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The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA
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On September 11, 2001, Doug Laux was a freshman in college, on the path to becoming a doctor. But with the fall of the Twin Towers came a turning point in his life. After graduating, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, determined to get himself to Afghanistan and into the center of the action. Through persistence and hard work, he was fast-tracked to a clandestine operations position overseas. Dropped into a remote region of Afghanistan, he received his baptism by fire.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 92
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 50
In the entrance of the CIA headquarters looms a huge marble wall in to which seventy-one stars are carved - each representing an agent who has died in the line of duty. At the base of this wall lies "The Book of Honor," in which the names of these agents are inscribed, or at least thirty-five of them... In this remarkable program, author Ted Gup delves into covert lives and classified deaths at the CIA.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Good book on the hidden men who gave their lives
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Publisher's Summary
Many books, fiction and nonfiction alike, purport to probe the inner workings of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Many attempt to create spine-tingling suspense or allege that America's civilian spy operation has run amok and been infested with rogues and criminals. Not that
The Craft We Chose
lacks suspense, harrowing encounters or its own share of villains. But this book is different. In fact it’s a unique straightforward, honest, surprisingly captivating memoir by one of the CIA's most well-known and honored career officers. For more than three decades, Richard L. Holm worked in the agency's Directorate of Operations now the National Clandestine Service the component directly responsible for collecting human intelligence. His assignments took him to seven countries on three continents, and his travels added many more destinations. At almost every turn Holm encountered his share of dangerous characters and situations, including one that nearly ended his life before he turned 30.The Craft We Chose is more than a chronicle of those episodes. It also reveals Holm's private life, his roots and family, his courtship and marriage, and his four daughters, whom he affectionately calls his platoon. Webster's Dictionary defines the word holm as an island in a stream. That is an appropriate analogy. The Craft We Chose reveals Richard Holm as an island of steadfastness in a stream of chaos. He served his country with distinction, in good times and bad, displaying extreme courage under the direst of circumstances and a sense of honor that can only be considered unshakeable. And he describes it all with a keen eye and a distinctive wit. His is a classic American story that conveys, vividly and unforgettably, a life in the CIA.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- Carlos
- 05-20-17
Good Background
I struggled a bit with the book due to the excruciating amount of detail describing events. I understanf the story telling portion but could have been a bit more condense and to the point on some of them. What is up with the foreing accents and tones? Couldn't get pass the condescending accents. Great message to new folks joining this line of work and great situational awarness for the public in general.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jamie D
- 05-05-17
Not what I expected
What started out as a slow read/listen?… Turned into a great experience. I loved listening to the narrator deliver the story. There was something about his voice that made it easy to imagine what was going on, and it made me want more. The story is not all spy games, or crazy espionage. Just one man's life in the CIA. I enjoyed the personal aspect of it. I thought it was a great story to listen to.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachel
- Salt Lake City
- 06-19-16
Fascinating story
I enjoyed this book very much. It shares an interesting perspective of recent history and the inner workings of the CIA. Certainly, the author displays much unexamined privilege in his narrative and point of view and though I do not agree with all of it, I found it enriching.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- topgun1050
- Charleston, SC
- 08-01-18
Lucky
lucky to have her husband on all her assignments so dont complain about your job
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- jeffrey
- 10-04-14
Not a Spy Story
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
No. This was a long uneventful book about the employment history of a CIA employee. Thats is it. With the exception of a horrific accident he had to recover from, there is no stories about espionage, intrigue, or covert operations.
Has The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA put you off other books in this genre?
no
How could the performance have been better?
yes
Do you think The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
please no
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 09-02-16
Outstanding history and memoir of CIA from basic training to Laos, Vietnam and post Cold War.
An outstanding book. Honest and objective. Excellent segments on CIA recruitment and training. The Vietnam war and Laos and Cambodia through to the Middle East and Europe doting the Cold War.
