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The Life Of A Spy: An Education In Truth, Lies And Power
In 1971, Rod Barton applied for a junior scientist role in the Australian Department of Defence. Little did he know what it as the Cold War intensified, Barton was inducted into the murky world of espionage.
For the next few decades, Barton lived a life straight from an adventure novel. In war-torn Mogashidu, he disarmed militia, while sleeping in rat-infested barracks. As a UN weapons inspector, he flew to Baghdad on special missions, interviewing top scientists to uncover an illegal weapons program, and raced to chemical firms across Europe, tracking materials sold to the Iraqis.
After 9/11, Barton became senior advisor to Hans Blix, seeking the truth on Iraq’s WMDs. His clashes with the CIA over what he saw – and what he didn’t find – reveal the terrible politicisation of the War on Terror. It prompted him to step from the shadows and share a truth about Iraqi prisoners – and to tussle with the Australian government.
This is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes account of a world marked by risk, secrecy and individual acts of courage. The Life of a Spy will introduce you to a man of principle in a time of chaos, and take you to the frontlines of politics and war.
For the next few decades, Barton lived a life straight from an adventure novel. In war-torn Mogashidu, he disarmed militia, while sleeping in rat-infested barracks. As a UN weapons inspector, he flew to Baghdad on special missions, interviewing top scientists to uncover an illegal weapons program, and raced to chemical firms across Europe, tracking materials sold to the Iraqis.
After 9/11, Barton became senior advisor to Hans Blix, seeking the truth on Iraq’s WMDs. His clashes with the CIA over what he saw – and what he didn’t find – reveal the terrible politicisation of the War on Terror. It prompted him to step from the shadows and share a truth about Iraqi prisoners – and to tussle with the Australian government.
This is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes account of a world marked by risk, secrecy and individual acts of courage. The Life of a Spy will introduce you to a man of principle in a time of chaos, and take you to the frontlines of politics and war.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2021
13 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 9, 2021
A truly enriching and accessible account of Rod Barton’s dramatic career. As someone studying international relations at uni I was captivated from the first page to the last - and appreciated the conversational tone. To prove how readable this book is, I’m in the midst of studying for exams at the moment (with one even on the Iraq war!) but read this to take a study break. One of my top reads this year and would highly recommend.
June 11, 2021
Really interesting background to contemporary history; perhaps no-one will be surprised to hear an insider say that there was after all no justification for the Iraq war, but still interesting to have it all laid out in detail.
It was disappointing - not the book - but in terms of what it reveals about the Australian Government - and that makes this a really important book.
For any Australian with an interest in contemporary history, this is a book worth reading.
It was disappointing - not the book - but in terms of what it reveals about the Australian Government - and that makes this a really important book.
For any Australian with an interest in contemporary history, this is a book worth reading.
February 20, 2022
Of course, Rod Barton was not a spy. He was an intelligence analyst in the Australian Joint Intelligence Organisation (later the Defence Intelligence Organisation) - an assessment agency rather than a collection agency, and went on to serve as a weapons inspector for the United Nations and then (briefly) the United States - an overt function which admittedly made good use of experience in the intelligence world. Only his time in the CIA-led Gateway operation was his work clandestine, and could be dignified with the term "spy".
The account is nonetheless a fascinating one as it casts light on some key the Iraq weapons of mass destruction, an issue that shaped much of international politics in the post-Cold War world (and continues to have implications for Iran and North Korea).
Now, it just happens that I worked for Rod Barton in mid-1986 when as a new graduate employed in the Australian Department of Defence I was sent on a three-month rotation to the Joint Intelligence Organisation's scientific and technical intelligence branch. Much of my time there was spent pouring over reports on Iraq's chemical weapons. For the rest of the account I was elsewhere in the Department of Defence and never returned to an intelligence agency. I also did not maintain contact with Barton - as the book explains this would have been hard for a more diligent networker as he spent many years overseas.
Barton's account brought back many memories. The team stopping when the tea lady came around - tea ladies had all gone by the end of the 1980s. General Baker smoking outside the building, at a time when smoke-free workplaces were introduced and even generals were forced out into the cold. My experience in JIO meant that I always listened with interest to news on Middle East weapons of mass destruction (WMD). And it also meant that I was shocked and puzzled why no WMD were found after the 2003 Iraq War - how was it that the intelligence agencies had such a failure?
The account is nonetheless a fascinating one as it casts light on some key the Iraq weapons of mass destruction, an issue that shaped much of international politics in the post-Cold War world (and continues to have implications for Iran and North Korea).
Now, it just happens that I worked for Rod Barton in mid-1986 when as a new graduate employed in the Australian Department of Defence I was sent on a three-month rotation to the Joint Intelligence Organisation's scientific and technical intelligence branch. Much of my time there was spent pouring over reports on Iraq's chemical weapons. For the rest of the account I was elsewhere in the Department of Defence and never returned to an intelligence agency. I also did not maintain contact with Barton - as the book explains this would have been hard for a more diligent networker as he spent many years overseas.
Barton's account brought back many memories. The team stopping when the tea lady came around - tea ladies had all gone by the end of the 1980s. General Baker smoking outside the building, at a time when smoke-free workplaces were introduced and even generals were forced out into the cold. My experience in JIO meant that I always listened with interest to news on Middle East weapons of mass destruction (WMD). And it also meant that I was shocked and puzzled why no WMD were found after the 2003 Iraq War - how was it that the intelligence agencies had such a failure?
May 12, 2022
This book is a memoir by Rod Barton, an officer of the Australian Defence Intelligence Organisation, who served in Somalia and Iraq. It chronicles his career from its humble beginning in the 1970s to the first decade of the 20th century. Along the way he has many adventures, eventually getting entangled in the biggest intelligence stuff-up of the century. He recounts how he told the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, at the time of the Gulf War that Iraq had chemical weapons but no biological weapons, and was a long way off developing nuclear weapons. He offers that one out of three isn't bad.
After an interlude in war-torn and chaotic Somalia, the rest of the book chronicles the efforts of a multinational team of spies to track down and uncover the truth about the Iraqi biological weapons program. It shows how the picture was assembled piece by piece through painstaking work in the face of obstruction by Iraq, and later by the United States.
Since the author was cleared to Top Secret, he cannot tell you everything, and there are obvious gaps. The book also falls well short of a detailed account of the Iraqi weapons program, or the work of the various UN inspection teams. Nonetheless it is an interesting read, which I'm sure many people will enjoy.
After an interlude in war-torn and chaotic Somalia, the rest of the book chronicles the efforts of a multinational team of spies to track down and uncover the truth about the Iraqi biological weapons program. It shows how the picture was assembled piece by piece through painstaking work in the face of obstruction by Iraq, and later by the United States.
Since the author was cleared to Top Secret, he cannot tell you everything, and there are obvious gaps. The book also falls well short of a detailed account of the Iraqi weapons program, or the work of the various UN inspection teams. Nonetheless it is an interesting read, which I'm sure many people will enjoy.
August 14, 2021
Detailed insight into the inner workings of this industry many years ago, fantastic read for anyone interested in politics, international relations and security. Loved how the author gave accounts of how his life played out whilst in various roles, the depths of knowledge and stories shared was impressive.
July 26, 2021
A very interesting read of what goes on behind the closed doors of the government and its agencies. Well worth the read to get an insight into the Iraqi war and weapons of mass destruction.
February 4, 2022
Such an easy and economical read. An important book about the US war on Iraq after 9/11, and treatment of prisoners.
June 27, 2022
Very interesting, and revealing about what was happening at the time.
January 3, 2023
I enjoyed this analytic tale of Rod Barton's life. He has a flair for the dramatic and it is clear to me he has enjoyed his life, the twists and turns and the importance of himself in his life!
January 16, 2025
Good book, well written. Very enjoyable.
August 31, 2025
Good book but I’m calling cap on half the shit he said he did
December 9, 2025
Easy read. I learnt a lot about Iraq, the war, and the weapons inspections.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews