worked. This book, at once a confessional, an adventure story, and a chronicle of Kiriakou's life in the CIA, stands as an important, eloquent piece of testimony from a committed American patriot.

In February 2002, Kiriakou was the head of counterterrorism in Pakistan. Under his command, in a spectacular raid coordinated with Pakistani agents and the CIA's best intelligence analyst, Kiriakou's field officers took down the infamous terrorist Abu Zubaydah. For days, Kiriakou became the wounded terrorist's personal "bodyguard". In circumstances stranger than fiction, as al-Qaeda agents scoured the streets for their captured leader, the best trauma surgeon in America was flown to Pakistan to make sure that Zubaydah did not die.

In The Reluctant Spy, Kiriakou takes us into the fight against an enemy fueled by fanaticism. He chillingly describes what it was like inside the CIA headquarters on the morning of 9/11 - the agency leaders who stepped up and those who protected their careers. And in what may be the book's most shocking revelation, he describes how the White House made plans to invade Iraq a full year before the CIA knew about it - or could attempt to stop it. Chronicling both mind-boggling mistakes and heroic acts of individual courage, The Reluctant Spy is essential listening for anyone who wishes to understand the inner workings of the U.S. intelligence apparatus, the truth behind the torture debate, and the incredible dedication of ordinary men and women doing one of the most extraordinary jobs on earth.

©2010 John Kiriakou (P)2010 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A mostly admiring portrait of the CIA but with telling critiques of its bureaucracy and of Congress's meddling in CIA affairs.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Amazing book, lazy narrator

Incredibly interesting book and the narration is OK, except for the rampant mispronunciations. How does the professional narrator do that? Just guessing the pronunciation of words they don't know? Can't be bothered to look them up?

A Memoir about Kiriakou and the CIA

The Reluctant Spy is John Kirakou’s memoir of his work within the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The book doesn’t bash the CIA , but spares no quarter when telling truths not outside the classified. This is a memoir, so readers interested in how Kirakou came to work as a secret agent will be amply rewarded. Along the way, he reveals how his first marriage broke down in part because of CIA working pressures, reveals infighting in the agency, and how he finally determined he would leave the agency. To me, that was interesting and kept my interest. However, I was really looking for more insight into the CIA and how it works particularly in light of 9/11 than Kirakou revealed. On the other hand, this is a memoir and not a book about the CIA per se. A book at the opposite end which is also available from Audible is Joby Warrick’s The Triple Agent which is a book about the CIA. Both are worthwhile, but each fills a different niche. The reading of Arthur Morey is a plus!

John is one of the greatest storytellers of our time…

Wish John read for his audiobooks himself, great listen nonetheless! His other books are just as great!

The Reluctant Spy

Or government at work.
Very good
John Kiriakou another American hero

Best book in a long time

One of the best book’s I’ve read in a long time. A real page turner.

Comes across as an honest patriotic, American spy

Overall, the author comes across as credible and with a moral center that he consistently tries to navigate within the confines of clandestine work on behalf of his country.

Excellent read!

Great to hear this history of experiences by this patriot! Intelligence gathering is a difficult and challenging thing even in the best circumstances, I enjoyed hearing about Mr Kiriakou’s experiences. Well done!!

Great listen, full of details, when possible.

I just thoroughly enjoyed this book. Period. John Kiriakou is an excellent story teller, with a life lived full of experiences that are captivating to hear about. I especially appreciate the honest reflection included when doing his own "After Action Reports" so to speak, in summary of the story. Life is full of nuance and it is important we recognize that, or our take on reality won't be painted in the appropriate colors. Great book.

Fascinating

A great look into the life of a CIA agent. John Kiriakou’s life is so interesting. I can’t wait to read/listen to the follow up!

Good personal view from inside

Good story line and insight from current events. The narrator tone is a little monotone, but enjoyable