Gray Work: Confessions of an American Paramilitary Spy

by Jamie Smith

The first ever, first-person story of America's private, paramilitary contractors at work around the world-from a man who performed these missions himself and has decades of stories to tell. This is a fascinating tale-and potentially the first-to describe the work of American contractors, men who run highly dangerous missions deep inside foreign countries on the brink of war. It will lift the veil and detail the ultimate danger and risk of paramilitary operations (both officially government-sanctioned and not) and show us in very intimate terms exactly what private soldiers do when the government can't act or take public responsibility. GRAY WORK combines covert military intelligence with boots-on-the-ground realism, following Jamie Smith through his CIA training and work as a spy in the State Department, to his co-founding of Blackwater following 9/11, to his decision to leave that company. As the founder and director of Blackwater Security, Smith's initial vision has undeniably shaped and transformed a decade of war. He argues that this gray area-and its warriors who occupy the controversial space between public and private-has become an indispensable element of the modern battlefield.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook, War

421 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2014

Reviews

[Robby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure this should be in non-fiction. Having read about ten chapters, I decided to look up a little bit more about the author, maybe check out his bona fides, and see if what I was reading was over-embellished... I'm a little surprised that the book's publisher hasn't been forced to give a few refunds.

I'm relatively certain this book is a work of fiction. Details in the story cannot be verified: due to both the classified nature of the claims, but also the lack of evidence of some of the more mundane claims made by the author.

I am interested to see what sort of scandal is revealed as a result of this author's attempt to buffalo his readers.

I can't recommend the book to anyone. I quit reading it, and would like a refund from Amazon. I don't want to think I helped this man pay for his several-million-dollar fraud settlement.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/va-be...

http://www.outsideonline.com/1926591/...

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/08...

http://www.safgc.hq.af.mil/shared/med...

There should be an option for providing negative stars....

[Rissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dense story with some confidential info blacked out which was interesting. If you like CIA FBI stuff and want a deeper knowledge into whats its like this is the book for you as we dive into his life and training.

[Jamie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the underbelly of war in modern times. The pictures support the story and - despite the naysayers - it rings true. Sounds like a massive attempt to discredit the author and thereby his book by those who don't want the truth to come out about what the US does abroad. Further credibility to the book's veracity is the $30,000,000 federal lawsuit the author filed against the magazine and it's writers who did the hit piece on him that came out before his book was even published. Smells like a propaganda campaign against a whistle blower to me - and a Christian whistleblower on top of it all. I'd suggest recommending this book to everyone you know who enjoys faith, patriotism and military reads and start a campaign to help get this book more publicity to counter the establishment. GOOD READ!! Great summer beach book!

[Jdmays · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Good to Be True

This book sounds compelling at the start and, really, who wouldn't want to believe a true blue American Patriot. However, after a while it seems there aren't a lot of hard and fast details about the authors life. The story starts to sound a little overblown and that's when I hit Google to find out a little more.

Do a search on the author and you'll most likely come across an article in Outside magazine that sounds very convincing. At this point, I'd like my money back because I don't think the authors claims are true. You can save yourself the trouble and not buy the book in the first place.

[Ti.Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mind-blowing journey into an extremely polarizing subject. Experienced through the rear view mirror of a guy who's worked and led paramilitary operations and training for decades, the book exposes uncomfortable truths, and a wealth of fun-to-learn facts about weapons, fighting, espionage, and cyber security.

Smith, a rough, take-no-crap bad a$$, also manages to end the book beautifully.

I'm all set to read Gray Work again, and wring every last droplet out of it. That means a lot. My rereading anything is a true rarity.

Gray Work could do with a better bibliography/notes section.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will open your eyes to the new reality of the way our government circles the laws that are set up to stop this type of espionage. And then there is the way the government tracks every thing you do....including this post you are reading.

[Matthew Sparling · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book and from the "behind the scenes" aspect is was very interesting. However, the author's continual insertion of his political views made the book seem childish. At times it was like reading a political lecture book than a book about mercenaries.

[Nathan Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished 'Gray Work' by Jamie Smith. Well-written and entertaining, but unfortunately likely mostly made up.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic look into the world of paramilitary work. Jamie's insights were captivating and his unashamed acknowledgement of his Christian faith was very refreshing. It's always encouraging to read the stories of men who fight the evil in our world but still maintain their faith and hope in Christ.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Occasional passages of interest, but way way too much finger pointing and whining about being fired, losing jobs to other contractors, and other 'not fair' moments..

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

About as true to life as a James Bond novel. Double-oh-nothing: the Spy Who Lied to Me. Some sort of recruitment/propaganda piece for the CIA and the US government in general.

...still, it's so over the top and ridiculous, it's kind of entertaining. It's the story of Jamie McBadAss, a true god fearing American Patriot spreading Freedom to the middle-east with bullets and gritty one-liners. The way he writes himself into every important historic event makes me think of Forest Gump except as if it was written by Andy McNab. It's full of many biographical elements and needless dramatisation including dialogue and an omniscient narrator.

The author has no self-awareness. He's making scathing comments about foreigners (or as he calls them: bad guys) being savage religious zealots who are the only thing stopping this world from being heaven on earth (them and Obama) whilst himself name dropping Jesus every other line and promising his second coming like some crazed prophet who just happens to make a living from *killing people for money*.

[Matt Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im so torn on this book. They guy comes across like a super spy but there is also a magazine article out there that describes this guy as "full of S***" I honestly dont know who to believe. Im guessing the truth lies somewhere thats not as awesome as the stories in his book, and not a deprived as the magazine article.

If you read this book perhaps take it with a grain of salt, but I really like it. I think Jamie Smith in some degree or another put his life on the line for the things he believed in. I really think thats admirable, but not a free pass. Im not sure where the line blurs between reality and creative freedom.

The book was filled with lots of well told stories and some really great information on how a spy operates. If nothing else, I learned how to lose a spy that might be following me...

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining memoir from an unique perspective. Mr. Smith does an excellent job telling his story that sheds light on some of the least examined aspects of American National Security. I saw the criticism, but his accounts rings authentic to me based on my 30 years of experience working in and around the DoD as a Military Officer, DoD Civilian and Contractor.

[Calen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would've rated it three stars if it had been presented as a military fiction but it lost one because of its constant political party preaching/ complaining. It also lost credibility due to repeated claims of the Afghan War having been won as of 2014. All in all, an interesting story, even with the over-use of similes.

[Wendi Stanton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have enjoyed to topic and the writers sarcasm. I find my self startling my co-workers as I laugh out loud while listening to this. My husband I too have played that game on vacation plane rides. :) a sort of where is Waldo for amusement. Read up on the Author. I agree this should be listed as fiction at best.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if the author's claims are true - nevertheless an interesting read.

[Frank Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great information here. I've worked in the industry and know this guy by reputation - he's legitimate.

[Brock Smotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it made feel like I was there every step of the way....I'M PRETTY MUCH READY TO BE A SPY NOW!!!!

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author claims to have done a bunch of (if true) exceptional things in various conflict zones over the past few decades, starting with a career at CIA (recruited as an undergraduate during the 1990s low point of the CIA, though), co-founding Blackwater, operating across borders in Afghanistan in deniable ops, private missions to rescue CIA agents from the clutches of Iran, taking down Gaddafi in Libya, more secret stuff in Mali, etc.

This was pretty hard to review. There are many sources which call into question the author's integrity and honesty about various events and parts of his background (denial that he ever worked for CIA, and allegations by the owner of Blackwater that rather than an ongoing and strategic role, he only had a 30 day engagement and was let go for non-performance). Objectively, he's been barred from contracting by the Air Force and convicted of ~$12.5mm in financial fraud. Most of his stories include details which either are open-source explanations of well known things (~20% of the book seems to be descriptions and explanations of basic concepts in security and overseas security contracting), or are descriptions of activities far outside the "normal" world of "normal" security contracting, going well in the 007/Tom Clancy/etc. world. However, while I have a reasonable degree of familiarity with basic overseas contracting, and with the "bootstrapping a small contractor in warzones" part (which he didn't really describe, although that would have been necessary for him to have done these things, and would have actually been both entertaining and verifiable), I only know "some of the secret squirrel stuff actually exists, but don't know any details about it", so it's hard to say with high confidence what is BS and what is plausible here. There definitely was a period in various parts of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Libya where money was being shoveled out and where someone could have "asked for forgiveness rather than permission" to do some of what was described here -- it's just that there's no effort made to give proof, and given the allegations of untruthfulness from other sources, it's hard to take it on faith. I think what continues to plague me is that every one of the anecdotes (not directly involving himself or his company) he relates is almost exactly as documented by other sources in other books; it's possible, but I would have assumed there were different viewpoints on these in other sources (not necessarily secret ones, just different background ones). The Outside Magazine article is the biggest criticism: https://www.outsideonline.com/1926591...

Another factor here which argues against believing his claims -- I've met a fair number of people in the IC (CIA and others), lots in the contracting world (including people who worked for Blackwater on non-DOD stuff), and other people involved in relatively secretive worlds. In general, none of them have behaved the way the author appears to -- much more reserved, cautious, and while very capable of deception, not capriciously and gratuitously untruthful on so many issues as have been documented with this case -- the constant padding of resume to an extreme degree ("7 years of national guard service" is actually "kicked out of ROTC after a year in relative disgrace", non-completed degrees listed as completed credentials, etc.)

However, it's at least entertaining. The book doesn't particularly help anyone understand what went right or wrong with these conflicts, best practices in using private security forces, etc., so it's not worth reading on that basis, but as a pure potentially-vaguely-inspired-by-actual-events secret squirrel account of stuff in warzones, go for it. I'm reasonably sure no more than X% of this book is true, for some value of X well below 50%, but it's probably more than 0%.

[Henrik Kamstrup-nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know more about how wars and conflicts are fought today, then this is a book for you. It's well structured, contains a lot of interesting information ans gives a great insight into the gray world of modern warfare.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it!

[Brendan Keene · Rating 1 out of 5]

*I wanted to start out and say that I've read the articles about the truth or lack there of within this book. I've come to the conclusion that there's no way to truly know. I could understand why the Author would fabricate these tales, but could also understand the US govt. trying to discredit Smith.*

As far as the book goes, it reads decently well and provides some interesting stories about spy and espionage around the world (the "gray work") & the requirements and the training process of a specialized mercenary ... That's where the positives end for me..

I think guys like Smith, Blackwater and other private contractor groups have blood on their hands, should be regulated and muzzled out of existence. I'm 100% confident that they seek war, dismantle and sabotage countries in which America has deemed "in need of change" and worse of all these do it for a PROFIT. These guys are sold to the American public as "peacekeepers" but are without a doubt a net NEGATIVE for the world... (Just look at the Wikileaks docs and see for yourself)

Throughout the book, you see Smith go to a place (Libya, Syria, Afghanistan Pakistan) to "spread democracy" or try and convince someone in the US government to act on "intel" he's been paid to get (from god knows who)... Often times this intel is extremely light... In the Syria chapter Smith is with a Kirdish soldier (whom has benefit in seeing the Syrian government fall) and they sneak through into Syria to look for "Iranian influence". They find a military base with men filing in and out, getting into vehicles and driving to other buildings on the base...etc. The Kirdish solider tells Smith "look those are the Iranians", Smith takes this guys word for it, they leave...Mission accomplished? Smith then goes back to the US and tells US politicians/gov. officials in a hearing that theres "significant Iranian influence operating within Syria" and we must enter to protect Syria and it's people... Obama rightly doesn't act on this, Smith can't make his money, whines about Obama a bit, and the chapter ends... onto Mali to try and spill blood there...

The point of the story is these guys are financially incentivized to find reasons to spread war & violence... Boots on the ground to overthrow governments that don't "act on behalf of US business interests" must be stopped... and Jamie Smith will be damned if he's not going to get a sweet, sweet contract out the spreading of US Imperialism! Smith has never met a War he doesn't like, he thinks that we should be anywhere and everywhere, and wars should never end... and what do you know he's paid handsomely to hold that position!

Ironically... Smith depicts him and his elk perfectly when trying to describe the ever growing threat of "radical islam", He states on pg. 360

"Fundamentalist Islamists are the bullies of the world. They want their way and attempt to get it through threat or infliction of violence. They justify their savagery by saying their religion and that the world should simply buckle under and look the other way, giving them what they want..."

That may be true to some extent... But one thing IS for certain is AMERICAN IMPERIALISM led by Groups like blackwater and blood-thirsty psychos like Smith fit the above description to a tea... Smith is clearly disgusted by "radical islamists" and the chaos they inflict... Little does he know he operates the same way...

The American public needs to do everything in its power to pressure our elected officials to restrict, sabotage and block guys like Smith from spilling blood throughout the world.

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There was a whole lot of "been there" and "done that" with interesting bits of tradecraft mixed in. Was surprised to see so many people panned the book because of the Outdoor article. Considering how many I statements are in the book and specific names / places, it seems like much of it would be fairly easy to validate.

Jamie Smith does not pull punches when calling out name brand bureaucrats, failures in Libya, missteps in Syria, and contract games played to win big money. Have to wonder if folks lined up against him were happy to take part in a hatchet job. If people get canceled and have their lives destroyed for a tweet... imagine what calling out a billion dollar industry can rain down.

The book is a quick, fun read. Give it a chance and see what you think.

[Jer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start my review by citing the author’s own self-review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

That should give you a pretty clear picture of where he stands on geopolitical, defense, intelligence, and other national security issues.

Gave ⭐️⭐️ instead of ⭐️ because some of the details about the motivation to make money by selling multiple sides of a conflict and converting up (as well as the general skulldugery of the trade) are likely true.

Nothing against the author or folks who carry out this line of work, there’s certainly a place for it, this books just isn’t that great of a picture into anything other than the idealized personal view of the author (with a heavy side-helping of politics and bias).

Will compare it to other more academic books on PMCs (e.g. Sean McFate’s) and see if I change my mind.

[JustKate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually didn't finish this book. Kept asking myself why this guy no longer worked for the government if he was as good as he says professed to be. Also wondered about all the personal comments he put in the book about how things "should be done." I've read so many books by government and military and none have been so overt in their disdain for yet reliance on the government or its employees. So I went to check a fact and found out that the book contents have been called into question so I couldn't finish it in good conscience. It's mostly fiction being passed off as non-fiction.

[Jeff Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I bought this to do some research for my upcoming novels I'm writing. I believed this perspective would be perfect, but I couldn't finish it. It reads like a first person brag fest about missions, opinions, and personal feelings. It's not that it's bad, because it really isn't. It's a outside view of how a spy works for the government, without working directly for them. But due to the writing style and constant self-endorsement, I couldn't finish it.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Smith is as close to a real life Jason Borne as you can get. Gray Work is a fascinating look behind the CIA's role in the Middle East after the fall of Suddam Hussien, as well as, an interesting tale of a man's journey through the clandestine organization. Not only is Smith informative, but reveals details of some amazing missions.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the darker side of intelligence told from the viewpoint of someone who was actually there. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in current geopolitical events. The only downside I could see were the many passages redacted from the text for security reasons. A very interesting read.

[Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute shite! The essential premise of the book is laughable. That the cia recruits people for covert overseas missions two years out of high school, is patently false. It’s not even good fiction. The only time the author spent undercover was ducking the poor saps who bought into his comic book secret squirrel bullshit.

[Devon Aguirre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but with all the surrounding controversy over its legitimacy I didn’t like how little the author addressed the issues. I gave the 3 star rating for the story telling but if I was ranking this is nonfiction I’d give it 2.