Class 11

Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class

By: T.J. Waters

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Written by one of its own graduates, Class 11: Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class is an insider's view of the first CIA training class after September 11, 2001 - a look at the most elite and secretive espionage training program in the country.

Like all Americans, T. J. Waters was stunned, angry, and grief stricken by the terrorist attacks of September 11. More than that, he wanted to take action to help prevent such an event from ever happening again. Waters was not alone. In the weeks following the attacks, the Central Intelligence Agency received over 150,000 résumés from people wanting to serve their nation as spies. More than 100 students were admitted to the CIA's Clandestine Service to become Class 11, the first training class after the terrorist event.

It was the largest and most diverse class in the agency's history. Joining Waters were a World Trade Center victim's fiancée, an NFL alumnus, a New York City comedian, a college athletics coach, a hostage negotiator, and a single mother. Class 11 is the real story of how this band of everyday Americans joined together to endure the challenge of a lifetime and serve their country. Waters takes readers behind the scenes as the trainees learn methods of subterfuge, master disguises, withstand interrogations, and cross into hostile territory without being detected.

Class 11 is a fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary group of Americans with the courage and resolve to make a difference in the war on terror.

©2006 T.J. Waters (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Outstanding personal account of a great American story

This book was a great portrayal of one of the groups of countless Americans who raised their hands after 9/11 and volunteered to do what they could. Great book, and I didn't want to put it down once it started.

This book has aged very well!

In this age of the 2020s, things have changed. However this book still holds up. It is a great way to find and enjoy stories about the CIA.

Such a spectacular book

Started this book a day ago and it was a spectacular book gave insight on the classes they took and how some of the people who were in these classes had normal jobs before 9/11 I feel like everyone should read this book

Interesting read with caveats

The good:

This is a unique story that you won't find anywhere else. This is not only an individual from the first post-9/11 training class, but he was a little older than most folks tend to be when he was accepted. You get to hear not only about how the program operates, but how someone who wasn't fresh out of college or the military might struggle with some aspects.

This particular class also became close to each other in a way previous classes had not, and that camaraderie not only lead to great social bonding, but also plenty of diversity and creative thinking in how to handle situations. They were dedicated, passionate, and eager to do something to help their country, and you definitely feel that energy throughout.

The caveats:

Author thinks he is way more hilarious than he actually is and passages about his "great jokes" get real old by about halfway through the book.

Author also seems to have some blinders on about how Others are not like Us. For example, sends an article to his wife about the sexual assault of a teenage girl in Afghanistan, with the inference being that this kind of awful stuff doesn't happen in the United States. It does.

There's also some complaining about political correctness that was definitely more prevalent immediately after 9/11 but should still be questioned to this day. Those who lean right politically probably won't be bothered by this, but those who lean left might cringe occasionally.

Overall, definitely recommend reading this to hear a unique point of view on a process very few are permitted to attempt. Just not sure I'd read it again.

PS: I see there are several complaints about the narrator, but I think he did fine with the material provided. It's not his fault that the author was self-aggrandizing.

Who, interesting if you like biographies.

if you like biographies, this is right up your alley... If you're looking for some insight in how the CIA operates, what's expected if you're interested in becoming one, not so much.

So-so

I agree...this narrator is awful. It sounded like a children's book, and the attempts to change voices for the different characters came off childishly. The content of the book was rather superficial, and self-congratulatory...Mr. Water's got no problem thinking he's one of the country's "best and brightest".

Great book!

Loved the book, very informative. Great narration, kept interest throughout the entire book. Excellent choice!

Excellent

This was an excellent listen. Yes, melodramatic at times. But, overall I suspect accurate. Many other reviews mention that the author did not graduate from his course, however, the author states the exact opposite in his work, so who knows.

always an excellent book

I've read this book and listened via Audible ans have to say it's a great peak into the agency

Interesting story but...

The narrator was horrible! Interestingly enough, the author answers questions at the end of the audio book. He sounds like you would expect a CIA agent to sound. The narrator makes a true story sound like fiction.

I found the story itself to be very interesting. I would have given it another star if the author had also been the narrator.