The Art of Intelligence

Hardcover

English language

Published Dec. 29, 2012 by Penguin Press.

ISBN:: 978-1-59420-334-3
OCLC Number:: 757470532

(1 review)

A legendary CIA spy and counterterrorism expert tells the spellbinding story of his high-risk, action-packed career while illustrating the growing importance of America's intelligence officers and their secret missions. 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 …

A legendary CIA spy and counterterrorism expert tells the spellbinding story of his high-risk, action-packed career while illustrating the growing importance of America's intelligence officers and their secret missions. 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. - Publisher.

1 edition

Thom reviewed The Art of Intelligence by Henry A. Crumpton

Review of 'The Art of Intelligence' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Part professional memoir, part detailed history of Afghanistan right after 9/11, and part rose tinted picture of CIA patriotism. Together this makes for an interesting read, at times an eye-opening book.

The author was present for the major ramp up of counter terrorism activities and was also a liaison to the FBI at one point, so the history and points of view are very interesting. Non-state actors play a large role in this aspect, and this was a major change for American focus. The summary of successful and thwarted attacks is also interesting reading.

This was loaned to me by a colleague, and while I liked it, I didn't love it. Some sections of CIA theory or tactics get a bit dry. I was particularly interested in acquiring assets, the MICE/RC stuff, but the author just abandoned that part way through the book.

That aside, much of this book was …

Part professional memoir, part detailed history of Afghanistan right after 9/11, and part rose tinted picture of CIA patriotism. Together this makes for an interesting read, at times an eye-opening book.

The author was present for the major ramp up of counter terrorism activities and was also a liaison to the FBI at one point, so the history and points of view are very interesting. Non-state actors play a large role in this aspect, and this was a major change for American focus. The summary of successful and thwarted attacks is also interesting reading.

This was loaned to me by a colleague, and while I liked it, I didn't love it. Some sections of CIA theory or tactics get a bit dry. I was particularly interested in acquiring assets, the MICE/RC stuff, but the author just abandoned that part way through the book.

That aside, much of this book was an interesting and detailed look into the much maligned Central Intelligence Agency. It ends on a positive note, with the author's opinion that America is perhaps the best poised to adapt to this new environment. He points out that "we need leaders who embrace intellectual integrity, constructive political discourse, and hard-nosed governance rather than prideful ignorance, dogmatic rhetoric and divisive ideology". I agree, and hope we find them soon.

Subjects

United States
Intelligence officers
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Intelligence service
Methodology
Biography

Places

United States