My Dad the Spy

by Stewart Copeland

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stewart Copeland is an entertaining narrator and conversed with his siblings about their dad who worked further CIA. Copeland is upfront about his personal bias but there are also interviews with other people to add insight and differentiate perspectives. It allows you to make your own thoughts on American interference in the middle east and I think that's important and a well balanced as well as engaging story.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this two stars and my husband gave it 3.5. We listened to it together, both coming from families where we like to claim our dads were spies!! It was certainly interesting and entertaining, a colourful and energetic story, childhood memories of the Middle East and reflections upon the activities of the CIA during the 1950s onwards. For me I found the big pop star personality delivery a bit over facing, and while I was fully engaged, I would much rather read a text book critique on the subject, or even a well-written novel! It was not possible for this adoring son to really take a hard or deep look at his father’s activities, and keep the whole thing so light hearted. Am now feeling more depressed than I already was about the state of the world and the role of America!!

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting Audible original by Stewart Copeland describing his CIA father and a childhood in the Middle East, also reflecting on post-war CIA interventionist policies

[Rob Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musician, composer and drummer with The Police, Stewart Copeland, sets out to uncover the truth about his father, Miles Axe Copeland II; musician, raconteur, international businessman… and secret CIA operative.

Across nine action packed episodes, Stewart learns about his father’s role in overthrowing governments and in assassination plots. And how he befriended an infamous Soviet double agent. In the podcast’s dramatised re-creations, the actor Kerry Shale captures the sly southern charm that served Miles well as an agent and a parent.

The tone of the podcast, too, oscillates between playful and earnest. The first few episodes present Miles as an Ian Fleming character documenting his father’s involvement in the birth of the CIA. Only later does Stewart confront the geopolitical implications and talk to Middle Eastern historians who trace his father’s footsteps around the world. Along with his involvement in some of the most pivotal moments of the 21st century.

Helped by his brother and sister, and those who knew his dad’s world of politics and espionage, Stewart investigates the impact his spy father had, both on their family and on the world.

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a complicated one, I definitely enjoyed it, Stewart Copeland and co certainly created an excellent performance here but it was definitely more of a short family style biopic than a real exploration of Miles Copeland's role as a spy.
It's not missold, the book is clearly labelled as being about having a father as a spy, but if you're looking for any kind of in depth analysis of his role of impacts look elsewhere.
Some interesting anecdotes and a few surprises, but many parts were also unusual because right after exploring the terrible negative impact that America has had in the Middle East Copeland would repeat how much he loves his country and supports it! Bit of a mixed bag to be honest.

[Darcy French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great podcast technically, and a great performance by the Copelands. Many interesting stories, and some nice insights into what their life (and that of their fathers) was like. For this it gets 4 1/2 stars. But I have to mark it down because unfortunately it’s nowhere near critical enough of American interventionism. Copeland even repeatedly gloats about the exploits of his father, and I’m not convinced he was the good man he makes him out to be. Hard gig by Copeland, it’s clear he loves his dad, but that doesn’t justify the harm done.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great audiobook - loved it. Particularly Copeland's energy and slight sense of humour given the crazy twists and turns of this personal story.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and interesting podcast style audiobook telling the story of Stewart Copeland's dad secret life as a spy working for the CIA.

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars:

A little predictable and too “written” in terms of delivery. Not terrible, but wouldn’t particularly recommend.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting series. Stewart Copeland, better known as the drummer for the Police, examines the life of his father, a CIA operative. This was basically Stewart and his two living siblings, talking about his father and his father's career with the CIA. They did bring in experts to try to explain some things or fill in some holes in their knowledge, but it was basically three siblings talking about their father. So it did limit the series somewhat. I don't think it needed to be nine episodes long. However, I do like to listen to stories by people about their lives so the anecdotes about their father and the people he was involved with were interesting. I think the most interesting part for me was the section on Nasser, President of Egypt. The last segment, Stewart attempted to defend his father and the work of some of his contemporaries, but I felt that it lacked conviction. Stewart and his siblings obviously loved their father and he did seem like a genuinely good family man, but I find it hard to believe that the work he and his colleagues were doing was moral or just. As an American who now lives in England (not that Britain has a clean record either), I have always felt uncomfortable with the notion of American exceptionalism, even as a child growing up in an American system. But that's besides the point. Maybe Stewart's dad did believe in what he was doing. As Stewart wondered at the end, I wonder what he would have made of the outcome of their actions 60 years on.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good -- perfectly suited to audiobook. Stewart Copeland (of The Police) is a good storyteller with a great story, and access + knowledge of how to create a compelling soundscape. I learned a bit about the middle east, about my preconception that The Police was all about Sting (Copeland was a huge driver in the creative mix -- it's not what the book's about but it's evident in his narration and story that he's an exceptionally creative guy), and the backdrop -- a favourite childhood fantasy, of wanting to be a spy -- strips the myth and intrigue from spycraft and presents a look into the human side.

I see that many reviewers consider Copeland a lame-duck critic of his father's politics and influence; in contrast, I'm inhabiting the space that the guy's writing about his father. Fer chrissake. And he does so with real insight, including his father's blind spots and limitations. As the spy's son, he writes that his father was always there for his family, not true of other "Spy kids", the subject of one episode in this series.

Very entertaining audiobook.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miles Axe Copeland Jr, is listed on Google as “an American musician, businessman, and Central Intelligence Agency officer.”
And here he is being interviewed by Rolling Stone.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/...
It seems that he never did keep a low profile from the stories related by his children. Funny that he met his wife in London, and they were married before they knew they were both spies.

My kids were expat brats, and it changed them; they are also very good at identifying other expat brats in a group. Copeland did well to raise his kids to be interesting humans; declaring that Stewart would be the musician and now, he is. I had never thought about the Police beat being inspired by middle eastern drum rhythms. Omg - The Bed's Too Big Without You. That’s it!
There are some genuinely funny stories here, but it is a little flawed in the realisation that your Daddy helped destabilise the entire middle east, you know? No one wants to admit that.
3 stars

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome podcast. Stewart's narration is mesmerizing, sounding a little like Jeff Goldblum. His story was funny, yet intriguing. What would you do if you found out your dad was a real-life spy, in the CIA no less?

Stewart, along with his sister and brother, talk of stories when they were young that now, as adults, take on an entirely different meaning. They lived in many different countries during their youth. His parents, even with the positions they held, were very involved in the lives of their children. When young Stewart showed a real interest in drums, his father said, if you're going to do this, do it well.

The story talks mostly of his family with the 'spy dad' upbringing, but he also speaks to how his time in other countries, immersed in their music, allowed him to bring a different sound to The Police. That, we know, was a success.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Together with his siblings, Stewart Copeland sifts through the lies, half-truths and questionable tales from their father's CIA past in an attempt to find where the truth behind all those stories might lie. Definitely some interesting stuff here, particularly regarding CIA shenanigans in the Middle East during the Cold War. Copeland includes the opinions of several historians specialising in the areas where his father worked about the widereaching negative consequences CIA actions in the region had and still have to this day, though he himself clearly doesn't want to hear said opinions which go against his readily admitted bias.

[Suzy Qark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting story (9 part podcast on audible) about Stewart Copeland's dad who was in the CIA. Yes, that Stewart Copeland, the one who played drums in The Police. His father, Miles Copeland was born in Alabama and through his work in the military he ended up in the CIA when it was first established after WWII. As a result, Stewart and his siblings grew up in Lebanon and there are lots of stories to tell.

[Enda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-told, charming story of a son's love for a larger-than-life father. Excellent contributions from family, friends and historians. Unfortunately Copeland defends his father's odious acts for the CIA with the "Only obeying orders" excuse, and seems to find the slogan "My country right or wrong" inspiring rather than chilling. An undoubtedly heartfelt apology for the invasion of Iraq does not take the bad taste away.

[Nathan Scullard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but I have doubts about how much of it is actually true. I know this is touched upon in the podcast but I also think that it would have come across better if it was not so bias. No matter how charming Stewart Copeland is.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Interesting, especially if you’re interested in the Middle East. I also enjoyed the music and loved how other members of the family viewed the same events so differently.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea his dad was Miles Copeland. Stewart and his sister are the narrators of this podcast and do a very good job.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get used to the style of the audio book. A semi-interesting book about the children's perspective of their father along with a history of his career.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewart Copeland is a fantastic storyteller, this podcast had me very invested. And the story of Miles Copeland is fascinating in its own right.

[Pradhuman Bhati · Rating 2 out of 5]

On expected lines

[r_nandwani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copeland’s narrative on making this and allowing you to make your opinion on the CIA and its works in middle east is entertaining. Conversations between siblings and some interviews showed more perspectives and that made it more engaging and led to a practical conclusion.

[Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stewart Copeland, famous for being the drummer in The Police, investigates the life of his own father, who turned out to be a CIA spy post-war. He and his sister grew up in the middle east and never suspected a thing. Interesting and a fascinating look at the time period too.