یادبود: اسرار مرگ و زندگی مأموران سیا

by Ted Gup, مهین قهرمان (Translator)

لحظه‌ای را که در مقابل دیوار افتخار سازمان سیا قرار گرفتم، خوب به یاد دارم. درخلال جنگ خلیج فارس در فوریهٔ ۱۹۹۱ بود. به عنوان گزارشگر مجله تایمز برای مصاحبه با یکی از تحلیلگران سازمان که کار‌شناس مسائل عراق بود، به آنجا رفته بودم. مصاحبه‌ای مهم. اجازه نداشتم نام آن مامور را فاش کنم یا سخنی از ارتباط او با سازمان سیا بر زبان آورم. ساختمان ستاد مرکزی سیا با مساحت تقریبی ۱۲۰۰۰۰ متر مربع ساخته شده از سنگ مرمر، دارای تعداد زیادی ستون بود و روی دیوارهای آن ردیف به ردیف چراغ کار گذاشته بودند. سالن ورودی بزرگ و سرد بود. شبیه یک مقبره!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Espionage, Politics, Biography, Military Fiction, American History

471 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Ted Gup is the author of A Secret Gift, (Penguin Press, 2010) and two previous books: Nation of Secrets: The Threat to Democracy and the American Way of Life (Doubleday, 2007) winner of the Goldsmith Book Prize from Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government, and the bestseller, The Book of Honor: Covert Lives And Classified Deaths At The CIA (Doubleday, 2000.) He is a former investigative reporter for The Washington Post where he worked under Bob Woodward. He later wrote for Time magazine covering Congress, the environment, and served as Washington investigative correspondent."

Reviews

[Sarah Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's disdain for the CIA and its secrecy make this difficult to get through. The subject matter is interesting; while many of the details of these agents' deaths remain classified, readers get an interesting look at their lives and how they came to be agents, as well as how the agency itself evolved through the Cold War and beyond. However, the author is unrelenting in his focus on the lack of credit and recognition the agents received. He seems to imply that, once dead, all need for discretion is erased, which ignores the reality that there are other people - agents, assets, informants, etc. - still alive who could be "outed" and missions jeopardized if all was revealed. With each chapter, Gup laments the fact that the agents are represented by a "nameless star", that their widows may no have been allowed to keep their medals, and that their gravestones or other memorials referenced their over positions rather than their link the CIA; time and again he despairs over the "lowly" positions the agents held as part of their cover stories when clearly they were all so superior to their purported roles. Not only does this make for repetitive storytelling, but it is a strange fixation to have - these agents knew the nature of their work, both in terms of the risk involved and the anonymity. To be sure, the CIA has its failings and could have done more to protect some of these people, but the lack of fanfare for agents - current or former - comes with the territory. Gup has misjudged his subjects; the need for glory and notoriety is his, not theirs.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of a long series of short biographies of some of the covert operatives who died while working for the Central Intelligence Agency, who are honored by stars in the lobby of its headquarters in Virginia, but who are not identified in its accompanying "Book of Honor". In the course of reading this book one is presented with what almost amounts to a history of the agency.

Each of the deceased is represented almost hagiographically: they're all idealistic, most handsome in one way or another, most exceptionally brave, exceptionally intelligent. This grows a bit wearisome and increasingly dubious, if only through repetition, but the business of author Gup is to honor the dead and such exaggeration is customary in memorials. Saving the book is that Gup accomplishes more than just that. The mistakes and crimes of the CIA, though not emphasized as much as I'd like, are not entirely concealed. The picture that emerges is in fact one of (mostly) misguided idealists misled and betrayed by their employer.

What I found most moving about this book were the stories of the families and friends of the deceased, all of whom were more or less denied customary recognition of their loved ones.

[Licia Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generally, when people think about CIA operatives, they imagine what they see in films or television. In most popular programming there's a camaraderie among team members. Gup does an excellent job of capturing the isolation that many clandestine officers face.

My favorite account was of Hugh Redmond, the U.S. intelligence agent who spent decades in a Chinese prison (Ward road Prison -- Shanghai; 1951-197x). After years of incarceration, the once-athletic Redmond had lost all of his teeth and became afflicted with disorders that he was forbidden to discuss. (William McInenly.)

Gup's book is great because he captures the integrity of the men and woman who have fought bravely to defend American values while at the same time criticizing hypocrisy within our government. For example, on page 75, he writes -- "Plausible deniability" enabled the president to distance himself from the darker hand of his own foreign policy, even freeing him to chastise those who carried out covert activities that he himself had set in play. Increasingly the Agency would be forced to fall on its own sword, to suffer not only ignominy of occasional defeats but the full moral responsibility of that defeat."

[Rich Milner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Gup did an amazing job researching the lives of covert CIA agents killed in the line of duty and given an anonymous star on the CIA's Wall of Honor. In a few instances, the Agency has officially acknowledged the persons identified in the book were CIA officers; in most cases, they have not. Gup (and the readers) wonder why the Agency still refuses to acknowledge some of the folks, especially those that died in the 50s and 60s. Gup did not write about each and every Star, but for those he did write about you have a detailed examination of the person, including why each chose to join the Agency. What I liked best about the book is that Gup could have written a clinical, fact-oriented story but instead focused on the person, providing interesting details about their family life, hobbies, etc., and ties this back into why most chose to serve their country. Well written and interesting. What more can you ask from a book?

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I was surprised by the amount of geopolitical history in this book - obvi the CIA works heavily within that context. But I enjoyed it. Normally I would say that topic doesn't interest me, but including a human context made it really interesting. I was also surprised by how cagey the CIA is even with the families' of the deceased. Often it isn't to protect a mission as much as to protect the CIA itself. Again, something that shouldn't surprise me. Def made me reconsider my childhood dream of being a CIA agent. I talk about myself too much to ever do anything clandestine!

[Ghisela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
I found it very interesting. There were moments I gasped and definite moments of... WTF was that.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most unfortunate thing about this book is that as soon as you grow to “know” and like one of the “nameless stars” they are inevitably killed, sometimes brutally. The author has done a commendable job of telling the stories of these covert operatives whose obfuscated deaths often laid waste, emotionally, to their respective families — this book is as much a tribute to them as to the Stars. The author does, however, bemoan the secretive nature of the Agency’s work a little too much. What did he expect?

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a class on the CIA and Secrecy with Ted Gup at CWRU several years ago. We read excerpts of this book for class, but it wasn't until recently that I read through the whole thing. I was blessed to have the unique experience of getting his insight in person for a whole semester, including a class trip to Washington DC, however I still wish I would have read it in its entirety during that time frame. His deep passion and desire to honor the men and women that gave their lives for our country is memorable both in person and through his work. I look forward to reading his other books.

[Ginny Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious read. Found it quite frustrating. Appreciate the CIA has responsibilities on an international level but feel reading this that it was 'just another life'? Feel the British secret services were/are more protective of their agents and certainly acknowledge their service. Perhaps I'm just a little biased?

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book a lot of detail on the memorial wall and the book of unknown patriots who have been killed working for CIA in undercover missions. Interesting American history of spying and espionage.
That are still kept secret.

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admire the research this took, the recognition and closure it provides to fallen CIA officers and their families, and the spirit, but man, it was a bit of bore. You can tell the author is a journalist in that it’s exhaustively researched and sourced—good thing—but you also in that the prose is extremely dry and uninteresting—bad thing.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I finished reading this book I thought of the movie "The Good Shepherd" starring Matt Damon who portrays a CIA Officer during the Cold War. In one scene Joe Pesci tells Matt Damon that he is afraid of the CIA because the agency makes ""big wars". Matt Damon replies the CIA makes sure the wars are "small".

I think that scene sums up this book. You learn of the men and women who perished fighting "small wars" in places such as Angola and Congo in Cold War conflicts virtually unknown to Americans. This book is readable and the author is to be commended on his research because even decades later the deaths of many of these officers are shrouded in secrecy.

[Steve Reichardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about a group of CIA operatives who lost their lives and for years the agency denied their very existence. Crushing their families by withholding news of the circumstances of their deaths in the name of national security. As one source for the book put it, “They’ll have you crawl out on a limb and then saw off the branch.” Interesting view of a necessary organization.

[Steve Widtfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be very informative about the CIA’s areas of focus around the globe since WWII. I was not aware that the CIA had been so involved in Africa. I also learned more about who they recruited out of colleges, and the nature of their work. Paramilitary operations were a big part of its activities beyond human intelligence gathering. It was a worthwhile read.

[David Dzimianski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gup's work is a rare realistic look at the real humanity of the unsung heroes of the CIA. Understandably, his view of the agency is somewhat soured - in that he is not unlike many other Americans - but he does not let his views of the agency keep him from honoring the fallen.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the history of fallen agents -- their missions -- and the shifting nature of the CIA since its inception. Dry as all hell. But so dry it made the book fun since it read like an old newsreel.

[Jeff Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

What about George Bacon?

Too much fluff....too little substance. And what about George Bacon? Nothing, no history of the man, no pictures. Very disappointing you overlooked a few good men.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Sad to think our government left several of these heros in their moments of death or prison.

[Josh Gering · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read. It raises plenty of questions about whether the ends justify the means, but doesn't try too hard to push the reader to a conclusion.

[ByTheFire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening accounts of brave Americans who served their country with fierce loyalty. Casts new light (at least for me) on the duplicity among those who seek "plausible deniability"

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly researched and gives an eye opening view of inside the CIA. Most of the stories were heartbreaking and the portrayal of the CIA is definitely negative. Worth a read though.

[Whitney Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a day— the stories are absolutely wild and I like that each chapter is about a new story/ person. Really well done and makes you open your eyes.

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative read concerning a subdued yet very powerful memorial on a wall in the lobby to the CIA headquarters. Although it doesn't always paint the CIA in good light, one must realize that someone, somewhere has determined that the death (not named in the book of honor to a correlating star) cannot be brought to light to protect sources and methods. However, the author does a good journalistic job of providing backdrops to each individual and the historical context of the their deaths, as well as effects on friends and family. It may be worth a revision or two as now there are over 125 stars and at the time the book (I believe) listed that there were 70+. The stories must be told for all to know and especially for the families it effects to the best that this author can provide. I believe it must be cathartic and help give closure to the surviving loved ones.

[Holden Hardcastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating look into the lives of the brave men and women who are represented as stars on the Memorial Wall at the CIA. The book read great and told the stories of these individuals at an exciting pace. This book could have four stars if only the author wouldn’t have had to vent his frustration about the CIA being secretive. Of course an intelligence agency is going to classify and deceive the public about how their case officers die if they are conducting clandestine work. It was really annoying to constantly hear the author’s negative opinion about the CIA. He should’ve just stuck to telling the intriguing stories of the individuals who gave their all in defense of the nation

[Steve Bera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book about the CIA. It is kind of an overview. It has 14 chapters, each one devoted to a different life extinguished in service with the CIA. Some are interesting, some not so much. All were mostly based on accounts of what happened from family members and some retired CIA employees. There is too much focus on the funerals. I declined a chance to interview with the CIA after college, and now I know what I missed and it would not have been a fit for me. This book was on the best seller list when published some 10 plus years ago.

[Emmett Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5. I enjoyed the first half of this book, which included a ton of historical context around the Cold War and the creation of the CIA. While the stories of these individuals were all compelling, the narrative felt repetitive as the book progresses. His critique of CIA secrecy is clear but doesn’t overshadow the importance of bringing these hidden stories to light. Definitely learned a lot. TL;DR - the CIA and American interventionism = bad, covert operatives who died for our country = selfless and well intentioned

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was just okay. I appreciate the sacrifice and dedication of those that serve our nation, so their stories are gratifying. But I’m also mindful that haphazardly sharing classified information puts others at risk.

There are two parts to this book: the stories of bravery, sacrifice and service, and the author’s sanctimonious judgement of the leadership of the CIA. His blithe dismissal of the security concerns raised an immediate red flags for me.

I bought the book from a used book store and it was in great shape. Nothing suggested to me that the book was written pre-9/11.

[Marti Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense, but readable. Very fair analysis of intel activities. I remember well, very well, the one he describes in 1999 when the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was inadvertently bombed. I was at "another" agency as a contractor, administrative, office-type, and the hoops people were jumping through to query that "database". Wow.

(Yeah, I have issues with my intel past. I'm not objective. They know.)

[Jack Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A behind-the-scenes look at who and what the stars etched in the wall at CIA headquarters represent. As you might expect, some thought provoking profiles and disturbing climaxes where the agency denies who assets were and how (and where) their demises occurred. Going in operatives know their work is Sub Rosa and they actions may ever be made public The Company is not amused.

[Bob Knipes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.

Ted did a magnificent job of investigative reporting. I can understand the need for secrecy, but not forever. These brave souls are entitled to more recognition. I am not pleased with the way some our presidents behaved. Too bad they put term limits on. This was the time we needed a President like Harry Truman?