My Spy: Memoir of a CIA Wife – A True Account of Passion, Danger, and Top-Secret Intelligence Missions

by Bina Cady Kiyonaga

So begins the love story of Joe Kiyonaga, the striking Japanese-American war hero from Hawaii, and Bina Cady, the irreverent Irish-Catholic redhead from Baltimore. Similar in their convictions, different in most every other respect, the two leaped into a marriage in 1947 that defied the anti-Japanese sentiments of the day. And their unlikely union would come to include a powerful, top-secret cohort: the CIA. For while Bina, Joe, and their children played the part of a normal family, all of their activities were geared toward Joe's clandestine mission as a spy for the CIA: to gather intelligence information and recruit new agents . Full of intrigue, passion, and danger, this extraordinary memoir has all the elements of the finest fiction -- made more compelling because every word is true.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the life of a CIA agent's family. Bina is a very willing narrator, with a talent for detail (sometimes too much) but it shows her personality well. You learn to empathize with such a nomadic and secretive life, which she seemed to enjoy in the end. I was a bit put off by the religious overtones. Overall, though, I did enjoy her account as one that demonstrates the sacrifices people give to our country every day, that may never come to light.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is easy but not compelling reading. It was interesting to hear her experience as a CIA wife and to learn about different escapades. It seemed somewhat disjointed as it didn't read as a story but rather different episodes and experiences. Nonetheless, it was interesting.

[Jan Dittbrenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and inside information about the CIA.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just a story of an unusual career choice, it's a portrait of a marriage. Bina Kiyonaga doesn't hold back, she relates her life and marriage, warts and all.

As she notes, her husband Joe's life is a mystery, so he was perfect for this line of work. Supposedly he had a Japanese mother and father, but being over 6 feet tall, with a Eurasian aura, his actual parentage was an issue for him. Joe has more mysteries than Bina suggests. The poverty of his childhood on Molokai and Maui that she describes is belied by Joe's inheritance of three rental properties on Oahu (which his mother's tactic in re-assuming them was something to behold).

As Bina describes it, being a CIA wife is not easy. Husbands disappear for days or weeks without a word and can't be called. Wives must trust no one and keep all conversations guarded. They have to drop friendships that might threaten their husband's cover. Wives never see their husband's office. People can appear in their homes, which are often swept for bugs, without notice.

On top of the contraints that come with the career, Joe is not easy to live with. He can leave for days/weeks and neglect to leave any money (he controls all finances). They argue. He will not drive his pregnant cook to the hospital to have her baby. Joe's soft spot - who his father is - is never far away. He wants to control his children's growth through hormones so they will look more Japanese!

Joe is lucky to have Bina. She is a traditional wife, dedicated to the marriage and family. She is so traditional that she follows the Catholic Church's ban on birth control. She supports Joe's career all she can, although she is mostly in the dark as to what he is doing. She has a great sense of humor and adventure.

While the material is old (Joe died in 1977), it spans very active years for the CIA. While in this time the Agency did many things most Americans would never support, it seems like the people who did them, if they are like the Kiyonagas, wouldn't have either. This book is a fast, quick read and will hold your interest.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this book is so highly rated. Just not my cup of tea, I guess. I read a review before I started this book that said it should have been titled, "My Life, While Being Married to a CIA Operative." I thought about that the entire time I was reading it.

I know these are real people, so I don't want to be too mean (and quite frankly, Bina's only saving grace is the vulnerability she shows for about the last 30 pages as she struggles with her husband's impending death). But overall, I found Bina to be truly insufferable throughout. I understand the time she grew up in, but she comes across as extremely naive, domineering, racist, materialistic, stereotypical high society etc. She never once mentions being very thankful or awed by the fact that the CIA (ostensibly) paid for her and her entire family to have a life full of all-expense paid vacations.

From the start, neither of them were very likable, and I don't think Joe's voice comes across much at all, even though she goes on and on about how he dictated his life to her from his hospital bed. Very, very dry material and a very loose history lesson circa 1950-1980. Took me forever to get through.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book following the life of Bina Cady Kiyonaga, who was married to the first CIA operative to be "surfaced". This means that he revealed his true occupation in his obituary. Before dyeing, he asked his wife to tell his story one day. She waited a long time to publish her memoirs to make sure she did not inadvertently out anyone still in the business.

She was an incredibly thoughtful and brave woman who married to a man who served his country. Such a great read!

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I didn't finish this book - I could never find the time and when I finally did, I'd lost the zest to finish it. I did get about halfway through though... The way it's written was very "relatable" - I felt like I was a part of this woman's world - like she was sitting next to me telling me her life story.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bina reminds me of my mother-in-law. They seem to be cut from the same cloth. Although their styles are different from mine, I respect them and their choices.

SUSIE - you have to read this book. I pulled it off your bookshelf at the lake house. You weren't familiar with the title when I mentioned it to you. Maybe Michael read it. Great book. I would think you and Bina are related.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO INTRIGUING! As someone who was never much for spy stories, I couldn't put this book down. Something about the way this former CIA agent's wife reminisces had me wrapped up in their life story like no other.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent look at the inside workings of a CIA man posing as a State Dept diplomat. She writes in an engaging style.

[Nmdb22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read, thinking of folks we have known through the years

[Daina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, these folks had very interesting adventures and an interesting marriage, but at times the author's ego really gets in the way of the story itself.