By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton

Purchase at The Penguin Press or Amazon.com

Henry A. Crumpton is a legendary spy with the CIA. He is also a counterterrorism expert. In The Art of Intelligence Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, he weaves a fascinating recount of his exciting career with the CIA, while detailing why it is of the utmost importance to America’s survival that we have these brave intelligence officers and that we keep their secret missions, well, secret.

This book is an excellent beginner’s look into clandestine intelligence. Of special note would be details regarding the CIA turning to Predators in Afghanistan (now worldwide) and the coverage of the National Resources Division. The book is an easy read with broad appeal to the public and covers all aspects surrounding the CIA and his history with the agency.

Many on this blog know that I am a huge fan of espionage intrigue and nothing beats real life when it comes to spies and their adventures. This book does not disappoint and you will get a real in-depth picture of counterterrorism as well. From The Penguin Press:

For a crucial period, Henry Crumpton led the CIA’s global covert operations against America’s terrorist enemies, including al Qaeda. In the days after 9/11, the CIA tasked Crumpton to organize and lead the Afghanistan campaign. With Crumpton’s strategic initiative and bold leadership, from the battlefield to the Oval Office, U.S. and Afghan allies routed al Qaeda and the Taliban in less than ninety days after the Twin Towers fell. At the height of combat against the Taliban in late 2001, there were fewer than five hundred Americans on the ground in Afghanistan, a dynamic blend of CIA and Special Forces. The campaign changed the way America wages war. This book will change the way America views the CIA.

The Art of Intelligence draws from the full arc of Crumpton’s espionage and covert action exploits to explain what America’s spies do and why their service is more valuable than ever. From his early years in Africa, where he recruited and ran sources, from loathsome criminals to heroic warriors; to his liaison assignment at the FBI, the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, the development of the UAV Predator program, and the Afghanistan war; to his later work running all CIA clandestine operations inside the United States, he employs enthralling storytelling to teach important lessons about national security, but also about duty, honor, and love of country.

No book like The Art of Intelligence has ever been written-not with Crumpton’s unique perspective, in a time when America faced such grave and uncertain risk. It is an epic, sure to be a classic in the annals of espionage and war.

Want an inside look at the CIA and their agents? This book is for you then and you’ll enjoy it every bit as much as I have. Not only do you get to read about spy-craft and all it entails, the author goes into thoughtful consideration of warfare and the future of terrorism. He also goes into those that support his work.

I hope to read more from Henry A. Crumpton. He is an incredible writer and one you should read. He’s not afraid to state his opinions clearly and succinctly and stand by them and I admire that. Now, if I can just pry this out of my hubby’s hands, so it can go on my personal bookshelf. 🙂 You can purchase his book here or here.