Blacks Ops

by Rick Prado

Genres: Espionage

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

How does one rate a heavily redacted spy's memoir? Was he truthful throughout? Almost certainly not. On the other hand, for us to question his narratives is almost a foolish exercise in denying our need for his services. I recall thinking as I listened whether it could be the case that Homer may have been the reporter of history as the protectors of Greek heritage would have liked it recorded rather than as it was. I doubt whether Prado's story will stand the test of time but it could be the slice that motivates like individuals to step up when the time comes - much as I hate to admit it such are necessary.

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book to read in order to find out more about the real CIA and what Black Ops are happening in the world.

Quotes on lack of information on CIA such as

Not a single movie I’ve watched in the forty years I’ve been in the game has even come close to a proper portrayal of what I’d seen in the Agency. Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn—they wrote brilliant novels, but the worlds they created bore little resemblance to one I lived through from the Cold War to the global war on terror.

were what drew me to this book as well as the recommendations of friends.

Mr. Prado stated in the postscript some of his goals for this work include:

...in the years since I left the CIA, I’ve come to realize that our institutionalized silence left a void. Into that vacuum came the movies, the novels, the salacious newspaper articles and melodramatic cable documentaries. We surrendered the helm, and others seized it. For decades now, we have let others drive the narrative of our own Agency. The result has been anything but an accurate depiction.

He continues:

Our people need to know we’re out there in a world few understand and fewer have ever experienced. We’re in the shadows there, listening, watching, whispering—for one purpose only: to protect our people and our nation from those bent on doing us harm. I sat down to write this book as a modest attempt to help change the narrative. The CIA I knew included some of the finest, most dedicated, and most value-driven human beings I’ve ever met. They were principled, loyal to each other and to our flag. They recognized the threats we face on a daily basis and worked tirelessly to expose them before our fellow Americans were hurt. The truth is, we foil far more plans than the Agency will ever admit. The vow of silence that has characterized the CIA since its inception ensures those successes go unmentioned for years, sometimes decades. It would also be good for our adversaries and enemies to know that we are out there. They need to be looking over their shoulder—or, even better, discouraged to even attempt anything against us.

Mr. Prado feels like he was part of something very important, and that working for the CIA was his calling in life. As someone who would also like to find my calling in life, I envy his certainty and lifelong career enjoyment.

Mr Prado has a style of writing that is quite a turn-off for me as a reader. He conveys an attitude along the lines of "I'm a hero and you should be very grateful from everything I've saved you from."

It seems to me that much of what he has done is redacted and not allowed to be published in full detail and with sufficient context due to national security concerns.

How can a writer accurately convey the real benefit and need for a program like the CIA without being able to convey what the CIA actually has done? In my opinion, Mr. Prado has failed to show the necessity and benefit of the CIA and black ops programs.

There are many complaints about Presidential and Congressional orders that limit power of CIA. These branches of the government of the United States of America have hampered the real work the CIA wants to do.

Mr. Prado repeatedly states that no criticism of the CIA organization or its leadership is allowed by future, current, and former CIA members.

Mr Prado explains that the US media and politicians don't understand the real world and real needs of the CIA. This is stated several times, but I don't find enough detail has been provided to actually allow me to believe Mr. Prado's statements of benefits and importance of the CIA are more valid then reporters/politicians' statements about CIA programs. As I recall there was only 1 time where he expressed support for and approval of our governments elected officials. I'm quite confused how he can love the United States of America but hate how it's run, governed, organized, etc.

It seems to me there are several alternative approaches to solving the world's problems that are available that are in direct opposition to the Black Ops approach. It seems what people need are medications, medical and mental health experts, educators, or to be just left alone if they so desire would be of more benefit. Guns and Black Ops techniques don't seem to be that helpful based on events described in this book.

But don't worry, the world is not getting better:

In the years ahead, as the world becomes increasingly dangerous, destabilized by non-state actors and rising superpowers, the United States will need the Agency’s capabilities more than ever. The CIA falls between diplomacy and total war on the spectrum of action available to our presidents. We are the third option, and as we approach quarter-century, many of the threats we face exist in the realm of the shadow world, beyond the reach of diplomats and soldiers alike.

If some Black Ops didn't fix our problems, more will?

[Crusade Bus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prado is an interesting person and he’s clearly had some interesting life experiences and done a lot of dangerous things on behalf of the United States and its people. I have no doubt he sincerely believes in the CIA and its mission, but rarely does he have moments of introspection about the flaws in the agency. And regardless of how good intentioned, all institutions, public or private, have flaws. The difference is that other institutions grapple with those flaws publicly and CIA types tend to close ranks and excommunicate anyone who speaks out critically.

Iran-Contra, extraordinary rendition, what the Church Committee revealed in the 1970/ etc, it’s all waved away as a misunderstanding or a backstabbing by tricky politicians or a sensationalist media. Rarely does Prado grapple with the moral complexities of the world he inhabits or the tension between having a secretive espionage organization in a democratic society. Some interesting stories but ultimately pretty shallow.

[Noah Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook - I felt the narrator was excellent; his tonality, inflections, and emphasis on key words throughout the read kept it engaging.

From a readers perspective, I seldom felt bored which I owe to listening versus reading. As other reviewers have noted, some of the stories contained in this book hit great strides of details while others are hit from 30,000 feet, often leaving the reader grasping for more.

4 stars from me is based on: learning about historical events through the lens of a CIA officer, good pacing with every story, and an insight into the organization that is not often shared.

Again, go for the audiobook. Cheers

[Kenneth Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hired as a short-term contractor to support CIA’s Special Activities Division, Ric Prado so impressed SAD’s paramilitary staff that he was later hired to lead the CIA’s efforts to support Nicaragua’s contras in the jungles of Honduras. And thus began one of the most remarkable publicly-documented careers of any CIA officer.
Ric possessed of a keen analytical mind and would excel in the collection course, and operate successfully in some of the most challenging operational assignments CIA had to offer.
Prado is a consummate warrior and humble gentleman. He simply tells it like it was and leaves it up to you to inject the drama and intrigue.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read into the life of a CIA officer. There were some interesting stories and obviously he couldn’t go into a lot of detail on most stories but he made you feel like you were in the midst of some of the action.

[Michael]

CIA neocon apologetics. Definitely went lots of places and did lots of interesting things but he seems to either be a true believer or this is being used to try to rehabilitate the CIA after their 70 some year history of. Misadventures and abuses.

[Tom Bourgeois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this memoir of a very successful CIA agent spanning the 8o's and 90's. His story reinforced my confidence in our intelligence service and the integrity of the people working there.

[Ray Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not compelling. Great story and interesting insights into immigration, gangs, and the CIA. Just not compelling prose or suspense. More a documentary than a drama.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of it were interesting, but this didn’t have a ton of narrative structure.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great stories from an interesting time. Overshadowed by self righteousness and self importance.

[Cody Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a nonfiction, high action, adrenaline filled accounts of what it's like to work behind the scenes in the most secretive government work and agency, then this is it! While it is enjoyable to "see" into the unseen actions of the US government, it is still uncanny to know that these happenings occur around us in a mysterious shadow world that civilians will never know of. It is equally haunting that if other countries were to do the things accounted in this book on American soil, we would quickly deem it as terrorism.

All in all, this is an unbiased account of true stories from the governmental shadows.