Jesus, My Father, The CIA, And Me: A Memoir...of Sorts (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I asked a guest preacher at our church for a book recommendation, and this is the book.It is the memoir of a youth minister/priest who had an alcoholic father that worked for the CIA. The story deals with his growing up and trying to get his father by being both good and bad. There are quite a few sections on the Eucharist that are excellent. There are also quotes at the beginning of each chapter that are excellent (Wendell Berry: When going back make sense, you are going ahead). One other quote was in regards to his mother and forgiveness: Forget your mother. Can you forgive your children's grandmother?After reading it, I sent a note to two of the ministers on our church staff:Last Sunday, I briefly talked to the visiting preacher and asked him to recommend a book to me. I didn't give him any kind of background - just asked for a book recommendation. He recommended Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. I got a copy, started to read it, and decided that I needed to buy my own copy so that I could mark in it. The book opens with a quote from Wendell Berry so I guess I should have known it would be good. I finished it this morning. I found it to be a quick read although it was heavy in that it dealt with a man who was struggling with his relationship to his father and how it would affect his being a father to his children. The chapter where he meets a counselor is excellent (Zach - your father should read this book). At times, I suspect we all have relationship struggles with our fathers and wonder how it will affect us as parents. Even if you don't, I know that you know people that do. I'd suggest adding this book to your list of books to read.There are also some great thoughts on the Eucharist and what it means to the author. There might be a communion thought in there somewhere..... Easily one of the best books I read this year. Cron's story is compelling and beautifully told. Memoir at its best can make readers all at once think "There's no way this really happened!" while at the same time feeling a deep, undeniable truth. And Cron is funny too. In telling the story of his upbringing in the house of an alcoholic father, Cron describes our universal desire to be loved. He chronicles how his search led to startling revelations of his father's work in the CIA. At the same time, he doesn't shy away from his own battle with addiction and anxiety during years in which he seemed to fail more than succeed. In the end, Cron has his own children and wrestles with the tension between loving his kids enough and perhaps guarding them too much. All this set against the backdrop of his own relationship to a heavenly father, and what that celestial identity even means. Five star book all the way.
What do You think about Jesus, My Father, The CIA, And Me: A Memoir...of Sorts (2011)?
Ian Cron has an amazing gift of mixing the funny and the profound. A very touching, memorable book.
—ariemacherie
Thought to read a part, but ended up reading straight through. He totally drew me into his life.
—jijschurman
I LAUGHED, I CRIED , I REFLECTED . A VERY POWERFUL BOOK
—tnolt
