A Spy's Journey: A CIA Memoir

by Floyd Paseman

In 1967 Floyd Paseman joined the Central Intelligence Agency following successful service as an army officer in Germany. He was first stationed in the Far East, where he became fluent in Chinese language and culture, and then in Germany, at what was largely considered the agency’s toughest Cold War field posting. Over the years he rose from field spy to division chief and ultimately the top ranks in the Operations Directorate of the CIA.

Paseman details the behind-the-scenes intelligence gathering during the major events of eight presidential administrations from Lyndon B. Johnson through George W. Bush.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Memoir, Espionage, Military Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

Somehow the author makes 35 years of spying sound tremendously boring, mostly by not saying anything. "I was in a country, and I met with a contact." Really? Anything else you want to tell us??
Also, the author likes to tell tales of his macho manliness that he doesn't seem to realize make him sound like a raging asshole. As a prank on a coworker, he knocks out electricity on a whole block in a country with little electrical coverage, during a heat wave, as her husband that she hasn't seen comes to town. (We are supposed to laugh, but, Christ, what an entitled prick. ) He kicks a local guard he finds slacking off, he tells off superiors, he's just oh so manly. Like the time he used bar girls as human shields to get past scary dudes with big guns. (Which he somehow managed to scare off. By his manly presence. ). He also suffers from some serious gay panic. And can't tell the difference between homosexuality and pedophilia.
The book doesn't get interest until the end where he delves into the CIAs history, and then it's just risible. Can't blame them for Iran-Contra, it was really Ollie North. Bush the Second was very interested in intelligence. Etc.

If you want a good book about the CIA read Steve Colls "Ghost Wars".

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a dedicated and inveterate reader. It is rare to come across a book I don't like or finish. I am abandoning this book on page 76. The spy has gone so far to protect names and locations that "a person" went to "a country" and so forth. It appears that he wrote the book because Dr. Ralph E. Weber, a gentleman whom he respects greatly, insisted he write the book. He does not hesitate to share his kudos and the praise received from his supervisors but he does not deliver on the story that got him the reward.

His style is old European, stiff, vague by today's standards and considering it was published in 2004, the book is a bit archaic. Often I like archaic books for the sociological experience. The more I read of Mr. Paseman's book, the more I feel sorry for a man who may have done great deeds for a big world because he seems to have been living in a very small one.

[Michael Joe Armijo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published on New Year's Day 2004 this book is a fairly good summary of life in the CIA from the words of a devoted spy named Floyd. There were moments when I liked him. There were other moments when I read between the lines and did NOT like him as I could clearly see that he was arrogant, homophobic, had difficulty taking orders, clearly cheated on his wife and felt he was above most of his peers given that he could speak Chinese fluently (something the Agency taught him early on). Alas, this book was written over twenty years ago but it provided some good history lessons. I particularly liked the chapter "Behind-the-scenes intelligence gathering during major events of eight presidential administrations" towards the end of the book.

Sadly, I learned after reading the book that Floyd died on Mary 7, 2005 at the age of 64 of bone cancer.

In any case, here are the lines that intrigued me the most for one reason or another:

-As they used to say in the television drama DRAGNET, "Teh story you are about to hear is true." All of it.

-I simply could not make a career in the Army, as much as I liked it. I simply have always had trouble taking orders without knowing why.

-"It's better to fart and bear the shame than keep it in and bear the pain."

-I never forget over my entire career--things that are NOT always what they seem, and in espionage you never know who your friends and enemies really are.

-You must take the opportunity when you have it.

-As with all operations, you try everything until you find the right solution.

-I have always been a believer in the line GOLDFINGER used with James Bond: "Once is coincidence, twice is happenstance, three times is enemy action."

-In intelligence operations you seldom know anyone by their real name.

-FNU vs LNU (FAHNU or LAHNU): ...probably th most famous person in the intelligence world: First Name Unknown/Last Name Unknown

-The KGB often employed sex as an operational tool.

-In spite of our best-laid plans sometimes things just work out on there own.

-Spies are a different brred and can only be counted on to do the unexpected.

-I signed on to be a spy, I loved being a spy, and I could really only be a spy overseas.

-The CIA encourages its senior officers to speak their mind.

-I learned how strict Germans could be. I went into a small restaurant and ordered a ham and cheese sandwich.
"Nope," I was told, they do not have ham and cheese sandwiches.
"Do you have ham sandwiches?" I asked.
"Yup."
"Do you have cheese sandwiches?
"Yup."
"Ok, take the ham and take the cheese that you make each sandwich with and make a ham and cheese."
"Nope." So muchy for German flexibility.

-The term BOHICA: Bend Over, Here it Comes Again.

-The Germans can indeed be difficult but they are also very predictable, and blunt. You know where you stand, and they tell you the truth.

-Quit while you're on top, while you're feeling good about yourself--before they start calling you "an old fart who doesn't know when to quit."

-I preferred wanderig the halls to get my coffee, so I could chat with coworkers. This way I frequently came across issues I would never have heard of if I had stayed at my desk.

-One of the most important tools to human intelligence is to have an interest in things other than just your work.

-The CIA's sole reason for existence is spying.

-Spying is still best done on the ground overseas.

-Six stages of an intelligence operation:
1. Enthusiasm
2. Promises of Support
3. Disillusionment
4. Alarm
5. Search for Someone to Blame
6. REward All the Non-Participants

[Kayece · Rating 3 out of 5]

This being the first memoir on the CIA that I have read and not knowing too much about the CIA, I thought it was a good introduction to the subject. I like how the book presented chronologically and was well organized. Chapters often consisted of different lessons he learned at the time and stories to go along with those lessons. He also inserts little funny things that happened to him throughout his career which I think helped lighten up the reading sometimes.

His writing can be a bit choppy. I felt often there was no conclusion to a topic he would be talking about and then the next paragraph would start a new topic with no real introduction to that topic. This made it hard to read at times.

I highly enjoyed the section at the end of the book when he talked about the relationship and history of the presidents with the CIA. He also includes an extensive list of recommended readings at the end of the book which I thought was really cool!

Overall, I do not know if I would recommend this book to someone wanting to read up on the subject. I believe there are likely better CIA memoirs out there (I just have yet to read another one), but I am not disappointed in the time I spent reading through the book!

[Zina Cappiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my self for 10 years. I finally found time to crack open it's cover and boy am I glad I did! First I would like to thank Floyd Paseman for all of his tireless work and dedication to keeping our country safe and protecting our freedom! I truly enjoyed learning about his experiences in the CIA and it definitely gives me a new perspective on how much we take for granted our freedom. This freedom is not a right but a priviledge we all have in our lives as a result of a selected minority who sacrifice so much for us!

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and informative read. Intelligence work is anonymous unless it goes astray. Appreciate the context it was written in. For those frustrated by the lack of names and places, I can only suggest to read up on geography and history to help fill some of the gaps by using analysis. Otherwise, I give this 4 stars. Truly appreciate the second half and final chapters, as well as the recommended reading list in the end.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read other CIA memoirs that at least named the country and often the stations being written about. The first few chapters are like collections of anecdotes. The later chapters are superior, highlighted with facts and impressions about working under various presidents; reviews of working with different ambassadors; and critiques of CIA directors, types of spying, and the CIA's history and values. A great plus is the author's many further reading references.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know if you were in the Cia you could write something like this

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not well-written. Although there were some cute anecdotes about his personal experiences, the book doesn't hold much "big picture" value. However, there were a few reflective chapters after his retirement that looked at intelligence in the larger frame of things that I thought were mildly interesting, though I still felt Paseman could have used an editor to help him clean up and focus the text better.

[a.t.m. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful book about the modern day spy.

Because of the nature of the book in which the author was obviously hamstrung in telling his story and yet protect his agency and fellow spys . At times it was a hard read. The author is very intelligent, a brave and courageous patriot, and seemed to be perfectly suited for the job. Best part of the book was his assessment of all the modern day directors of his agency. I highly recommend this book.

[Macjest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly fascinating look at Paseman's years with the CIA. He served covertly in Asia and Europe for years before working a desk. Got an insiders look at spy craft and the administration that ran it as well as the politics. Would have like a little more background on how some things came about, but I did appreciate his unflinching look at what's right and wrong with the agency.

[Pat Thelander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will be reading this in support of a class this next semester.
Read the book. Itis an OK read and I did learn a lot about the relationship betweens different Presidents and the CIA. It will be a good resource for class.

[Laurie Schrall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, provides the reader with insight into the Agency's Case Officer career track - particularly overseas. Would recommend Class 11 before this book.

[Carl Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty simple writing, just hope he was a better spy. Too many good books to spend time on this one unless you really want to know something about the CIA.

[Boozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommended for the intelligence professional. excellent list or recommended reading, and authors insights into political interference with the business of Intelligence.

[Stan · Rating 2 out of 5]

not too much about the internal workings and more about the fun they had in the office.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but goes on way too long

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes for a good family-history style read, not necessarily a polished memoir. Interesting, though.

[Santo Golando · Rating 3 out of 5]

CIA AGENT'S 35 YEAR LIFE AS A SPY. INTERESTING BUT TOO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT UNIMPORTANT STUFF

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paseman has a great sense of humor. This book chronologically follows his path as a CIA spy. Compared with other CIA memoirs, his is one of the most fun ones to read.

[Avi · Rating 2 out of 5]

a five on a scale of 1-10

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don't really remember much about this book... i didn't finish it recently. i guess it was okay.

[Tejesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good one time read to get some insights of what it takes for spies to function.