I really liked this book because I'm debating if I want to be in the CIA or not. If I'm going to then I definitely want to be a Clandestine Operations Officer after reading this book. While this isn't a story book, and instead is filled with facts and philosophy; it still has action and allows you to see into a door that most people never get to see. A door into the secret life of a real life James Bond or James Bourne. This is a book by someone who was not just a highly placed insider at the CIA, but a true believer in its mission and purpose. As such, the book is a mostly positive account of the agency from the perspective of someone who wanted to be part of the CIA from childhood, and served 24 years in its ranks at almost every level.Crumpton spent most of his time in the CIA undercover, either as a recruiter or COS running agents and clandestine operations in many of the most dangerous stations in the world. He served in Africa during the insurgencies of the 70s and in Afghanistan after 9/11. He describes his missions with as much detail as he is able (though sometimes leaving out all but the most general descriptions of places and people), and usually with a clear operational objective. Crumpton makes no apology or excuse for the directive of the CIA -- they are an instrument of the United States that uses all manner of tradecraft and statecraft to protect the safety and security of its citizens.For much of my adult life I have had a fascination with the CIA and it's role in US geopolitics. I think that's both because of the cutting edge technology they use to do their jobs, but also because they play the role of a hyper-secret government agency acting on behalf of a largely open society. Because of that the CIA is at the same time often our only blanket of cover to our enemies abroad, but also a potential threat to freedom and privacy here at home.I've read several "insider" books on the CIA, but this one really clarified for me a couple key elements of the agency that can sometimes get muddled. First, Crumpton makes it very clear that the CIA's primary mission is to gather and analyze intelligence (foreign intelligence) and provide it to its customers, be they the military, foreign liaison, or the President. Second, at times the CIA must go outside the bounds of its primary purpose and act as a clandestine army complete with the tools and often lethal objectives of the traditional military. Both activities often require the CIA to operate in the foreign field in ways that would be wholly illegal here on US soil.I enjoyed the book overall, especially the details of CIA tradecraft and the inside look at some of the international politics up to and after 9/11. But I was left with the distinct impression that Crumpton and others in the CIA act with a certain blind, almost religious adherence to do "whatever it takes" to meet US objectives. I wondered if there was ever a point at which they would question whether policy makers could cross the line and risk the very thing they are putting their lives on the line to protect.
What do You think about The Art Of Intelligence (2012)?
Engaging read, yet insightful into the CIA operations and the masterminding of the Afghanistan War.
—Jalulu
