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brandongryder's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating read about a young CIA agent and his initial enthusiasm and eventual disillusionment with the CIA. As a freshmen attending college on 9/11, Laux is inspired to change his path and pursue a career in the CIA. His enthusiasm is tempered by the red tape and risk averse attitude exhibited by the CIA. I finished the book and wondered how many good agents the CIA loses and how this handcuffs the CIA.
squirrelsohno's review
3.0
3.5/5
I enjoyed reading it and all, but where were the takeaways? I don't think this book quite knew what it wanted to be, because it seemed like a weird mashup of travelogue, dating recollection, critique of the CIA, and "I'm such an idiot badass look at me". But none of that put together made for a complete book. It was missing something, and a key something.
I enjoyed reading it and all, but where were the takeaways? I don't think this book quite knew what it wanted to be, because it seemed like a weird mashup of travelogue, dating recollection, critique of the CIA, and "I'm such an idiot badass look at me". But none of that put together made for a complete book. It was missing something, and a key something.
shaddowhawke's review against another edition
2.0
This had the potential to be an interesting book. Sadly the asinine redactions (a portion you could piece together from other information supplied in the book and elsewhere) made it annoying to read.
baronessekat's review against another edition
1.0
What a load of self-centered narcissistic dreck.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
baronessekat's review
1.0
What a load of self-centered narcissistic dreck.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
I expected from the title that this would be about someone who actually went undercover into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not an informant handler who never went close to undercover. And by the telling was some one who just was able to come in and turn things around. I have trouble believing he was the first operative in Afghanistan who spoke fluent Pashtun (despite that he had been trained in a completely different dialect and had to relearn on the job). That he was the first and only one to suggest that the danger in Afghanistan was the Taliban and not Al-Qadea?
From the descriptions I felt more like he was a small town High School Quarterback who lived off of his self-perceived glory. That he was God's gift to everything - women, the CIA, the world. His girlfriend is mad at him, but the minute he takes off his shirt and she sees his fabulous abs she has to have sex with him right then and there? Give me a break.
And the attitude he claims he had with superior officers... dropping out of communication for two months and just going off on vacation jaunts without checking in at all, and he's not disciplined for it... I don't buy it.
sorry, no.
The only reason I give this book a 2 instead of a 1 is because I liked the reader. He's the only thing that kept me listening to the book.
lauraakersauthor's review
5.0
An excellent examination of an idealistic man turned into a cynic in short order by the behemoth of the CIA and its ineffective policies in Afghanistan and Syria.
numbersnumbers's review against another edition
3.0
A little disappointing, to be honest. But maybe my expectations were too high.
While this book was certainly interesting, it seemed to be very held back by the poor writing of the author, with far too little description, though some can be excused.
Contrary to many complaints, the blacked out text did not bother me. It’s understandable why it must be utilized, and I commend the author for choosing to leave it in rather than try to work around it. I would rather know that things are being hidden from me than not know at all.
Overall, I found this book pretty decent, and an interesting look into some of the work and complications that can come with life working for the CIA.
While this book was certainly interesting, it seemed to be very held back by the poor writing of the author, with far too little description, though some can be excused.
Contrary to many complaints, the blacked out text did not bother me. It’s understandable why it must be utilized, and I commend the author for choosing to leave it in rather than try to work around it. I would rather know that things are being hidden from me than not know at all.
Overall, I found this book pretty decent, and an interesting look into some of the work and complications that can come with life working for the CIA.
adbbfd's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced and action packed, this book is an excellent window into the secrecy of the CIA. It's hard to know whether to sympathize with the author or wonder if he's telling the truth, but his story is fascinating. It's a quick read (helped along by a lot of redaction), and it gives some insight into a world even well-informed Americans can't understand. If nothing else, it's a lesson in futility with the best of intentions.